“At this point, we’re open to whatever anyone wants to do,” said committee chair and former Clark County commissioner John Detrick.
The committee — which consists of Detrick, Betty Grimes, Bill Berry and Mike Haubner — has had about five meetings, Detrick said. They’re hoping to kick-off the festivities with a costume ball next April, he said.
The committee is also planning a bicentennial calendar and a bicentennial patch, Detrick said. They’re also hoping to perform speaking engagements to make people aware of the event, as well as something special at the Clark County Fair, he said.
The county is also planning to coordinate red, white and blue flowers to be planted as part of the celebration, as well as a website and social media sites, he said.
The county was founded on April 28, 1818, separating from Champaign County. At one point, Champaign County consisted of Clark, Madison and Miami counties, Detrick said. Champaign County was founded in 1805, two years after Ohio became a state in 1803. The county seat was voted on at one point between New Boston and Springfield, Detrick said.
Detrick has described Clark County for years as the best mix of Ohio’s 88 counties. It ranks high in both agriculture and industry, despite ranking 81st in size, he said.
“Clark County is a special place,” Detrick said.
Ideas can be submitted by e-mail at commission@clarkcountyohio.gov or by messaging the Clark County, Ohio Facebook page.
“We’re always open to them,” he said.
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