Monday, January 16, 2012

1812-2012 The Chardon Bicentennial Edition

Destination Geauga - Chardon, Ohio is best known for its maple sugar industry.  It is also known for its 106 inches of annual snow accumulations.  Today's blog celebrates a major event that is occurring this year with  Lake County's neighbor Chardon.  Located on some of the earliest known pioneer trails, the years 1795-1848 saw the area of Chardon active with  settlers.  Captain Edward Paine came to Chardon in 1812.  He built the first log cabin there and his home served as the town courthouse too.  Paine served as town recorder from 1811-1835, postmaster circa 1813, and town auditor from 1820-1822.  The town grew quickly in the early 1800's.  Modeled after the traditional New England style city landscapes, Chardon was thriving until a massive fire in 1868 destroyed nearly the entire town square.  Quickly rebuilt in 1869, the town today remains largely unchanged.  While the Chardon Bicentennial celebration officially will be recognized  from July 27-29, 2012, the citizens of the community have finalized many unique educational, social, and cultural programs for 2012.

WinterFest 2012 will take place on the Historic Chardon Square this Saturday, January 21, from 8am to 11am.  A pancake breakfast, games, dog sled demonstrations, elegant ice creations, and a snowman contest are but a few of the day's events.  Free snowmobile rides will be available at Mel Harder Park.  The Log Cabin will be open, its fireplace welcoming visitors and its volunteers providing general information to 2012's schedule of possibilities.

For more information on WinterFest or  Chardon's Bicentennial, please call 440-247-3077 or email chardontomorrow.org.  The official Chardon Bicentennial sites are www.chardonwinterfest.com or www.chardon200.org.  You may also write them at Chardon Bicentennial Committee P.O. Box 121, Chardon, Ohio 44024.

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