Celebrate Stars & Stripes Friday
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When it comes to the spirit of Independence Day, nothing rivals the 22nd annual Sandusky Old Fashioned Stars and Stripes Celebration, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 4 at the downtown gazebo and around Washington Park.
“The July 4 celebration includes many families who come down here year after year and see lots of neighbors and friends,” said Sandusky Community Celebrations Council Committee Member Susan Sartor. “It’s just a good celebration.”
She added, “We try not to have too many carnie type events. We have a lot of church and neighborhood groups that come down. We have small businesses that bring information down for people to see. It’s a lot of exposure for the little man to try to let other people know what they have to offer the community.”
Aside from the nearly 100 booths and concession stands — ranging from Friends of the Greenhouse plant sale, Firelands Post Card Club and local artist Don Ohlemacher to Voices for Peace, Pop N Kernel Kettle Corn and more — this year’s Sandusky Old Fashioned Stars and Stripes Celebration features local youth as its stars.
“The main highlight of the day is the Children’s Bicycle Parade,” Sartor said. “That starts at noon on July 4. Children are invited to come down with their bikes decorated and meet us at the courthouse parking lot. They can also can come down with their bikes and decorate them there.
“The children will ride beyond or in front of the Sandusky High School band and meet their families at the gazebo.”
The July 4 gazebo entertainment schedule includes the Vacationland Band (10 a.m.), The Jackson Junior High Band (11 a.m.), Erie County O.S.U. Alumni Band (12:30 p.m.) and
The Wayne Golob Polka Band (1:30 p.m.). In addition to its large musical line-up, Sartor said over the years the Sandusky Old Fashioned Stars and Stripes Celebration has evolved.
“We’re hoping to have between 7,000 and 9,000 people,” Sartor said. “It grows a little bit every summer. It just depends on what the community is looking for each particular year.”
Continuing on the American theme of hot dogs, apple pie and fireworks (thank you Cedar Point), Sartor said the 22nd annual Sandusky Old Fashioned Stars and Stripes
Celebration is a special down home summer event.
“Who normally comes to this event are families, and hopefully that includes new families that have not been in the area very long,” Sartor said.
“It gives them a chance to see what Sandusky has to offer. There’s just a lot of history to this. Grandparents will come down, their children will come down and it’s just a good family event.”
