PHOTOS BY RENEA KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
The Governor came out to the Williams County Fair on Friday to the final celebration of Williams County’s 200th.
Williams County has been commemorating its bicentennial anniversary throughout the year. The culminating event featured the presence of Governor DeWine, who graced the gathering at the Williams County Fairgrounds on Friday, September 13th amidst a warm welcome from the attendees.
The proceedings commenced with Denver Henderson III, Chairman of the Williams County 200th Committee, formally introducing himself.
This was followed by the entrance of the Color Guard and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Subsequently, Mr. Henderson extended a warm welcome to all attendees and recognized the presence of elected officials and members of the bicentennial committee.
Mr. Henderson introduced the special guests, then handed the floor over to Pam Goll, President of the Fair Board, for some opening remarks.
Pam greeted everyone at the Williams County Fair and expressed her gratitude for their presence in celebrating the 200th anniversary.
Following her, Mr. Henderson handed the floor over to Kevin Maynard, a local historian. Mr. Maynard shared stories about the beginnings of Williams County and its journey to the present day.
Mr. Henderson welcomed Commissioner Bart Westfall to the floor to speak. Mr. Westfall welcomed everyone, especially the Governor and First Lady, for taking time out of their busy schedules to join them for this celebration.
He acknowledged the bicentennial committee for all their diligent work and the time they have put into this project. “Their efforts have enlightened us all and brought us to light with the struggles, the sacrifices, the dedications, and the determination our four fathers as they came before us in developing Ohio to be a great state that it is today.”
“All 88 counties have a unique story just like ours, as well as the stories of the 50 states as it makes up the greatest country in the world that we call home.”
“As we move forward, we must always remember that our efforts and our actions today, we are writing history for the next 200 years,” said Commissioner Westfall.
Commissioner Terry Rummel was welcomed to the floor to speak. He greeted everyone and expressed gratitude to the Governor and the First Lady for their presence. Mr. Rummel also thanked his fellow elected officials for both challenging and facilitating his work.
“All of you challenge me daily but it’s been a pleasure to serve with you,” said Mr. Rummel. He also acknowledged Governor DeWine for allocating $106,000 to the Williams County Fair and for his dedication to securing more funding for the children of Ohio.
Mr. Henderson came back up and recognized Commissioner Lew Hilkert for being the longest-serving commissioner in Williams County history.
Commissioner Hilkert took the floor to thank the Williams County 200th Celebration Committee, especially Denver Henderson for all their work put into the 200 celebrations.
“Over the past 200 years Williams County has built a great foundation for growth, and we look forward to the next 50 years for continued growth and prosperity for our families and friends in Williams County,” said Hilkert.
Representative Jim Hoops was then given the floor and thanked Governor DeWine and the First Lady for visiting Williams County
Mr. Hoops talked about the county’s history, emphasizing how people have come together over the past 200 years. He highlighted that whenever someone was in need, the community would unite and work together to uplift that person.
Senator Rob McColley was given the floor and he said the people in Williams County do not give up. “The people of Williams County is what made Williams County what it is, the people who have come here and made famous products like the Dum-Dum suckers and the Etch A Sketch and many other things that have come out of this county, but also the farmers, the teachers, the pastors, the parents who raised their kids here, the people who came back to raise their families and everybody in between.”
“It’s the people who made Williams County what it is and it’s the people who will continue to make Williams County what it is for years to come,” said McColley. With that being said, Senator McColley had a resolution that had been passed on the floor of the Senate on behalf of Williams County’s 200th Anniversary that he handed over to Commissioner Hilkert.
Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur was given the floor, and she thanked everyone for coming. She said that if she had to use one word to describe Williams County, it would be “welcoming.”
Congresswoman Kaptur discussed the hardships people endured to develop Ohio, attributing them to the challenges posed by its black swamps. She then presented Commissioner Hilkert with 200 years of Williams County that was entered into Congressional Record and a flag flown over the United States Capital.
Mr. Henderson then took the floor to acknowledge the surprise guest, the First Lady, for her dedication to childhood literacy before introducing Governor Mike DeWine to the floor. The Governor was welcomed with a standing ovation from the audience.
The Governor began by presenting Williams County with a bicentennial proclamation. He thanked the fair board for their hard work throughout the year and handed Pam Goll a commemoration.
The Governor also expressed gratitude to the local officials for their dedicated service to the county. “When I come up here, I think about what a great county this is for manufacturing and how long it has been a great county for manufacturing.”
“All the things that continue on, mean Williams County is going to have a great, great, great future. It is also a great agricultural county and you’ve heard all the reasons why. When I come up here, Fran and I were just looking at the fields.”
“Our part of Ohio is horribly dry and our crops do not look as good. This is such a beautiful country and beautiful farmland, and you do have to think, and again, the history reminds us that this was the black swamp.”
“Can you just imagine how much guts it took to come here and go out in what was swamp and wilderness, and start over in life?” said Governor DeWine.
The Lieutenant Governor, who is a Montpelier native, wrote a message for the Governor to deliver on his behalf. “Let them know that their Montpelier Locomotive grad wishes he could be with them and I am proud to be a small part of their great, great history”
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