From the ROSSFORD CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
If history was your favorite subject in school, or even if it wasn’t, you will be amazed and delighted when history comes to life before your very eyes in Rossford July 19-23.
The Rossford Convention & Visitors Bureau received a grant from Ohio Humanities in Columbus to produce the local event. Join us at Rossford Veterans Park & Marina along the banks of the Maumee River for Chautauqua Rossford 2017, “Seeds of Change: America in the Early 20th Century” featuring a keynote performance of ‘Gone With the Wind’ author Margaret Mitchell by Chautauqua veteran Debra Conner
Other characters include Henry Ford, Amelia Earhart, John Barrymore and Nikola Tesla. Rossford High School students will portray influential figures from local NW Ohio history including Edward Ford, Florence Scott Libbey and Samuel ‘Golden Rule’ Jones.
Building on the 19th-century tradition established on the shores of New York’s Chautauqua Lake, Chautauqua Rossford is a five-day event that combines living history performances, music, education, and audience participation into a one-of-a-kind cultural event the entire community will enjoy. “Combining Riverfest with the local Chautauqua this year will create a bigger and better experience for locals and visitors alike,” said Rick Reichow of the Rossford Business Association.
Favorite Riverfest events such as the fireworks, beer tent and games for the kids will take place on Saturday evening, July 22nd . The troupe is under the tutelage of Jeremy Meier at the new Chautauqua training program at Owens Community College, which also received an Ohio Humanities grant for the program.
“The interactive presentation style of Chautauqua promotes an exciting interaction between audience and performer,” said Meier. “It’s a wonderful way to learn and reflect upon historical events and see their significance in contemporary times.”
Enjoy evening performances along with side trips, events and activities during this 5-day living history extravaganza. Sunday, July 23rd is planned as a family day with hands-on activities under the tent, performances by the high school scholars and a special preview of the Rossford Recreation production of Ronald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Jr.
This program is made possible in part by Ohio Humanities, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
