Saturday, April 29, 2000
Harrison celebrates 150th year
By Mark Schmetzer
Enquirer contributor
HARRISON — Folks in Harrison take their celebrating seriously. When they realized a few years ago that the 150th anniversary of Harrison's incorporation as a city — its sesquicentennial — was coming up, they didn't mess around.
Building on the blueprint left by the 125th anniversary celebration in 1975, they formed a nonprofit corporation, developed a Web site and set up a six-month schedule of activities that kicks off today at 11 a.m. with the “motor-less” Heritage Parade through downtown.
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IF YOU GO
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What: Harrison Heritage Parade.
When: Today, 11 a.m.
Where: Starts at the intersection of Broadway and Washington Street, proceeds one block west on Washington to Harrison Avenue, south on Harrison to State, east one block on State to Broadway, and north on Broadway to South Elm.
Sesquicentennial information: 202-0600 or www.centuryandgold.com.
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“We're really getting excited,” said Betty Cookendorfer, one of three co-chairs of the Harrison Century and Gold Inc. executive committee. Dan Losekamp and Mary Lou Smith are the other co-chairs. “We've been meeting for about three years.”
One of the first moves was forming the nonprofit corporation, which allows contri butions to be tax-deductible, Mr. Losekamp said.
“This removes the city from having to take care of all of the problems and allows a group of volunteers to come in and do it,” Mr. Losekamp said. “It helps keep the city's books straight.”
Four parades
The city did contribute the first $30,000 for the effort, Mr. Losekamp said. Harrison Century and Gold Inc. is working with a budget of about $100,000, he said.
The Heritage Parade, which is expected to draw 70 units including a group of 10 antique bicycles, is one of four that will be staged in Harrison through the end of September.
The sesquicentennial schedule also includes a five-part lecture series, beard contest, concerts by the Cincinnati Pops, the Cincinnati Metropolitan Orchestra and Community Chorus, the Gateway Chorus, an antique tractor and farm equipment show, and quilt exhibit.
It also includes social functions such as a Founders' Ball and Daughters of the American Revolution luncheon, and a time capsule burial.
The celebration will conclude Sept. 30 with the grand finale parade, family picnic and fireworks show.
“One thing we're especially pleased with is being able to get the Pops to perform here,” Ms. Cookendorfer said. “We're anticipating a nice crowd, something like 3,000 or even 5,000 people.”
“We tried to put together a calendar of events with something for everybody,” said committee co-chairman Dan Losekamp. “When you do that, certain things stick out for each person. One of the real interesting things is the parade. I think it's good for the younger generation, which hasn't seen a lot of old surreys and old wagons. That ought to be very, very interesting.
“I think I'm still a child at heart. I like the things for the kids. When you look in the eyes of a 5- or 6-year-old, or even a 3-year-old, and they're as big as silver dollars, you know you've done your part.”
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