Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is set to deliver the keynote address at the Ohio and Erie Canal Bicentennial Celebration in downtown Newark on June 28.
"We are honored to have Governor DeWine join us for this historic event," said Howard Long, executive director of the Licking County Historical Society, according to a news release. "We appreciate his long-standing interest in promoting Ohio’s history, and we’re delighted that he is coming to help us celebrate."
According to the release, the celebration will occur from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Canal Market District, located one block south of the Licking County Courthouse. The event is free and open to the public. DeWine will speak in the Central Market Pavilion as part of the opening ceremonies starting at 10 a.m. The pavilion is situated atop the old canal channel. While limited seating is available, attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
Long noted that DeWine follows in the footsteps of Ohio's sixth governor, Thomas Worthington, who spoke in Licking County 200 years ago on July 4, 1825, during the original groundbreaking ceremony for the canal. This historical event took place in what is now Heath city, south of where Hebron Road (SR 79) intersects with Irving Wick Drive.
The Licking County Historical Alliance, comprising over 20 historical organizations from Licking County, will host this bicentennial celebration. For more information about the event, interested parties can contact Long at 740-345-4898 or via email at hlong@lchsohio.org.
