Citizens welcome to nominate local legends

FAIRBORN — The City of Fairborn is seeking to highlight local legends as it celebrates its 70th anniversary this year.

Members of the Fairborn Area Historical Society will be tasked with selecting nominated individuals who made contributions and brought honor to the city, Bath Township, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the State of Ohio, the nation and the globe.

Seven individuals will be selected in July and honored at a future formal event and their names will be listed on a permanent plaque to be displayed at the Fairborn Senior Center.

Members of Fairborn’s 70th anniversary committee report that the Legends of Fairborn program will be ongoing with three-to-five additional individuals to be nominated in subsequent years.

The nomination forms can be found at various locations within the City of Fairborn, including the Fairborn Community Library, 1 E. Main St.; the Fairborn Area Chamber of Commerce, 12 N. Central Ave.; Fairborn Government Center, 44 W. Hebble Ave.; and the Fairborn Senior Center, 325 N. Third St. The deadline to submit a nomination form is June 1 and should be dropped off or mailed to the Fairborn Senior Center. Forms can also be emailed by sending paperwork to [email protected].

Forms ask for the nominated individual’s name, as well as a description of their involvement in the community in various capacities.

Additional 70th anniversary events

Citizens will be encouraged to explore their community as a scavenger hunt-type game is being developed. A map of Fairborn will be printed with various destinations listed on the back. At those destinations, citizens can have the back of their maps stamped. By the end of the year, individuals with the most stamps will receive a prize. According to former Fairborn Mayor and 70th anniversary committee member Dan Kirkpatrick, the map is modeled after a previous World Fair scavenger hunt that took place in Knoxville, Tennessee.

The Ceasar’s Ford Theatre, Inc. as well as the Wright State University Arts Department is also being encouraged to get involved with the celebration with a theatrical event to possibly take place at Fairborn High School later in the year.

A formal dinner, as well as a “rock concert” at Oaks Quarry has also been discussed. Kirkpatrick highlighted that the events are aimed at appealing to community members of all ages.

The 70th anniversary is aimed to be highlighted at all of Fairborn’s annual events as well, such as the July Third Block Party, Fourth of July events, Bluegrass and Brews, Sweet Corn Festival and more.

A mural and commemorative items such as a Christmas ornament and stuffed animal are also planned to be developed.

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By Whitney Vickers

[email protected]

Contact Whitney Vickers at 937-502-4532.