The City of Gahanna and the Gahanna 175 Committee are excited to announce a special community event to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the founding of Gahanna. The Jubilee Weekend, scheduled for THIS WEEKEND (August 9-11), promises to be both fun and engaging for residents, friends, and visitors as the community comes together to commemorate this significant milestone in the City’s history.
The Jubilee will feature a variety of family-friendly activities, live music, local food vendors, entertainment, and historical exhibits that highlight the rich heritage of the Gahanna community.
Event Highlights:
- Friday, August 9:
- Creekside LIVE: Celebrate Gahanna - This special edition of Creekside LIVE will kick off at 5 p.m. on the Creekside Plaza and Rotary Stage (117 Mill Street). The free event will feature dancing styles and music of the ages. At 7:30 p.m., Popgun will take the stage with their signature pop tunes that have become fan favorites throughout central Ohio.
- Saturday, August 10:
- Old-Fashioned Baseball – Join in the fun as a team of Gahanna first responders and city employees take on the Ohio Village Muffins, which the Ohio History Connection describes as “…a group of enthusiastic lovers of the game who carry on the tradition of the sport as it was played in mid-nineteenth-century America.” The first pitch will be at 11 a.m. at Jefferson Elementary (136 Carpenter Road).
- Gahanna’s 175th Anniversary Jubilee – The Creekside District will come alive in an extraordinary celebration as the Gahanna community comes together to mark the 175th anniversary of the founding of Gahanna! The Jubilee will take place from 6 – 10 p.m. and include caricaturists, face painters, stilt walkers, jugglers, bounce houses, entertainment by local community groups, food and artisan vendors, and a fun display that honors the City’s history. The evening will end with a special birthday program, immediately followed by a spectacular drone show at dusk (roughly 9:15-9:30 p.m.) that celebrates Gahanna’s unique history!
- Sunday, August 11:
- Come Together Gahanna: The entire community is invited to come together at 12 p.m. at Friendship Park (150 Oklahoma Avenue) for an old-fashioned Sunday social. Gahanna residents are encouraged to pack their baskets, bring a blanket, and join neighbors, friends and community members for an afternoon of fun and connecting. Visit VolunteerGahanna.org for volunteer opportunities before the picnic too!
"The talent and passion of Gahanna community members who have come together to deliver our milestone anniversary events are inspirational -- and our Jubilee will provide a unique opportunity for all of us to learn more about our history, support our local businesses and organizations, and think about our future,” said Darlene Molitor, Gahanna 175 Committee Chair.
Added Gahanna Mayor Laurie Jadwin, “The Jubilee Weekend is a time to celebrate all that our community loves about Gahanna – our rich and unique history, our diversity, and the bonds of friendship and support that have been built and cherished throughout the years. I am extremely grateful to the dedicated members of the Gahanna 175 Committee who have worked so diligently for more than a year to bring this celebration to life. I look forward to seeing our community come together as we honor our past and celebrate the spirit that makes Gahanna such a special place to call home.”
The Jubilee Weekend is the pinnacle of a year-long celebration of Gahanna’s 175th anniversary that includes a diverse array of events, from engaging historical storytelling sessions that delve into the City's past to community events that showcase our vibrant present. The Gahanna 175 Committee is comprised of residents, community organizations, and city representatives who meet once a month to plan the celebration. For more information on the Jubilee Weekend and upcoming events, please go to Gahanna175.com.