250 Buckeye Train celebration draws crowds to Dennison, Uhrichsville

Train whistles, music and air raid sirens thrilled visitors to the 250 Buckeye Train and Transportation celebration when the America 250-Ohio Signature Event was held April 25-26 in Dennison and Uhrichsville.

On Saturday, the 250 Buckeye Train ran from Columbus to Dennison and back. On Sunday, the train traveled from Newark to Dennison with a stop at Coshocton.

During the 250 Buckeye Train trips, actors portrayed famous Ohioans, adding to the historic journey. Much friendly, small-town fun was had as train passengers waved to the crowds on the street and the crowds waved back.

Once off the train, there was much to explore, including downtown businesses, food trucks, a history hangout featuring local historical organizations, a World War II reenactor encampment and military vehicles, a car show, kids zone, Veterans Village, two stages for entertainment and more.

A highlight was the air show Sunday as air raid sirens sounded when bombers flew overhead. Saturday’s air show was canceled because of unfavorable cloud conditions.

The 250 Buckeye Train was inspired by the 1975-76 Freedom Train, which traveled across the United States with a cargo of priceless artifacts for the then-200 years of American history.

The festival was especially meaningful for some visitors.

Warren Mott of Groveport was the photographer on the Freedom Train. Mott organizes reunions of those who worked and rode on the Freedom Train. This year was the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Train, and associates and family members traveled from across the United States to catch the train in Columbus Saturday.

The excitement of riding a train again prompted a larger turnout.

“Usually, we have about 30-40 people, today we have 91 signed up,” Mott said. “Eighty-three rode on the Buckeye Train.”

Other members met the group in Dennison for the day, and all enjoyed the historic Freedom Train display in the Streetside Center.

Some Saturday train ride visitors, including a couple from East Liverpool, liked the festival so much they drove back to Dennison Sunday because there was so much to see.

As a signature event for the state of Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine, his wife, Fran, and members of their family rode the train from Newark to Dennison Sunday. DeWine could be seen carrying a camera to capture memories of the event. He praised the Dennison Depot site and the 250 Buckeye Train event.

“This is a great way to celebrate here in Dennison,” DeWine said. “To tell the story of Dennison and how many soldiers came through here. I suspect my dad went through here. It’s a great part of our history.”

DeWine enjoyed seeing the actors and others dressed in World War II period clothing for the event. He is pleased with the America 250-Ohio events that have been held so far.

“We’re very excited. We’ve had a lot of success this weekend. We’ve had a lot of success with Ohio Goes to the Movies, which has been really fun,” DeWine said. “My wife and I’ve been to visit a number of different theaters around the state. There’s a lot going on.”

DeWine and Todd Kleismit, executive director of America 250-Ohio, a group overseeing the planning of statewide celebrations, encouraged everyone to celebrate during the year. DeWine announced the opening of a new Trails & Tales self-guided driving trail, the Transportation Trail, which encompasses more than 80 sites.

DeWine also spent time talking with World War II Army veteran Dean Copeland of Bowerston, who will soon celebrate his 99th birthday. Copeland attended the festival with his neighbor, Jim Kelly. Copeland was on one of the last troop trains to go through the Dennison Depot from Little Rock, Arkansas. He was identifying people he knew in some of the old photos at the depot.

Copeland worked in transportation and recalls starting out in Brussels, Belgium, in a railroad station. He said war brides were coming out of Europe, and one of his jobs was to tag their luggage so people could read it to ensure the women had an easier trip. He also helped soldiers who were going back home.

When Shelly Cozart of WBTC Radio learned Copeland would be attending, she made sure one of the station’s golf carts was available for his use.

“We decorated a golf cart, and we made him the unofficial grand marshal of today, and we literally hooked him up with the Honor Flight Columbus ladies. They gave him a special coin and a hat and an application for an Honor Flight, because apparently, Mr. Copeland has never been on a plane,” Cozart said.

When people heard Copeland’s story, he was stopped by the crowd.

“Everybody was coming up and thanking him for his service and shaking his hand,” Cozart said. “He was so overwhelmed. He said, ‘I’m not that important.’ And I said, today you are. This is about you today.”

Copeland summed up the festival with the one word others also used to describe it.

“Amazing,” he said.