Ohio’s America 250th signature event celebration kicks off in Dennison

The statewide celebration of America’s 250th birthday began with a preview event at the Dennison Depot of the 250 Buckeye Train. The event officially announced one of the state’s signature events — the 250 Buckeye Train and Transportation Festival.

The festival will take place April 25-26, 2026. Celebrations will be held each month in 2026, and transportation is the theme for April.

The 250 Buckeye Train excursion April 25 will go from Columbus to Dennison for a three-hour layover and back. On April 26 the 250 Buckeye Train excursion will leave from Newark and make a pickup in Coshocton, then travel to Dennison for a three-hour layover before returning.

The festivities will include a vintage car show that will stretch to Uhrichsville, flyovers by vintage planes, food trucks, reenactors and displays.

Tickets to ride the 250 Buckeye Train can be purchased at www.dennisondepot.org.

The 250 Buckeye Train is one of five signature projects for Ohio in celebrating America 250. The signature projects will focus on different aspects of the state’s history. The other events include different types of trails, murals, and community events like homecomings and picnics.

For Todd Kleismit, executive director of the America 250-Ohio Commission, he would like to see these celebrations bring back the magic that was felt back in 1976 when Americans celebrated the nations 200th birthday. As a youngster Kleismit remembers being immersed in the environment of the bicentennial.

“It made me very interested and curious about history and presidents, and I remember all the red, white and blue fire hydrants and the commemorative coins, all the things that came with that amazing experience,” Kleismit said. “We’re hopeful that the nation’s 250 will equally have an impact on young people. For those of us who are more seasoned citizens, we think it’s going to be an amazing opportunity for us to reflect and to also look forward.”

Ohio’s influence in the development of the nation was essential, and some of the planned activities will highlight those contributions including Ohio Goes to the Movies, colorful murals and statewide driving trails that highlight certain areas of history.

One of the focuses of America 250-Ohio is homecomings and picnics.

“We’re going to have lots of activities, programs and projects all over the state of Ohio, but if we don’t bring people together and provide an opportunity for all of us to reflect and think about the United States of America and what Ohio’s contributed to it, we will have squandered a big opportunity,” Kleismit said. “We really think it’s important for people to get together.”

One of the highlights of the preview event was the Claymont High School drama group and volunteers who entertained by singing 1940s and patriotic music prior to the scheduled program of speakers. The group dressed in 1940s fashions, some borrowed from the Little Theatre in Dover.

The group includes Karen Moffitt, Josselyn Ruiz Nunez, Zella VanScoy, DeeAnne McCoy, Grace Canfield, Tommi Clift, Chelsea Rhodes, Zane Kuczirka, Donald Rippel, Cory Spinell, Owen Cox and Lydia Downing.

Three of the singers — VanScoy, McCoy and Canfield — continued to perform a rendition of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” even after their music cut out. The audience clapped along to add some rhythm.

The group is scheduled to perform again at the event in April.

The Dennison Railroad Depot Museum has a new display this year called “Shoes to Fill.” The logo features a pair of 1940s women’s shoes.

“This is all about how individuals on the homefront had to step up into new roles,” Jazzee Barker said. “The first half of the exhibit is all about the activities and ways they tried to help the homefront. As you continue on, you’ll see about four exhibit cases that really showcase how the individuals on the homefront stepped into the workforce.”

It was mostly women who helped in the efforts, but there also were children who helped. Even children’s toys began to be made of wood and other materials to save rubber and steel that were needed in the World War II effort.

Call the Dennison Depot Railroad Museum at 740-922-6776 or email 250BuckeyeTrain@dennisondepot.org.