Hittin’ the Town: Tiffin hosts a year long party and you’re invited

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - The city of Tiffin is about to mark a major milestone and the party will last all year long. The birthday bash kicks off Friday, March 25th with a proclamation party at the Ritz Theater.

The year was 1822. Harriet Tubman, Ulysses S. Grant and Fremont’s own Rutherford B. Hayes were all born. And so was the city of Tiffin.

Everywhere you turn in Tiffin, the city’s storied history is on full display. There will be a series of celebrations this year marking the 200th anniversary. Mayor Aaron Montz says the city’s early history involves a watering hole.

“Tiffin got its start from an old fort along the Sandusky River that was used in the war of 1812. From that, how did a lot of cities get their start? A bar. After the fort closed the bar was the beginning of Tiffin.”

200 years later, it’s time to celebrate the city’s rich past and promising future in a big way.

“They say timing is everything and now that we are coming out of the pandemic and we are able to resume our normal activities and go back to what is at least close to normal. For our 200th celebration to take place this year, the timing is absolutely perfect.”

A lot of the bicentennial festivities will pay homage to the early settlers of the Seneca County seat.

“Let’s face it, we are a very successful community but we would not be in this position without our forefathers and the generations before us laying the ground work.”

The year will be full of all kinds of family-friendly activities for all ages. Most of them are free.

“Think of it as fun events to do with a bicentennial twist. It will be bigger, more fun and and more people and an energy you won’t experience if you were just to come here normally.”

There’s a bicentennial committee made up of local volunteers from all different backgrounds. Marisa Stephens from Destination Seneca County is one of them.

“We’ll have our Fourth of July celebration at the park, a big farm to table meal the heritage festival parade which we are hoping to make it the biggest its ever been and we’ll wrap up with a 200th celebration that includes a potato chip drop and a gathering.”

Along with the bicentennial committee activities, the city and other organizations have big plans too.

“The third Thursday downtown, the summer walk will have a bicentennial theme. Events at the library also be bicentennial-themed and it’s the same with our historical society and museums.”

There’s also plenty of merchandise to mark the big birthday, you can find everything from beautiful glass creations at Hawkes Crystal to clothing at stores including Simply Susan’s. A year full of opportunities for people from all over to get out an explore an important centerpiece in our region’s rich history.

“Your city only turns 200 once.”

For a full list of activities, click here.

On a side note, Tiffin was named after Edward Tiffin, the first governor of Ohio.

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