Release Date:  August 24, 2016

Contact:    Alison Lawson, alison_lawson@nps.gov, 419-285-2184 extension 254

You’re Invited to Our 100^th Birthday Party!

Put-in-Bay, Ohio – In celebration of the National Park Service’s 100th birthday, a series of events will take place at Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial on Thursday, August 25 and Friday, August 26. Please take note that due to wind and rain predictions for Thursday we made a few changes to the schedule.  All events are FREE.

Thursday, August 25, 2016– All activities in the Visitor Center

11am

Join us for a brief ceremony that will include a special NPS Centennial proclamation on behalf of Ohio Governor John Kasich by LuAnne Cooke. Put-in-Bay Mayor Mac McCann and Lake Erie Shores and Islands Executive Director Larry Fletcher are also expected. We will also unveil a new photography exhibit by Bowling Green State University Photography Professor Chris Ridgeway.

1pm

Park Ranger Jeff Helmer will be giving a program on the history of the National Park Service.

3 pm 

Have you seen the Diver Down flags and vehicles near the seawalls this week and wondered what was going on? In addition to engineers who specialize in concrete, members of the National Park Service Submerged Resources Center (SRC) and Midwest Archeological Center are at Put-in-Bay this week studying the seawalls.  Project supervisor Jessica Keller will give an informative program on what the SRC does all over the US and what they are doing here at Perry’s Victory.

CAKE! Birthday cake provided by the Village Bakery will be available starting at 3pm.

5pm

Park Ranger Kathie Holbrook, who is focused primarily on the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, will be giving an informative talk on Lake Erie.

Please note: due to the wind and rain predicted for Thursday the musical performance scheduled for7pm has been cancelled. Lighting the birthday candles on the lower plaza has been moved to Friday.

Friday, August 26, 2016

11am – 5pm

Enjoy a variety of lawn games for all ages and black powder Musket demonstrations every hour on the hour.

7pm – 8:30pm

Musical performance by JP and the Chatfield Boys on the lower plaza of the Memorial.

8:45pm

Birthday Candles depicting 100 will be lit on the lower plaza of the Memorial.

Dusk

A spectacular fireworks display!

In recognition of Founders Day, August 25 through August 28 are fee free days. Those visiting Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial will have FREE access to the Memorial observation deck.

August 25, 2016 marks the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service and everyone can take part in the celebration. The centennial will kick off a second century of stewardship of America’s national treasures and engaging communities through recreation, conservation, and historic preservation. We invite you to find your park and discover the national parks and programs in your own backyard!

Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial was established to honor those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie, during the War of 1812, and to celebrate the long-lasting peace between Britain, Canada and the U.S. The Memorial, a Doric column, rising 352 feet over Lake Erie is situated 5 miles from the longest undefended border in the world. For more information about Perry’s Victory visit www.nps.gov/pevi, Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial on Facebook, Twitter @PerrysVIPM, instagram @perrysvictorynps, or call 419-285-2184.

www.nps.gov

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for the 413 parks in the National Park System and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, YouTube www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice and, #FindYourPark/#EncuentraTuParque and #NPS100.