By KEVIN CORVO
Wednesday September 14, 2016 6:12 PM
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Thousands of patrons turned out Sept. 10 for this year’s Old Hilliardfest Art and Street Fair, which included the first Run to Remember 5K, before Mother Nature caused a premature conclusion.
Thousands of patrons turned out Sept. 10 for this year’s Old Hilliardfest Art and Street Fair, which included the first Run to Remember 5K, before Mother Nature caused a premature conclusion.
The crowd also had the opportunity to walk the short distance to the historical village at Weaver Park, where the Hilliard Ohio Historical Society celebrated its 50th anniversary with dedicating a bell tower and recognizing 11 prominent Hilliard athletes from the past 50 years.
“We have a true hidden gem in our community,” Mayor Don Schonhardt said of Weaver Park.
He said the society “keeps history alive.”
State Sen. Jim Hughes (R-Columbus) and state Rep. Stephanie Kunze (R- Hilliard) also spoke at the event and offered proclamations to Tim Woodruff, vice president of the Hilliard Ohio Historical Society, to recognize the 50th anniversary.
“It’s a blessing to have this village in Hilliard,” Kunze said. Officials unveiled a bell tower in the center of Weaver Park.
The unfinished tower is being built from bricks kept in storage from the original Hilliard Elementary School and a one-room schoolhouse that once stood on the Scofield Farms at Davidson and Dublin roads. The historical society continues to sell personally engraved bricks for $50 each to complete the tower, Woodruff said.
The organization also recognized 11 Hilliard graduates who gained All- American status during their academics or athletics careers.
They included Katy Craig Swathwood (1998), Nate Ebner (2007), Mike Furrey (1995), Tom Gard (1960), Scott Rider (1978), Jake Miller (2010), Pete Miller (1967), Kirk Nail (2004), Corey Trump (2007), Dennis Woodruff (1962) and Don Yore (1960).
Ebner, a Davidson High School graduate who plays for the New England Patriots in the NFL, Furrey and Trump were unable to attend.
Pete Miller, whose wife, Judy, also is a 1967 Hilliard grad, once held the national high school discus-throwing record.
“Hilliard has been ... and continues to be ... a great place to live,” Miller said.
Swathwood, whose maiden name was Katy Craig, compared the recognition to only that of being inducted into the Ohio State University Athletic Hall of Fame for her achievement in the hammer throw and indoor weight.
At the time of her graduation in 2003, she held NCAA Division I women’s records for the hammer throw (196 feet, 11 inches) and the indoor weight (69 feet, 3 inches).
“This was unexpected and so special,” Swathwood said.
Back at the street fair, patrons enjoyed a variety of food trucks, craft vendors and a classic car show.
Shannon Williams, 66, of Hilliard was seated next to his powder blue 1956 Buick Super.
Williams said he paid $4,000 for the car about three years ago after it had sat in storage for four decades.
“I’ve had about 20 or 25 different (classic) cars,” he said, but has reduced his collection to just the Buick.
“It has a little damage to the back bumper (and paint imperfections) but it is all original and worth more (as such),” Williams said.
Vendors included Anissa Goodwin and Patty Rich, owners of P & A Designs in Grove City, who were making their first appearance at the street fair.
“It’s one of the most organized events I’ve seen. ... It’s a great show,” Goodwin said.
The street fair ended three hours early when organizers opted to close the fair at 5 p.m. as high winds, lightning and rain moved into the area, according to Ed Daniel, president of the Hilliard Civic Association.
