John Paulding Summer Blast

John Paulding Summer Blast – America 250 Celebration Join us in downtown Paulding for two days of family-friendly fun, community pride, and patriotic celebration during the John Paulding Summer Blast. The festivities begin on Friday, July 10, 2026, with a parade around the historic courthouse square at 6:00 p.m. Alongside the parade, the Paulding Carnegie Library will host a children’s patriotic bike decorating contest. Following the parade, attendees can enjoy food vendors, activities, and entertainment throughout downtown. The evening concludes with a community fireworks display at dusk. The celebration continues on Saturday, July 11, 2026, with a morning 5K run/walk, family activities, food, shopping, and entertainment. Featured attractions include an Abraham Lincoln reenactor, a historical tour of downtown buildings, a community lunch, and a performance by the Paulding High School Band (time to be announced). As part of Ohio’s America 250 celebration, this event honors both our nation’s founding and the local history that shaped our community. The Village of Paulding is named for John Paulding, one of three New York militiamen who captured British Major John André in 1780, helping to expose Benedict Arnold’s plot to surrender West Point to the British during the American Revolution. Throughout the celebration, banners featuring John Paulding will be displayed around the courthouse square, and his story and contributions to American independence will be highlighted in a special message from the Paulding County Commissioners. By connecting local history to the nation’s 250th anniversary, the John Paulding Summer Blast offers residents and visitors an opportunity to celebrate the people, places, and events that helped secure American independence and inspire future generations.