TIFFIN, Ohio — Tiffin is celebrating its local history this weekend, while passing that appreciation on to the next generation.
The 44th edition Tiffin-Seneca Heritage Festival kicked off Friday morning with its annual School Days, during which more than 400 local elementary students had the chance to interact with living history re-enactors.
The organizers know how to arouse the interest of young minds. They must come together in hopes of helping these children become the next generation of local history lovers.
“I think everyone should know a little bit about its history and what the town has to offer, to encourage people to come to downtown Tiffin and see what we have to offer,” said Christy Wiser, co-president of School Days.
School Days aims to get kids engaged in all there is to learn about Tiffin and Seneca County.
“Keep it up, get back to our roots and really spread the word,” said Heritage Festival President Rudi Feasel. “And try to help kids in particular and everyone in the community learn about Tiffin, about Seneca County, about its heritage and about where we really came from and how things really started for us here.”
And that work seems to be paying off, as this year Tiffin Calvert students will host a special putt-putt class during the festival to raise money for the Tiffin-Seneca United Way.
“It’s absolutely wonderful to see the younger generation of our community step up and participate in giving back to our community, organizations and agencies and to see them work.” said Nikkie Distel, Tiffin-Seneca United Way office director.
The Heritage Festival features live music, 20 food vendors, approximately 100 craft vendors, a German village featuring authentic beer and food, and a parade on Saturday morning.
Organizers hope that visitors from surrounding areas will be able to visit and enjoy Tiffin’s heritage.
“You’re definitely going to find something that kids will love and something that adults will love, too,” Feasel said. “We can all come together and enjoy a beautiful fall weekend, enjoy our culture and learn a little about its history.”
The festival will run all weekend and end around 3 p.m. on Sunday.