'Great Scott!' Dublin heads back in time at first-ever Founder's Day
Today, the population of Dublin, Ohio, is approaching 50,000 residents, but 35 years ago, Dublin had just achieved city status, eclipsing 5,000 residents and shedding the status of a village.
The Historic Dublin Business Association is celebrating the benchmark with the city’s inaugural Founder’s Day, from noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 2, at the Darby Street Lot in historic Dublin.
The event is free and open to the public.
The Darby Street Lot is adjacent to the Dublin branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, 75 N. High St., in historic Dublin.
Rick Gerber, president of the Historic Dublin Business Association and a former Dublin city councilman, said the association’s committee members are looking forward to staging the event after the COVID-19 pandemic delayed its launch.
“We are looking forward to it being an annual event with a different theme each year,” that is expected to sometimes reach deep into the city’s history, even back into the late 19th century, Gerber said.
But the inaugural Founder’s Day isn’t looking so far back.
In recognition of Dublin becoming a city in 1987, the theme of the inaugural Founder’s Day is the 1980s, Gerber said.
The Reaganomics, a band known for performing hit pop songs from the 1980s, is to perform at Founder’s Day.
Several owners of DeLoreans, the gull-winged vehicle that Doc Brown and Marty McFly famously flew in "Back to the Future," have been invited to showcase the cars at Founder’s Day.
In another nod to 1980s nostalgia, a community Twister game is to be part of the event’s activities.
Kids' games, craft vendors and food trucks are to be set up in the parking lot.
Guided tours of the historic district are to also be provided.
A portion of the proceeds and donations from Founder’s Day are to benefit the Dublin Food Pantry.
“It’s designed as a family event with activities for children earlier in the day, but trending toward adult activities toward the end,” including a performance by The Reaganomics to close the day, Gerber said.
Scott Dring, president and CEO of Visit Dublin, said the event is another example of the city’s cooperative effort to provide residents with activities and to showcase the city.
“The inaugural Founder’s Day event will be a great way for the entire family to celebrate Dublin’s history. It’s a great example of Dublin’s collaborative spirit with so many organizations working together on the event,” Dring said.
For further details of Founder’s Day and the Historic Dublin Business Association, visit historicdublin.org.
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