Baltic Homecoming celebrates 100 years of pride and history
The small village of Baltic will celebrate the long-awaited 100th anniversary of the Baltic Homecoming, August 20-21.“We’ve been excited and planning for the 100th anniversary for 10 years,” said Ervin Yoder, a trustee in the Baltic Community Club and owner of Yoder’s Small Engine in Baltic.
The 100th anniversary of the Baltic Homecoming will kick off at 4 p.m. on Friday, August 20, with dinner, serving up burgers, creamed chicken sandwiches, cheese sandwiches, hot dogs and coneys, cake, kettle-cooked vegetables and ham and bean soup. The bluegrass band, Salt Creek Inc., will be performing from 5:30-9 p.m., games start at 6 p.m., and a special auction will begin at 7 p.m., with quilts, mugs, and plates. Also starting at 7 will be the famous 20-net volleyball tournament, which accommodates up to 40 teams and runs into the wee hours of the morning.
“The earliest documented homecoming [in Baltic] was in 1910,” said Yoder. “At that homecoming, there were hot air balloon rides. So in honor of that, we will also be having hot air balloon rides.” Attendees are also asked to join the Baltic Community Club in wearing clothes in the 1900s style.
Yoder will be sporting a “big brim hat, white long sleeve shirt, and a black vest…if I can hack it in the hot weather,” he said.
A fun-packed day awaits Baltic on Saturday, August 21, bright and early with the softball tournaments starting at 6:30 a.m. The home run derby for ages 12 and under begins at 11 a.m., and food, featuring sandwiches and fries at noon. Main Street will be filled with Christian folk music from 1-2 p.m., ending when the horse and grand parade starts.
“We are really excited for the parade this year,” said Yoder. “It’s the largest parade we have ever had, and we have an eight-miniature horse hitch participating in the parade.”
Barbecue chicken, french fries, and select menu items from Friday will be served at 3 p.m., followed by Pine I Lil Pickers at 3:30 p.m. and train rides for the kids. Games start back up at 5 that evening with Holmes County Bluegrass playing from 6-9 p.m., along with bingo and the cornhole tournament.
The long-awaited return of the most exciting activity 100 years ago--the hot air balloon rides--will be Saturday, August 21, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Riders in the air around 7:45 should keep an eye out for the start of the annual duck race below.
The 100th anniversary celebration will come to a close on Sunday, August 22, with worship services from area ministries and singing by the children from vacation Bible school at 9 a.m.
All of the proceeds from the homecoming go “right back into the village in some way or another,” said Yoder. “We hand out gift cards and money at Christmas, half to Amish and half to non-Amish or English. We don’t discriminate, as well as using some money for projects like improving the park.”
The Baltic Community Club, Baltic businesspersons and residents alike are all looking forward to “a large crowd, a nice weekend, and good weather,” said Yoder, for the 100th anniversary.
For more information, visit http://www.balticohio.com or call Yoder at 330-852-8040.