Liberty Rain had a park full of listeners with all types of genres being played.
Every year the John Paulding Days makes its debut after the fourth of July! The entire square was filled up with people from all over the area lining the streets to watch the parade. The VFW and the American Legion led the parade and then the boy scouts. Following them were the Grand Marshals. The Grand Marshals included: Bob Baumle – Army; Bob Franklin – Navy; Stan Jordan – Army; Bob Riley – Army; Major Klinker – Navy; Gene Scarbrough – Navy; Russell Long – Air Force; Glen Klingler – Navy; Richard Harris; Fred Grindstaff – Army.
The restaurant Fiesta Habaneros was also a full house at the same time with all of the multitudes. Filling the roads up were the food vendors and kids rides. There also many other events taking place from the 5k, dueling dunk tanks to the pet parade.
The parade was on Friday night after work and the parade lasted nearly an hour with businesses and organizations all parking by with candy and banners. It was a beautiful evening for everyone! It started off with the Grand Marshals of ten men who served their country during World War II from Paulding County. This year the cruise in was sponsored by Brian Shuherk and Solid Ground. There were quite a few vehicles owners ready to show as they registered in the afternoon and had the classics on display.
On Saturday, the band Liberty Rain played on the main stage, sponsored by EDP Renewables, the entire afternoon and evening until the first fireworks were lit off at 9:45 p.m. The fireworks show continued on for nearly a half hour. It was a very good show with professional fireworks company shooting off all of the pyrotechnics. A smoky fog covered the eastern side of the town. The entire sky was lit up with bright bursts of sparks and loud booms exploding in the air. The Fireworks ended the 2017 year of John Paulding Days concluded and people begin to look forward to next year.
