PHOTOS BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
GAZEBO ENTERTAINMENT … Heidi Paxton performed in the Williams County Courthouse square gazebo at the Bryan Jubilee on Thursday, June 18.
RING GAME… A mother and her daughter have plenty of fun participating in a ring game at the Bryan Jubilee.
MERRY-GO-ROUND RIDE… A father and his daughter enjoy the popular merry-go-round ride at the Bryan Jubilee on Thursday, June 18.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
The annual Bryan Jubilee returned to the courthouse square in downtown Bryan from Thursday, June 18 through Saturday, June 20, celebrating one of the area’s longstanding summer traditions with the theme “Stars, Stripes, and 250 Years.”
“It’s a huge event for the area,” said Bryan Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Erica Noggle. “It does bring a lot of visitors from the surrounding areas, which is great for our community.”
Since its beginning in 1947, the Bryan Jubilee has been a part of the Fountain City’s own legacy, with families hosting their own gatherings as well as class reunions taking place as well.
“The Bryan Jubilee holds a lot of traditions for a lot of people,” Noggle commented.
“Last year being my first Jubilee, it was kind of fun to talk to people and them telling me they have been coming for ten or fifteen years, or they still meet up with their high school friends at it.”
The first Bryan Jubilee took place on August 13-16, 1947. It featured a pet parade, an aerial act by “The Sky Princess,” several stage shows, an industrial exhibit which featured local manufacturers, a merchandise drawing, the crowning of the Jubilee Queen (Barbara Walker), two parades featuring area high school bands and floats, and culminated with a 1947 Oldsmobile being presented to Mrs. Robert May of Defiance.
The three-day celebration was filled with fun activities for all ages including rides, games, and of course, fair food. There was also live entertainment on the courthouse square gazebo with local artists Heidi Paxton (Thursday), Bill and Codie Ledford (Friday) and Proud Mary Tribute Band (Saturday) who performed.
“It gives us a chance to showcase what we have around the square and to provide fun and it’s very positive in reality,” Noggle said.
The highlight of the Bryan Jubilee is the annual parade, which has been a longtime staple for many community residents over the years.
Noggle pointed out the Bryan Jubilee is one of the many events the Bryan Area Chamber of Commerce has promoted over the years.
“It’s something that we can do for the community to provide fun right in your back door,” Noggle said.
This year, Woods Midway Entertainment is provided the amusement rides for the Bryan Jubilee, as well as several food vendors who served up tasty treats from elephant ears to Italian sausage sandwiches.
“It’s great and they really do like coming back because they liked the people,” she said. “When you have a good event and the people are nice, it’s really easy for these companies and businesses to want to come back every single year.”
Proceeds from the Bryan Jubilee go towards Chamber of Commerce related projects such as Christmas decorations and fireworks.
“We try to put it back into the community and into our membership,” said Noggle.
