Holmes bicentennial kickoff moved to Sunday because of threatening weather

The stormy weather forecast for Saturday forced officials to move the Holmes County Bicentennial kickoff celebration, parade and Thunder over Holmes County fireworks to Sunday.

Bicentennial Committee Chairman Melissa Patrick said everything has been moved to Sunday at the same times events originally were scheduled for Saturday.

"The weather forecast for Saturday is terrible, and Sunday looks like it will be a great day," said Patrick, who spent most of Friday afternoon contacting people to make sure everything changed smoothly. "It will be the same great celebration, only a day later. All the times are the same for the parade and the event at the courthouse, they will just be on Sunday instead of Saturday."

The parade will step off at noon from the eastern end of town and travel west through to the American Legion Hall.

There will be bounce houses and petting zoo at the Holmes County Courthouse for children starting at noon. West Holmes FFA members will help monitor the area.

At 3 p.m., a presentation of speakers congratulating Holmes County on its 200th anniversary, including Ohio state Rep. Troy Balderson, Sen. Andrew Brenner, a representative from the governor's office Mary Kate Hastings and Holmes County Commissioner Joe Miller.

A video presentation commemorating the 200 years of Holmes County will be debuted, and tours of the courthouse will take place Sunday afternoon.