June 16, 2000
GOBA not just for cyclists
By Vicki Hunker
Staff Writer
For those who think the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure's stop in Tiffin Sunday is just for bicyclists, think again.
"It's going to be one fun-filled event after another," said Malinda Ruble, executive director of the Seneca County Convention and Visitors Bureau. "We're hoping that not only GOBA riders enjoy the festivities, but we want the community to come out and enjoy themselves Sunday."
The celebration is set to kick off with downtown festivities at 1 p.m. with the band Reflections, an '80s and '90s band, performing in City Lot 7.
"We wanted to give the GOBA teens a chance to get to know each other earlier in the tour this year," said Lee Martin, GOBA town coordinator. "We thought this would be a perfect way for GOBA teens and the local teens to meet."
At 2:30 p.m., a GOBA parade will leave Hedges-Boyer Park and travel downtown.
"The parade will be led by the Findlay High Wheelers and local dignitaries," Martin said. The route will go down Coe Street to Jefferson to Perry to Washington Street where it will disperse.
Anyone who wants to be in the parade should be at the Coe Street entrance to Hedges-Boyer Park before 2:30 p.m. to line up.
"We would love to have the community come out on their bikes and be involved," he said.
The day will wrap up Tiffin's 150th birthday celebration of becoming an incorporated city.
At 4 p.m., Susan Griffis of Living Word Fellowship Church will start the city's sesquicentennial festivities by singing the National Anthem at Frost Parkway.
Then Mayor Bernie Hohman will give a welcome speech to GOBA participants. Following the speech, Hohman, Larry Clausing, Joe Granata, John Bing and James Austin will perform a shot skit about the battle between Fort Ball and Tiffin to form a city.
Ceremonies will wind down with the closing of a time capsule by Rosalie Adams and a community tug of war.
"It should all be a lot of fun for everyone," Ruble said.