A Labor Day of History

We’re looking forward to an eventful Labor Day weekend, filled with activities for all to enjoy. The weekend shares the 100-year celebration of the Beulah Park racetrack and our treasured library.

For more than 140 years, Americans have observed Labor Day as an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of labor workers, born from a desire to recognize the people who contribute to our country’s strength, prosperity and well-being.

It’s fitting then, that we kick off Grove City’s weekend activities with a dedication of an area in our community that was once the epicenter of commerce – Mill Street.

Friday, Sept. 1, the community is invited to the dedication ceremony of the new Mill Street historical marker. The ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m. at the marker’s location, an open area along Columbus Street just northwest of the Grove City Library. Following the marker unveiling, attendees will enjoy a parade of Model T Ford vehicles from the library through the Beulah Park community, commemorating the vehicles that ferried people to both locations.

The vehicles will be in town for the club’s annual meeting and the Heart of Grove City Model T Car Show and Food Truck event. All are invited to enjoy a variety of food truck favorites and take in the spectacular display of cars in Town Center.

Adding to the weekend excitement, the Grove City Library and Beulah Park Living are marking anniversaries of their own.

Celebrating 100 years, the library is planning multiple fun, family-friendly activities, including a scavenger hunt, historical displays and walking tours of Town Center and more. The Welcome Center and Museum, 3378 Park St., will display items highlighting a timeline of the library’s history.

Beulah Park Living is honoring the history of the land for which their community is named. In 1923, Ohio’s first thoroughbred racetrack, Beulah Park, opened in Grove City and brought visitors for many years as its most popular attraction. The last live race in Beulah Park was May 3, 2014. The land was largely unused until ground was broken five years later for the new community.

The weekend concludes with a patriotic concert in the Park at Beulah followed by fireworks Sunday, Sept. 3. Many fun activities are planned for Labor Day weekend. Information will be shared on the City’s website and social media channels as details are confirmed.

Faces By Claire Miller