Freedom Days Picnic

Click here to view Slideshow The Opening Ceremonies of Freedom Days Picnic in Celina, Ohio featured a procession of several carefully restored Army trucks, track vehicles with mounted guns and numerous Jeeps.The Freedom Days Picnic is a yearly event orchestrated by the American Legion 210, Celina Eagles Aerie 1291, Celina Moose Lodge 1473 and Eichar DeCurtains VFW 5713 to honor all veterans. Freedom Days runs from July 3rd through July 5th. Located on the shores of Grand Lake St. Marys. Lakeshore Park in Celina, Ohio. This event is sponsored by: AMERICAN LEGION POST 210, EAGLES 1291, MOOSE LODGE 1473 and VFW POST 5713. The American Huey 369 will be landing between 12:00 & 1:00 p.m Saturday. Lawn Chairs Welcome, No Coolers Allowed, No Soliciting, Camping & Parking available at the Mercer County Fairgrounds, with shuttle bus services to and from the event. Call 419-586-3239 for more information.  Be sure to visit Freedom Days Picnic website for a full listing of events, including a free concert by Lee Greenwood on Sunday. www.freedomdayspicnic.com Click Here for Schedule

St. Henry Community Picnic

The St. Henry Community Picnic runs from July 3rd through July 5th in St. Henry, Ohio. This is a great community event, with plenty of entertainment and great food! Included in the three day festival are a Bean Bag Tournament , Rides, Little Miss & Mr. St. Henry, Free Pet Parade, Borrowed Time Band, Fireworks on the Picnic Grounds, Redskin Classic 5K Run/Walk, Kids Tractor Pull, Firecracker Cruise-ln, Talent Show, Cup Stacking Contest, Chicken BBQ, RaffIe Drawing, and several bands including: Plow King Acoustic with Jordan and Justin, Borrowed Time Band, Freelance. FreeSpirit, and Empty Tank (formerly Impuke). Click Here for Schedule

"Show Us Your Petals" Photo Contest

Congratulations to our 2009 flower photo contest winner: Monnie Ryan from Niles, Ohio Over 75 entries were submitted for our "Show Us Your Petals" photo contest! We'd like to thank everyone who entered, all the photos were beautiful, and it made the selection of a winner very difficult. Monnie will receive a $50.00 Gift Certificate which can be used towards matting and framing at Picture Perfect Custom Frame Shop, located in Ben's in Coldwater, Ohio, and the winning photo will be featured at the top of Grand Lake Independent's website throughout the month of July. All submitted photos entries are featured on the slideshow shown below: Click here to view Slideshow

Tractor Square Dancing - Maria Stein Country Fest

The video we shot of the Tractor Square Dancers are now being featured on CNN. After receiving a call from the CNN Center in Atlanta this morning they have also asked to use the still shots we took as well. Click here for video Click here for photos Click above photo for video on CNN Click here to view photos on CNN Can you Imagine a two-ton "Square Dancer"? Dancing farm tractors are the answer! The gentlemen who maneuver these tractors are to be admired as they doe-si-doe and promenade following the cues of the caller. As the name suggests, the eight men can make their tractors "dance" the intricate patterns of the the traditional square dances we all know. The event took place on June 27th, 2009 during the 22nd Annual Maria Stein Country Fest in Maria Stein, Ohio. Click here for Photo Slideshow Click here to view/order prints