Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
From May 28-30, the Genoa Area Chamber of Commerce has over 15 events planned for community members to participate in and celebrate the village’s homecoming.
One of the most popular events is the village’s annual parade, which according to the chairman of the Genoa Homecoming Committee Leann Dufendock, is a major highlight among all of the festivities.
“Our Grand Parade is just amazing,” Dufendock said. “The parade just brings in so many people … when I come in to work at 7:30 a.m., people already have their chairs out ready for where they’re going to sit for the parade. I think for a small town, we have an amazing parade.”
Along with the parade, which takes place May 29 at 6:30 p.m. at St. John’s Church, Dufendock is also looking forward to the fireworks show. According to the Genoa Homecoming Facebook page, this display is planned to be the biggest show the village has ever had.
“This year is America’s 250th, so amazing sponsorships and donations have just been coming in. This year we bumped up the fireworks,” Dufendock said. “As of right now, it’s going to be a $30,000 display of fireworks Saturday evening at dusk.”
Other than being excited for these specific events, Dufendock said she is looking forward to how this festival unites all members of the Genoa community.
“To me, being born and raised in Genoa, it’s [the festival] still a ‘coming home’ thing,” she said. “You get to see classmates that you haven’t seen in years, and the teenagers get to hang out together even though they just got done with school, but it’s not in a school environment.”
To learn more about Genoa’s homecoming and all of its events, visit https://www.genoahomecoming.org/.
