Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
The Genoa Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the village’s annual homecoming festivities May 28-30, highlighting an annual tradition that brings people together.
“It stands out every year because this is where you see classmates that you haven't seen for years or old buddies from the football team get all together and have a drink, listen to a band, or their kids get to meet their kids,” Genoa homecoming committee chair Leeann Dufendock said. “I grew up here. My son grew up here. And then he got married and moved away. They moved to Colorado. (But) one of the things that he said when he lived in Colorado was, 'Boy, mom, nobody puts on a homecoming festival like Genoa does.'
Genoa’s village administrator, Thomas Bergman, said a common thought is that the homecoming tradition in the town started with the return of veterans from World War II around 1946. However, through research of old newspaper articles, homecoming festivities were held as far back as the 1930s. Thus, it’s unknown truly how long it has been around or when it exactly started.
“It’s one of those local government mysteries,” Bergman said.
The first night of this year’s event started with the annual Cruise-In Car Show, an opportunity for people to show off their detailed vehicles, win cash prizes and enter raffles. It was the first of four car shows the village of Genoa will hold this summer. The others will take place June 30, July 28 and Aug. 25.
While there was also amusement rides and food vendors for attendees to enjoy throughout the weekend, that car show drew much attraction downtown.
Like many of the participants, John Nichols said he only pulls out his 1983 Detroit Lions-themed vehicle for car shows.
“I got it out of hibernation a couple years ago,” Nichols said. “I had the engine redone, new tires and I put a paint job on it.”
Music by EZ Pickenz was featured in the entertainment tent, and Bingo High Roller Night was held at the fire station. The first night concluded with Name That Tune, which Dufendock said was highly attended.
“There were a lot of entries in the parade, probably the most we've had, but then I also heard some people said the parade was too long,” she said. “The turnout was amazing for Name That Tune (though).”
After initial worries that high winds could cause issues with the fireworks, Dufendock said they were a huge part of the homecoming’s success.
“The fireworks were just on the spot, on the dot,” she said. “They shot them off continuously, just boom, boom, boom,” she said. “I actually spoke to a man from New York, who was here visiting family, and he said, 'Wow, I've never seen anything like this.'”
The festival continued to host a variety of events over the weekend, including the annual grand parade, which typically attracts a big crowd.
Other events included live music at both the entertainment tent and shelter house, a 3-point basketball contest, a euchre tournament and a Kiwanis bike giveaway. Genoa High School student Stella Rethman won the 3-point contest.
The fireworks concluded the final night of homecoming festivities, which Bergman said brought in numbers in the thousands overall, but a final number hasn’t been calculated.
“We thought our numbers were a little light Friday because of the party going on in Toledo, but everyone thought it was so well-run,” he said. “It was Leeann’s first year being part of the homecoming committee in any capacity. She did a wonderful job. I had a wonderful weekend. I know a lot of Genoans did, and the fireworks show on Saturday was awesome. And we had great weather. It was a very, very well-run event.”
Bergman said the event ends up returning approximately $15,000 to local non-profits, including the FFA and youth-oriented athletic teams.
“It’s hard not to feel good when you’re doing good things like that,” he said.
Dufendock is happy to be part of that.
“We have a love for our town, and we want to continue to see our town flourish,” she said. “It’s our town, and it'll always be my town. I got married and moved to Bradner, but when people say, 'Where's your hometown?' It'll always be Genoa.”
