LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — The Lima community gathered Saturday to celebrate America's 250th birthday during the Lima Signature Homecoming & Picnic at the Greater Lima Region Park & Amphitheater.
Hosted by Cenovus Energy, the event featured food trucks, children's activities and patriotic entertainment, including performances by singers and the Lima Symphony Orchestra.
The celebration officially began with officials from the Lima refinery, Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman and Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith cutting a birthday cake to mark the nation's milestone anniversary. The event also highlighted another major milestone for the community as the Lima refinery celebrates its 140th anniversary.
“This is actually the refinery's 140th anniversary. We've got a birthday of our own this year and the refinery has been part of this community for so long and given the big birthday that's happening this year in the country, we just we took the opportunity to give a little something back to our community. We got a great community day here. It's summer and it's a big birthday and we just want people to have fun and um have a time to enjoy with their families and friends and just relax,” said Heather Rutz, team lead for U.S. Communications at Cenovus Energy.
In addition to the Lima celebration, Cenovus sponsored community picnics in Toledo, Columbus and Hamilton County, where the company also has operations in Ohio.
