VAN WERT, Ohio (WLIO) - Van Wert’s annual Peony Festival returned this weekend, drawing a large crowd to the city’s downtown area for a special milestone celebration.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the two-day festival, which has become a cherished tradition for the community. One of Saturday’s main highlights was the parade, which featured a record-setting 75 entries from local businesses, organizations, and floats. As the former Peony Capital of the World, the festival holds a special place in Van Wert’s identity.
One of Saturday’s main highlights was the parade, which featured a record-setting 75 entries from local businesses, organizations, and floats.
“It's kind of great to hold that tradition. We used to have some really large Peony farms here, around town, and even breed the Jubilee was started here. So it's great to just be able to throw it back to our history and celebrate it and bring the town together,” said Kim Ousley, board president with the Peony Festival.
“Being Queen Jubilee 50 is a big deal because this festival has been around for a long time, and it means a lot of things to a lot of people. So to represent and kind of 'reign over' the parade just means the whole world to me, and I'm really excited that I have the opportunity to represent myself my school, Delphos and my pageant friends,” said Avery Altenburger, Queen Jubilee 50.
The weekend festivities concluded with the “Light Up the Night” drone show, which lit up the skies above Fountain Park and Eggerss Stadium.
