The John Glenn Centennial Celebration July 16-18 commemorates the life and legacy of Ohio’s Hometown hero, John H. Glenn, Jr.
New Concord is collaborating with the Cambridge and Zanesville communities in recognition of what would be John Glenn’s 100th birthday (July 18) the weekend of July 16-18.
New Concord events on Saturday, July 17 include a parade sponsored by the mayors of Cambridge and New Concord, a 7-mile race between the two communities, a presentation by Ohio astronaut Don Thomas, Glenn author talks, a performance by the Muskingum Valley Symphonic Winds, and COSI on Wheels.
Part of the weekend’s events is the Glenn Photo and Art Exhibition at Muskingum University’s Palmer Gallery. Visit the gallery July 16-18 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. to view and help identify individuals in photos provided by The Daily Jeffersonian newspaper.
WMCO is live Saturday, July 17 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit our tent on Main Street at New Concord Elementary School or tune in to 90.7 FM.
To make a donation to fund centennial committee expenses, visit The Muskingum County Community Foundation’s website bit.ly/GLENN100.
New Concord Mayor Jennifer Lyle said the Village of New Concord is thankful for local partnerships with The John & Annie Glenn Museum, Muskingum University, and the East Muskingum School District.
“We also express our deep appreciation to the many businesses, organizations and individuals throughout Guernsey and Muskingum Counties who have provided the financial support that has made this weekend possible,” said Lyle.
Saturday, July 17 New Concord Schedule. Events are centralized at the New Concord Elementary School Park and gymnasium unless noted. Full July 16-18 event details at VisitGuersneyCounty.com.
9 a.m.-4 p.m. (July 16-18) Visit the Glenn Photo and Art Exhibition at Muskingum University’s Palmer Gallery (next to New Concord United Methodist Church). Help identify individuals in the photographs from 1962 events. Paintings of the Glenns by Yan Sun and Glenn memorabilia will also be on display.
Photos are memorabilia will be on display during the Glenn Photo and Art Exhibition at Muskingum’s Palmer Gallery. Palmer Gallery is located next to the New Concord United Methodist Church.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free walkthrough tours at The John & Annie Glenn Museum.
10-10:45 a.m. Historical walking tour of New Concord with Harry Harman.
10-10:45 a.m. Alice George presentation, author of The Last American Hero, New Concord Elementary Gym.
10-11:30 a.m. Children’s activities, including old-fashioned games and pop bottle rocket launches, New Concord Elementary Park.
10-11 a.m. New Concord Westminster Church open house. Musical program at 10:45 a.m.
11-11:45 a.m. Eleanor O’Rangers presentation on Mercury Astronaut Training, New Concord Elementary Gym.
11 a.m.-3 p.m. WMCO 90.7 live broadcast on Main Street
Glenn Schuck
12 p.m. WACO Biplane flyover and New Concord Friendship 7 Parade, live on WMCO 90.7, announced by New York City Radio Reporter/Anchor Glenn Schuck. Parade Grand Marshal is Ohio astronaut Don Thomas.
12:30 p.m. Post-parade Program live on WMCO 90.7 with featured speakers Lyn Glenn, Ohio U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Connie Schultz, Dean of the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University Dr. Trevor Brown, Muskingum University President Dr. Susan S. Hasseler, Executive Director of The John & Annie Glenn Museum Dr. Barb Hansen, and Superintendent of East Muskingum Local School District Dave Adams.
1-3 p.m. COSI Connects Curbside, educational presentations begin every 45 minutes, New Concord Elementary Park.
1-4 p.m. Rocket Car rides, $10 per person for a 10-minute circuit ride.
1:30-2 p.m. Muskingum Valley Symphonic Winds performance, “John Glenn, An American Hero,” live on WMCO 90.7, New Concord Elementary Park.
Muskingum Valley Symphonic Winds
The cornerstone of the program will include excerpts from Ryan Nowlin’s Godspeed, John Glenn, a work commissioned by Muskingum University as a memorial to John Glenn after his passing.
Don Thomas
2-3 p.m. Ohio astronaut Don Thomas presentation, live on WMCO 90.7, New Concord Elementary Gym. Thomas is also giving a presentation Friday, July 16 at 7 p.m. at the Cambridge City Park Big Pavilion.
3-3:30 p.m. Screening of The John Glenn Story, New Concord Elementary Gym.
3:30-4:30 p.m. Glenn author panel with Jeff Shesol, Don Thomas, and Alice George, New Concord Elementary Gym.
4:30-5 p.m. Screening of The John Glenn Story, New Concord Elementary Gym.
Road closure and parking information
The Glenn Centennial Parade begins in Cambridge Saturday at 11 a.m. and continues to New Concord on Route 40 to start at noon. Main Street between Comin Street and the east end of town is closed to traffic from 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Parking is available in the large lot on Comin Street.
The handicap drop-off point with shuttle access is West Maple Avenue and Depot Street (behind Chapman’s Coffee House). A Muskingum University van is providing free shuttle service throughout the day.
Runners are participating in a the Friendship 7-Miler race from Pritchard-Laughlin Civic Center to Stormont Park in New Concord from 8-11 a.m. One lane of Route 40 will be closed to accommodate the race.
