Bowling Green is turning 175 years old this year and the community is celebrating.

The last time Bowling Green celebrated its birthday was in 1983 when the town turned 150. It was a chance for the community to come together and realize what the town has to offer, said Megan Newlove, President of City Council.

Although 175 is an unusual number, Mayor John Quinn believes it’s another good reason to bring the city and University together.

‘Now is a good time to appreciate our heritage and build a sense of community,’ he said.

‘For over 100 years, a lot of our heritage is BGSU. The University is a big part of what BG is about and it’s important for the students to play a role.’

The Mayor will announce 2008 as Bowling Green’s 175th anniversary year at the Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Dinner Dance on Jan. 26 in the Union Ballroom.

The anniversary celebration is not only maintained at this one event, said anniversary committee chairperson Joan Gordon.

The committee is looking forward to Feb. 10 as the big kick-off day on campus at the BG-UT basketball game. A presentation of the anniversary flag will be given by Mayor Quinn to President Ribeau for the University to fly somewhere on campus.

On the fun and more competitive side a foul-shot competition between Mayor Quinn and Toledo’s Mayor Carty Finkbeiner will be happening at the games halftime. This is a time for University students to really rally BG support, Gordon said.

The committee encourages student and area organizations to volunteer for the BG Big Birthday Party held on Feb. 23 at the Woodland Mall. This party is free and open to the public.

Local schools will be doing skits and presentations to the guests of the party, and a fourth-grade essay contest winner will be announced. The winner of the essay will get to spend a day with the mayor.

At the party a cake decorating contest will be held as well as games, crafts and stories for the kids. Live entertainment and refreshments are provided and Ohio Magazine is presenting a painting to the community from when Bowling Green was announced one of Ohio’s best hometowns.

Gordon believes the party will be a good opportunity for residents and students to learn about Bowling Green history as well as a lot of fun.

‘It isn’t every year a city celebrates their 175th anniversary,’ she said. ‘It is a good time for education, a good time for organizations to collaborate and work together and a good time to look ahead and see what the future has in store for Bowling Green.’

More events are planned for 2008 surrounding the anniversary celebration, Gordon said.

Essay contests with the topic of where Bowling Green might be in 20 years is being offered to local schools, a Fourth of July fireworks presentation is being held and skits depicting Bowling Green in the early days complete with original music is being offered in September or October.

It’s still not too late to volunteer to help with the upcoming birthday events, Gordon said. Any campus organizations interested can contact her via e-mail at [email protected].