It's official! We have our first Bicentennial Baby! We are pleased to announce the birth of Cailyn Hua, our first Richfield baby born in 2009, March 24th to be exact!   Amy and Kuo-chih Hua, proud parents, will attend the May 13, 2009 Bicentennial Commission Meeting, along with Baby Cailyn, to accept her savings bond and for photo opportunities. The savings bond is presented by Becky and Jim Lightfoot in honor of Richfield's first child born in 2009. Come join us at Town Hall, 7 p.m.    (Picture by Jim Smith)

On January 24th, 2009 at 7 pm, we celebrated our Bicentennial Kick-off Celebration at the Town Hall!    The music, dancing, hors d' oeuvres, cash bar and raffle were quite a hit and fun was had by all!

Richfield Brothers of the Brush   See the picture of Brothers of the Brush Bicentennial participants, fun was had by all. Two hundred years ago, it was common for men to have beards and/or mustaches. For Richfield’s Bicentennial, Richfield men are encouraged to identify with their male brethren of earlier times by joining the Richfield “Brothers of the Brush”.   “Brothers of the Brush” is a fun event to encourage participation in the Richfield Bicentennial. Richfield men who become Brothers of the Brush will allow their facial hairs to grow in splendor. Participants may compete in a beard/mustache competition with judging taking place at Bicentennial events during Community Day weekend.    At this time categories for the competition are longest beard, best trimmed, most colorful, best handlebar mustache, most artistic, and best fu man chu, We want to emphasize that we are encouraging participation and fun rather than the competition. Participants who wish to compete in the competition will be able to sign up on line at a later date or during Bicentennial events. It will not be necessary for participants to be clean shaven prior to registration   Brothers of the Brush was a successful activity in the Sesquicentennial celebration in 1959 and the Sesquicentennial plus 25 celebration in 1984. Brothers of the Brush participants will be provided a button which will denote their participation; men who choose not to grow a beard or mustache will have the option of obtaining a “Shaving Permit”.  A small fee – perhaps a dollar - will be charged with the proceeds going to the Bicentennial Committee of the Richfield Historical Society.   During the Bicentennial events, men and boys who are not wearing either a shaving permit or Brothers of the Brush button risk being “arrested” by Keystone Cop type characters; those folks so identified will have an option of purchasing a shaving permit or they will be thrown into the “hoosegow’, a portable jail on wheels that will be pulled by a tractor. The Hoosegow will be driven around the Bicentennial/Community Day grounds to publicly embarrass non participants.   So, if you have been looking for an opportunity to grow a beard or mustache but just lacked a good excuse to do so – this is your chance!

SNOWBIRD FESTIVAL, Sunday February 8th 1 -4 pm Details:  ( from the local Richfield Times February publication)   Check your Times insert on the upcoming Snowbird Festival.  This is a FREE event with snow sledding (bring your own sled), snow painting, snow sculptures and professional ice carving by Aaron Costic, Elegant Ice Creations, performed at 2 pm and 3 pm. A pre carved Eskimo will be available for your personal photo shoot (bring your cameras), along with kids prizes assures a Sunday afternoon of family fun.  Remember the stories of the great 1856 sleigh ride in Richfield where over 6,500 persons and nearly 2,000 horses paraded to Akron?  The average sleigh carried 14 persons.  Neighbor Carol Wyatt will tell this fascinating story in great detail for all to learn and enjoy. Well, the Western Reserve Carriage Association will have horses and sleighs at this Rising Valley festival.  See the beautiful horses pull their sleighs over the snow covered road.  You may even be able to catch a ride! Carrots welcome!  Watch as the Husky Hobbies Kennel’s of Chagrin Dog Sled Team demonstrates their skills too.   Donations of milkbones will be appreciated. Neighbor Steve Mehal, who wrote the Richfield Bicentennial Ballad, will be there in person to perform the song for your listening pleasure. Hot food & drinks, marshmallows to roast on the bonfire, and kid prizes too, promise to make warm memories.  Sunday February 8th, Rising Valley Park, between the hours of 1 – 4 pm.  NOTE: Enter via Newton Road as the Oviatt Rd. gate will be closed for the safety of horse drawn sleighs and their passengers.  This is another Richfield Bicentennial historical event! Directions: Rising Valley Park on Newton Road, Richfield. In Richfield, on Broadview Road (176) North of Rte. 303 on Broadview.  West side of Broadview just before crossing the Cuyahoga County Line.  Located on Newton Road with large sign marking Rising Valley Park and Army Corps of Engineers.

“Days of our Lives” – Richfield 2009 The Richfield Historical society is planning to document the routine daily activities of the citizens of Richfield.  Submit your document to the Richfield Historical Society so that they may create a chronological snapshot of life in 2009 in Richfield that can be shared with future generations through our time capsule.  Richfield Businesses are also encouraged to share a day in their business life too! Please limit your submission to one double-sided page and/or four pictures in .jpeg format.  Submissions may be turned in at the Richfield Branch Library, 3761 S. Grant St.  330-659-4343 No matter what your age, you are encouraged to journalize, photograph or otherwise document your activities during one day in 2009.

Burial of Richfield's Time Capsule takes place January 5, 2010 at Richfield Village Town Hall during a joint meeting of the Township and Village of Richfield Council. Picture by Jim Smith

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