Bob Smith of Sugarcreek left the opening day of New
Philadelphia’s First Town Days Festival with another
souvenir to hang in his office.
Smith, president of Smith Ambulance, bought the first numbered plate
for $300 during the festival’s annual plate auction Thursday night.
“I just do it to support the festivals,” he said. “I enjoy being
part of the community. ... I like doing it, and it’s a fun way to
give to the festivals.”
In addition to the first plate, Smith also bought the eighth numbered
plate for $65, as well as three wooden clocks – two depicting a pond
and fountain and another of the original Tuscora Park
entrance – for $150.
The auction, at which the first 10 numbered plates were sold, brought
in a total of $925 – $115 more than last year. The purchasers were
No. 2, Tuscarawas County Commis-sioner Jim Seldenright, $100; No. 3,
John James, $95; No. 4, Tuscarawas County Commis-sioner Kerry Metzger,
$85; No. 5, Nick Martin, $60; No. 6, Teddy Wallick, $45; No. 7, Kevin
Petitte, $50; No. 8, Smith, $65; No. 9, Olivia Martin, $55; and No.
10, Don Wemple, $70.
The theme for this year’s plate was the Bicentennial of Tuscarawas
County. The plate is a collection of works by three area artists. The
center features the county bicentennial logo created by Cathy Straub
of Dover. The background features several images provided by New
Philadelphia photographer Jim Celuch. Artist Greg Scott combined the
images to create the plate design.
Tiffany N. Hanzel, queen of the 31st annual First Town Days Festival,
and her court, Savanna L. Vance, Christan V. Miller and Lindsey Ross,
walked among the crowd and displayed the plates, while Don Wallick
auctioned them off.
Festival Chairman Sam Hitchcock said 300 plates were purchased for the
festival. The remaining 40 numbered plates each will be sold for $22
with the rest being sold for $20 each at the festival office.
The First Town Days Festival began as a way to raise money for repairs
of the park’s 1928 Hershel-Spillman Carousel. The festival lives on,
and all the proceeds still go to improving the park or the festival.
