Ohio’s ban on public gatherings of more than 100 due to the coronavirus pandemic and concerns about proper social distancing led to the cancellation – the first since the tradition began in 1942.
“It was a painful decision to make because people have gathered there in person, every year for 78-years,” said Alex Heckman, vice president of museum operations for Dayton History, which owns and operates the park.
“It’s an unfortunate turn of events — but as anyone that’s been following the news knows, even the Pope had to celebrate mass behind closed doors.”
This year the Easter program, held jointly by Dayton History and Greater Dayton Christian Connections, will be released on video at 6:30 a.m. Easter morning on Carillon Historical Park’s Facebook page, and on Dayton History’s website and YouTube channel. It also can be heard on WHIO Radio AM 1290.
Rev. Dr. Vanessa Ward, co-pastor of Dayton’s Omega Baptist Church, has recorded an uplifting Easter message for the video, Heckman said.
She will be followed by a 25 minutes of pre-recorded Easter hymns performed by Dr. Larry Weinstein, the park’s carillonneaur since 1988. The music will be accompanied by historical photos of the Deeds Carillon.
The first Easter Sunrise Service at Deeds Carillon was on April 5, 1942, less than four months after the nation entered into World War II.
The annual non-denominational and ecumenical program has drawn thousands on Easter mornings. More than 8,000 attended in 1953 and the crowd grew to 10,000 in 1967. On the 75th anniversary of the Easter Sunrise Service in 2016, more than 1,500 attended.
Heckman said the organizers like to think the spirit of the service is continuing this year and hope to hold the gathering outdoors at the carillon in 2021.
“We know this won’t replace a live in-person service,” he said, “but we really are hoping that the approach this year will allow people to enjoy that tradition and to have a connection to the Easter season and the joy of Easter even in such a difficult time.”
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