How to go
WHAT: Arthur Huffer Jr. Memorial Hot Air Balloon Festival and Germantown Founders Day – Hosted by Historical Society of Germantown
WHERE: Kercher Community Park (Astoria Road, Germantown)
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 3
CONCESSIONS AVAILABLE
PROGRAM: (Bring your own lawn chair.)
5:30-6:30 pm Hot Air Balloon Launch
6:30-7:00 pm Live Auction (Historical Memorabilia)
7:00-9:00 pm Performance by The Greasers (50s-60s local rock band)
9:00-9:30 pm Hot Air Balloon “Glow”
Special entertainment of balloon launching will be at Germantown Founder’s Day. It was Glen Bowman’s, (president of the Germantown Historical Society ) idea to name it the Arthur Huffer Jr. Memorial Hot Air Balloon Festival to honor Huffer “who gave so generously of his estate upon his death in 2002.”
Bowman, organizer of the Balloon Festival for the Historical Society, supplied the following information on Arthur D. Huffer Jr:
Many knew Arthur as Junior. He was a local farmer on Kiefer Road.
The majority of Huffer’s estate went to four local organizations: Rotary Club of Germantown, Germantown Lions Club, Germantown Rescue Squad, and The Historical Society of Germantown. He also contributed generously to the Marine Corps and to the Dayton Foundation for the betterment of health for the citizens of Germantown.
As a rifleman in the United States Marine Corps, Huffer risked his life in the battle for Iwo Jima in World War II. He did not raise the flag on Mount Suribachi, but he saw it being raised February 23, 1945.
Germantown is a historical town that was founded in 1804 by Philip Gunckel, the only German follower from Pennyslvania who spoke English. He selected the site for a grist mill and in 1814 he established the first plat.
The Germantown Historical Society was founded in 1973. Designated Montgomery County Landmarks are the downtown business area, the 100F Lodge building, the Rohrer Mansion, the old Shuey Mill, the K of P Lodge building, and the Mudlick Homestead and the old Mudlick School.
The downtown business section, known as the “Gunckel Town Plat” was recognized May 1976 by the National Historical Park Service of the U.S. Department of the Interior as a National Historic Site and Historical Preservation District. The Shuey Mill, the Watson (Rohrer) House, and the Poast House also attained national recognition.
Six hobby balloonists are signed up for the Founder’s Day event: Mark Yeakle, Springboro; Mark Weismann, Cincinnati; Dan Steeley, Beavercreek; Dr. Dick Mitchell, Eaton; Bill Meserth, Springboro; and Mark Frazer, Middletown.
Bowman hopes for good weather this year. “Last year we had a huge rain storm in late afternoon,” said Bowman. “That kept the balloons from launching and glowing, but they did what they call a “candle.” This is where they shoot their flames 20 feet into the air. It is quite impressive in the dark. The Greasers rock band was still performing and some of the balloonists shot the flames into the air in time with the music.”
As part of Founder’s Day, The Greasers will perform. Besides being the headline entertainment for Germantown’s Pretzel Festival in September, The Greasers have played in Miamisburg, Springboro, and other local towns. The local band has youth, experience and strong family ties.
The band’s origin was 1976, at Wesley’s United Methodist Church with members of the church choir, Ric Hacker, Randy Stiver and Richard Schoonover and Jeff Stiver. Three of the four original vocalists remain, minus Jeff Stiver. Other members of The Greasers are: Don Frame, Brandon Schoonover, Steven Cross, Julie Stiver, Gerald Emrick and Ashley Stiver.
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