GAMBIER — Gambier’s Fourth of July celebration kicked off with a speech from Mayor Leeman Kessler.
“(The founding of America) is a story we tell about ourselves to ourselves, a story that equally gives us pride and hope, as well as grief and frustration, but it’s a story we can all take pride in,” Kessler said.
“It’s a story that has inspired people around the world to uproot their lives and become part of the story right here … And it’s not a story that’s just written in the halls of power, it’s a story that’s written by each and every one of us in the quiet and messy places all over this country,” Kessler said.
In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, he presented the annual Poet Laureate not to a local, but to Woody Guthrie, the writer of “This Land is Your Land.”
Four locals — Lena Giles, Amanda Kessler, Josie Brown, and Grace Williamson — were invited to recite the classic American folk song in honor of Guthrie, who penned the classic in 1940.
The village also honored Donna Scott as its 2026 Citizen of the Year. Liz Foreman, a village council member, presented the award.
“Our honoree has literally helped to change how we see and how we live within our village, and Gambier and Knox County are all the better for it … (Scott) is someone who has tirelessly worked for our community and someone we are lucky to call our neighbor and friend,” Foreman said.
Donna Scott was honored for her years of work throughout Knox County and in Gambier, most notably for her time serving on the Mount Vernon City Schools Board of Education and Gambier Village Council.
After the parade, festivities continued on the Kenyon Hill Lawn. Round Hill Dairy passed out free ice cream and the Schuman band performed a live set.
(Below are Alexandra Hopkins’ photos from Gambier’s Fourth of July celebrations)
“(The story of America) is written by the way that we take care of our neighbors, the way we welcome the stranger, the way we tell and preserve the land for those who come after us.”
MAYOR OF GAMBIER LEEMAN KESSLER
