New Richmond has been selected as one of four Ohio communities to host Ohio Chautauqua’s “Journey Stories” as part of the array of exciting events and activities for the village’s bicentennial celebration in 2014.

The signature red and white tent of Ohio Chautauqua will be coming to New Richmond July 1 through July 5, 2014, and will be the centerpiece of the village’s annual July 4 celebration.

The Ohio Humanities Council is entering its 16th year of bringing history to life in Ohio communities through Ohio Chautauqua. This year’s daytime workshops and nightly living history performances will revolve around the “Journey Stories” of five characters presented by the Chautauqua troupe. Living history presentations are followed by audience-initiated questions and answers.

Hank Fincken will portray 1849er J.G. Bruff; Marvin Jefferson will portray Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.; Dianne Moran will portray Indian captive Olive Ann Oatman; Debra Conner will portray Cincinnati native and Titanic survivor Edith Russell; and Kevin Radaker will portray writer philosopher Henry David Thoreau.

“It is an honor to bring such an entertaining and educational event for the first time to New Richmond and Clermont County appropriately during our bicentennial year,” said Greg Roberts, chair of New Richmond’s Bicentennial events committee. “Support from the village of New Richmond, the Clermont County Public Library and The Clermont County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau was instrumental in putting together a successful application by our committee to host Ohio Chautauqua.”

Chautauqua was known in the late 1800s and early 1900s as traveling shows that attracted people in rural areas for entertainment and enlightenment. Attractions were information about current events including World War I, music, theater, storytelling, comedy and lectures on many social topics from prison reform to temperance.

Additional information and details about Ohio Chautauqua can be found at http://www.ohiohumanities.org/ohio-chautauqua.html.