East Palestine celebrates 150 years with parade, community events, and reflection

After a year marked by national headlines and community challenges, residents of East Palestine gathered on Saturday to celebrate something far more personal — 150 years of village history.

The anniversary celebration kicked off with a morning parade featuring local bands, classic cars, and community groups marching along the Moose Parade Route. From there, downtown filled with food vendors, historic displays, games, and performances — all designed to honor the town’s roots and look toward its future.

“We are what small-town America really represents — friendships, businesses, and community,” said Lenny Glavan, a village councilman and lifelong resident. “What we are doing today is celebrating what we are—our resiliency, our grit, and our excitement for what’s to come here in East Palestine.”

The celebration featured a variety of historical exhibits including a “150 Years & 150 Facts” timeline at the East Palestine Memorial Library. Noreen McBride, who has worked at the library for 30 years, said preparing the exhibit was a meaningful process. “It was so interesting doing the research,” she said. “We now have newspapers dating back to 1926 on display, and the community’s response has been great.”

One unique highlight included a recreation of “Place Pop,” a soda brand created by a local family generations ago. Linda McElroy, a lifelong resident, said the effort was part of a wider focus on celebrating local history. “My grandfather’s pop company had 21 flavors, and Cast Iron from Salem recreated it for today,” she said.

Beyond the exhibits and entertainment, many attendees said the event carried extra weight in light of the 2023 train derailment that deeply affected the town.

“I think things happen in life, and you can either sit back or stand up and become a martyr for change,” Glavan said. “That’s what we’re doing here.”

From bounce houses and carriage rides to music and memory walls, the anniversary served as a reminder of what East Palestine values most — connection, community, and perseverance.

“Strong is what East Palestine is,” Glavan added. “And that’s what we’re going to represent here in the future.”