Description: Three hot air balloons rise into a cloudy sky at Copeland Oaks Estates in Sebring, Ohio. The image was submitted by photographer George A. Smith of East Liverpool, Ohio, in the Professional category of the Spirit of Ohio Bicentennial Photo Contest. In August 1976, the Ohio American Revolution Bicentennial Advisory Committee (OARBAC) began the Spirit of Ohio Bicentennial Photo Contest as part of a larger effort in Ohio to celebrate the 1976 American Bicentennial. The contest was meant to document "the spirit and character of the people and places which represent Ohio during [the] bicentennial year," and to create a permanent photographic archive of the year's festivity for use by future researchers. Both professional and amateur photographers submitted over 500 photographs for consideration, all taken within the state between January 1 and December 31, 1976. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA2734AV_B03F11_01_1
Subjects: American Revolution Bicentennial (1976); Hot air balloons;
Places: Sebring (Ohio); Mahoning County (Ohio);
 

Description: Photograph showing Bicentennial balloons and other decorations along the Ohio State Fair midway, taken by Alfred C. Clarke of Columbus, Ohio. The SkyGlider ride is visible in the background. The image won third prize in the Professional category of the Spirit of Ohio Bicentennial Photo Contest. In August 1976, the Ohio American Revolution Bicentennial Advisory Committee (OARBAC) began the Spirit of Ohio Bicentennial Photo Contest as part of a larger effort in Ohio to celebrate the 1976 American Bicentennial. The contest was meant to document "the spirit and character of the people and places which represent Ohio during [the] bicentennial year," and to create a permanent photographic archive of the year's festivity for use by future researchers. Both professional and amateur photographers submitted over 500 photographs for consideration, all taken within the state between January 1 and December 31, 1976. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA2734AV_B01_22
Subjects: American Revolution Bicentennial (1976); Ohio State Fair (Columbus, Ohio); Balloons; Celebrations; Amusement rides;
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)
 

Description: Two young people set up a hot air balloon on the lawn outside Copeland Oaks Estates in Sebring, Ohio. One hot air balloon is already floating in the background. The image was submitted by photographer George A. Smith of East Liverpool, Ohio, in the Professional category of the Spirit of Ohio Bicentennial Photo Contest. In August 1976, the Ohio American Revolution Bicentennial Advisory Committee (OARBAC) began the Spirit of Ohio Bicentennial Photo Contest as part of a larger effort in Ohio to celebrate the 1976 American Bicentennial. The contest was meant to document "the spirit and character of the people and places which represent Ohio during [the] bicentennial year," and to create a permanent photographic archive of the year's festivity for use by future researchers. Both professional and amateur photographers submitted over 500 photographs for consideration, all taken within the state between January 1 and December 31, 1976. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA2734AV_B03F11_02_1
Subjects: American Revolution Bicentennial (1976); Hot air balloons;
Places: Sebring (Ohio); Mahoning County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph shows a hot-air balloon on exhibit at the Ohio State Fair in Columbus, ca. 1963-1983. The balloon bears the image of a cardinal, the state bird of Ohio since 1933. Text on the base of the balloon reads: “State of Ohio” and “Your passport to Ohio.” Visible in the photograph’s bottom is a sign titled “State of Ohio” that lists the name of the governor (James A. Rhodes). Passersby are stopping to look at the balloon. A woman appears to be sitting inside an enclosure surrounding the base of the balloon. The origins of the Ohio State Fair date back to the 1840s. In 1846 the Board of Agriculture was formed. The first state fair was scheduled for 1849, but it was delayed for a year by an outbreak of cholera. After another year-long delay, the fair was held in Cincinnati. Originally the fair was held in a different location every year, due to the difficulty in traveling long distances. In 1874, Columbus was chosen as the state fair’s permanent site because transportation around the state had become much easier. Only rarely has the fair been cancelled (the only examples being a few years during World War II, when the fairgrounds was being used by the U.S. military). After 1945, the state fair resumed its annual schedule. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06669
Subjects: Hot air balloons; Ohio State Fair (Columbus, Ohio); Birds--Ohio; Cardinals (Birds); Tourism; Ohio state symbols
Places: Columbus (Ohio); Franklin County (Ohio)