GREENVILLE — The Darke County Commissioners are giving the courthouse grounds a patriotic makeover ahead of the Fourth of July holiday and the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration, combining landscaping improvements with the installation of a massive American flag overlooking downtown Greenville.
Crews and county staff recently spent time pulling weeds, refreshing flower beds with new mulch, and enhancing the appearance of both the Darke County Courthouse and Commissioners’ Building. The centerpiece of the project is a striking 12-foot-by-18-foot American flag now displayed on the front of the historic courthouse.
Darke County Commission President Matt Aultman said the improvements are intended to reflect community pride while honoring America’s milestone anniversary.
“Being that this is the Fourth of July of 250 years as a country, we felt we needed to be more patriotic and clean up the space a little bit as we do some celebrations around the community,” said Aultman. “We put up pennants in the windows of the commissioners’ building, we’re re-mulching and landscaping all around the building.”
The courthouse enhancements also coincide with preparations for another major community celebration later this summer.
“This is also in preparation for Annie Oakley Days to have it more dressed up, pride in our community,” Aultman said. “We wanted to do something epic, and we put up a 12-foot by 18-foot American flag on the front of the courthouse.”
While the oversized flag will be displayed throughout the Independence Day weekend, Aultman said residents can expect to see it again during other significant patriotic observances.
“We are going to let it just hang for the Fourth of July weekend, we’ll bring it back for Annie Oakley Days, and then we’ll do it again for Veterans Day and Memorial Day as well when they have their events,” he said.
For Aultman, the project represents more than a beautification effort.
“This is a good way to show some patriotism on this sesquicentennial and 250 years as a nation,” he said.
As communities throughout Darke County prepare for a full schedule of Independence Day festivities, Aultman is encouraging residents to stay close to home and support local celebrations.
“With the 250th this weekend, it starts Thursday night with New Madison fireworks and continues through Friday, Saturday, and Sunday,” Aultman said. “It will be great to get out in your communities because the fireworks are staggered, so you can enjoy all the communities’ fireworks because there’s a lot of money spent on those events.”
He also encouraged families to attend local parades and support area businesses during the holiday weekend.
“New Madison and Ansonia have parades Saturday, so go out and support your communities,” Aultman said. “It’s better to spend money at home than it is elsewhere.”
The landscaping improvements were made possible by county employees who volunteered their time to beautify the courthouse property.
“Karen Avore and Kim Bair from the Commissioner’s Office came out last week and continued dressing up pride in our building and our space,” Aultman said. “They pulled all the weeds that were in the boxes out next to the street on Broadway to dress it up a little bit, along with what we’re doing around the courthouse buildings.”
The refreshed landscaping, patriotic decorations, and prominent American flag now greet visitors to the courthouse square, serving as a visual reminder of both the nation’s 250th anniversary and the community pride that local officials hope residents will celebrate throughout the Independence Day weekend.
