GREENVILLE – The Darke County Republican Party recently hosted their annual GOP Hog Roast at the Darke County Fairgrounds. New this year was the addition of a Trump Parade, which began in Preble County, stopped in Darke, and ended in Miami County.
Nearly 500 people attended the Hog Roast and came out to meet and hear from Republican leaders and candidates. Jim Buchy gave the invocation prior to the program. Speakers featured included Bernie Moreno, who is running for US Senate; Congressman Warren Davidson; Ohio Supreme Court justice candidates Megan Shanahan and Dan Hawkins; Representative Susan Manchester, who is running for Ohio Senate; Representative Angie King and Johnathan Newman, who are running for the Ohio House; Sheriff Mark Whittaker; Darke County Commissioners Matt Aultman and Aaron Flatter; Darke County Clerk of Courts Cindy Pike; and Darke County Recorder Hillary Holzpfel. Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber also spoke to the crowd about the importance of voting no on Issue 1. Ohio Republican Party Chairman Alex Triantafilou provided an update on election strategy.
“It was an absolutely incredible day,” commented Darke County Republican Executive Chairman Katie DeLand. “The enthusiasm for President Trump, JD Vance, Bernie Moreno, and all of our Republicans up and down the ticket is through the roof. We saw faces we have never seen before this year– people who are excited to vote Republican and to turn this country around.”
Guests were entertained with music by Isaac Buschur and DJ911. Mora Menzie sang the the National Anthem. A free sausage sandwich meal was provided. Judge Travis Fliehman gave the prayer before the meal. The sausage was grilled on-site by Matt and Austin Harrison from Ketring Meats.
More than 100 cars then departed in the Trump Train through downtown Greenville bound for Troy via State Route 571. The route was decorated by American-loving businesses and homeowners. Tremendous enthusiasm greeted the parade members along the route. The Miami County rally was held at the Troy Business Park and featured Congressman Mike Carey.
Event sponsors included Bruns Building & Development, Bruns General Contracting, Indiana-Ohio Roofing, Pohl Transportation, Graves-Fearon Insurance, State Representative Rodney Creech, Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber, Congressman Warren Davidson, State Representative Angie King and Johnathan Newman for Ohio. Special thanks to Rachel Fearon and Beth Davenport, who provided the decorations and first-ever balloon drop at the Coliseum; Rob Bubeck for the use of his scissor lift to make the balloon drop possible; Eric Fee for the donation of water; Justin Crowell for use of his crane and flags; John Baumgardner, Bill Coomer, and Spencer Landscaping for providing patriotic displays; the Darke County Sheriff’s Office & Greenville City Police Department, who provided traffic control; and Bruce & Barb Klepinger for use of their infamous convertible limo.
