About Coldwater Community Picnic
The first-ever picnic was successfully held in September 1961. At the conclusion of the event, picnic co-founder, Robert Hibner Sr., was quoted as saying, “We had wonderful cooperation from all the organizations. I’d like to see this become an annual thing, and I think it might.” The Coldwater Community Picnic has been a successful tradition for the town since its debut. About 1,000 individuals — including many businesses — volunteer each year for committees, to operate stands, organize the many activities, and to help with setup and cleanup. The goal of the annual picnic, per its official Constitution and By-Laws, is to raise funds for permanent improvements to the Coldwater Memorial Park and the Coldwater Public Library. The park typically receives about 80 percent of the proceeds, while the library draws about 20 percent. However, the percentages differ some years depending on the needs of each. The Coldwater Memorial Park and Coldwater Public Library boards each year create “wish lists” for items they like to see funded by the CCP. The CCP committee makes the ultimate decision on how the picnic funds are spent. The park has used its CCP funds for equipment, infrastructure (such as the swimming pool, depot, shelter houses, amphitheater, gazebo and ball diamonds), lighting, playground equipment including the Park for All Abilities, picnic tables, dugouts, bleachers, trees, benches, building renovations and much more. The library through the years has allocated CCP funding for computers and computer systems, copiers and scanners, desks, chairs, building projects (additions/renovations) and many other items.
HISTORY:
Robert Hibner Sr. and Donald Luken are considered the founders of the CCP. They called the first CCP meeting to order on Aug. 2, 1961, at the former Betties Restaurant. The newly appointed committee of trustees and officers created the picnic slogan: “The library is for the mind and the park is for the body.”
A $20 insurance policy was taken out to cover the cost of the BBQ chicken in case of rain. They also approved a unique advertising method: 2,500 leaflets were dropped by a plane piloted by Dr. Roman Meyer to inform area residents about the upcoming picnic. The first picnic took place on Sunday, Sept. 17, 1961. The parade began at 2:30 p.m. at Main and Fourth streets and finished on Vine Street. Dignitaries in the parade included Mayor Otto Weigel, future Mayor William Mueller and State Representative Harold Romer. High school bands from Coldwater, St. Henry, Fort Recovery and Marion Local participated. A crowd of about 6,000 attended the first CCP. Eighteen organizations helped make it a success. Picnic-goers spent 25 cents each for a hamburger and a beer (choice of Burger, Hudepohl and Strohs). It cost 10 cents for a paddle at the Fancy Stand or to grab an ice-cold soda. Rides were 25 cents each. About 1,700 BBQ chicken dinners were sold for $1 each. Some of the early stands that disappeared over the years were putter golf, fish pond, ball pitch, dice
games, cotton candy and the 1001 Club (a raffle-type fundraiser). The first picnic in 1961 raised $2,361.88 after expenses were paid. In comparison, the 2019 picnic netted $105,132. From 1961 to 2017, the CCP raised over $2 million. At some point, the CCP and parade began adopting themes such as:
Looney Tunes (2010)
Drive to Inspire (2015)
Don’t Stop Believin’ – an 80s Flashback (2016)
Small Town, Big Heart (2017)
Pardi Gras (2023)
A few other worthy CCP history tidbits:
The Coldwater Squires began operating the now infamous waffle concession stand in 1971. It replaced their ball pitch stand.
In 1962, patrons could take a sledgehammer to a car for demolition. Downtown sidewalk sales were also added that year.
In 1966, the picnic became incorporated.
In the 1970s, residents were treated several times to a skydiving act by Super Chicken and a hot air balloon ascension.
In 1976, a 50-year time capsule was buried in front of the pool.
The first fireworks display was held in 1983.
In August 1988, the picnic theme focused on the town’s 150 th Sesquicentennial celebration. CCP grossed a then-record profit of $106,000.
The 2020 picnic, which was immensely scaled down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, raised just $8,389.42.
Just about every year someone jumps the fence and takes a dip in the closed swimming pool after the picnic ends on Saturday or Sunday.
Source: Shelley Grieshop – The Daily Standard – 2025