The Homecoming was founded in 1929 and started on the grounds of the old Union School located on Spring Street. This is also the site of the very first pet parade in the United States. The pet parade was founded in 1930 by Perry Adams. Research was done several years ago and it was discovered Utica, Ohio in Licking/Knox County was indeed the very first to host a pet parade. {By the way there is another Utica, Ohio in Warren County}. The Homecoming started out as a one day event called Harvest Festival. This event showcased harvest time and brought many people to our town. The event grew into a two day event, then a three day event and into it's present four day event. Several organizations hosted the event over the years but the Utica American Legion Post here in Utica stands out as the ones who made a great success of the event and always put on a great time for all.
In 1986 the Legion moved the event from Main Street where it had been for many years to the Legion Home on Washington Street. In 1988 the late Gene Richards, Fire Chief of the Utica Volunteer Fire Department was approached by the Legion about taking over sponsorship of the event. Thus in 1988 the Utica Homecoming returned to Main Street with a record crowd. Many improvements have been made over the years and in 2000 the event was expanded north as far as the Hufford House Museum.
Sadly in 1996 Gene passed away. He left a legacy of many accomplishments, both in the Fire Department and the community. 2009, marks the 77th event {no event was held for 3 years during World War II}. Along with some great nightly entertainment, 2 parades, arts and crafts vendors, exhibits of handy work, carriage rides, petting zoo, amusement rides, midway games, a cruise-in on Saturday afternoon, the traditional cake and baked goods auction, Morgan Grange returning to the fire station for another year of great homecooked food, Homer Fire Department returning to the midway for their 40th + year, the many raffles including the hog and steer raffle, the Utica EMS pancake breakfast on Saturday Morning and their famous drawings during the event and not to forget all that great midway food. While you are here visit all of our downtown merchants, we have several new ones, and visit all of Utica's merchants, we have just about anything you would need.
