Staff photo / Bob Coupland Jen Carey of Cortland looks at a large cardboard cake display made by a prisoner at the Trumbull Correctional Institution in Leavittsburg that was made for the Bazetta Township America250 celebration Sunday at Bazetta Township Park.

BAZETTA — Members of the Bazetta community gathered Sunday afternoon at Bazetta Township Park to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with music, patriotic displays and recognition of veterans.

Township trustees Bob McBride and Mike Hovis said small flags were distributed to any veteran or veterans’ families in attendance. McBride said in 1804, the township’s earliest pioneers cleared a dense forest to create the community known today as Bazetta.

He said there is no other known location in the world to have the name “Bazetta.” McBride said local men helped in defending the nation during the War of 1812 and during many other wars that followed. He said veterans who have served the nation deserve the recognition today as we honor America’s 250 years.

Members of the Trumbull Correctional Institution Honor Guard opened the celebration with a flag raising ceremony.

Mary Gearhart, park board chairwoman, said the event included several music performances, a food truck, basket raffle, and a special 250th large cardboard cake made by a prisoner from TCI.

“We wanted to invite the public to celebrate America’s 250th. People can come here and have fun and show their support to our country. We also want people to see we have a wonderful park here,” Gearhart said.

A basket raffle helped raise funds for park improvements.

Ken and Elaine Ponikvar of Bazetta handed out flags to those in attendance with many seated under the shade of trees as they listened to the music.

Stacey Stewart, a deputy warden at TCI, said she was contacted by Gearhart to see if any of the employees would help with the celebration.

Stewart said the Honor Guard members said they would help and other staff would assist with putting up a patriotic display that had 250 years on it.

“I had heard they were looking for someone to do today’s ceremony and I offered the Honor Guard,” she said.

Gearhart said when she heard a prisoner had made a large 250th anniversary cake out of cardboard she asked if it could be displayed at the park celebration.

“The cake is very large so I was only able to bring part of it. It was too large to fit in my car, so I brought what I could. I was also concerned there was going to be rain today,” Stewart said.

She said one prisoner did the majority of the work.

“We enjoy taking part in community events like this. We were at the safety day and were glad to take part in that,” Stewart said.

Several other communities such as Fowler, Braceville, Warren and Newton Falls are planning to host America250 events in July. Other communities are incorporating the 250 theme in other local events.

Bob Steiner, a park volunteer, said the township park and Logan’s Landing will be cohosting upcoming events, including storytimes, music events and family nights in the park.

“We want to bring more people to the park,” he said.