With all the bad news floating around recently, West Liberty have something to celebrate.

On Jan. 5th, organizers and residents will kick off a full year of events

commemorating the city’s 175th anniversary. It’s something they didn’t do for

previous anniversaries — activities ringing in the city’s 150th anniversary, for

example, lasted for only a weekend.

Each month will be marked by a theme, and each theme will have a chairman

who oversees that month’s activities. Some of the examples include education,

agriculture, health and the city’s Hispanic population.

The city’s rich history will be a big part of the anniversary activities, which will

include people in period costumes posing as historical local icons. Founded in

1838, West Liberty’s growth was spurred by the railroad that cuts through town.