March 3, 2003

Kettering Mayor Marilou W. Smith is leading her Ohio city of 60,000 through a year-long series of festive events to commemorate the founding 50 years ago.

The city is named after Charles F. Kettering, inventor of the automobile self-starter.

Through Spring, Summer and Fall, the city's residents were treated to a wide variety of events. These included block parties, historical exhibits, a massive parade drawing 100,000 viewers and outdoor concerts.

Mayor Smith wrote U.S.MAYOR to let us know of the final project. As the Dayton Daily News noted: Chicago had cows. Cincinnati had pigs. (We add that Washington, DC had fiberglass sculptures of — what else — "Party Animals" featuring Republican elephants and Democratic donkeys all over the city.)

Kettering Settled on Cars

50 go-cart size cars were made by Kettering's National Composite Center. Businesses, clubs and individuals sponsored cars for $1,500, $2,500 or $5,000 and then hired artists to decorate the vehicles. Sponsor's names are on the license plates.

By Memorial Day, these vehicles will decorate the city's lawns and parks.

In the Fall, cars will be auctioned off with proceeds going to the Kettering Community Foundation, which funds municipal projects encouraging efficiency, cooperation with non-profits and volunteering.