Campbell celebrates 100 years

CAMPBELL -- If you're Mayor Bill Valentino and the city you represent becomes a centenarian, what do you do?

For one thing, you can honor two 100-year-old residents, then have them as grand marshals in a celebratory parade.

"It's a great day in the city. How often do you celebrate 100 years and have two ladies who are 100 years old in the city?" he said.

The two women to whom Valentino was referring were Margaret Shabella and Dora Galletta, who were handed surprise proclamations Aug. 15 from the city as part of a birthday party for Galletta.

More recently, the two centenarians were honored a bit differently: They were the grand marshals in Saturday afternoon's parade that began at the Palermo Banquet Center on Tenney Avenue, then proceeded on 12th Street and Park Avenue before ending at Roosevelt Park for the three-day annual Summer Fest that began Friday and ended Sunday evening with a fireworks show.

"I really want this to be a big event because it's 100 years," the mayor said, adding that the city paid $10,000 for the fireworks.

Perhaps adding to the weekend's festive atmosphere was Friday evening's high school football game between the Campbell Red Devils and the Valley Christian Eagles in which Campbell won 14-7, Valentino added.

Campbell was originally founded in 1902 as East Youngstown when the Youngstown Iron, Sheet and Tube Co. established itself on the banks of the Mahoning River in Coitsville Township. It wasn't long before many young immigrants, mainly from Europe, poured into the city to work in the burgeoning steel industry. In 1926, as the town grew and matured, it officially became the City of Campbell, named after James Anson Campbell, its founding father who also was the Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co.'s longtime president.

The city suffered a major blow, however, on Sept. 19, 1977, a day infamously known locally and regionally as "Black Monday," when the Youngstown Sheet & Tube's Campbell Works closed, idling an estimated 5,000 workers. That date also is widely recognized as the beginning of the steel industry's demise across the Mahoning Valley.

In more recent years, the city's industrial makeup has undergone a transition, along with that of the larger region. Specifically, Campbell, Struthers and Lowellville community leaders formed CASTLO, a community-improvement entity dedicated to encouraging additional types of manufacturing and service-oriented businesses and industries to locate in the three cities.

The fest Saturday also took on a rather religious tone, courtesy of Brahm Powell of Euclid, who wore a poster board detailing part of his interpretation of Scripture. He also was on hand to share what he felt were important aspects of the Gospel.

"I try to go to every single city in Ohio," Powell said, adding that he attends Bible Baptist Temple in Euclid, and that Campbell's Summer Fest is among the many such gatherings he visits.

The fest featured the usual rides, food, games and a basket raffle, along with entertainment Saturday from the Jim Frank Combo. Funds raised from the fest will be used to maintain the park.

Leading Saturday's parade were the Campbell police and fire departments. Additional units included the Campbell Memorial High School cheerleading squad, marching band and Red Devils football team, TBT Lawncare & Snow Removal, Honesty Plumbing LLC and those supporting various political candidates.

Of course, no parade would be complete without an assortment of candy and treats being tossed. Among those who weren't shy about scooping then bagging the sweet finds were Logan Clark, 8, of Campbell, who came with older brother, Mason Clark, 10; sister, Peyton Clark, who is a cheerleader and majorette at Campbell Memorial High; and his mother, Kristin Clark.

Parade-goers and participants also were greeted with ideal weather that consisted of sunny skies and low humidity.