The Museum of Fulton County, 8848 State Highway 108, Wauseon, will celebrate the life and legacy of racing icon Barney Oldfield with a full day of free activities on Saturday, June 20, from 9 am to 4 pm.
“Barney Oldfield was a pioneer automobile racer whose name was synonymous with speed,” John Swearingen Jr., director of the Museum of Fulton County, said. “He began racing bicycles in 1894 and on June 20, 1903, Barney became the first American to drive a mile a minute. He was billed as ‘America’s Premier Driver’ while driving the ‘999’ built by Henry Ford. In 1910 he was recorded going 131.25 miles per hour – the fastest ever traveled by a human being at that time making him the ‘Speed King of the World’.”
This year’s celebration coincides with America 250 and will feature an official Ohio Goes to the Movies Barney Oldfield Film Festival. Free screenings throughout the day will showcase films connected to racing and Oldfield’s career.
Visitors can also enjoy a classic car show, Pinewood Derby races, a recreation of Oldfield’s turn-of-the-century Los Angeles saloon and café and a variety of family activities.
Guests are encouraged to tour the museum while taking part in the celebration. The day will conclude with the Barney Oldfield Race at Oakshade Raceway at 7 pm. Admission to the museum and daytime activities is free to the public.
For more information, visit museumoffultoncounty.org.
