Times Bulletin News Writer

VAN WERT — Although the area’s peonies are no longer in full bloom due to the unusually warm weather this spring, this weekend marks the annual Van Wert County Peony Festival.
In 1902, the first Sunday in June was designated as Peony Sunday. The first Peony Festival in Van Wert was held in 1932 and drew massive crowds of people to the area to enjoy the scheduled events. This year will be no different, with three days worth of events to keep the city of Van Wert hopping.
The celebration officially began Thursday at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds with a craft show and garage sale. These two events at the fairgrounds will also start off today’s events at 9 a.m. and will last until 6 p.m.
The craft show at Fountain Park will begin at 11 a.m. and will last all throughout the day until 9 p.m.