Zanesville’s 8th Ward’s Coming Home Reunion

Celebration and togetherness filled the air of the Zanesville Community Center Saturday afternoon.

That’s because the 8th ward held its annual coming home reunion. In the mid 1960s the Turner Street organization started the event as a monthly block party where families came together to celebrate life. Reverand Doctor Gloria Wade Dillon moved away but feels it is necessary to come back every year because the 8th ward will always be her home.

"It is a blessing to be here and to see everyone," Wade Dillon said. "I’m just grateful for the opportunity to be able to come and share with everyone."

Many people that have moved away from Zanesville attended the reunion Saturday, but people that still live around the area also came to the celebration. One of those people was Bill Day who is on the organizing committee for the reunion.

"I love my hometown," Day said. "I love Zanesville and I am involved in several other committees, but this is one of my favorites because I grew up here, we have fond memories of our homes and our neighbors. It’s just always nice to get back together once a year."

Day added that they try to plan the event the same weekend as the solid gold rib fest each year since people may come home for that as well.