Внутри моста-крытого в Харперсфилде отметили 250-летие США и историю сооружения

Dinner in covered bridge celebrates history HARPERSFIELD TOWNSHIP — A long planned dinner inside the Harpersfield Covered Bridge brought more than 140 people out to celebrate the bridge and the nation's 250th birthday. The event was co-sponsored by the Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Festival and the Harpersfield Volunteer Fire Department. Harpersfield Fire Department Captain Patrick Linehan said firefighters assisted in a variety of ways, and he was helping to pour wine from local vineyards. He said M Cellars, the Winery at Spring Hill and Grand River Cellars participated in the event with a variety of wine available. "This is celebration of the 250th, but we are talking about doing it again," Linehan said. The bridge was blocked on both sides at 11 a.m. so organizers could get the necessary equipment onto the bridge, said Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Festival Executive Director Ginger Whitehead. While many participants were from Ashtabula County, many more came great distances to feel the uniqueness of the covered bridge. "There's a lady here from Texas, a lot from the Cleveland area and one from New Jersey," Whitehead said. Whitehead said tables were rented for the event, with the main serving line near the center of the bridge. Jefferson resident John Patterson, who was formerly a state representative, said it was a great opportunity to support local causes and "be in the moment with family." A dinner inside the bridge was discussed several years ago, when it was completely rebuilt after the adjacent dam was replaced and protected with a sea lamprey barrier. Ticket takers checked in guests on the north end of bridge, and people could park on the north or south side of the bridge and walk to the entrance. Whitehead said most of the tables and other necessary equipment were already in the bridge when a major rainstorm came through, and nobody was hurt.