DELAWARE, Ohio -- Friday was a big day for the city of Delaware as it celebrated its 200^th birthday.

The community gathered to mark the founding of the city, and NBC 4's Erin Tate was present for the celebration.

Three hundred local school children gathered in Downtown for the historic bicentennial celebration.

"Delaware began on this day in 1808," Brent Carson said. He is the chairman of the city's bicentennial commission.

One of the ways locals commemorated the day was with a beard-growing competition. "Otherwise I would never have one, and I'll never have one again, but it's been fun doing it anyway," Carson said.

The highlight of the day was the unveiling of a historical marker. City hall, formerly an opera house, burned down in 1934 and was rebuilt three years later. In front of the building now stands a plaque commemorating Delaware's roots.

Carson said Friday's tribute to the past is an important part of remembering Delaware's remarkable progress.

It's the fastest growing county in Ohio and one of the fastest growing in the nation.

Still, one thing in Delaware stays the same.

"Delaware has changed and continues to change," Carson said. "But it still maintains a hometown atmosphere."

Fun, family activities were planned for the weekend. Anyone who wishes to celebrate Delaware's bicentennial can visit nbc4i.com and type in keywords DELAWARE BICENNTENIAL for details.

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