Oscar Velasquez, a Putnam County native and nationally known artist, was commissioned in 2013 to paint Pioneer Days Mural. Pioneer Days, Ohio's oldest festival, dates to the establishment of the Putnam County Pioneer Association in 1873. In its early years, history books mention merry-go-round rides, tight rope walks, and Indian corn dancing, and free national acts became a long-standing tradition. In 1963, The Human Torch was the main attraction, and 50 years later in 2013, The Human Fuse entertained Pioneer Days crowds; both are depicted in the mural. The mural also includes the first Putnam County Courthouse, which stood within the same city block. In 2011, on the 10 year anniversary of 9/11, Pioneer Days paid tribute to first responders and all the heroes of 9/11, including the display of a huge U.S. flag across the parade route. Its parade scene shows items that have appeared over the years, including the Budweiser Clydesdales, an M1 tank, commercial vehicles, and various floats. The parade is one of the largest in Ohio and has been held every year since 1961. Pioneer Days is a four day festival held on the square and throughout the streets of Kalida, always the weekend after Labor Day, and is sponsored by the Kalida Lions and Kalida Firefighters, with all proceeds reinvested into the community.