Local locations trying to mix holiday cheer with safety
Visitors to Lehman’s in Kidron during the holiday season can see a reindeer live and up close.
What is normally a very jolly time of year has this year become something else due to COVID-19: everyone trying to figure out how to enjoy holiday festivities while observing safety restrictions. Some communities have arranged safe ways to observe their traditions while others have canceled this year’s activities altogether.
The village of Dalton has planned a variation on its usual events.
“We tried to figure out ways to still bring holiday cheer while keeping everyone safe,” said Suzanne Snyder, a member of the Dalton holiday committee.
On Dec. 4 Dalton will host an open house for businesses and crown its holiday festival queen and court. From Nov. 30 to Dec 6, windows of businesses will be decorated for the holidays and feature an elf scavenger hunt where participants try to find the elf in each business’ window. Entries can be dropped off in the night box at Farmers’ National Bank or at any of the participating businesses for prizes.
The village will hold a modified version of its traditional parade on Dec. 6 at 1 p.m., where residents can join a “reverse parade” that will wind through the village and allow everyone to safely enjoy homes’ holiday decorations along the way. The parade will end at the downtown parking lot, where tables will be set up serving hot chocolate and prebagged cookies from 2-4 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there, along with the holiday festival court, the Grinch, the mayor, and fire and EMS.
In Kidron, Lehman’s embraces the holidays as it remains open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and is always open at www.Lehmans.com.
On Dec. 5 there will be ice sculptures outside the store. On Dec. 12 visitors to Lehman’s can meet some furry friends from the north pole as a few of Santa's reindeer will be outside the store from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Shop the store to find the perfect and unique holiday gifts for everyone on your list — young and old and even the hard to shop for," Glenda Lehman Ervin said.
A range of Christmas gifts is available including gifts for cooking, toys and games, home, stocking stuffers, locally made ornaments, and handcrafted items.
In Orrville the Orrville Railroad Heritage Society has canceled its Christmas at the Depot event this year, but on Dec. 20 at 7 p.m., Orrville Trinity United Methodist will hold its annual Blue Christmas service, held in the courtyard for the first time to provide an outdoor setting. Blue Christmas, traditionally held Dec. 21, marks the longest night of the year and recognizes the holidays are sometimes "blue" or filled with difficult feelings. Blue luminaries and votive candles will enhance the prayerful mood.
In Wooster the Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Wooster have adapted to the COVID-19 restrictions and are offering alternative holiday programming this year.
This year the Wooster Chamber plans to rally around small businesses the entire holiday season through a “Loyal to Local” holiday passport program. This program will be held through Monday, Jan. 4 at noon.
“Our local businesses have been hit very hard this year,” said Samira Zimmerly, Wooster Chamber of Commerce president. “We see this as a way to help them during these unprecedented holiday times.”
The “Loyal to Local” holiday passport will be stamped when shopping at participating businesses. Once shoppers reach $250 in purchases, they will be submitted in a drawing for one of two grand prizes. One prize is a day of pampering at Sheer Professionals including a cut and color, custom facial, makeup application, and a manicure and spa pedicure.
The second prize is a complete downtown experience including one night at St. Paul Hotel, dinner at The City Square Steakhouse, drinks at Broken Rocks, shopping at JK Gift Shop and brunch at The Leaf.
In a second event, the chamber will hold “Let it Glow” — an event that will allow local residents to do something cheerful with their family and friends.
For the event, which will run Dec. 14-29, residents are asked to deck their homes with lights, lawn ornaments, wreaths and more to help bring some holiday cheer. Registrants will have their homes numbered, and participants will vote for Best Decorated up until Dec. 29. Three $100 prizes are Best in Show, Clark Griswold (most lights) and People's Choice. The deadline for registration is Dec. 9, and homes must be decorated by Dec. 13.
Participants will make their votes by texting the house numbers to 507-873-5203. Register on the chamber’s website at www.woosterchamber.com, call the chamber at 330-262-5735 or email mrothgery@woosterchamber.com. It is free to participate, but registration is limited. The event is sponsored by MCTV and HER Realtors.
Main Street Wooster also is contributing to the holiday spirit in several ways.
MSW sponsors the Children’s Christmas Tree on the Square. The tree was donated by former Chamber of Commerce executive director Justin Starlin, and IDA Sue students made the ribbon decorating the tree.
This year MSW added a new twist: a giant ornament stack on the square, which has already become a favorite holiday selfie spot. MSW coordinated with the City of Wooster and former MSW executive director Sandra Hull’s Legacy Fund on the project.
MSW has coordinated with local businesses to hold an elf scavenger hunt. Businesses have elves hidden in their windows, and participants have to check off a passport when they find them. Passport cards can be found at participating businesses. Five winners will be randomly selected for a $50 gift card to the business of their choice.
MSW also is holding a window-decorating contest for downtown businesses. Winners are chosen for Best Use of Product, Most Beautiful, Best Season Themed and Most Original.
A holiday gift card sale features a $20 bonus card for $100 spent at The City Square Steakhouse, and Main Street Wooster has holiday ornaments for sale for $20 each. The 24-karat gold-plated 3-D ornaments are replicas of the Wayne County Courthouse.
Information on all of MSW’s events can be found at www.mainstreetwooster.org.
The annual Red Cross Festival of Trees will be a virtual event this year, according to Kim Crow, the executive director of the Heartland, Stark and Muskingum Lakes Red Cross region.
“The event will still benefit Wayne, Ashland and Holmes counties, as it always has,” she said.
The festival will be online at www.bidpal.net/arcfestival20. Registration is free for the more than 80 auction items including wreaths, trees and a trip for two to the Caribbean. Donations to the Giving Tree provide two blankets for $10, and $20 provides meals for those displaced in a crisis.
Holiday events in both Smithville and Shreve are canceled for this year.