Christmas in the Village – Garrettsville’s Christmas Walk Returns
Christmas has come early again this year in Garrettsville. If you have been in town lately you’ve probably been witness to Christmas decorations popping up all over town. This Friday kicks off the village tradition of the James A. Garfield Historical Society’s Christmas Walk. Every other year in November, the Historical Society sponsors this original event. The town comes alive with Christmas cheer and the streets are transformed into a winter wonderland. The downtown shops and businesses decorate early for Christmas and the village is converted into a town from a Burl Ives Christmas song.
Every Christmas Walk year, four homes in the James A Garfield school district are chosen to be the features of the walk. Each home is given a theme and a title and the entire house is decorated for Christmas based on this theme. The homeowners, along with volunteers from the Historical Society, spend weeks making special items and decorations, filling each house with Christmas treasures. In addition to the homes on display, this year a fully decorated St Ambrose Church serves lunch and refreshments during the walk. Downtown shops and restaurants are open, along with a special Christmas Walk Craft and Artisan show, featuring crafters and artisans from the Garrettsville area.
The homes’ themes are as diverse as the homes themselves. Each home varies in age, décor and style. This year the four homes are titled A Riverview Christmas, Christmas in the Country, Jedediah Cole’s Christmas and Christmas Collections. A Riverview Christmas is located on Brosius Road just outside of town and is decorated beautifully for Christmas; the scenic setting of this home is described in its title. The Christmas Collections home is located on Route 88 across the street from the library. Its winding driveway leads to a beautiful post and beam home featuring collections of snowmen, Nativity scenes, Santas and other special items featured throughout the tour. Jedediah Cole’s Christmas, is a historical home built in 1871, located on Water Street. The home belonged to Jedediah Cole, a Portage County surveyor and Civil War veteran. The home features items from its original time period. Handmade and period Christmas decorations, historical documents, Civil War memorabilia, and items from Mr. Cole himself are on display throughout. Christmas in the Country is on Nichols Road a few miles outside of town. The current owners are only the fifth owners of this home, dating back to 1833, and have owned the home for thirty-four years. They have completely refurbished the home and kept its original charm and history. Walking into this country home is like walking into a Christmas dinner party in the 19th century, complete with family heirloom china and homemade treats. There is not one corner of this home that has not been touched by the Christmas fairies. In addition to the holiday décor, each room features photographs showing the progression the home has made over the years.
The Christmas Walk is running two weekends this month. November 2-4 and 9-11. Homes can be toured from 10-5 on Friday and Saturday and 12:30-5:00 on Sunday. Tickets for the walk can be purchased at the James A. Garfield Historical Society office for $10.00 per person and proceeds benefit the Historical Society. A map and parking information for each home are provided with each ticket purchase. Some homes have parking off-site but a shuttle service will be provided. The church and craft show are open during the tour times as well. We all need a little Christmas. Start your holiday celebration early this year and join us for the Christmas Walk.
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