Ravenna – When all is said and done it is time to have some fun! There will be many different events happening during October that residents of Ravenna have cause to get excited over. As the foliage changes during this pleasant time of year it will be interesting to see how Ravenna’s seasonal events adapt for citizens to have the fun and the social interaction we have all been missing so we can celebrate the start of Autumn.
Local artist Don Jeffrey has been creating beautiful paintings of Ravenna. Highlighting different businesses and sections of Main Street in such a manner that invokes the memory of what town was like when I was a child. This is how his art makes me feel, I’m sure the experience is different for everybody. So, come see the Art Show this Saturday, October 10th from 2-6pm and discover what the magic is all about! It will be held at West Main Street Winery, 234 West Main Street.
In past months the Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce and Vista Veranda Senior Living have teamed up to highlight local businesses by doing the “Best of Ravenna” Taste Off Series. They have done pastries and sandwiches so far and this next round will be a coffee tasting. The idea is the “Best” product is purchased from three chamber members. Then the selected businesses participate by sharing their items on Facebook and tagging Vista Veranda and the Chamber of Commerce in their post.
On Oct. 14th the residents at Vista Veranda will get to do the judging and taste testing and then winners will be announced and awarded. Any business that would like to be involved can contact the Ravenna Chamber 330-296-3886 or Rhonda Johnston at Vista Veranda 330-296-4545.
How would you like to “Bury 2020”? Well your wish is granted because on Oct. 15th from 5-6pm a Time Capsule ceremony will be hosted by Longmeadow Care Center at 565 Bryn Mawr Street in Ravenna. It will be filled with small items no bigger than a cell phone, letters of about memorable 2020 events and other possible mementos. Items can be dropped off until October 12th by 12pm to be included in the Time Capsule.
Ravenna’s First Annual Downtown Scarecrow Contest is currently in the works, because registration ends Oct. 16th. Leeda Northeast, It’s All Fine Consignment, Chestnut Grove and the Chamber of Commerce have coordinated to bring this wonderful idea to life. Scarecrow kits can be purchased for $10 at It’s All Fine located at 6560 N. Chestnut St., Ravenna. “Make it as creative and fun as you can! Use any materials you’d like, hay bales, old clothes, whatever you can turn into the best looking scarecrow in town!”
Entries will be on display in town from Oct. 19th through November 2nd and winners will be announced on November 2nd on Facebook Live. The contest welcomes everybody — individuals, groups, businesses, schools, organizations, children and adults. Ravenna School District classrooms that want to participate can get their kits for free. For more details contact Brittany or Tiffany at 330-552-2180 or the Ravenna Chamber of Commerce at 330-296-3886 or stop in at It’s All Fine. Come celebrate Fall Y’all! There will be prizes for Individual (adult), Child (12 and under) and Group/Business.
Instead of a Halloween Merchant walk for this year Ravenna Parks and Recreation and the Area Chamber will be hosting a “Drive Through Trick-or-Treat”. Judy Watkins, Director of Parks and Recreation stated in a letter, “We are offering an opportunity to bring some joy to the community while also promoting your business by sponsoring a very safe Halloween event.” The festivities will be on October 31st from 10am–2pm in John Tontimonia City Park, located at 165 Oakwood St. in Ravenna.
This is a free Halloween Event where families can drive through the Park solving riddles presented on poster board to get a bag of candy. Area businesses can pass out candy as well as get the chance to promote their name. “Your sponsorship of $100 will offset the cost of hosting this event. Each child will preregister and receive a bag of goodies at the event. As a sponsor you are not only invited to attend the event and add any of your campaign items to the bag, but your name will be printed along with other sponsors on the bags and other marketing materials,” stated Watkins.
Halloween attendees must pre-register for reservations and live in the 44266 zipcode area. Registration is currently open. Those interested in attending or sponsoring can look on Facebook, contact Judy at 330-296-2864 or judy.watkins@ravennaoh.gov or the Chamber of Commerce.