Freedom Twp. – The Freedom Township Historical Society and the Freedom Community & Park Boosters are hosting the second annual Craft and Vendor Show on Saturday, September 28. The festival will offer community members free, fun fall activities for the whole family, good local entertainment to enjoy, autumn produce and beautiful handmade crafts to purchase, says organizer Jennifer Derthick.
The fall festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Freedom Town Hall and Community Center, 8966 State Route 700, Ravenna (at the intersections of State Routes 700/303/88).
A variety of crafters/vendors will be featured — from homemade crocheted items, small wooden keepsakes and furniture, wooden toys, quilts, floral arrangements, jewelry, holiday items — to Tupperware, Tastefully Simple, 31 Bags and Colorstreet vendors. Along with the craft show will be a selfie station, halo making, face painting, pumpkin painting, pumpkins for sale, corn stalks, University Hospitals’ health screening and blood pressure check station, a 50/50 Raffle drawing, food for purchase and much more.
A full schedule of events will mark the day:
10:30 am Opening ceremony
11:00 – 3:00 Oscar’s store is open
11:00 – 2:00 Schoolhouse tours
11:00 -11:45 Freedom Congregational Church Singers
and Elvis
12:00 – 1:00 Cloggers
1:00 – 3:00 Cow Chip Bingo!
(Prize up to $500 with additional prizes available.)
1:15 – 2:00 K9 Demonstration
2:00 – 3:00 Civil War reenactment – pioneer cooking
3:00 – 3:45 King’s Crown 7 bluegrass band
4:00pm Festival ends
Referring to the back story on Oscar’s Store, Derthick explains that Oscar Hunt was a storekeeper who ran a general store at Freedom Station during the first half of the 20th century. Oscar’s store still stands at the intersection of Freedom and Nichols roads. “Oscar was a beloved figure in Freedom Township and many older residents still remember him,” Derthick says. Oscar will be portrayed by his great-great-grandson, Brad King of Newton Falls, who will be giving away penny candy, just like Oscar used to do.
The Freedom Township Historical Society is housed in a one-room schoolhouse being renovated along S.R. 303, to be used as a community meeting place and museum. Built in the 1850s, it was one of eight one-room schoolhouses that were used in Freedom. This schoolhouse educated generations of Freedom children and was later used as a sheep barn and church through the years. The schoolhouse will be open for tours on the day of the festival, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The winner need not be present for Cow Chip Bingo. Pre-sale tickets are available by contacting Jennifer Derthick at 330-931-8227 or freedomparkboosters@gmail.com or by contacting Claudia Garrett at 330-298-9141 or bethelspringsfellowship@gmail.com. Tickets will also be available for purchase the day of the festival until 12:45 p.m.
“Our inspiration for Freedom Fall Festival is the good people of our community,” Derthick says. “It’s our way of thanking them for all the support they give to our non-profit groups, Freedom Community & Park Boosters and the Freedom Historical Society. Come one, come all, have fun fall time in Freedom on a beautiful autumn day.”
There are so many activities going on during this festival, Derthick promises, “There is sure to be something for everyone.”
Pictured below (left to right) are the Committee Members and the organization they are representing: Ginny Adams, First Congregational Church; Amanda Garrett, Freedom Township Historical Society; Bev Puleo, Freedom Community & Park Boosters; Claudia Garrett, Freedom Township Historical Society; Daisy, Cow Chip Bingo Donor; Loreal Puleo, Daisy’s owner; Jeff Derthick, Freedom Township Trustee/Freedom Community & Park Boosters; Adam Derthick, Freedom Community & Park Boosters; Jim Hammer, Freedom Township Historical Society; Jennifer Derthick, Freedom Community & Park Boosters
