Middlefield – How do decorated trees, a craft show, the Grinch, fireworks, Cindy Lou Who and present snatching work together? If you said Merry Middlefield then you’d be correct. This past weekend it was Merry Middlefield, a Christmas celebration that included the Grinch, along with his side kick Max visiting area businesses trying to steal the children’s gifts the community collected for those in need.
The Grinch was spotted at the craft show, the Festival of Trees, Old Towne Grill, Briar Hill Nursing Facility, Walmart and many more area businesses. He even visited a wrestling tournament at the high school. The Grinch and Max took time out from “Grinching” to visit with the children as well. Cindy Lou Who did her best to try to keep the Grinch from being too Grinchy as he visited with the children. The children who visited with the Grinch received a free book, autographed by the trio. The three posed for pictures with all the kids as well. The books were courtesy of East Geauga Friends of the Library.
While the Grinch visited each business attempting to “swipe a gift or two, volunteers were busy collecting them to be donated to Santa’s Hide-a-Way Hollow, an organization that gives gifts to those in need.
Also going on and participating in the Merry Middlefield was the Middlefield Historical Society Festival of Trees. The Festival of Trees is trees that civic/school groups, individuals, and businesses have decorated and put on display. This year they had over 50 trees decorated on all three levels of the Century Inn. The event was free to all visitors and ran the first two weeks in December.
The Festival of Trees has become a family tradition for many families as they tour the Century Inn (that’s also known as Batavia House on the National Register) and view the trees. Several businesses decorated a tree that coincided with their business, the police department had theirs in blue, a knitting group had their tree decorated in little mini hats, and the Kiwanis Club decorated theirs, with hats, gloves, and socks known as the “Giving Tree.” They were encouraging others to drop-off gloves, hats, socks etc at the historical society. All donated items were given to Jobs and Family Services to pass out to those in need. It was a sight to behold.
The Grinch, Max and Cindy Lou Who visited the Festival of Trees and, of course, the Grinch tried to snatch a gift from their collection box. The volunteers were on to his ways and held on tight and were able to keep the Grinch from getting the gift.
The Grinch continued his Grinchy ways through out the village all day long and wrapped up the day at Great Lakes Outdoor Supply explaining his real mission with a dramatic performance along with Max and Cindy Lou Who. Near the end of the day, Santa arrived to save the day as the children told him all of their childhood wishes. The day was closed out by a fabulous fireworks display.
