For those of Portage County who do celebrate Christmas, how do you welcome in the Christmas Season? For many, it is putting up the tree and decorating the house. For others it is a day of frantic shopping to take advantage of the Black Friday sales. Still, there are people that begin the season with volunteerism and good deeds. For long- term residents of Ravenna, it has been with the tradition known as Midnight Madness. Downtown merchants would stay open late, decorate their shops and offer discounts or goodies to the shoppers. Occasionally there would be additional activities on the Courthouse lawn. Like most events, 2020 had a strong impact, with little participation. This year, the Ravenna Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Ravenna Balloon A-Fair trustees to make the event THE place to be.
Friday evening, November 26, the Ravenna Holiday Celebration Midnight Madness festivities begin with the Balloon A-Fair ‘Light Up Ravenna’ parade. It steps off at 6:00, starting at the parking lot on the corner of Myrtle and Main Streets. Applications for the parade have been available through both the Balloon A-Fair and the Chamber offices. This will be headed by the Mini Marshal from September’s Balloon A-Fair. The parade stops at the Courthouse lawn, just in time for the lighting of the tree! The tree is already in place, thanks to Eric Hummel of Hummel Construction. Then, Santa and Mrs. Claus will proceed to Santa Land, hosted by the Balloon A-Fair. There, they will read to area children, and each child will receive a book.
Where is Santa Land? The former location of Triangle Pharmacy is currently being transformed by many of Santa’s helpers. Students from Ravenna High School are pitching in by painting store-front windows. Inside Santa Land, the pharmacy is being turned into an Elf Workshop, where area children will be able to participate in a craft. Hot cocoa will be available for purchase.
More fun will be available outside. Emily Yanc of Barrel Run Ranch will be sharing her Clydesdales for buggy rides! Does it get any better? Yes, it does. There will be Sl-hay Rides provided by Myers Farms. Elegant Ice Creations will have an ice sculpture or two.
Many downtown merchants will have extended hours. New this year, there will be a Santa’s Workshop Gift Shop set up at a number of locations. Rumor has it that Bean and Baker might have some special holiday cookies, and Edward Jones Office will have some holiday goody bags. Berkshire Hathaway will be hosting treats and treasure. Tavern 1888 will be involved, too!
There is still time for vendors to participate, just contact Ryann at the Chamber of Commerce. One such vendor is Bath Time at Ya-Ya’s, which carries specialty soaps. There are many sponsors backing this event. West Main Winery is one such sponsor. They have also been helpful to the Chamber by hosting a recent roundtable for small businesses.
No event would be complete without a raffle. Well, this event is complete since there is a Holiday Raffle. The prizes would make Santa jealous! Area business have donated some fine swag for this. The Chamber has donated a 50 Inch Samsung television. Don Bausch Jewelers has donated a diamond pendant necklace. Also available are ticket packages to Kalahari Resort, and Cedar Point.
Ravenna High School has one final surprise for you. History teacher Rick Sullivan has led his senior history class in a research project of downtown buildings. They have digitized their findings and assigned a QR code to each. So, as you enjoy an evening of treats, prizes, family-fun activities and shopping, you can also learn a bit about your community. This tidbit of news has this reporter downloading the app to be ready. There is a great spread of history in many of the downtown buildings; what a convenient way to learn more about the community!
Yes, Ravenna Holiday Celebration Midnight Madness is the place to be on Black Friday. This reporter will be there, will you? See you in Santa Land!
