Ravenna – What was once old has reemerged as new again because Ravenna merchants have joined together to expand Thanksgiving festivities into a new event the Welcome Home Week: Ravenna Holiday Celebration. Formerly, known as Midnight Madness and only being the night of Black Friday, the new plan is to have it be a three-day occasion.
This is not the first time Home Week has taken place. It started way back in August 24-26, 1909 explained Jim Wade of West Main Street Winery. When doing research for the winery he came across advertisements about the original Home Week. Photographs of the 1909 parade, postcards inviting former residents back to town and lapel pins with ads on them were some of the artifacts that kept popping up in Jim’s research. It was such a big deal at the time that “they even had their own song for the event,” he said proudly pulling out a century old postcard and handing it over for me to read.
So, being a history sleuth at heart, this rookie detective did some more investigating. After following up at historical societies and finding memorabilia for sale at auction, Jim had an epiphany. “Let’s Bring Back Home Week!” He introduced the concept to the Chamber of Commerce, with the goal of utilizing what Home Week represents: students on break for the holidays, visiting with relatives and sharing time with friends. It bloomed from there, as other merchants shared insights on how to apply the notion of Home Week to the existing Midnight Madness timeline.
Very few businesses in the past 4 years have stayed open until midnight, leading residents to question why it is called Midnight Madness, said Ryann Kuchenbecker, Executive Director for the Area Chamber of Commerce. Out of necessity has come invention, because merchants have seen the need to grow and adapt from the old way of doing things. Therefore, a new committee has formed to focus on planning this first Home Week and they will be coordinating with the Chamber. Wade said they will explore ways to bring people into the businesses for the experience and keep them coming back.
Sandy Knotek, owner of Tavern 1888, has become a staple in Ravenna when it comes to helping with area events and charities. It comes as no surprise that she is involved with Home Week. “I grew up in Streetsboro, but my parents would always bring us out here for Midnight Madness. I have been coming since I was 5-years-old,” she said with excitement. “Even though I don’t live in town, I feel like I have always been a part of it,” Knotek said. “So, when I brought my business to town, of course I wanted to help the community.”
Tavern 1888, West Main Street Winery and Bar 130 are responsible for organizing the “Gobble Wobble” to be hosted on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 from 5-11:30pm which will mark the start of official Home Week activities. There will be a Build-a-Snowman contest where you go around to each place, find your piece and get a card stamped. When completed you can enter your raffle ticket for a chance to win T-shirts and merchant baskets.
Carolers will be going around singing at each location to get you in the holiday spirit throughout the night. The winery will also be having live music. “Even though it is small this year, we have to start somewhere,” Wade said. “I like the feel of that hometown tradition of people coming back together to ‘Main Street U.S.A’,” Wade said nostalgically.
On Sat. Nov. 16 in preparation for next week, firemen with their truck lift, Girl Scouts and Home To You gathered to decorate the 20-foot Christmas tree with hand-made ornaments. Knotek and Scott Heim, a salesman for Davey Tree, donated the mammoth evergreen. The Street Department, City of Ravenna and Chamber all assisted in helping to see this happen for the community.
The second day is Thanksgiving; have a turkey leg, but remember to be thankful for the blessings of the season. Then comes day three, so don’t overdo the Black Friday shopping because you will want to save plenty of energy for the activities in town.
The Balloon-A-Fair light-up parade kicks off at 6pm said Kuchenbecker. “That was an addition last year and it was huge because it adds to the festivities.” This is followed by the Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Courthouse lawn.
Additional activities are: Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, Mr. Jingeling the keeper of the keys, Ice carving, an Elf Workshop and Cookie decorating. Sleigh-Hay Wagon rides will be provided by Myers Farms and the Ravenna Community Choir will be singing around the piano at Andrei’s Jewelers.
Be sure to get your map listing the places that will be open and participating. Many of the businesses will have some amazing Black Friday deals. Lastly, businesses will be competing in the Light Up Ravenna! window display contest for a monetary award and bragging rights.
The 4th Annual Holiday Raffle has tickets on sale now at various places in town. Tickets are $5 and can be entered to win such luxury items as a diamond necklace or an Xbox at the Chamber to name a few. Typically the Chamber has over 25 gifts to be raffled off that night at 9:15pm. Kuchenbecker said after seeing the enthusiasm that surrounded the tradition of Midnight Madness she wanted to keep that energy going as long as possible and that is how the Holiday Raffle got started. This is what gave her hope that Ravenna could become something more and so it has a little at a time.
Tavern 1888 will be hosting a shopping event with various vendors from 6-10pm. Crafters, Tupperware, Jewelry, Candles! All sorts of lovely goodies to get as early stocking stuffers.
Knotek was excited to announce a vintage camper that has been turned into a photo booth with props will be outside her place on Friday. It will be free to use to take pictures to commemorate the evening. “It is another first for Ravenna. In addition to the Gobble Wobble,” she said.
The impact of Ravenna’s economic growth has given a revitalized spirit to the community. Wade said they have plans to expand the event next year with frozen Turkey bowling, a gobble wobble kids walk and possibly a 5K run.
“This will be our first one and hopefully every year more merchants will join so we can make it bigger and better,” said Knotek.
A pumpkin tossing and carving contest were also mentioned as a likelihood for 2020.
For information on any of the listed events look at the Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
