New Holiday Traditions in Lorain County

Try something new this holiday season and add a twist to your traditional celebration! Light displays, carolers, and mistletoe are a must, but why not try a few of these unique holiday activities and celebrations. 

Do-It-Yourself Holiday Décor
Design your own 20" fresh indoor/outdoor holiday wreath at the Fresh Wreath Workshop at Days of Yore Herb & Flower Farm. [12/4/10, 2pm & 6pm. $36.50 per person. 440.647.2045]

Holiday decor at Farmyard Flowers

Old Fashioned Holiday
Experience what it was like to celebrate the holidays as a pioneer! There will be a reenactment as you tour the Benjamin Bacon House Museum at Vermilion River Reservation with authentic sights, smells and sounds of a pioneer holiday. A live band performance, food, and horse-drawn carriage rides are also available. [12/4, 3-8pm; 12/5, 2-6pm]
  
An International Holiday
Celebrate the season by learning how other cultures throughout the world observe the holidays at French Creek Nature Center’s, “Holiday Traditions Around The World.” You will travel to different "countries" set up in the Nature Center. Each country will have a craft or activity and a customary holiday treat. This year's countries will include Germany, Norway, Canada, Ireland, and a few others. After traveling, enjoy a soup dinner. [12/7, 6-8pm. 440.458.5152]

A Holiday Whodunit
The Oberlin Inn hosts a Holiday Murder Mystery, complete with a dinner buffet and overnight accommodations. Reservations required. [12/11, 440.775.1111]

Holiday Wine Tasting with the Lake Erie Crushers
Do wine and baseball mix? In this case, yes! Join the Lake Erie Crushers at the All Pro Freight Stadium for Italian wines and cuisine. [12/15, 6-9pm. 440.934.3636]

A Christmas Cabaret
Back by popular demand—A Christmas Cabaret will take you on a sleigh ride of 30 songs for the season and other festive curiosities – plus evergreens like Winter Wonderland, White Christmas, Silver Bells, God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen, and many more. Performances at Stocker Art Center were sold out last year, so get your tickets early! [12/17, 7:30pm & 12/18, 3:00pm; $15/Adults; $10/Children 12 & under]

Ballroom Dancing on the Lake
Dance the winter night away at Lakeview Park's Rose Cafe. Free lessens before the dance. Reservations required. [12/17, 7-10pm, 440.458.5121]


Christmas on the Farm

Head out to Bonnie Brae Elk Farm and take a wagon ride to feed elk, then enjoy a warm  cup of chili or cocoa in the barn. $10 per person. [12/18,19, 20, 440.647.3232]

Bonnie Brea Elk Farm

Kwanzaa Celebration

Celebrate African heritage and culture at Harrison Cultural Community Centre at part of the week-long Kwanzaa celebration. Public invited. [12/28, 6:30pm; 440.244.0359 or 440.244.0367]

Don’t forget to shop these local spots for that distinctive gift—

Ginko Gallery

Uncommon Objects

The Tree House Gallery and Tea Room

Petitti Garden Center

Holiday decorations at Petitti Garden Center

Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or Chinese New Year, Lorain County is full of fun unconventional and traditional holiday celebrations for your family. Kick your “bah hum-bug” attitude, and enjoy the winter wonderland of northern Ohio! For more holiday events, visit our Calendar of Events page.

Visit Lorain County wishes you and your family a happy, healthy holiday season!

For additional information, stop by the Visit Lorain County Travel Information Center at 8025 Leavitt Road, call us 1-800-334-1673, visit the website, become a fan on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

Lorain County Fair continues through Sunday

The weather forecast for Wellington is gorgeous this weekend, perfect for a trip to the Lorain County Fair! Scheduled entertainment throughout the weekend includes NTPA Tractor Pull on Friday night, Combine Derby/Pick-up Truck Derby Saturday night and Demolition Derby on Sunday night. If your looking for something a little different, there is a full schedule of entertainment all day, each day. Entertainment includes livestock auctions, pie and cookie baking contests, live music, fiddle contest, motocross racing and much more. And don't forget to stop by our booth in building 23 to ask for your copy of the Lake Erie Access Guide! Here are some scenes from our visit to the Fair today.

2010 Juneteenth Festival in Oberlin

Oberlin’s Juneteenth Festivities are almost upon us!

Though the holiday has since come to broadly commemorate the end of slavery in the United States, June 19th, 1865 actually corresponds to the announcement of the end of slavery in the state of Texas. Slavery was of course formally abolished with Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, but it took General Gordon Granger and a large contingent of Union soldiers entering Galveston to successfully deliver the message. From the balcony of a downtown villa, General Granger read the following proclamation:

The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involved an absolute equality ot personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages.

The Juneteenth Celebration, an official Texas holiday since 1980, has since spread to other states. The growing popularity of this day of remembrance and respect signals, perhaps, a heightened sensitivity in America to the facts of our history; it's no surprise that Oberlin is at the forefront of such a movement. In 2004 the Oberlin City Council passed a resolution establishing Juneteenth as an officially recognized day of commemoration and celebration. The town’s festivities are particularly interesting as the town adds it’s own rich history of abolitionist activism to the celebration.

This year Oberlin's Juneteenth takes as its theme, 1860: Oberlin on the Eve of the War. Educational presentations and historical reenactments will focus on how little, unassuming Oberlin, in its unfailing commitment to abolition, contributed immeasurably to the advent of war.

Throughout the antebellum period Oberlin was a final stop on the underground railroad. Community members, faculty, and students would routinely aid runaway slaves on their road to freedom. Earning a nationwide reputation, the small Ohio town was just as reviled by Southern slave owners as it was lauded by northern abolitionists.

Oberlin was also home to runaway slaves who had chosen to remain in the United States instead of continuing to Canada. Their first hand knowledge of slavery and ability to inspire the community to action proved indispensable to the movement. Westwood Cemetery is the final resting place of such liberal lights as Lewis Clarke (the basis for the character George Harris in Harriet Beecher Stowe's seminal novel Uncle Tom's Cabin), Henry Lee (runaway slave, Oberlin graduate and legal activist), John Scott (emancipated slave and participant in the rescue of runaway slave John Price), and Mary Kellogg (emancipated slave and ardent activist). The great African-American activists Wilson Bruce and Henry Evans are also buried at Westwood.

Also laid to rest at Westwood is Lee Howard Dobbins, a four year old fugitive slave whose harrowing story will be featured at this year's festival. Lee Howard reached Oberlin on the underground railroad in 1953 with an adoptive mother, but was too sick to travel any farther. Leaving Lee Howard in the care of an Oberlin family, his adoptive mother fled with several other children to escape their white pursuer, Lee Howard's plantation-owning father. The child died of consumption several days later. Over 1000 people attended his funeral in First Church. But it was more than just a memorial service; the event was a rallying moment for Oberlin's anti-slavery moment. By contributing ten cents apiece, the town purchased a headstone. Rev. Thome instructed the congregation to

Let that grave be a sacred spot. Plant there the flower to be watered by the tears of the future visitor. Erect a monument to the memory of the little slave boy, bearing the inscription 'Resurgam' and believe that as certainly as this little on shall rise again, so surely is written on the institution of slavery, 'it shall fall.'

Learn more about Lee Howard Dobbins and other fascinating pieces of nineteenth-century Oberlin history at the Juneteenth Festival. The schedule is as follows:

Sunday, June 13th

• A memorial service for Lee Howard Dobbins in First Church, followed by an ice cream social on the lawn. 6 pm.

Thursday, June 17th

• Juneteenth Comedy Night. 7:30 pm.

Friday, June 18th

• Oberlin in 1860 Trolley Tour. 10:30 am.

•  Children's Book Launch and Reception. 12:00 pm.

• Westwood Cemetery Tour. 3:00 pm.

• Juneteenth Community Picnic. 4:00 pm.

• Maafa Memorial Service. 6:30 pm.

Saturday, June 19th

• Juneteenth Festival on Tappan Square. 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

• Festival will include vendors, children's bike give-a-ways, mime and step dancing demonstrations, greens and cobbler cook-off contest, broom jumping, music by various local groups, rock-paper-scissors contest, jump rope demonstration, youth karoake contest, 3-on-3 basketball tournament for 3rd-5th graders, and Oberlin history trolley tours at 1 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm.

• Juneteenth Parade. 12:00 pm.

• Juneteenth Concert with Latin Jazz band La Bamba. 5:00 pm.

For more information on Juneteenth, visit our website, email us at info@visitloraincounty.com, call us at (440) 984-5282, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For more information on other festivals and events this summer in Lorain County, take a look at our Calendar of Events. 

June Festivals in Lorain County

Summer has finally hit Lorain County! For many among us that means funnel cakes and ferris wheels. And make no mistake, there'll be plenty of those. But the county is also known for its more unique festivals and bazaars! Take a look at what's happening in June alone:

• June 3rd, Grand Pacific Junction First Thursday: Grand Pacific Junction is a wonderfully unique shopping area in Olmsted Falls, and what better time to take advantage of special sales and discounts than at the First Thursday festival. Also for your enjoyment: performances by local musicians and performers, food and refreshments, local crafters and vendors. This event is free. 440.235.1441. 

• June 5th, Balloon Fest 2010: For the third year running, Wellington has decided to kick off the summer with a truly amazing hot air balloon display. Sponsored by the Lorain County on Aging and the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, this event allows you to closely inspect the balloons before the evening's take-off. Additionally, the festival will feature live entertainment, kids' games, a variety of food and beverage, local crafts and vendors, and exhibits and demonstrations of many kinds. Just $5 per car.

• June 5th - 6th, Columbia Antique Gas Engine Show and Flea Market: If you've a knack for history and/or mechanics, this festival is a wonderful way to learn and have some fun at the same time. Columbia Township Park will be filled with engine exhibitors, friendly competitions, and flea market and craft vendors. 440.236.9053.

• June 5th, Make-A-Splash Beach Party: One might say that the Make-A-Splash Beach Party at Lakeview Park is Lorain County's official summer kick-off. Activities will include a demonstration by the totally amazing Holy Trinity Unicycle Club, story time in the Rose Cafe, crafts, games, face painting, and much more. The rockin' G-Force Revue, composed of three sisters (none of whom are older than 11!), will be headlining the event. And as if you need another reason to join the fun, all who attend this party will receive free admission to that evening's Ironmen baseball game at Pipe Yard Stadium. Summer's here, indeed! 440.244.1192.

• June 17th, Third Thursday in Vermilion - Music, Flowers,  and a Sunset: Every third Thursday of the summer months, downtown Vermilion's historic Harbourtown is flooded with awesome live music. Residents and out-of-towners alike come downtown to browse the unique shops and enjoy the vibrant lakeside atmosphere.

• June 18th - 19th, Juneteenth in Oberlin: Celebrate a day commemorating the end of slavery by visiting Oberlin, a town with a large historical role in abolition and the Civil War. The theme of this year's Juneteenth celebration is "1860: Oberlin on the Eve of War." Festivities begin on Friday with a trolley tour around Oberlin and ends on Saturday with a concert by "La Bamba" in Tappan Square. Other attractions include a parade, various vendors, give-a-ways, demonstrations, reenactments and performances.

• June 18th - 19th, Juneteenth Celebration in Lorain: The city of Lorain is hosting their own Juneteenth Celebration Weekend at Harrison Cultural Community Centre. Friday night's feature is Gospel Night featuring numerous talented singers and praise dancers. The parade sets out on Saturday at 11:30 am. Stop by on either day for fun games, unique vendors, and delicious food.

• June 18th - 20th, Festival of the Fish: 2010 marks the 44th year of this terrific lakeside Festival. For one weekend every summer Vermilion's Victory Park is filled with games, food, and vendors. The festival's main events include a lighted boat parade, a sand castle building contest, crazy craft races, and a queen's pageant. Admission to this weekend of beachy fun is free. 440.967-4477.

• June 18th - 20th, Avon Heritage Duct Tape Festival: One of Lorain County's more quirky festivals (one of it's more bizarre bazaars...?), the Duct Tape Festival is trippin' back to the 60s this year with the theme, "Peace, Love, & Duct Tape." Stop by Veterans Memorial Park for food, games, vendors, rides, performances and, of course, duct tape crafts, all weekend long. Admission and parking are free. 866.818.1116.

• June 25th - 26th, Ohio Scottish Games: Each summer, Lorain County hosts the state's premier (only?) Scottish games. The festivities begin on Friday night with a BBQ dinner and authentic highland music. But for the athletes, the camaraderie is short-lived; on Saturday the games begin. 440.835.9794.

• June 25th - 27th, Lorain International Festival and Bazaar: One of the county's biggest summer events, the Lorain International Festival & Bazaar is a wildly fun weekend meant to commemorate and celebrate the city's diverse ethnic heritage. This year, the spotlight is on Lorain's vibrant Hungarian community. Black River Landing will be bursting with over 40 ethnic food vendors, myriad cultural arts & crafts, and exciting entertainment. The perfect combination of celebration, education, and pure fun.

• June 25 - 27th, Columbia Homecoming Festival: Join Columbia Township in celebrating their town's history and heritage. Festivities will include all kinds of live entertainment, delicious foods, a car show, 5 K Run & In-line Skate, Parade, Fireworks, and a whole lot more. And to all the young ladies in the county, don't forget about the Miss Liberty Pageant!

• June 26th, Historic Summerfare Saturday: For the 15th year in a row, Exchange Place Park in Vermilion is stepping back in history. Come view a fortune's worth of antiques and collectibles, partake in an "Architectural Mystery Hunt," gawk at the Lake Shore Corvette Show, or simply enjoy downtown Harbour Town. 440.967.4262.

• June 26th, Oberlin Chalk Walk: Get in touch with your creative side at Oberlin's annual chalk walk. Participants are given ample chalk free of charge and instructed to express themselves on the sidewalks of downtown Oberlin, while professional artists work on their own masterpieces. Free and open to the public!

For more information on summer festivals and events around Lorain County, check out the Visit Lorain County website, become a fan of our Facebook Page, follow us on Twitter, or call the office at (440) 984-5282. Have a safe and enjoyable summer!

Get Active in Lorain County-Indoor and Outdoor Recreation for the Whole Family

Looking for some sports action this summer? Lorain County has a large number of exciting sports venues and events perfect for spectators and athletes alike.

• Baseball: No offense to a certain professional baseball club just east of Lorain County, but there's no telling what the summer will be like as far as Major League Baseball is concerned. Luckily, there are other options:

• Lake Erie Crushers: In their first year as the Frontier League's newest expansion team, the Lake Erie Crushers beat out twelve teams from all around the Midwest to win the League's championship. All signs point to an equally successful second season. The Crushers play at the new All Pro Freight Stadium in Avon. Opening night is May 21! Click here for a complete schedule.

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• Lorain County Ironmen: The Lorain County Ironmen compete in the Prospect League, a Midwest summer league for the region's top collegiate players looking to gain experience and simulate professional baseball life. The Ironmen play at the Pipe Yard Stadium in Lorain. Click here for a complete schedule. Named after U.S. Steel, the Pipe Yard also hosts other local and regional ball teams throughout the season, including Oberlin College and local high school teams.

• Triathlons: Thanks to Lake Erie and its beautiful beaches, Lorain County is an ideal location for summer triathlons.

• 24th Annual Summer Spring Triathlon/Duathlon, Lakeview Park: Triathlon - 1/4-mile swim, 14.3-mile bike, 5K run. Duathlon - 5K run, 14.3-mi bike, 5K run. Click here for details and registration. (NCN Racing)
• 5th Annual Findley Lake Triathlon/Duathlon, Findley State Park: Triathlon - 1/4-mile swim, 14.3-mile bike, 5K run. Duathlon - 5K trail run, 14.3-mile bike, 5K trail run. Click here for details and registration. (NCN Racing)
• Vermilion Harbor Triathlon/Duathlon, Linwood Park: Spring Triathlon - 750m swim/5K run, 20K bike, 5K run. Olympic Triathlon - 1500m swim/5K run, 40K bike, 10K run. Click here for details and registration. (HFP Racing)
  
  
  
  
• Running Races: Not into the whole triathlon thing? Here are some races that don't require you to get wet:
  
  

• Fish Festival 5K Race and One Mile Walk: Located in Vermilion during the Festival of the Fish, this race will take place June 19th. Details here.
• 7th Annual Park-2-Park Half Marathon & 5K: June 20th at the French Creek Nature Center in Sheffield. (NCN Racing)
• 5th Annual Columbia Station Half Marathon Run & Inline Skate: June 27th, beginning at Copopa Elementary School in Columbia Station. (NCN Racing)

• Back Roads and Beaches Multi-Sport Route: If you're training for one of these triathlons, or just enjoy challenging and picturesque bikes rides through the countryside, we encourage you to utilize the award-winning Back Roads and Beaches Multi-Sport Route. The route features scenic, low-traffic roads and bike paths that lead riders through some of Ohio's best landscape, while also highlighting some of the area's most relevant history, culture and arts and cutting edge environmental initiatives. Click here for a map of the route.

• Vermilion-Lorain Water Trail: Beginning along the shale cliffs of the Vermilion River in Brownhelm Township, the 27-mile paddle trail winds down the river before entering Lake Erie in Vermilion. Once in open water, the trail heads east and follows the shoreline to Lorain where it enters the Black River. Heading upstream, paddlers will pass the U.S. Steel Mill before the trail ends at the Bur Oak Area of the Black River Reservation. Different segments of the water trail cater to different experience levels. Click here for a map.

• Lakeview Park: Comprised of 20 acres of gorgeous, beachfront property, Lakeview Park is one of the city's most well-known summer recreation areas. The park has ample accommodations for volleyball, lawn bowling, and of course, swimming. Visitors often remark on the Historic Rose Garden and the view of the Lorain Lighthouse. In addition to triathlons, Lakeview also hosts the East/West Volleyball Open, July 24-25th.

• Findley State Park: This popular state park is located in southern Lorain County south of the historic Village of Wellington on State Route 58. Over 900 acres of woodland are available year round for hiking, biking, picnicking, fishing, kayaking, paddleboating, and camping enjoyment. In addition, Findley is equipped for disc golf and volleyball. On June 19th, bring the kids on out for the park's Youth Fishing Derby.

• Oberlin College: Nearby Oberlin College boasts an impressive array of athletic facilities, including the Phillips Recreation Center. Phillips and the surrounding grounds accommodate athletes interested in tennis, soccer, baseball, basketball, and swimming. For more information on the facilities available and usage restrictions, visit the Oberlin College Athletics website.

• Oberlin Splash Zone: Splash Zone, Oberlin's aquatic complex, consists of an 8-lane indoor pool, a tot lagoon, a large outside pool with two 24 ft. water slides and other water toys, a playground, a fitness room, an aerobics room and a party space. As of fall 2009, Splash Zone introduces its new field house, containing four basketball/volleyball courts and a three-lane walking track.

• Golf: The county features several quality courses including:

• Bob-O-Link Golf Course: 36 relatively flat and well-kept holes in Avon.
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  Columbia Hills Country Club: A private country club with 18 challenging holes.
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  Forest Hills Golf Course: An intermediate course in Elyria maintained by the Metro-Parks, featuring the "most difficult hole in Lorain County, number 7." Set up a tee time online here.

For rainy days:

• Lorain Sports Hall of Fame: Interested in the history of sports in Lorain? The Lorain Sports Hall of Fame is dedicated to the preservation and display of Lorain'f rich sporting history. Check out the website for details and hours.

• Rebman Recreation: 48 lanes perfect for open bowling, league bowling, tournaments, birthday parties and other special events. Rebman Recreation is located on Oberlin Road in Lorain.

For more information on sporting opportunities in Lorain County, check out the Visit Lorain County website and check our online events calendar for newly added sports events. To plan a sporting event in the county, visit our sports marketing page.

To request an Adventure and Visitors Info Guide to Lorain County, click here or call 1.800.334.1673.

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