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| Groveport’s "Hometown Holiday" will be held on Dec. 21 from 1-5 p.m. For information call 836-3333. |
Horse drawn carriage rides, Santa and his reindeer, home tours, a live Nativity, and more will be featured at the village of Groveport and Groveport Heritage and Preservation Society’s second annual "Hometown Holiday" on Dec. 21 from 1-5 p.m.
The event is tied into Groveport’s sense of community, place, and history.
"It started as a revival of the old home tour that was held in Groveport in the 1970s," said Carla Cramer of the Groveport Heritage and Preservation Society. "Last year (Groveport Community Affairs Director) Linda Haley and I sat down and brainstormed some ideas for the event and it just happened as a result of our talks.The ‘Hometown Holiday’ gives the community a sense of an old-fashioned Christmas when people walked through the neighborhoods and shopped along Main Street. It’s a few hours when we can slow down during the hectic holiday season and get together with neighbors and friends. Local shops are open and people have the opportunity to share their homes and decorations. Last year was the first year and it was wonderful to see the people walking through the village and sharing the holiday spirit."
"This is an opportunity to enjoy the people and places that make Groveport so welcoming," added Haley. "You’re invited to take a moment from the fast pace of the holidays to celebrate the reason for the season."
Featured events and tour stops this year include:
•Horse drawn carriage rides and Santa and his reindeer at Front and Main streets.
•LEGOMania display in Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St.
•Groveport Heritage Museum in Groveport Town Hall will feature author Robert Stroup who will be on hand to sign copies of "Crossroads to Liberty," a book on the history of Lockbourne/Rickenbacker airport.
•Refreshments, children’s craft, and pianist Dave Bott at Groveport Town Hall.
•Groveport Municipal Building, 655 Blacklick St., was once a United Brethren Church and later St. Mary’s Church. View historic traces of the churches.
•Lundwall home, 623 Blacklick St., a bungalow style home built in 1903 with original floors and woodwork.
•Cramer House, 612 Blacklick St., built in 1843 in the saltbox style featuring original exposed beams. Blacklick Street also features Ohio’s best preserved interurban tracks.
•LangWeil Studios, 596 Main St., featuring unique handcrafted pottery.
•Hanson House, 549 Main St., with handcrafted keepsakes.
•Go Groveport/Bierberg Mercantile, 607 Main St., with author Karen Seelenbinder signing copies of her children’s book, "The Wall They Could Not See," from 3-4 p.m.
•Groveport United Methodist Church, 512 Main St., will have a "Live Nativity" at 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. Built in 1907, the church is noted for its architecture.
•Marlatt House, 481 Main St., built around 1835, this is the former home Jacob Wert, one of Groveport’s town founders. It was also the first home in Groveport to have electricity.
•Miles home, 499 Tallman St., offers "Dickens Village," a collection of more than 225 Department 56 lighted and animated figures and buildings reflecting life in mid 1800s London, England.
•Groveport Zion Lutheran Church, 6014 Groveport Road, will feature a guided tour of its stained glass windows between 1-4:15 p.m. and a musical program at 4:30 p.m.
Additionally Groveport Presbyterian Church, 275 College St., will host soup and sandwich lunch from noon to 2 p.m.
Tickets for Hometown Holiday are $5 in advance and $7 the day of the event and are available at Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main St., and Bierberg Mercantile, 607 Main St. (Kids age 5 and under are free.) For information call Groveport Town Hall at 836-3333.
