Homes strung with holiday lights, mistletoe above the doorway, eggnog and mulled wine, gifts wrapped in foil and tied up in bright ribbons, and . . . holiday events in Cleveland! I searched for holiday cheer to take me back to the good old days, and this is what I found:
Ma & Pa’s Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides at Ma & Pa’s Gift Shack in Burton
Until mid-March, jingle bells will be ringing as the horses transport passengers through the snow. Imagine sitting next to someone you love, bundled up in warm clothes with a blanket across your laps as you take in the holiday magic of downtown Burton.
At Ma & Pa’s, you’ll dash through winterland in a sleigh or buggy. Warm up by the fire in the 1820s cabin and enjoy maple coffee, hot chocolate, and homemade baked goods. Adult sleigh rides are $20 and you can sign up to receive an e-mail when snow is on the ground. For more information, go to http://maandpas.com/sleighrides.html or call 440.548.5521.
Celebrations: Holiday Traditions in Cleveland at Western Reserve Historical Society
Head out to University Circle from Sat 12/20 – Sun 12/21 to enjoy a new holiday tradition featuring Higbee’s Department Store holiday window displays, including mechanical characters and holiday crafts to make and take with you. Take nostalgic whirls on the Euclid Beach Park Grand Carousel, which is making its debut winter holidays appearance. And Mr. Jingeling will make his appearance. Call 216.721.5722 for more information.
Holly Jolly Christmas Lights Trolley
Make a new tradition of taking a trolley tour past some of Cleveland’s best-known holiday landmarks. Events with Benefits’ evening of December 20 is sold out, but the tour company is hoping to add Fri 12/26 – Sun 12/28 to its schedule. The fun begins at Jukebox at 1404 W. 29th Street, which will serve a European buffet of sausage, sauerkraut and pierogi. Bring your own beer on the trolley and salute the leg lamp in the window of the Christmas Story House and Museum, holiday display at the old Higbee building, the lights of Nela Park, the chandelier at PlayhouseSquare, the churches of Tremont, the shops of Little Italy, and lights of University Circle. Find Events with Benefits on Facebook or call 216.206.7699 for more information.
Holiday Program of Music, Lights and Festivities at Lake View Cemetery
On Sun 12/21 our historic cemetery in Little Italy offers storytelling, festivities, and holiday music at Wade Memorial Chapel. The program is free, so wander over and check out the architectural masterpiece that honors Jepha Wade, founder of the Western Reserve Union Telegraph Company and Millionaire’s Row resident. Call 216.421.2665 for more information or find out more on their website: http://www.webcemeteries.com.
Winter Solstice Candlelight Walk at The West Woods Nature Center
Out in Geauga County, you’ll find real country in the Geauga Parks District, where on Sun 12/21 guests are invited to bring flashlights, lanterns, and other forms of light to recognize the longest day of the year. The park encourages us to explore the history of our holiday traditions at stops along the walkway, each highlighting various civilization’s observances of the longest day of darkness. Indoors at the nature center, after the invigorating walk, traditional holiday music of the Pilgrim Brass Choir can be enjoyed while drinking hot beverages. Call 440.286.9516 for more information or go to the website: http://reservations.geaugaparkdistrict.org.
Happy holidays to you and yours and may you find the meaning of the season with family and friends.
Read more about Ohio’s Lake Erie Wineries at http://ohiolakeeriewineries.blogspot.com. Claudia’s next book, Ohio’s Canal Country Wineries, will be released in May 2015, but in the meantime, get a copy of 30 Perfect Days, Finding Abundance in Ordinary Life, a reflective memoir.