Orrville decked out in red and green to kick off the Christmas season

ORRVILLE − Jingle bells rang as the city celebrated the 24th anniversary of Home for the Holidays.

Christmas melodies played as the event kicked off at 5 p.m. with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus arriving by a firetruck at the Smith Orr Homestead to light up the Christmas tree at Cornerstone Park.

Several stops were made along the event route on Market, Main and High streets until they reached their final destination at Serpentine Chevrolet.

This year the event included a scavenger hunt in which participants got clues and a card to punch from Orrville Public Library or Smith Orr Homestead. The clues were about Christmas movies. Once participants got all 10 movies they received a prize donated by Apple Creek Banking Co. and Exchange Club.

More than 60 businesses and organizations in downtown Orrville participated in the event in different ways.

Crafts, snacks, ice sculpting and giveaways

Along the route, stops included kids' crafts, warm beverages, snacks and giveaways. Some businesses gave free samples like Faithful Little Cupcakes, while others offered discounts and extended working hours like Michael’s Bakery.

With about 55 ice sculptures to view, visitors enjoyed taking pictures as they walked from one stop to the other.

Allie Ranard drove from Cincinnati with her family to spend the holiday.

“I enjoy the ice sculptures alot, we ran into so many people and it’s exciting to see a lot of motion in the town,” she said.

Two live ice-craving demonstrations took place at the American Legion and Gary’s Drive-Thru.

Children received a wooden toy car as they entered Orrville Public Library.

“We have wooden cars donated by a generous New Yorker who makes wooden cars out of recycled wood,” said Library Assistant Nicholas McFarren. “We just started and we are already over 700 people.”

The library had several booths for visitors, including Cherry on Top bakery, Wayne College, Orrville Education Association and YMCA.

Andy Hoverstock, a visiting assistant professor at the University of Akron Wayne College, handed children coloring pages and candy canes as she spoke with young adults about the multiple degrees Wayne College offers.

It’s the 10th year for Kelsey Smith and her family to attend Home for the Holiday. She said the best thing is that it is all about the kids. She enjoyed stops like the fire station and Pycraft.

“We made our way to the library,” she said. “It is very family focused and that’s what we like the most,” Smith said.

The event lasted until 8 p.m. except for the iceless skating at Serpentine Chevrolet that finished at 9 p.m.

Event began by Chamber in 1998

Home for the Holidays began as a sub-committee by the Chamber of Commerce in 1998.

“It was made to increase interest in the Orrville retail sector,” said Maria Hostetler, member of the Home for the Holidays committee.

Through the years, representatives from businesses created the Home for the Holidays committee to organize the event every year.

Through the years, representatives from businesses created the Home for the Holidays committee to organize the event every year.

“There are also some businesses outside Orrville, but they have ties in the community,” Hostetler said.

The current committee is Daphne Ashcroft from Orrville Public Library, Kristen Beishler from Aultman Orrville Hospital, Justin Haislip from Justin Haislip State Farm, Maria Hostetler from Main Street Marketing, Kelly McCune from Gary’s Drive Thru, Shane Scarbrough from Farmers National Bank, and Jess Smith from Serpentine Chevrolet.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Orrville’s Home for Holidays rings in season with Santa, Mrs. Claus