Last-minute events and sales around Portage County
- All around Portage County, small businesses are hosting events and sales for the holiday season. Check out the list below for information on what’s going on locally that you may have missed.
events
Captain Brady Day will return in July 2026
- Captain Brady Day is back. Last held in 2007, it was a small neighborhood festival: local residents selling homemade crafts from card tables, a grainy slideshow of the village’s heyday as a tourist destination and other low-key attractions.
Around Garrettsville: Holiday events and a new children's book set in Garrettsville
- The Garrettsville Branch of the Portage County District Library is sponsoring a performance of “Butternut Hill” to celebrate the holiday season.
County roundup: Santa visits and news from Atwater, Brimfield, Mogadore, Randolph and Suffield
- Seth Dowler was promoted to fire chief of the Village of Mogadore after three years as assistant fire chief. His first day in his new capacity will be Dec. 27. Dowler is replacing John Cain, who is retiring after 12 years as fire chief and an astounding 44 years as a fireman in the department.
County roundup: Holiday events to brighten up the season
-Roger Gordon
Rootstown’s annual “Light It Up” event will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 by Town Hall at 3988 State Route 44 and the First Congregational Church United Church of Christ at 4022 State Route 44, right in the center of town.
Free health fair in Ravenna on Nov. 5
-Wendy DiAlesandro
Free snacks, blood pressure checks, flu shots and more will be available at a health fair set for 4-6 p.m. Nov. 5 at 575 Lake St., Ravenna.
County roundup: Some fun around Paris Township
-Roger Gordon
Paris Township’s Trick-or-Treat will be from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1. Trunk-or-Treat will be at the same time at the Shearer Community Center at 9355 Newton Falls Rd.
County roundup: Mantua to host public forum about DORA proposal, plus news from Freedom, Hiram, Mantua and Nelson
-Roger Gordon
The Mantua Village Council will hold an open meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21 and welcome your comments on the DORA proposal. The Mantua-Shalersville Area Chamber of Commerce has requested that the downtown area be designated as a “Designated Outdoor Recreational Area,” which would exempt that area from open-container laws.
Around Windham: Fall events are in full swing in Windham
-Nicole Sweet
Hello Windham Family! October is halfway over already. Outside, our beautiful Windham rural landscape is changing, air is getting colder, nights are getting longer, and the leaves are all changing colors. Embrace the changing beauty of our little Bomber community; there are many things to look forward to, as you’ll read below.
County roundup: Construction continues around Brimfield, plus news from Atwater, Mogadore and Randolph
-Roger Gordon
Starting at 7 a.m. Monday, Oct. 20 through Sunday, Oct. 26, the railroad crossing located between 3525 Gilchrist Rd. and 3575 Gilchrist Rd. in Mogadore will be closed for repairs.
Your 2025 guide to fall in Portage County
-Lauren Cohen
As we get further into the fall season, make some time for autumnal events this year. Use this guide to pick out your can’t-miss events around Portage County.
County roundup: Aurora expands Geauga Lake property, plus news from Ravenna, Shalersville and Streetsboro
-Roger Gordon
Aurora The City of Aurora purchased a bit more property to add to its park property at Geauga Lake. “Our new park that we’re building has a small residential street right along its border called Fairview Avenue,” Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin said. “We have, during the last year, purchased some property on Fairview, and council recently approved the city buying three vacant lots on Fairview. The lot with the house won’t close until next year.” This property will save the […]
County roundup: Main Street Mantua gets a face lift, plus news from Freedom, Garrettsville, Hiram, and Windham
-Roger Gordon
The Mantua-Shalersville Area Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon-cutting celebration at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26 for the completed Facade on Main Street in Mantua.
Registration to open for Live Wreath Workshop events soon
-Wendy DiAlesandro
September is early to be thinking about the winter holiday season, but now’s the time to sign up for Carrie Paulus’ unique Live Wreath Workshops.
Davey Tree’s new campus home to a variety of research opportunities
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Now, 145 years later, Davey Tree continues to honor that virtue with the addition of its impressive 200-acre, solar-powered SEED (Science, Employee Education and Development) Campus at 6700 OH-43 in Kent, right across the street from Davey Tree’s headquarters.
County roundup: Aurora makes ready for its fall festival, plus news from Ravenna and Shalersville
-Roger Gordon
The Aurora Fall Festival will be from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4. The Fall Festival is a beloved annual tradition presented in partnership with the City of Aurora and the Aurora Chamber of Commerce.
Local club holds event for National Model Aviation Day
-Margaret Lennox
Model aircraft pilots are often history enthusiasts or engineers, said Corsair Model Aircraft Club President John Ashley.
Scenes from the 2025 Portage County Randolph Fair
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The Portage County Randolph Fair concluded Sunday after a week of beautiful weather. After the sun went down, 4-Hers and visitors enjoyed all things food, trucks, rides and shaving cream fights. Photographer Jeremy Brown photographed some magic moments throughout the week.