City of Ravenna
Balloon A-Fair will be held Thursday, Sept. 14 through Sunday, Sept. 17. On Thursday, there will be a children’s parade downtown. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. at the corner of Prospect Street and Spruce Street. The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. The mini marshal is Maddox Patterson. The parade theme is “Nothing But Blue Skies and Ravens Flying High.” Each child who signs up for the parade will receive a goody bag.
On Friday, the BAF Community Kick Off Breakfast will be held from 7 to 9:30 a.m. at the Fraternal Order of Eagles at 812 Cleveland Rd. The breakfast will be catered by the Ravenna Eagles. The cost is $12. To reserve your spot, call (330) 296-3247. Please RSVP by Saturday, Sept. 2.
Also on Friday, the Balloon A-Fair kicks off in earnest at Sunbeau Valley Farm at 3229 state Route 59. The annual community event will feature inflatables, music, concessions, helicopter rides, ax throwing, pony rides, a hot air balloon night glow at dusk and much more. The gates open off of Brady Lake Road at 5:30 p.m. The admission fee is $5. Admission is free for children ages 12 and under with a paid adult.
On Saturday, the Grand Parade (sponsored by 7/17 Credit Union) will take place downtown, starting at 9 a.m. The parade will be judged by All American Judges. The grand marshal is Terry Montz, and the parade theme is “Soaring High in the Sky With Ravenna Pride.”
The festival itself will take place from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with attractions such as live entertainment and demonstrations, crafts displays and food booths, Children’s Alley, a children’s stage, and Motor Alley.
Also on Saturday and Sunday, Sunbeau Valley Farm will feature a mechanical bull, entertainment, beer and wine vendors, trackless train rides, face painting and more.
The hot air balloon liftoff and static display is at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
At dark on Saturday there will be a fireworks show. On Sunday at 5:30 p.m. will be the final hot air balloon lift off and static display. The gates open on Saturday at 3 p.m. and on Sunday at 11 a.m.
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QPR offers suicide prevention and mental health training for businesses and community groups. QPR stands for Question, Persuade and Refer. Those are the three actions people can take to help someone who is in crisis, prevent a suicide and save a life. QPR is a 90-minute suicide prevention training program, which will take place from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 21 at UH Portage Medical Center, Medical Arts Building #150, located at 6847 N. Chestnut St. You will have an opportunity to become a “Gatekeeper” – someone in a position to recognize a crisis and the warning signs that someone may be contemplating suicide. You will learn the following: 1. Recognize the warning signs and risk factors for suicide; 2. Intervene and ask tough questions when someone is at risk for suicide; and 3. Refer someone at risk of suicide to an appropriate lifesaving resource. Pre-registration is required, and there is no fee for this training. To register, call (330) 297-2576. Breakfast will be provided.
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The local chapter of O.U.R. Place (Open United Recovery) will have a rally at 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31 at Ravenna City Park in which the topic will be the dangers of drug use. There will also be a ceremony recognizing people who have lost their lives to drugs. O.U.R. Place is a peer-led organization dedicated to increasing sustained recovery and empowering those impacted by addiction through mutual support, connection to resources, community engagement and positive socialization. Its vision is to transform communities by inspiring people in recovery to reach their potential and thrive. O.U.R. Place, located at 260 W. Main St., hosts various events for those with drug problems and also those who have lost loved ones to drug overdoses.
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The 12th annual Friends Fighting Hunger Putt’r Golf Classic benefiting the Center of Hope and Kent Social Services will be held Saturday, Sept. 23. The golf portion of the event will take place at the Birdie Shack at 2567 state Route 59. Check-in and lunch will take place from 2 to 3 p.m., with a shotgun start at 3 p.m. The banquet dinner will be held at 5:15 p.m. at the Ravenna Elks Club lodge at 776 N. Freedom St.
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Reed Memorial Library, in partnership with the Portage County Historical Society and Museum, will host a walking tour for teen adults through historic Maple Grove Cemetery from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23. The cemetery is located at 6698 N. Chestnut St.
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The UH Portage County Golf Classic will take place starting at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6 at Windmill Lakes Golf Club at 6544 state Route 14. The event benefits the UH Food for Life Market at UH Portage Medical Center.
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The Ravenna Scarecrow Contest is back! The 2023 contest is open to individuals, businesses, organizations and schools. Kits can be purchased from It’s All Fine at 6560 N. Chestnut St. You may use a previously purchased kit. All scarecrows must be dropped off with a completed and signed entry form by Wednesday, Sept. 27. Drop-off is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday at 126 E. Main St. (enter in rear). Scarecrows will be on display from Monday, Oct. 2 until Tuesday, Oct. 31. Winners will be announced Friday, Oct. 27.
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The Big Dog Saloon will host a fundraiser for one of its own, Fallon Schwab-Davis – AKA DJ Krooze of the Krewway Experience – in her health battle starting at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8. The saloon is located at 432 W. Highland Ave. There will be a silent auction, raffle baskets, 50/50, food trucks, music, cornhole and more.
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Tavern 1888 and Rockin’ the House: Lady T and the Nightshifters will host a rockin’ time with food and drink specials for adults from 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29. Tavern 1888 is located at 106 E. Main St.
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Owlbert’s Adventure: Story with a Stuffie will be presented for children ages 3 to 6 and families from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23 at Shaw Woods at 7075 Beery Rd. Bring your favorite stuffed animal along for story time in the forest! Owlbert’s friends will gather for a nature-based book about some favorite fluffy wildlife – mammals! If time permits, there will be a short hike following the story.
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The Disney Pixar film “The Good Dinosaur” will be shown on Movie Night from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13 in the Jenkins Room at Reed Memorial Library. About two weeks later, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (the first Indiana Jones film) will be shown. The “Raiders of the Lost Ark” showing will be limited to 30 people. Popcorn will be provided for both movies. You are welcome to bring your own snacks.
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Main Street Ravenna will host a planning session for Mystery on Main at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29 at the Main Street Ravenna office at 267 W. Main St. Light refreshments will be served. Help plan this fun, interactive, intriguing, family-friendly event!
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Portage County landlords and the Portage Metropolitan Housing Authority (PMHA) Section 8 voucher holders are invited to attend a meet and greet at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19 at the PMHA office at 2832 state Route 59. The landlords and the PMHA will help connect families with active vouchers to landlords with available units. RSVP at (330) 297-1489 ext. 229.
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Raven Packs will host its first packing of the school year at 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 31 at its brand-new location at 5581 S. Prospect Ave. Future packs will be held Thursday, Sept. 14 and Thursday, Sept. 28.
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The City of Ravenna is accepting a grant it applied for from the State of Ohio as a reward for the 20 city firefighters, including the fire chief, for their service during the pandemic. Each firefighter will receive $900.
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The Ravenna High School football team’s Homecoming game against Coventry will kick off at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29 at Portage Community Bank Field at 6589 N. Chestnut St.
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The City of Ravenna’s regular council meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5 at City Hall. Council meetings normally are scheduled for the first Monday of each month, but due to Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 4, the meeting is moved to Sept. 5. Meetings are streamed live on council’s YouTube channel every month.
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Ravenna city council is conducting a city-wide survey available now at surveymonkey.com/r/6BC523Z for residents and businesses to share feedback.
Ravenna Township
Cardinal Asphalt was awarded the contract to do the paving for Edwards Street, Hazel Street and East Lake Street. The company’s bid for the project was $183,326.50. A grant from Ohio Public Works will pay for half of it.
“I foresee the project getting started next month,” township Trustee Vince Coia said.
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Ravenna Township installed a new AED unit in its trustees meeting room.
“If someone has a heart attack in the meeting room,” Coia said, “somebody can administer the AED and hopefully shock their heart back into rhythm. It’s a good thing to have because you never know.”
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The township signed a salt contract for 2024 with the City of Ravenna at $51.61 per ton, an increase of $7.85 a ton from last year.
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The Ravenna Township Fire Department received a First Responder Retention grant, a federal grant that is going to be administered by the Ohio EMA. The grant amount is $44,000, which will be divided amongst each of the township’s firefighters for their service during the pandemic.
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The township appointed two alternates for its zoning boards – Diane Lee to the board of zoning and Kerry Hollender to the board of zoning appeals.
“Basically,” Coia said, “if someone can’t make it to a board of zoning meeting or a board of zoning appeals meeting, an alternate can show up and take that person’s place.”
Aurora
The annual Fall Festival will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 at Sunny Lake Park at 885 E. Mennonite Rd. The Fall Festival is a collaborative event between the City of Aurora and the Aurora Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau.
This free festival features hayrides, a petting zoo, inflatables, balloon art, face painting, food trucks and more. It is a perfect opportunity to engage with the community. Booth space for vendors, which includes an 8-foot table, tablecloth and one chair, costs $250 for a Chamber member, $345 for a non-Chamber member and $150 for a non-profit.
New to the festival this year is Artisan’s Alley. If you are a local crafter looking to sell your products, the fee is $50 and you must supply your own 10-foot-by-10-foot tent, a table and chairs. To register or for more information, call (330) 562-3355.
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The Multi-Chamber Morning Coffee Networking Group will hold a morning coffee from 7:45 to 9:15 a.m. Friday, Sept. 22 at the Aurora Inn Hotel & Event Center at 30 Shawnee Trl. Participating chambers are Aurora, Kent, Ravenna and Streetsboro. It will be an electrifying morning of networking and delicious breakfast treats. You will also learn about the amazing member benefits available to you.
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A networking event sponsored by ISoftSource Technology will be held from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 7 on the lower level of the Howard Hanna Community Room at 195 Barrington Town Sq. Bring your business cards, curiosity and enthusiasm for networking. Coffee is free. Registration is preferred but not required. To register, go to allaboutaurora.com.
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The Friends of Aurora Memorial Library will host a book sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22 and Saturday, Sept. 23. The library is located at 115 E. Pioneer Trl.
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Does Designer Purse Bingo sound different? Well, the prizes for bingo games from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12 “Under the Tent” at the Aurora Inn Hotel & Event Center at 30 Shawnee Trl. are purses! There will be a buffet dinner at 5 p.m. Individual tickets cost $40, two tickets cost $75 and a table of four costs $150. Ticket prices include 10 rounds of bingo, dinner (summer citrus salad) and one drink ticket. Sponsorships are available. To register, call the Aurora Inn Hotel & Event Center at (330) 562-0767.
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Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church at 342 S. Chillicothe Rd. will host an open community event from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15 in the church parking lot. There will be food trucks, kids games and the kids’ own church rock band. Sponsorships are available.
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You can “Walk with an Expert” from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13 at Sunny Lake Park at 885 E. Mennonite Rd. Take a walk around the park with David Yakunich, MS, RDN, LD, UH Portage Medical Center’s Clinical Outpatient Dietitian. To reserve a spot, RSVP to (330) 297-2576.
Streetsboro
Chuggers Bar & Grille at 9244 Market Square Dr. is partnering with CLE Table Tops in offering Streetsboro businesses a unique opportunity regarding advertising. If you would like your business featured with an ad printed into all 21 custom table tops at Chuggers for the next three years, call Kent at (440) 346-4102.
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The ribbon cutting and open house cocktail party for Kropp Photography took place Aug. 24. Kropp Photography is located at 9307 state Route 43.
