The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Planners optimistic for Winterfest
Event moves to Black River Landing
“I think that a lot of people have eyed that as an opportunity for this Port Authority for a while.”
— Executive Director Tom Brown
Lorain’s Waterfront Winterfest will take place and planners said they are optimistic about rearranging locations for most of the attractions.
The city’s annual Christmas and holiday lighting ceremony is scheduled 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Nov. 24.
Much of the activity will be at Black River Landing, although anyone seeking Santa Claus and children’s activities will want to venture up to Broadway as well.
Shuffling locations is needed this year due to electrical problems at Veterans Park. The problem was discovered in the summer, but the repair job, which will cost almost $31,000, won’t be completed until next year.
That created a rush of relocating for the Waterfront Winterfest Committee, which works with Main Street Lorain Lorain Growth Corp.
“I think we pulled it together,” said Lollie Bansek, who serves as committee treasurer.
“I just got grayer,” said her husband, Steve Bansek,
Waterfront Winterfest president.
“Hopefully, everybody will understand we’re trying to give them the best we can,” for children and children of all ages, he said.
The Lorain Port Authority was grateful to step in as a partner to work with the festival, said Executive Director Tom Brown. He outlined the details as part of this month’s Port board meeting.
“So the city asked if we would be a willing partner to host that event here at Black River Landing,” Brown said. “I think that a lot of people have eyed that as an opportunity for this Port Authority for a while.”
The Christmas lights will be on every night during the holiday season, Brown said.
“I think that’s an outstanding idea,” said Port board Chairman Brad Mullins.
The change may be a good one for visitors, said Don Queen, working crew leader for Lorain’s Public Property Department. On Nov. 20, he and other workers were installing the lighted displays for the event.
Veterans Park was quite crowded for the lighting ceremony, but Black River Landing has more room for people to spread out, Queen said.
There also will be clear sight lines for the fireworks, which will be shot from the south end of Black River Landing, Queen said. In the past, City Hall was lighted for the ceremony, but the building could block the view of some visitors.
The city workers agreed the grass is soggy at Black River Landing, so anyone venturing off the pavement should wear warm, waterproof boots.
There will be signs posted at Veterans Park directing people to Black River Landing.
The schedule
Waterfront Winterfest activities will begin at 5 p.m. at Black River Landing with music and NBC Channel 3 host Tiffany Tarpley.
There will be a fire circle and reindeer petting zoo.
• Santa Claus will arrive by fire truck at 5:15 p.m. with the Lorain High School marching band and costumed superheroes.
• At 5:45 p.m., Santa will head to the Lorain Palace Theater via fire truck.
• The countdown to the lighting and fireworks will be at 6 p.m.
• About 6:20 p.m., the LHS marching band will lead the way up to Broadway.
Starting at 5 p.m., the International Tree & Model Train Display will be open at the Black River Landing Transportation Center, 421 Black River Lane.
However, once the fireworks are finished, the goal is to lead people back up to Broadway so they spread out and visit the other attractions, instead of all waiting in line at the Trees & Trains Display, said Lollie Bansek, Waterfront Winterfest Committee treasurer.
• Santa’s Story Land will be at the Northwest Bank annex, 453 Broadway.
• The Lorain Public Library System main library, 351 W. Sixth St., will have a Princess Party with crafts at 6 p.m. Windjammers Big Band will play there 7 to 9 p.m.
• The Lorain Arts Council will be open with crafts for children at 737 Broadway.
• A Christmas movie will be at the Lorain Palace Theater, 617 Broadway, starting at 7 p.m.