Emily Scharf & Kaylee Piper
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio — Downtown Cuyahoga Falls is transitioning into the holiday season with various events and traditions, both new and old.
Saturday November 20 the Downtown Cuyahoga Falls Partnership, with the help of volunteers, will be decorating 18 planters lining Front Street with winter aesthetic. The Winter Planter Decorating initiative will run from 10am-12pm and volunteers will meet at the downtown pavilion. Bundle up and bring your garden gloves to assist in making downtown beautiful this holiday season. More details and sign up here.
Saturday November 27 will host many festivities, starting with an all-day event for Small Business Saturday. Grab a cup of coffee or hot cocoa from Asterisk Coffee Bar and stroll down Front Street while taking advantage of several holiday sales and supporting the small businesses of the downtown community. For a downtown map and more information, visit https://www.downtowncf.com/
DTCF Partnership is proud to be an AMEX Neighborhood Champion, designed to help support local businesses by connecting shoppers with businesses through the Shop Small Map. When you shop small, not only are you supporting a locally owned business, but also enriching the community and strengthening it for future growth. Since the downtown area is comprised of small businesses, this event is extremely important for the growth and sustainability of the city. Shopping small helps foster connections within the community, strengthens its livelihood and helps friends, families and neighbors.
Accompanying Small Business Saturday is the city’s Annual Tree Lighting Event hosted by Cuyahoga Falls Parks and Recreation. This family-friendly event will include a DJ and photo booth, tuba Christmas performance, crafts and ice carving demos, live reindeer, cookies/hot chocolate as well as train rides for kids! Mayor Don Walters will join Santa on a Cuyahoga Falls Fire Truck to officiate the tree lighting at approximately 6 pm. Concessions will be available for purchase from food trucks including Mel’s Mobile Diner, Wholly Frijoles, Jet’s pizza and more! The Downtown Ice Rink will also open for the season beginning at noon until 8pm. Admission is free and skate rentals are just $4 per person.
From November 27 to December 10th City of Cuyahoga Falls Parks and Recreation Department is proud to announce that Mayor Walters has received official approval from Santa, again in 2021, to designate our downtown location as a Santa Express Mailbox. To ensure that Santa has time to respond to the letters, they must be dropped off at the mailbox, located outside the Downtown Pavilion, 2085 Front St., by Friday, December 10, 2021. A return address must be included for responses. For more information, please call the Parks and Recreation Department at 330-971-8225 or email parks@cityofcf.com
November 28 is Artist Sunday which is the world’s largest art event supporting local artists within your community. Shop with local artists, creators, and makers’ the Sunday after Thanksgiving. There’s perhaps nothing more personal than a gift of the arts. Give something special, unique, and handcrafted this holiday season and support local artists and the local economy. This year, the DTCF Partnership is a proud partner of Artist Sunday encouraging our community to support artists and recognize the impact they have in enriching our lives, communities, and the economy. For more information visit www.downtowncf.com/events/
During the month of December, vote for your favorite holiday decoration displays from downtown businesses and parking meters! Two competitions are taking place downtown. Both are free and family friendly activities while you explore, shop, and dine in downtown Cuyahoga Falls.
Meters on Parade hosted by the City of Cuyahoga Falls is back for its second year. Downtown visitors will enjoy decorated parking meters and free on-street parking (2-hour limit) courtesy of meter sponsors during the holiday season. 2020’s winner was a hand knit Grinch from the team at Harps & Thistles Yarn & Gift Emporium.
Holiday Display Contest hosted by DTCF Partnership will have two categories this year: best window display and best in-store display. Each participating business will go head to head for bragging rights on the best downtown holiday display. Vote via QR codes hanging from their window or inside their business starting November 27 th. A map will be posted online with participating businesses by November 27th.
The Downtown Cuyahoga Falls Partnership along with over 25 downtown businesses will host a DTCF Holiday Open House on Friday, December 3. This collaborative event celebrates the holiday season and encourages residents to shop what downtown Cuyahoga Falls has to offer! Many businesses will be offering snacks and refreshments, as well as specials, door prizes and much more.
DTCF Partnership’s third annual Jingle Dog Parade will take place on Saturday, December 4 from 12-3pm. Starting at High Bridge Glens Park and heading north on Front Street toward the Downtown Pavilion, a parade of pooches dressed in their holiday best will be judged as the most festive dogs are awarded prizes. Details and registration are available via Eventbrite and the event is free for spectators.
Updated information about all events can be found at www.downtowncf.com/events or on the DTCF Partnership Facebook page, www.facebook.com/
The Downtown Cuyahoga Falls Partnership is a community-based 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing and sustaining historic Downtown Cuyahoga Falls and its riverfront as a vibrant destination by promoting economic development and creating a positive experience for businesses, residents, and visitors.