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The 2018 Steubenville Nutcracker Village and Advent Market is up and running!

“Steubenville Lights Up 2018” on Tuesday had thousands attending and enjoying the lighting of the trees, Nutcracker Display, Advent Market with great food and crafts vendors, and a spectacular fireworks display!

The Nutcrackers arrived at the Village and surrounding areas on Tuesday and will be settling in until January 5^th, 2019.  The Village is open 24/7 and is free.

This weekend is the first of six weekends for the Advent Market.   The Market offers craft and gift vendors and lots of good food as well as so much more.

There will be live entertainment each weekend and on Saturdays and Sundays the Holly Trolley will be touring around the town from 1:00pm-4:00pm.    Hayrides will be offered on Friday and Saturday evenings from 5:00pm – 8:00pm.

There are tours of the Jefferson County Historical Museum during the Trolley hours and also a large Model Train Village located at 248 N. 4^th Street to visit on Saturdays from Noon to 6:00pm.

Inside Fort Steuben Visitor Center, the Christmas Wonderland and Gift Shop is open Monday – Thursday – 10:00am to 6:00pm, Friday & Saturday – 10:00am to 8:00pm, and Sunday – Noon to 6:00pm.  The Christmas Wonderland has a Santa Display; Snowman Display; several large villages, one with a great train;  Coca Cola Display; Nativity; a large revolving Nutcracker Tree, and so much more.   There is also a Christmas Tree Silent Auction taking place at Christmas Wonderland from November 23^rd to December 30^th.

“Wooden Heart Follies Part 2: The Wooden Boy”, an original Nutcracker Village Musical by Prof. & Mrs. John and Von Holmes will be presented at 4:00pm on December 1st and 2^nd and December 8^th & 9^th.     Tickets for adults- $10; students -$5; children under 6 are free.   Groups of 12 or more with reservations are $8 per person.  The performances will be at the Sycamore Youth Center, 301 N. 4^th Street, Steubenville.

In addition, the Blessing of Advent Wreaths and Nativity will take place on December 2^nd, there will be a children’s Lantern Parade on December 7^th at 7:00pm and the Sights & Sounds of Christmas: Nutcracker Magic 2018 Christmas Parade will take place Saturday, December 8^th, along Fourth Street at Noon.

Just one visit will not be enough to enjoy it all, so make your plans ‘to come and come again’!

For more information visit:    http://www.steubenvillenutcrackervillage.com/   or call 740.283.1787.

When introduced earlier this year, First Friday on Fourth became a huge success right out of the gate.  This popular street festival occurs, as its name would suggest, on the first Friday of each month with a different theme each time.

November 2^nd will be the final First Friday on Fourth of the year and the intention is to go out with a bang!

The theme this month (what else?) is Halloween.

On the main stage the entertainment will include Label Me Lecter and Daniel in Stereo, all the way from Cincinnati.

All the vendors and downtown shops will be participating in trick-or-treating from 6:00-8:00pm.

Everyone is invited to come in costume, there will be a costume competition held throughout the night, with winners announced at 8:30pm.  (Separate adult and child categories).

There will also be a carved pumpkin competition, so bring the most intense pumpkin you’ve carved this season for display and a chance at a great prize!

Weather permitting, additional activities could include a hayride, day of the dead face painting, a haunted maze, and ghosts of Steubenville’s past. There will also be a memorial space to honor our loved ones who have gone before us, so feel free to bring a picture or a candle to light in their memory.

As usual, local craft breweries Hightower Brewing Company and Dungeon Hollow Brewing will keep all well supplied with unique brews throughout the night.

All of your favorite food vendors, like Desperado Dogs, Rubbin butts bbq and Tacos Juarez will be present with their favorite fall dishes!

Once again, many of the downtown shops will be open for late night shopping and the streets will be lined with artisan and craft vendors, so make sure you take some time to check out what our local entrepreneurs have to offer!

The KidZone will be well stocked with chalk, window markers, and other weapons for creative masterpieces!

So, if you have been attending the First Fridays all along you sure won’t want to miss this one; and if you have not gone to any before, this would be the perfect time to check it out!

Admission is free!

The Chicken Runs at Midnight written by Tom Friend is one of the most inspirational stories of sports and faith ever told. It introduces the reader to a major league baseball coach, Rich Donnelly, whose daughter’s message from Heaven changed his heart and won a World Series.

This nearly unbelievable but totally true story reminds us that God can work in our lives, even when we think it’s too late to change – and sometime He sends us signs from Heaven, if we only have eyes to see.

Rich Donnelly will again be signing the “The Chicken Runs at Midnight”, at Fort Steuben Visitor Center this Thursday, October 18^th from 4:00-7:00pm.  The book signing event on October 10^th proved to be more successful than anyone anticipated.  So much in fact, that books ran out very early and many more had to be ordered.

There is now a new supply of books for sale. Anyone wishing to purchase a book and have it signed, or if you have a prepaid book from the last event and wish to meet Rich, come to the Visitor Center this Thursday between 4:00pm and 7:00pm.

The book is also available for purchase at Fort Steuben Museum Shop anytime.

The Steubenville & Jefferson County Visitor Center will dedicate its newest mural recognizing native son Moses Fleetwood Walker on Sunday October 7^th at 2:00pm at the mural located at 139 N. 3^rd Street, Steubenville.

Walker, who was born in Mount Pleasant in 1857, was the first African American to play major league baseball in the 19^th century.  He played baseball while at Oberlin College, then at the University of Michigan and ultimately for the American Association’s Toledo Blue Stockings (1883-1884).  But the team received threats due to Walker’s appearance as catcher and he soon had to leave the team.  After Walker played his last game for Toledo, no other African American would play in major leagues until Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947.

The story of Fleetwood Walker is the sad tale of the rise of Jim Crow and racial discrimination at the end of the 19^th and into the 20^th century.  Not many people who live in the area are aware of his history, of a man who tried to be successful in his field, of the threats and abuse he received just because of the color of his skin.  This is part of our history; we mustn’t neglect or forget it.

Through the efforts of Craig Brown of Salem, Ohio, and his students at the Salem branch of Kent State University and Stark State College in North Canton, a bill to designate October 7^th as Moses Fleetwood Walker Day in Ohio was passed by the state legislature and signed into law by Governor Kasich.  Brown will be one of the speakers at the event in Steubenville.  Rich Donnelly, a Steubenville native who has been a professional coach for several major league teams will also speak.

An exhibit on Walker is housed in the Jefferson County Historical Association Museum on Franklin Avenue in Steubenville and will be open that day to the public.

Jeff Evans, who will be present at the dedication developed a lesson plan to tie Walker’s history to the history of racism in the United States.  Walker went on to other things, including running a hotel in Steubenville and a movie theater in Cadiz, but died an anguished man in 1924.  He and his brother Welday are both buried in Union Cemetery.

The purpose of the City of Murals is not only to decorate buildings and bring tourists to visit the city but to educate the residents as well.  By visiting the murals, people can learn more about the history of the community and of the country.  Teachers are encouraged to use them as resources and additional information will gladly be provided for their classwork.

The mural which was created by artist Ruston Baker depicts a period baseball card and was painted with permission on the building of attorney Jerry Boswell.

For more information, call the Visitor Center at 740.283.1787.

We are coming up on that time of the year again!  The leaves still have not fallen, but as soon as that occurs the holiday season is close behind.

Applications for the “2018 Steubenville Sights & Sounds of Christmas Parade: Nutcracker Magic 2018” have been mailed out to all those who have participated in the parade previously (within the past several years) and other businesses and organizations.

If you do not receive an application in the mail and wish to be in the parade this year, please contact the Steubenville Visitor Center either by calling (740.283.4935) or email: mary@visitsteubenville.com.   A parade packet can be mailed to you or if you wish sent to you electronically.  Applications should be filed no later than November 2, 2018.

For those of you who have received their parade packets, please pay attention to the filing deadline and get the required information back in a timely fashion.  You doing so is a ‘tremendous’ help in organizing the parade in a manner that is beneficial to all.

The parade takes place on December 8^th this year at noon.  The route is from North Street to South Street on Fourth.   WTOV9/FOX9 will again be broadcasting the parade live.

As always, our hope is for our parade to grow ‘larger and better’ each year.  The theme again this year is “Nutcracker Magic” and entries may reflect Nutcracker Magic or Sights & Sounds of Christmas.   All entries are eligible for awards, however, only entries reflecting Nutcracker Magic are eligible for the Grand Prize which is a complimentary sponsorship of a 2019 Nutcracker.

You are invited to join in the fun and excitement this year and also support the Steubenville community in providing a great event for young and old alike!  If you can’t be in the parade, be sure to save the date and attend for a ‘magical’ experience!

In is coming up on that time and once again this year the Pleasant Hill School House Historical Museum will be selling their delicious Christmas cookies for the Holiday season.

All orders for the Christmas Cookie Pre-Sale must be received by November 16, 2018 and must be paid for in advance.

There are five (5) dozen assorted cookies in a box for $30.00.

Cookies are to be picked up on DECEMBER 15, 2018, from 10:00am – 1:00pm at Pleasant Hill School House Historical Museum at 3125 State Route 213, Steubenville.

Proceeds will benefit the PHSH Historical Museum.

Please send your name; phone number; number of boxes ordered; and payment (checks made payable to ‘Pleasant Hill School House Historical Museum’) to:  Kay Finney , 920 Twp. Rd. 378, Steubenville, OH 43952.

For more information call:  740.283.1626.

(NOT actual cookies being sold!)

Another month has rolled by and once again it is time for First Friday on Fourth!

First Fridays on Fourth became an instant ‘hit’ and each month has drawn larger and larger crowds. This month should be no exception as you are invited to go back to the future – the 80’s.

Mrs. Fancy Pants from Wheeling will be the entertainment and also playing for the Live Eighties Karaoke Competition.

Prizes will be awarded for Best Eighties Dress.  There will be a Rubik’s Cube Competition, and also a street arcade, sponsored by Just Play – the last and greatest used VHS store in America.

The Grand Theatre for the Performing Arts will showcase a comedy “One More Drink” by Marc Barnes.

Food, Craft Beer, games for kids and vendors all on hand as a part of the festivities.

Below is the schedule for tonight’s events:

6PM Start
630PM Rubik’s Cube Competition on the Main Stage
7PM Mr. Fancy Pants on the Main Stage
“One More Drink” at the Grand Theater
8PM Ultimate 80’s Karaoke Competition on the Main Stage
“One More Drink” at the Grand Theater
9PM Karaoke / Best Dressed Winner Announced / 80’s Dance Begins
“One More Drink” at the Grand Theater
10PM “One More Drink” at the Grand Theater

So be sure to stop down, you won’t want to miss out on the fun!

6pm – 11pm, Fourth Street, downtown Steubenville is the happening place tonight!

The Dappled Willow Home & Gift shop is a locally owned shop which was established in June of 2018.

They have opened up in the location of the former Becky’s Gift Shop at 312 South Hollywood Plaza, Steubenville.

The Reviews on their Facebook Page are very positive, mentioning friendly staff, reasonable prices and a willingness to carry requested items. 

You can visit their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/TheDappledWillow/

The Steubenville Visitor Center wishes to ‘Welcome’ this locally owned family business and encourages everyone to stop by and see what they have to offer!