 |
| An Advent Window Walk Group Credit: Visit Fairfield County |
As far as Enrique Jiminez and Joseph Taylor know, no town in
the U.S. other than Lancaster, Ohio organizes a resident-based Adventsfenster.
The event, which kicks off on December 1, takes
visitors past 24 houses in the historic district of charming downtown Lancaster.
That’s when one of the 24
participating houses stages the first “window reveal.” As visitors assemble
outside the house, lights go up, curtains are drawn or shutters open to reveal
the holiday themed creation.
“The homes involved are almost entirely historic from the
Georgian, Victorian or Edwardian era,” Jiminez informed.
 |
| Joseph Taylor and Enrique Jiminez with Advent Window Walk Placard Credit all photos: Bill Rockwell |
The inspiration for their project, now in its 4th year,
comes from travel guru, Rick Steves, who included the Swiss town of Gummenwald
in his televised European Christmas special. One of the towns in Switzerland
that maintains the custom of Adventsfenster, Gummenwald likes to brighten the
holiday season even more by staging its annual, festive community endeavor.
On each subsequent day of December, another reveal takes
place from 6 to 10 p.m. until Christmas Eve when all the windows have been
revealed. From then until New Year’s Day, visitors can walk along 3 parallel
streets and one perpendicular section in Lancaster to see all 24 windows. The
entire walk can be completed in about 30 minutes.
“Some
of the windows are simple and basic; others are elaborate and ornate and some
even have moving parts,” Taylor said. “This year’s theme is Pop Culture
Christmas and can include everything from movies, stories or any other aspect
of pop culture.”
To guide the visitors, a map of the participating homes can be found on www.adventwindowwalk.com. Outside each house a sign with a QR code gives visitors interesting historic facts about every location, a behind the scenes video and a look at windows from previous years. For example, the night 3 window from last year was in a home where Civil War General William Sherman's wife and children once lived.
Each year, a different house opens the walk with a reveal related to Christmas, Hannukah or Kwanza. Home owners who may want to include their house on the walk but may not be able to make art or have the skill can call on volunteers to help out.
If you decide to stay in town for New Year’s Eve, you might
want to stop at the Ohio Glass Museum at 124 W. Main Street. There, in a
working studio, you can make a Christmas ornament that can be attached to a
giant orb. On New Year’s Eve, the orb makes a countdown ascent over Zane Square via crane and, at
midnight, the square comes alive with a spectacular fireworks display.
 |
| Professional Glass Crafter Giving a Demo at the Ohio Glass Museum |
The
area around the square is a designated outdoor refreshment Area (DORA) where
party revelers can imbibe from an approved DORA cup, available with a purchase
at a downtown bar, restaurant or brewery.
Lancaster
is the home of the Anchor Hocking glass plant, so it’s not surprising the town
honors its past at the Ohio Glass Museum. Thousands of items from the area are
on display on a rotating basis.
Now
up, an exhibit titled “Shaping Society” takes a look at how glassware can be
seen as social commentary.
Admission includes a look
inside the working glass blowing studio where classes are open to the public.
 |
| Outside the Gay Fad Studio |
Nearby
at 137 W. Main, Gay Fad Studios is the brainchild of David and Jason Annency,
who in 2022 brought back to life a Lancaster business that lie dormant for 60
years. Walk into their store and be dazzled by the display of their hand
painted glassware.
 |
| The display at the Entrance to the Gay Fad Studio Dazzles and Delights |
Loosely
meaning, happy trend, Gay Fad traces its roots back to Fran Taylor, who as a
24-year-old started with a $30 investment a business that specialized in hand
painted wastepaper baskets. Riding on a successful beginning, Taylor switched
to glassware during WW II, when metal became scarce.
 |
| The Items at the Gay Fad Studio Sparkle and Glisten |
After
Taylor closed the business in 1962 due to a number of factors, the partners
revitalized the mid-century glassware company after they worked on a project to
paint two large murals on an alley alongside their store that celebrates the
artistry of Gay Fad Studios.
 |
| The Murals Painted in the Alleyway Outside the Gay Fad Studio |
A
year later, they reopened Gay Fad Studios as a boutique shopping destination in
downtown Lancaster, showcasing new and exclusive midcentury modern glassware.
In 2023, they kept the momentum going with the opening of the Gay Fad Studios
Museum with their own impressive collection of over 4,000 pieces of original
glass.
 |
| A Marina at Buckeye Lake |
Looking
for more winter fun? Buckeye Lake, Ohio’s first state park, is a huge
3,100-acre water recreation area. The last Saturday in January, Winterfest is
the lake area’s biggest party when visitors arrive before sun up to see if
Benny the Bass (the area’s answer to Punxsutawney Phil) will take the bait. If
he eats one of the minnows dropped into his tank, spring is on the way. If he
doesn’t, look for more winter weather ahead.
.jpeg) |
| Benny the Bass Predicting Winter Weather Credit: Visit Fairfield County |
The
event includes fireworks, activities around the lake, live music, art shows,
food and drink specials, food trucks and more.
 |
| Hometown Hot Dogs in Millersport on Buckeye Lake |
Visitors can enjoy a tad of wintry sadism when they attend the annual Buckeye Lake Winery Polar Plunge.
 |
| Polar Plunge at Winterfest 2022 Credit: Visit Fairfield County |
Participants raise money for charity when they plunge into
the icy waters of the lake while spectators on shore can enjoy live music,
games and prizes.
 |
| Hot Dog Anyone? |
 |
| An Interesting House in Millersport |
For a Place to Dine, the Ale House 1890 at 149 W. Main, serves lunch and dinner, Monday through Saturday.
 |
| The Bar at the Ale House |
Specializing in craft beer and cocktails the upscale
gastropub menu is very imaginative with dishes like Chilean Blue Mussels, Duck
Pierogis and Asian Pork Shank, but there are also salads, soups, sandwiches and
steaks as well.
.jpg) |
| An Espresso Martini and The Crimson Kiss |
Crimson
Kiss, a Pomegranate Vodka Martini with Grand Gala liqueur and a touch of mint
and lime was the specialty cocktail on the evening of my visit. For dessert,
try the moist, dense, cream cheese laden Carrot Cake. It’s a real winner. Phone
(740) 277-6053 or www.alehouse1890.com.
 |
| A Look inside Rhonemus Cellars |
A
local winery definitely worth a visit, Rhonemus Cellars opened in 2024 and operates
a tasting room and restaurant in an architecturally gorgeous building with two
dining patios and a terrace. Located at 1511 George Rd. NE in Lancaster, the
winery sources grapes from California’s Napa Valley and New York’s Finger Lakes
region.
 |
| The Interior of Rhonemus Winery Credit: Visit Fairfield County |
The
restaurant, which served a halibut entrée that had to be one of the best I ever
had, includes an interesting array of appetizers like pork and shitake wontons
and sweet potato bisque. But don’t overlook other entrees like Lake Erie Walleye
and Delicata and Chevre Ravioli.
 |
| Pouring a Wine from a Flight of Four |
With
your meal, you can enjoy a flight of four wines with selections from Rhonemus
Cellers’ own inventory and/or producers in France, Germany and Washington. By the
glass or bottle options are also available. Just be prepared for a
sophisticated experience.
Phone
740-785-9900 or rhonemuscellars.com.
 |
| Pork and Shitake Mushroom Won Tons |
Comments
Post a Comment