Spring Fest Video!

Much thanks to John O'Lalde of JRock Production for putting together this incredible Spring Fest video! Find JRock on Facebook or by email at johnnyoprojectband@gmail.com. Check out johnnyojazz on YouTube to see more great videos of downtown Urbana, Ohio!

A Round of Applause for those involved in Spring Fest 2011!

The Monument Square District organization would like to recognize and thank those who contributed their time and hard work to coordinate and contribute to the 2^nd Annual Spring Fest and Community Bike Parade in downtown Urbana, Ohio.

The Spring Fest Committee consisted of the following volunteers: Jeff Wright, Missie Wright, John O’Lalde, Patty Rouse, Kym Buchanan, Kim Brown, and Dottie Landis.

As sponsors of the event, the following local businesses and organizations were instrumental in the success of Spring Fest 2011: Orbis Corporation, Café Paradiso, Nancy Anderson Dance Studio, Guild Galleries, White’s Ford Service Center, The VFW Ladies Auxiliary 5451, Ron Burns - State Farm Agent, and Urbana Chapter 698 Women of the Moose.

A special thanks to the following businesses and individuals for donating prizes and services to assist the Spring Fest committee in carrying out a successful event: Main Graphics, Wright’s Bikes, The Green Owl art studio, Little Ones children’s resale shop, The Champaign County Historical Society & Museum, Shirt Stop, Freshwater Farms, Everyday Organics & Specialty Food Market, The Boston, The Chocolate Shop, Hometown Music, Vernon Funeral Home, and the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce.

Our gratitude goes out to the following businesses and organizations who assisted and participated in the 2^nd Annual Spring Fest Community Bike Parade: Hometown Music, Steve’s Market & Deli, the Urbana Fire & Police Division, The Salvation Army, the Urbana High School band, the Graham High School band, Preston’s IGA of Mechanicsburg, Girl Scout Troop 30327, Cobra BMX, Cox Shotokan Karate, Springfield Race Team, Little Ones children’s resale shop, Café Paradiso, the Buckeye Man, Mayor-elect Bill Bean, and all of those who came out to ride their bikes in the parade!

The Spring Fest Fashion Show included the latest trends in women’s and children’s apparel from The Monkey Barrel Boutique, Sweet Annie, the shops at Absolute Floral, and Little Ones children’s resale shop. Thank you to the staff of each of these wonderful retail shops for helping to coordinate the fashion show!

The Spring Fest committee was excited to host the Urbana Police Department’s first Safety Town demonstration. Thank you to Jason Kizer and Heather Tiefenthaler for all of their hard work and providing a fun, interactive, and educational activity for the children!

It was also a ‘treat’ to have Daydreamers ice cream truck and Bobby D’s Cakes & More downtown to share their delectable goodies!

We’re extremely grateful to the musicians who lent their talent and set a lively tone downtown during the event: John & Josh O’Lalde, Fireside with Phil & Tony, Mark Brake, Michael Fritto, and Nick Robinson.

Spring Fest 2011 vendors include Team Zoe, the Champaign County Library, the Champaign Quilters Guild, Art on Main, Tri-County Community Action,  the Champaign County chapter of the American Red Cross, Chapel Hill Church, Stepping Stones Ministries, the Johnny Appleseed Society & Museum, the Cancer Association of Champaign County, the Sycamore House, Urbana Elementary PTA, the Soroptimist Club of Urbana, A.B. Graham Memorial Center, and the Champaign County YMCA. Thank you all for participating in our event and for all that you do for our community!

Visiting Champaign County & Urbana, OH: Places to Stay

Scioto Street Inn
Urbana, OH
The Inn has been operating as a bed and breakfast since the late 1980s. Refurbished in 2005, the home still maintains an air of nostalgia with its welcoming atmosphere. (New renovations & re-opening Spring '11)


High Street Manor Bed and Breakfast

Urbana, Ohio
High Street Manor Bed and Breakfast offers a spacious elegant get-away with a “Welcome Home” atmosphere. Enjoy the quiet, two acre estate teeming with birds and wildlife. We are located just two blocks (walking distance) from dining & shopping in historic downtown Urbana, Ohio.   www.highstreetmanor.com

Hopkins House Bed and Breakfast
Mechanicsburg, Ohio
The Hopkins House B&B is a historic home in the country located about 40 minutes from both Columbus & Dayton, OH. It is the childhood residence of locally famous artist, James Roy Hopkins.     

www.historichopkinshouse.com


The Historic Simon Kenton Inn & Publik House
Springfield, OH

Fine Dining, Overnight Stays, Fully-stocked Pub, Outdoor seating with fire pits, Special events, weddings, Reunions, Business Retreats.

simonkentoninn.com

For further overnight accommodation options, visit:

 http://www.champaignoh.com/stay-and-play/accommodations.html

Spring Fest is in the Air!

Saturday, May 21st, 2011!

Join us for a day of fun and community this Saturday in beautiful  historic downtown Urbana, Ohio.

Our outdoor marketplace will begin at 11 a.m. with downtown sidewalk sales, food vendors, music, and family activities. Community organizations will be present with information and more interactive activities and giveaways!

Beginning at 11 a.m., visitors will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite downtown window display. Simply stop into the store of your choice and cast a ballot at the counter (ballots will be located in each store). One lucky voter will win a $25 gift certificate to Freshwater Farms in Urbana!

At noon, the Spring Fest Community Bike Parade will begin at Steve's Market & Deli (324 N. Main St.). The parade is open to all ages, no registration required. We simply ask that anyone participating be at Steve's by 11:30 a.m. Prizes will be awarded at that time for the best decorated bikes! The parade will continue south past the post office & theatre on S. Main St.

Fun Strider PREbike demos for children 1-5 will be located at the Vernon Funeral Home parking lot on Miami St. along with the Urbana Police Department's Safety Town course for children!

The Spring Fest Fashion Show featuring apparel from Sweet Annie, Little Ones, The Monkey Barrel Boutique and the shops at Absolute Floral will begin at 12:30 on the court house steps (corner of Main & Court St.).

Live music, food, activities, and outdoor marketplace will continue during and after the parade until 4 p.m.

Spring Fest Music Lineup:
John & Josh O'Lalde
Fireside with Phil & Tony
John Watkins
Michael Fittro
Nick Robinson



Participating Vendors:
Tri-County Community Action, Champaign Quilters Guild, American Red Cross, Chapel Hill Church, Team Zoe, Johnny Appleseed Museum, Art on Main, Stepping Stones, YMCA, Champaign County Library, Cancer Association of Champaign County, Sycamore House, Urbana Elementary PTA, Soroptimist Club of Urbana, A.B. Graham Memorial Center, Daydreamers Ice Cream and more!

Downtown Urbana in an Hour or Less

Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting Rebecca Paciorek of TRAVELHOST magazine of Greater Cincinnati/Dayton. After chatting at The Depot Coffeehouse, we braved the cold wind and took a stroll around downtown so I could share some of my favorite spots with Rebecca. 

Little Ones Children's Resale Shop

We first ducked into Little Ones children's resale shop, where last spring, owner Tammy Davis transformed a beautiful downtown space into a children's wonderland. She carries gently-used items for children of all ages & expecting mothers. With three small children and a tight budget, Little Ones has been a life saver! 

Our next stop was Absolute Floral, where we admired the racks of beautiful clothing, vintage decor, gifts and little treasures around every corner! Still trying to justify buying that gorgeous lilac prom dress in the window, ladies!

The Boston 121 N. Main

Because our time was limited, we did some speedy window shopping at Guild Galleries, The Green Owl & Courtney's Cupboard, where we admired bright spring colors and fantasied about what pieces of decor we'd include in our dream homes!

We both fell in love with The Boston store's cozy new cellar addition. An late eighteenth century building space that's been untouched for decades is now alive with color, beauty, and charm. We highly recommend a visit!

As we crossed the square braving the bitter wind, we decided we should treat ourselves to some Sweet Annie, where I think Rebecca could have spend the entire day among the beautiful Vera Bradley and new Brighton designs! 

It's Spring at Sweet Annie

Everyday Organics & Specialty Food Market was our last stop of the morning, where we played, "name that amazing smell"! Candles, vitamins, bath & body, and of course some of the most amazing food in town (do not skip the cheese case)!

Even though the sun refused to make an appearance, I took so much pleasure in introducing my guest to our wonderful downtown. If we had more time, this post would be close to never-ending! I've left out so many amazing eateries, retail shops, and lovely places to sit and absorb the beauty of historic downtown Urbana. 

Within the weeks leading up to our downtown Spring Fest event, I'll be sharing as much of these as possible with you, but ideally you'll get to experience Urbana for yourself and claim your own favorites!

Many downtown Urbana businesses have their own websites and Facebook pages so feel free to check them out online until you're able visit. 

Thank you to Rebecca for spending a blustery Tuesday morning with me and thank you all for following our Spring Fest page. It's going to be an amazing spring and an amazing event on May 21st. See you there!

Spring Fest Music Line Up Announced!

Fireside with Phil & Tony: An engaging & energetic acoustic duo from the Dayton area, vocalist Phil Boyer & guitarist Tony Hubbard will be delighting your ears from 3-4 p.m. in the NW corner of Monument Square near City Echoes video store & Little Ones children's resale shop.

John & Josh O'Lalde: John O'Lalde of the Johnny O' Project and his son Josh will be mixing the sounds of Jazz, Fusion, Funk & Blues in their original material and applying their unique sound to some great classic tunes as well! Catch John & Josh from 1-2 p.m. in the gravel lot in the SE corner of Monument Square between ben & me interiors and Wrights Bikes.

John Watkins: Bluegrass musician, John Watkins will be jamming from 1-3 p.m. in front of Courtney's Cupboard at 125 N. Main St. in downtown Urbana. Lively fun music & marketplace shopping at it's best!

Mark Brake: An exciting blend of Country & Classical sounds from Mr. Mark Brake between The Chocolate Shop (114 Scioto) and My Old Ohio House (202 Scioto) from 1-3 p.m.

Justin Stratton:  Here come the Blues! Justin Streaton will be performing near Hometown Music at 237 N. Main St. in downtown Urbana.

More music & entertainment announcements on their way!

Celebrating Community!

Friends & neighbors will be celebrating a new season in downtown Urbana on Saturday, May 21st. The day will begin with a marketplace including downtown businesses & local community organizations. There will be music & entertainers throughout downtown Urbana as well as family activities, food, and more!

The highlight of the day will be the 2nd Annual Spring Fest Parade. Bikers of all ages & abilities are invited to participate and decorate their bikes for prizes! Join the parade team no later than 11:30 a.m. at Steve's Market.

We look forward to seeing you downtown on May 21!

Please don't hesitate to contact us for further information.