Here’s how Lake County comes alive during the holidays
By Mimi Vanderhaven
Cuyahoga County might have A Christmas Story House, but Lake County throws a bona fide winter wonderland for the holidays. It all kicks off this month.
“If you’re looking for a festive variety of ways to celebrate this memorable time of year, we’ve got you covered,” says Scott Dockus, executive director of the Lake County Visitors Bureau.
A local tradition that grows each passing holiday, the interactive indoor “Candy Land has Gone WILD” exhibit at Penitentiary Glen Reservation in Kirtland is not to be missed.
“The board game comes to life in a fantastic fashion,” says Scott.
Here’s how it works: Draw a card, and then you become that game piece, following along space to space. Taking a journey through Candy Land, you’ll experience nature’s gifts through all four seasons.
Families can expect new outdoor and indoor scavenger hunts this year, as well as hands-on holiday crafts, plus outdoor campfires on Saturdays. On Sundays, meet live animals up-close and personal from the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center.
The Candy Land exhibit is open noon to 5 p.m., from Saturday, November 17, through New Year’s Day. It’s free for all ages, and only closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve.
Another classic holiday pursuit, especially for the little tots, is taking a wagon ride through beautifully lit trees at Lake Metroparks Farmpark to Santa’s Workshop and Little Elf Corner. It’s the next best thing to The Polar Express.
“Feel free to use our website for discovering all the other holiday happenings around town,” says Scott, “from shopping destinations such as Home for the Holidays the first weekend in December at the Lake County History Center, and Crafts, Corks & Christmas at Grand River Cellars, on Sunday, December 2, to music at the Holiday Pops Concert put on by the Fine Arts Association on Saturday, December 8.”
The Lake County Visitors Bureau is located in the heart of downtown Painesville at One Victoria Place. Call 440-975-1234 for more information, or check out MyLakeOH.com for a complete list of holiday events or visit their Facebook page.