Christmas on Hoover Farm extravaganza
Do you ever feel caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season? Or, does spending a day out with your family seem to put a hole in your pocket? Stop in Sunday, Dec. 6, at the annual Christmas on Hoover Farm extravaganza. From serene carriage rides, to visiting with Santa and Mrs. Claus, you are sure to have a day full of family fun at an affordable price.
Both Santa and Mrs. Claus have reserved the day and will be available from 1-5 p.m. for wish lists and photographs with families (on guests’ cameras) and children of all ages. This holiday family tradition is open to the public with free admission.
As guests enter the front foyer, they will be greeted by the sights, sounds, and smells of the holiday season. The aroma of cookies baking will fill the air as center volunteers are working in the kitchen, and the sound of Christmas music will charm the ears of attendants thanks to the talented violinist, Barb Abbott, of Canton.
Victorian décor will grace the entryway, courtesy of center volunteers Nancy Donato and Joe Ellen Pike, of Uniontown and North Canton, respectively. Christmas decorations throughout the various rooms will be provided through the generosity of various community service groups.
The Herb Society at the Hoover Historical Center will bless the guest parlor with a silver-themed tree in celebration of their 25th anniversary. Chairman is center volunteer and member of the Herb Society, Maria Michel, of North Canton.
Patty Garber, Walsh University employee, will decorate the family parlor with the theme, Grandma Helen’s Christmas, devoted to her grandmother, Helen Rabel Willaman. Born in 1913 in the Hoover family home when her parents were renting the house from the Hoovers, Willaman will be making a special appearance for her annual meeting with Santa.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will greet children of all ages in the family dining room. Guests are encouraged to bring their cameras for pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus (Joe and Connie Faust of Hartville). While spending time with the Clauses, attendants can also take in the Walsh University 50th anniversary themed Christmas tree, decorated by Walsh University students, Monica Allison, Megan Garin and Megan McQuillen. Many ornaments and decorations have been provided by various departments throughout the university.
Hoover High Leadership Council will decorate the second floor front foyer with a Santa Remembered theme. This theme will include lush red velvet and golden Santa décor.
Upstairs, the GlenOak Key Club will decorate both the 1950-1960s themed room and the 1970s-1990s room. GlenOak is heating up the ’50s-’60s space with a Hawaiian Holiday theme, where as in the ’70s-’90s room, the Golden Eagles will be displaying their school pride with a gold and green theme.
Ladies in vintage attire will bake cookies in the old-fashioned cast iron stove in the kitchen, which will be decorated in a Christmas in the Land of Sweets theme, inspired by Nutcracker. The Hoover High School National Honor Society will be in charge of this “sweet” theme.
North Canton Girl Scouts will make gingerbread houses to accent the Christmas embellishments throughout. Raffle tickets for the houses will be available for purchase in the center’s gift shoppe. Guests can also register for a basket of memorabilia from Walsh University’s 50th anniversary.
Center volunteers will serve cookies in the tannery, coordinated by refreshment chairman Jennifer Roman, of Uniontown. Hot chocolate will be provided for families to enjoy while waiting to go Christmas caroling on the horse drawn wagon, which takes guests through Walsh University’s Hoover Park. While singing Christmas carols, participants can take in the park’s wintry scene around them. Wagon rides will be available from 1-4 p.m., with tickets at $3 per person, sold in the guard booth.
Joining Christmas on Hoover Farm for the first time is the Walsh University Chorale group, under the direction of Britt Cooper, director of chorale activities. Members will be caroling throughout the grounds all afternoon, bringing holiday music to the ears and joy to the hearts.
Volunteer event coordinator, Rose Harrison, of Canton, has secured the numerous center volunteers needed to assist with the festivities throughout the afternoon.
For more information, phone the center at 330-499-0287.
The center and the park are operated by Walsh University and located at 1875 East Maple Street, in North Canton, across the street from the main campus.
