Cheers to 2013!

As the year winds down, I'd like to take a moment to say a special thank you to all who have read my blog over the past year. This blog started out on a whim, and I've been surprised and grateful for the positive feedback I've received. I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it!

Here's to many more fun events in 2013 and a very happy new year. Cheers to 2013!

Glow at the Garden

 

If you're looking for a family-friendly holiday event this weekend, check out "Glow" at the Cleveland Botanical Garden.

Glow is the garden's annual holiday event. Glow is designed to entertain both adults and children during the holiday season. The garden is completely transformed to entice all the senses. Twinkling lights, gingerbread houses and live poinsettias are just a few of the decorations that adorn the garden's various buildings. Make sure to stop by the two-story Christmas tree for a family holiday photo or listen to live festive music performed throughout the garden.

Glow has plenty of activities for children as well. Children can take a ride on the Garden Express for a magical train ride, decorate their very own gingerbread house, leave a wish on the garden's Wishing Tree, or shop for presents at the kid-sized Tree Top Shop.

Glow celebrates all that is good during the holiday season. If you don't have enough time to stop by before Christmas, don't worry! Glow will remain at the garden until Monday, Dec. 31.

Glow at the Garden hours:
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.

*Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
*Closed Mondays, Christmas and New Year's Day

For more information about Glow, visit Cleveland Botanical Garden.

Festivus Party at Market Garden Brewery

This event is perfect for any "Seinfeld" fanatic. Fans will recall that one year instead of celebrating Christmas, the characters partook in a different kind of holiday -- Festivus.

Festivus was first introduced to the world on "Seinfeld." Celebrated on Dec. 23, Festivus is a way to celebrate the holidays without giving in to commercialism. The holiday consists of the Airing of Grievances, in which friends and families state the problems they've had with each other throughout the past year, and the Feats of Strength, where the winner must pin other family members to the floor.

Don't expect to spot a Christmas tree anywhere in a home celebrating Festivus. Instead, an unadorned aluminum pole is the only decoration seen.

Market Garden Brewery in Ohio City is celebrating Festivus early this year on Wednesday, Dec. 12. The brewery has even concocted its very own Festivus Ale -- a smooth and spicy beer that's fit for this holiday. The organizers of the event are also collecting toys for Toys For Tots. Each person who brings a toy to the Festivus Party will get their first beer on the house.

Festivus Party hours:
Wednesday, Dec. 12 from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.

For more information about this event, visit Market Garden Brewery.

Wrapped in Tradition: A Gordon Square Holiday

In the past few years, Gordon Square has revived itself and become a center for the arts. This Saturday Gordon Square is combining art with holiday festivities for their "Wrapped in Tradition" event.

This event serves as Gordon Square's kickoff to the holiday season. The afternoon will feature carriage rides, ice sculpting contests, Christmas trees for sale, roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate and a visit by Santa. A special appearance will also be made by Mr. Jingeling, a Cleveland holiday favorite who first appeared in Halle Brothers Department Store in the '50s.

Besides the holiday festivities, the shops and boutiques that line the streets of Gordon Square will be open for holiday shopping. Many of these stories will be offering special deals and discounts for the day.

This event is free and open to the public.

Wrapped in Tradition: A Gordon Square Holiday
Saturday, Dec. 8 from noon to 6 p.m.

For more information about this event, or driving directions, visit Positively Cleveland.