Wellington, Ohio

The 178th Lorain County Fair takes place Aug. 18-25 in Wellington (23000 Fairgrounds Road). The event is Ohio’s second-largest county fair.

The fair attracts top national musical talent and this year’s entertainment headliners include country music singer Sara Evans who will take the main stage at 8 p.m. Aug. 19. The Marshall Tucker Band will perform at 8 p.m. Aug. 20. Tickets are now available for purchase online. For more information, go to loraincountyfair.com/entertainment.

There is also plenty of free entertainment for visitors to enjoy including the Cincinnati Circus Company Thrill Show taking place at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m. Monday – Saturday; and from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Popular fair attractions including the demolition derby, combine derby, and tractor pulls are also on the fair schedule. Hundreds of vendors will be onsite, as well as rides and other contests.

The Aug. 21 Kids Day will be packed with activities, including an ice cream eating contest at 1:30 p.m. Kids can take pictures with the Unicorn Princess and Moana from 2 to 4 p.m. by Pavilion 1. Additional activities include face painting and games.

Fair hours are 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 19-25. Gate admission is $8; children 8 and younger are admitted free. Senior Citizens (65+) are free all day on Thursday. Veterans and Military are also free on Thursday (with proper ID).

Ride tickets are 24 for $20 (required tickets posted on each ride). A special $20 Unlimited Ride Wristbands is available daily from noon -10 p.m. (rides closed from 5-6 p.m.). A $10 Kids Day special to ride from noon to 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Tickets for the concerts and other larger events have separate admission fees.

Aging in Place Mobility (aginginplacemobility.com) will be located by Gate 4 during fair week renting mobility scooters, wheelchairs (manual and motorized), and rollator. For pricing, more information, or to reserve ahead, call 330-587-2293.

There will be a bonus day Aug. 18 because of harness racing at 4 p.m. Admission is free, but commercial vendors, rides and exhibits will not be set up.

All service animals are permitted. Pets, comfort and emotional support animals are prohibited. Parking is free.

For more fair information and to purchase event tickets, go to loraincountyfair.com.

AVON

Movie night: Due to the storms last week, the final free summer movie night at the Every Child’s Playground, 36265 Detroit Road (across from the Avon Aquatic Facility) has been rescheduled for Aug. 16 featuring “Migration.” The event is for residents only. Movie begins at dusk.

Summer concert: Enjoy country rock music from Clarence and the Beekeepers from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 15th at the Heritage Square Gazebo, corner of Stoney Ridge and Detroit roads. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. In the case of inclement weather, the concert will move to Avon Isle across the street on Detroit Road.

Tree Commission appointment: Mayor Bryan Jensen will appoint Mary Johnson to the Avon Tree Commission for the unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2025. This appointment was recommended to the mayor by the Avon Tree Commission and fills the unexpired term vacated by Shannon Laurenzi on May 8, 2024. This appointment does not require the concurrence of City Council.

Rezoning public hearing: As reported in a previous Short Takes (July 4) property owner Gregg Wasilko recently submitted an application to the city’s Planning Commission to rezone a 2.58-acre parcel of land located on the north side of Detroit Road, near Jaycox Road (across from Martin’s Deli), from R-1 Single-Family Residential to C-1 Neighborhood Business District.

The item is now on City Council’s agenda and is currently going through the process of three readings. A Public Hearing will be held at 7:15 p.m. Sept. 9 prior to the City Council meeting.

It is unknown at this time what he plans to do with the land, however, a printed image submitted to the city identifies the property as Wasilko Retail Center.

Kids Kloset tables: The Avon Early Childhood PTA’s (AECPTA) annual Fall Kids Kloset will take place from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Sept. 14 at Avon Middle School, 3445 Long Road.

Table space(s) (10 x 10) are available for purchase at a price of $30 for current AECPTA and all Avon Local Schools PTA/boosters members, $35 for non-members, and a price of $25 for additional spaces (maximum of three). Registration is open until Sept. 9 and table location will be determined by sign-up order.

For more information, go to sites.google.com/avonecpta.org/aecpta/home.

Golf outing: The annual Big Brothers Big Sisters Golf event will take place Oct. 7 at the Red Tail Golf Club Organizers are currently looking for sponsors, auction items, and participants. Metro Lexus is also sponsoring the Hole-in-One Contest and offering a new Lexus to the winner. For more information, go to e.givesmart.com/events/Da9.

Late season pool hours: Summer is coming to a close and with that brings less time at the Avon Aquatic Facility. Late season hours are now in effect. From now through Aug. 21, the pool is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The pool will be closed Aug. 22-23. The pool will be open on weekends only from Aug. 24 to Sept. 2 between the hours of 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The last day of the season is Sept. 2. The hours will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, go to avonpool.com.

AVON LAKE

Summer concert: The final summer Party in the Park will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Aug. 15 at Veterans’ Memorial Park, 32756 Lake Road. Shope the CLE Market, as well as purchase food from the Telos Truck and 808 Shave Ice food trucks. Live music from Stamper Starr will take place from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

End of summer celebration: The West Shore Masonic Lodge #804 annual Corn & Dog Roast and Lodge Open House will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 24 at the West Shore Lodge, 127 Lear Road. The event is open to all members of the community and their families (you don’t have to be a Mason to attend). There will be food, music, and games. This is also a Lodge open house. Any men interested in learning more about the fraternity are encouraged to attend.

For more information, email [email protected]

Cruise-In event: The annual DEI Cruise-In will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. Aug. 24 at Weiss Field, 33401 Webber Road. The event, sponsored by the city and Design Engineering, Inc., will benefit Hearts of Patriots.

The first 300 cars to show up will receive a commemorative DEI Cruise-In gift. Organizers are asking for a donation of $10 for each vehicle being shown. Spectators are free to enter. There will be a live band, activities for kids, along with food trucks.

Notary services: Did you know the Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Boulevard, offers free notary services to all Ohio residents. Library officials request that you make an appointment in advance so that they can ensure a notary will be available. The service is offered during most hours that the library is open, including evenings and weekends. For more information, stop by the Circulation desk or call 440-933-8128.

Outdoor Summer Market: UR Home Décor and More, 680 Moore Road, is hosting an Outdoor Summer Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 24. Shop in the parking lot, where multiple vendors will be selling their own merchandise.

NORTH RIDGEVILLE

Golden Kernel honors: Congratulations to former mayor David Gillock, recipient of this year’s Golden Kernel Award during the Corn Festival opening ceremonies. He served the city from 2004 to 2019.

Starting in 1991, the award is presented to North Ridgeville residents involved in the community, making it a better place to live, according to festival organizers.

Turnpike ramp: The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission closed the onramp at Interstate 80 east at Toll Plaza 152 in April to work on the mainline bridge above the onramp. The ramp is expected to reopen on Aug. 14.

Trash collection update: Trash collection in some areas of the city may be delayed because of the storm last week. Residents are asked to leave trash at curbside and it will be picked up this week. Also, if you have branches/limbs down as a result of the storm, please call the Public Works Department at 440-490-2094 to make arrangements for curbside pick up.

Crack sealing project: Scodeller Construction, Inc. was hired by the city for its crack seal project. The project will start this week and last for approximately one week (weather permitting). Streets to be crack sealed include Case Road (from Avon to Otten Road), Mills Road (from State Route 83 to Jaycox Road), Stoney Ridge Road (from Avon to Center Ridge Road), Sugar Ridge Road (from Bender Road to State Route 83), and Taylor Parkway. Additional streets may be added if the budget allows.

For more information, go to nridgeville.org.

Traffic study: Earlier this year, the city hired consulting engineers at Woolpert to conduct a traffic study for the Lorain Road and Lear Nagle Road intersection and general area. The study is looking at existing conditions of the area, including traffic volumes, crash data, road geometry and more, according to information posted on the city’s website. The information will be used to develop short- and long-term recommendations for improvements in order to improve traffic flow and address safety issues in this high-traffic area. Data collection for the study began in June. Draft recommendations will be proposed for public input this fall.

Shout-out: Thank you to the North Ridgeville Corn Festival Committee, sponsors, volunteers, city workers, and all who attended the annual festival. It takes a village to plan and organize the event. For those of you who have ideas or ways to enhance the festival in the future, consider joining the festival committee and share your ideas. The committee would love the assistance. For more information, go to nrcornfest.org.

LORAIN COUNTY

November election: The filing deadline for the 2024 November General Election was Aug. 7. While the presidential election is important, your local government leaders are the people who make the largest impact on your daily life and your taxes. Please take the time to research the candidates and issues. A complete list of candidates and issues is available on the Lorain County Board of Elections website. Your vote matters. For more information, go to voteloraincountyohio.gov.

If you have news/information or a story idea you’d like to share or a ‘shout-out’, please send an email to [email protected]. Read Short Takes online at cleveland.com/avon. Follow me on X (Twitter) @jshortavon.

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