Loveland, Ohio – The Little Miami River Chamber Alliance held their tenth annual Loveland Food Truck Rally on May 13.
Despite threats of rain throughout the weekend, the LMRCA tenth annual Loveland Food Truck Rally presented by Wolternam Law was a huge success according to the Chamber.
Thanks to their presenting sponsor, Wolterman Law and many other sponsors, not to mention a grant from Hamilton County this year; they were able to add many fun elements. An inviting balloon arch, a large tented seating area, more children’s inflatables, and a larger stage were just a few of those items they could afford due to the generosity of the County. Extra security, two beverage stations, and extra generators were also added, among other items.
CeeCee Collins, president of the LMRCA, said “It’s always tough to see how many folks attend the event, but after ten years we can get a pretty good estimate. The crowds were incredible, the food trucks did very well, and the beverage stations were steady. Despite all of that, we believe the crowd was a little lighter this year than in 2022. A couple of reasons could have been; people being afraid of the rain, Loveland HS prom was taking place, although we had a few prom attendees come for a food truck dinner, and last year was a “bust out” year after the pandemic.”
Meredith Taylor, VP of Operations said, “We sold out of food truck vendor spots months before the event. We’ve created quite a reputation with the local food trucks and they know this is a well-run, quality food truck rally. Many are already eager to plan for 2024.”
Collins said that the Chamber hopes folks continue to enjoy the event for years to come. “We’re considering moving it to a later date in May. This will take it away from Mother’s Day weekend and from the craft show that came in recently across the street, which creates some congestion and parking issues. We’re also considering moving the time to include lunch. The committee and the chamber’s Board of Directors will make this decision over the coming year.”
Collins said, “Thank you to everyone who volunteered. This is a large, challenging event to put on. We always need volunteers and they stepped up this year. We are incredibly grateful. We are also grateful to Shoppers Haven and all the businesses that allow us to use their lot for the day. We understand that the parking can be a slight inconvenience, but we’re hoping the exposure of the event affords them way more exposure and therefore customers in the long run.
Collins added, “We look forward to next year. We’re always tweaking and improving the event, so next year will be even better.”
Loveland, Ohio – The Little Miami River Chamber of Commerce Alliance recently voted (15-0 in favor) to promote Meredith Taylor to Vice President of Operations for the chamber.
Taylor has been serving the chamber as the program director for almost 6 years.
Chamber President CeeCee Collins said, “Meredith has been a tremendous asset to the chamber since her arrival. She brought customer service experience as well as an advertising and promotion background. Her skills have helped the chamber grow tremendously. The event that stands out the most is the Loveland Frogman Race. This race now sells out every year! Meredith has helped create several new events to benefit the economic development of the Loveland, Symmes and Miami Township areas.”
Vince Colaluca, 2022 Chairman of the LMRCA Board of Directors added, “Meredith always tries to improve an event year after year. She reflects on the event and analyzes what can happen to make it better. She truly cares about adding value to the businesses and the community.”
Meredith graduated from Miami University in 2006 with a degree in Business Marketing. After graduation, she began her career as an admission counselor for the University, working with high school students who were in the college decision process, while also managing university communications with students and parents.
After her time at Miami, she then worked for a B2B marketing agency for 2 years as a senior account executive on national digital advertising campaigns. Desiring to return to non-profit work combined with her interest in working with small businesses, she joined the staff of the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance (LMRCA) in the fall of 2016.
As VP of Operations, she manages communications and marketing, event planning, and general office management. When not in the office, Meredith can be found taking a cycling class at Power Ryde, dining at one of our local eateries, or planning her next travel destination. She lives in Symmes Township with her husband, JR and their sons, Luke and Max.
Loveland, Ohio – What goes better with the Loveland Bike Trail than health and wellness? Your requests were finally answered as the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance (LMRCA) hosted the inaugural “Road to Health and Wellness” Expo in Downtown Loveland’s Nisbet Park on Saturday, July 30!
Over the past couple of years, Downtown Loveland has become the go-to spot for entertainment, exercise, and food culture. The Little Miami Bike Trail, which is the longest bike trail in the Miami Valley stretching out to 78 miles, has become the focal point of Loveland for bike riders, running enthusiasts, and families. The historical bike trail has been consistently encouraging people to travel miles just to experience the Loveland culture for themselves so CeeCee Collins, President of the LMRCA, and Meredith Taylor, Program Director of the LMRCA, decided that they needed to organize an event right off the Loveland bike trail for those that enjoy health, wellness, and fitness!
The “Road to Health and Wellness” Expo brought in mental, physical, and financial health professionals and enthusiasts to communicate to the community the benefits of living a life balanced with health and wellness. The event included swag bags, health and wellness interactive booths, music, the Acai “BOL” Bar, “breakout session” speakers, FREE fitness classes taught by community experts, kids’ activities, and much more!
“We have a beautiful setting in the heart of Loveland for this event and hoped the community would come out and learn something new and take advantage of the great resources we have right in our own backyard,” LMRCA Program Director MeredithTaylor said.
Watch my Instagram Reel here that takes you through the “Road to Health and Wellness” Expo!
I was honored to be involved in planning the first-ever “Road to Health and Wellness” Expo! In addition to volunteering at the registration booth during the event, I got the opportunity to share my Kickboxing expertise with those in the community by offering a free Kickboxing 101 class in the amphitheater in Nisbet Park. The class went so well that David Miller and I thought that it would be the perfect time to film a Kickboxing workout for those who would like to get their sweat on virtually! Click the image below to watch a short clip of my Kickboxing 101 workout coming very soon to Loveland Magazine!
Take a look at the EXPO through the lens of myself and David Miller…
Thank you to all those that helped plan, volunteered at, and attended Loveland’s First “Road to Health and Wellness” Expo! We can’t wait to help make next year’s health and wellness extravaganza even better! The LMRCA would also like to say thank you to the “Road to Health and Wellness” presenting sponsor, the Suzi Cree Team at Keller Williams Realty!
For the latest Loveland events and news updates, stay tuned to the Loveland Salad with ME, Cassie Mattia!
Loveland Magazine’s very own Cassie Mattia will demonstrate Kickboxing at 1 PM
Promoted Story
by Cassie Mattia
Loveland, Ohio – What goes better with the Loveland Bike Trail than health and wellness? Your requests have finally been answered as the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance (LMRCA) is hosting the first “Road to Health” Expo in Downtown Loveland’s Nisbet Park!
Over the past couple of years, Downtown Loveland has become the go-to spot for entertainment, exercise, and food culture. The Little Miami Bike Trail, which is the longest bike trail in the Miami Valley stretching out to 78 miles, has become the focal point of Loveland for bike riders, running enthusiasts, and families. The historical bike trail has been consistently encouraging people to travel miles just to experience the trail for themselves so both CeeCee Collins, President of the LMRCA, and Meredith Taylor, Program Director of the LMRCA, decided that they needed to organize an event for those that enjoy health, wellness, and the bike trail!
“Loveland by nature lends itself to health and wellness; the beautiful parks, flowing river, and overall landscaping offer opportunity to exercise and live a better life,” Collins said. “When we combine the natural landscaping with an array of health, wellness, and recreational businesses in the area, we felt that it made sense to showcase and offer to our community.”
The “Road to Health” Health and Wellness Expo will be held on July 30th from 10 AM until 2 PM in Nisbet Park off the Loveland Bike Trail. The event will bring in Mental, Physical, and Financial health professionals and enthusiasts to communicate to the community the benefits of living a life balanced with health and wellness. The event will include swag bags for those who register, health and wellness booths, live entertainment, food trucks, “breakout session” speakers, kids’ activities, and much more!
“We are so excited to bring this expo to our area to highlight many aspects of health–not just physical, but mental, financial, nutritional, senior care, and more,” Taylor said. “Every time we’ve mentioned this expo to our chamber members, we have received such positive feedback. We have a beautiful setting in the heart of Loveland for this event and hope the community can come out and learn something new and take advantage of the great resources we have right in our own backyard.”
The LMRCA would like to invite communities throughout Cincinnati along with health and wellness professionals to not only attend the inaugural “Road to Health” Expo but to sign up to be a vendor, offer sponsorship for the event, or volunteer to help. Below you will find the sponsorship document as well as the vendor booth document that you can download and easily print off and mail to the LMRCA or email. If you would rather register online click here.
If you would like to simply volunteer to help with the “Road to Health” expo click here.
The LMRCA is also looking for food vendors or food trucks for the “Road to Health” expo! If you are interested click here.
Loveland Magazine’s very own Cassie Mattia will demonstrate Kickboxing at 1 PM
Promoted Story
by Cassie Mattia
Loveland, Ohio – What goes better with the Loveland Bike Trail than health and wellness? Your requests have finally been answered as the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance (LMRCA) is hosting the first “Road to Health” Expo in Downtown Loveland’s Nisbet Park!
Over the past couple of years, Downtown Loveland has become the go-to spot for entertainment, exercise, and food culture. The Little Miami Bike Trail, which is the longest bike trail in the Miami Valley stretching out to 78 miles, has become the focal point of Loveland for bike riders, running enthusiasts, and families. The historical bike trail has been consistently encouraging people to travel miles just to experience the trail for themselves so both CeeCee Collins, President of the LMRCA, and Meredith Taylor, Program Director of the LMRCA, decided that they needed to organize an event for those that enjoy health, wellness, and the bike trail!
“Loveland by nature lends itself to health and wellness; the beautiful parks, flowing river, and overall landscaping offer opportunity to exercise and live a better life,” Collins said. “When we combine the natural landscaping with an array of health, wellness, and recreational businesses in the area, we felt that it made sense to showcase and offer to our community.”
The “Road to Health” Health and Wellness Expo will be held on July 30th from 10 AM until 2 PM in Nisbet Park off the Loveland Bike Trail. The event will bring in Mental, Physical, and Financial health professionals and enthusiasts to communicate to the community the benefits of living a life balanced with health and wellness. The event will include swag bags for those who register, health and wellness booths, live entertainment, food trucks, “breakout session” speakers, kids’ activities, and much more!
“We are so excited to bring this expo to our area to highlight many aspects of health–not just physical, but mental, financial, nutritional, senior care, and more,” Taylor said. “Every time we’ve mentioned this expo to our chamber members, we have received such positive feedback. We have a beautiful setting in the heart of Loveland for this event and hope the community can come out and learn something new and take advantage of the great resources we have right in our own backyard.”
The LMRCA would like to invite communities throughout Cincinnati along with health and wellness professionals to not only attend the inaugural “Road to Health” Expo but to sign up to be a vendor, offer sponsorship for the event, or volunteer to help. Below you will find the sponsorship document as well as the vendor booth document that you can download and easily print off and mail to the LMRCA or email. If you would rather register online click here.
If you would like to simply volunteer to help with the “Road to Health” expo click here.
The LMRCA is also looking for food vendors or food trucks for the “Road to Health” expo! If you are interested click here.
Loveland, Ohio – What goes better with the Loveland Bike Trail than health and wellness? Your requests have finally been answered as the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance (LMRCA) is hosting the first “Road to Health” Expo in Downtown Loveland’s Nisbet Park!
Over the past couple of years, Downtown Loveland has become the go-to spot for entertainment, exercise, and food culture. The Little Miami Bike Trail, which is the longest bike trail in the Miami Valley stretching out to 78 miles, has become the focal point of Loveland for bike riders, running enthusiasts, and families. The historical bike trail has been consistently encouraging people to travel miles just to experience the trail for themselves so both CeeCee Collins, President of the LMRCA, and Meredith Taylor, Program Director of the LMRCA, decided that they needed to organize an event for those that enjoy health, wellness, and the bike trail!
“Loveland by nature lends itself to health and wellness; the beautiful parks, flowing river, and overall landscaping offer opportunity to exercise and live a better life,” Collins said. “When we combine the natural landscaping with an array of health, wellness, and recreational businesses in the area, we felt that it made sense to showcase and offer to our community.”
The “Road to Health” Health and Wellness Expo will be held on July 30th from 10 AM until 2 PM in Nisbet Park off the Loveland Bike Trail. The event will bring in Mental, Physical, and Financial health professionals and enthusiasts to communicate to the community the benefits of living a life balanced with health and wellness. The event will include swag bags for those who register, health and wellness booths, live entertainment, food trucks, “breakout session” speakers, kids’ activities, and much more!
“We are so excited to bring this expo to our area to highlight many aspects of health–not just physical, but mental, financial, nutritional, senior care, and more,” Taylor said. “Every time we’ve mentioned this expo to our chamber members, we have received such positive feedback. We have a beautiful setting in the heart of Loveland for this event and hope the community can come out and learn something new and take advantage of the great resources we have right in our own backyard.”
The LMRCA would like to invite communities throughout Cincinnati along with health and wellness professionals to not only attend the inaugural “Road to Health” Expo but to sign up to be a vendor, offer sponsorship for the event, or volunteer to help. Below you will find the sponsorship document as well as the vendor booth document that you can download and easily print off and mail to the LMRCA or email. If you would rather register online click here.
If you would like to simply volunteer to help with the “Road to Health” expo click here.
The LMRCA is also looking for food vendors or food trucks for the “Road to Health” expo! If you are interested click here.
Loveland, Ohio – The Easter Weekend Food Drive proved nothing is sweeter than Loveland, Ohio!
On Saturday, April 16th in the heart of Downtown Loveland under the historic clock tower we kicked off our first ever Easter Weekend Food Drive benefiting LIFE Food Pantry! I had wanted to lend my time and energy to the LIFE Food Pantry for months, so when LIFE communicated that they were in desperate need of food and that food drives were the best way to gather that much-needed food I knew that this was my chance to give back to a community that had supported me throughout my time with Loveland Magazine.
Once I decided that I was going to organize a food drive I immediately reached out to the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance all-star duo CeeCee Collins and Meredith Taylor. They almost instantly agreed to help with the food drive as they both said that there was nothing more fulfilling than giving back to the community. I was overjoyed by their response and shortly after began working on the logistics.
I knew that I wanted the food drive to be on a day where there would be a lot of foot traffic on the Loveland Bike Trail but also envisioned doing it on a day that meant something. After brainstorming with CeeCee and Meredith, we landed on having the food drive on Easter Weekend! Having the food drive during Easter Weekend to me meant that I could help families less fortunate have the opportunity to celebrate Easter like my family and I had been lucky enough to do for the past several decades.
One of the biggest deciding factors in having a food drive during this particular time of year was because LIFE Food Pantry is almost always in desperate need of food donations due to a slower rate of donations coming in. To put it in perspective, just by holding this one food drive on Easter Weekend, we not only helped provide “staples” and everyday necessities to local families that then freed up money in their budgets so that they could celebrate a holiday like Easter, we also gave these same local families the opportunity to buy Easter candy for their baskets, decorate eggs, enjoy a beautiful Easter brunch, and hunt for chocolate bunnies on Easter morning! That thought alone made the Easter Weekend Food Drive that much more special to me.
After weeks of planning, passing out flyers around town, gathering Easter decorations, stuffing Easter eggs with candy, finalizing details with local restaurants and LIFE Food Pantry, writing food drive stories in Loveland Magazine, and spreading the word on social media, the day of the Easter Weekend Food Drive finally came! We set up our beautifully decorated Easter tent under the historic clock tower in Downtown Loveland and prepared for a fun-filled day of giving back.
The food drive kicked off at 10 am and almost immediately we began getting food, cash, and Venmo donations. For each donation, we received we made sure to express our gratitude followed by an Easter egg filled with candy! Parents and their children loved that we were celebrating giving back by wearing bunny ears and giving out Easter eggs! The day itself couldn’t have gone any better.
The Easter Weekend Food Drive wrapped up at 5 pm and as we were cleaning up the overwhelming feeling of love and gratitude touched us all. Those feelings alone were enough for me to agree to make the Easter Weekend Food Drive an annual event!
The Easter Weekend Food Drive collected $290 dollars in Venmo and cash donations and over 75 pounds of food for the LIFE Food Pantry. Needless to say, the food drive was an absolute success!
There were so many individuals and local businesses that helped make the Easter Weekend Food Drive possible and I want to take the time now to express how thankful I am:
Thanks to CeeCee Collins and Meredith Taylor from the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance for all of your help and guidance in organizing my first food drive!
Thanks to David Miller for helping spread the word and volunteering your time at the food drive!
Thanks to Loveland Magazine Interns Mahi Sheth and Sean Behling for taking time out of your day to volunteer at the food drive!
Thanks to all the downtown Loveland businesses for being so supportive of this food drive by hanging up our flyers and spreading the word!
Thanks to the Works Pizza for being a donation drop-off spot!
Thanks to the City of Loveland’s Krista Rose and Publisher of Loveland Lifestyle Magazine Emily Barlow for helping spread the word about the food drive on your platforms!
Thanks to Nancy and Jay Grant for volunteering your time at the food drive!
Thanks to LIFE Food Pantry and Linda Bergholtz for directing us on how to run a great food drive!
Last but not certainly least, thanks to the wonderful people that came out and donated food or money to the Easter Weekend Food Drive! You are directly responsible for making a difference in many local families’ lives!
Enjoy the slideshow of the photos I, Sean Behling, Adam Ploof, and David Miller took at the Easter Weekend Food Drive!
If you would like to help the pantry by volunteering, holding your own food drive or would like to donate dollars, please visit their WEB SITE. If you are in need of food or financial assistance you will learn about that also.
For Loveland event updates and coverage, stay tuned to the Loveland Salad With ME, Cassie Mattia!
Loveland, Ohio – Spring has sprung which means the Easter Bunny will be paying Loveland a visit very soon! What better way to celebrate Easter than by giving back to those in need within the community. Join Loveland Magazine and the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance (LMRCA) for the Easter Weekend Food drive benefiting LIFE Food Pantry!
Easter weekend, for me, is one of the most coveted times to make memories with my family as we come together to enjoy a nice home-cooked meal and exchange Easter baskets filled with goodies. This year, I wanted to make sure that families less fortunate had the opportunity to celebrate Easter like my family and myself have been lucky enough to do for the past several decades. I knew that Loveland’s local food pantry, LIFE, was in desperate need of food donations as this time of year is often a slower time for incoming donations. I had chatted back and forth with some of the wonderful women from LIFE a couple of months ago and promised them that I would find a way to organize a food drive. I searched my brain for those that would be interested in joining me to help make this food drive happen. That’s when I thought, “I should ask CeeCee Collins and Meredith Taylor from the LMRCA to help me make this food drive a reality!” I emailed CeeCee and Meredith and explained my vision and seconds later they were on board! I was overcome with joy!
Meredith Taylor
CeeCee Collins
Over the past several weeks, Meredith, CeeCee, and I have worked hard to make this unbelievable Easter Weekend Food Drive the best it could possibly be, and needless to say, I couldn’t be happier with what we have in store for the Food Drive! Loveland Magazine, the LMRCA, and LIFE would love nothing more than all of those within our amazing community to come out on April 16th between 10 a.m-5 p.m and donate to the Easter Weekend Food Drive!
Here are some important Easter Weekend Food Drive details:
We will be stationed next to the historic clock tower in Downtown Loveland right along the Loveland Bike Trail. You will see our decked Easter-themed tent!
You may pull your vehicle into the “Carry-Out” Parking spots next to where we will have our tent and we can easily grab your donations straight from your vehicle! You won’t even have to leave your vehicle if you so choose!
Each week LIFE lists on their website homepage their current donation needs so before you stop by our Food Drive to donate check out their list here!
If you can’t make our Easter Weekend Food Drive or would just simply rather donate money to LIFE you can do so by scanning the QR code below, although we would love to see all of your smiling faces in person at the Food Drive!
There will also be another Easter Weekend Food Drive donation box at The Works Pizza so feel free to drop off donations there as well if you’re looking to grab a pizza on your way out!
Be sure to bring the kids as we will be handing out candy-filled Easter eggs!
To Donate to the Easter Weekend Food Drive Scan the QR Code Above!
We hope to see all of you at the Easter Weekend Food Drive! If you have any questions about the Easter Weekend Food Drive please contact me, Cassie Mattia, or Meredith Taylor! Help us help those in need have a beautiful Easter too!
Look for us under the Town Clock at the Loveland Bike Trail.
For the latest Loveland community events stay tuned to the Loveland Salad With ME, Cassie Mattia!
Loveland, Ohio – It’s so important to stay connected with your community and the local businesses surrounding your community! In just two days you will have the opportunity to see what local businesses and organizations have in store for 2022 at the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance (LMRCA) Business Expo!
On Thursday, March 10th from 4-7 p.m. at the Little Miami Brewing Event Center the LMRCA will be hosting the Annual Business Expo where members of the community and local businesses will be able to come together to interact and make new connections! The expo is completely open to the public and free for those who would like to attend. The 2022 Business Expo will include opportunities to:
network with many local businesses and entrepreneurs
establish new contacts
interact with top local businesses and industry leaders
acquire qualified and targeted sales leads
HAVE A LOT OF FUN!
If you happen to be one of the first 50 people to attend the Business Expo you will be rewarded with a free beer tasting and will be entered into a raffle!
Local businesses or entrepreneurs who want to be a part of the LMRCA Business Expo can sign up to grab a booth, which includes a table and 2 chairs, for $200. If your business is a member of the LMRCA the booth fee is $150. The LMRCA is offering Premium Booth Placement for only an additional $50. Booth spaces are very limited so if you are interested in joining one of the best networking events of the year please contact Meredith Taylor or scan the QR code at the bottom of the page to register as soon as possible!
The LMRCA 2022 Business Expo is not only a great place to showcase your business but it is also the perfect event to build your business and gain new customers! Be sure to put the Business Expo in your calendars as you don’t want to miss out on this fun networking event!
Here is Your EXPO Passport with all the Participating Businesses
Loveland, Ohio – Are you ready to see what your local businesses have in store for 2022? Look no further as the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance (LMRCA) Business Expo is nearly here!
On Thursday, March 10th from 4-7 p.m. at the Little Miami Brewing Event Center the LMRCA will be hosting the Annual Business Expo where members of the community and local businesses will be able to come together to interact and make new connections! The expo is completely open to the public and free for those who would like to attend. The 2022 Business Expo will include opportunities to:
network with many local businesses and entrepreneurs
establish new contacts
interact with top local businesses and industry leaders
acquire qualified and targeted sales leads
HAVE A LOT OF FUN!
If you happen to be one of the first 50 people to attend the Business Expo you will be rewarded with a free beer tasting and will be entered into a raffle!
Local businesses or entrepreneurs who want to be a part of the LMRCA Business Expo can sign up to grab a booth, which includes a table and 2 chairs, for $200. If your business is a member of the LMRCA the booth fee is $150. The LMRCA is offering Premium Booth Placement for only an additional $50. Booth spaces are very limited so if you are interested in joining one of the best networking events of the year please contact Meredith Taylor or scan the QR code at the bottom of the page to register as soon as possible!
The LMRCA 2022 Business Expo is not only a great place to showcase your business but it is also the perfect event to build your business and gain new customers! Be sure to put the Business Expo in your calendars as you don’t want to miss out on this fun networking event!
The LMRCA is still looking for sponsors for the 2022 Business Expo so if your business or organization is interested please contact Meredith Taylor.
For the latest LMRCA Business Expo event details stay tuned to the Loveland Salad With ME, Cassie Mattia!
![[Photos] Loveland Food Truck Rally was huge success](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/food-truck-9.jpg)
