LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor
Since 2004

Tag: the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance

  • Christmas in Loveland will be a beautiful wonderland on December 17

    Christmas in Loveland will be a beautiful wonderland on December 17

    David Miller

    by David Miller

    Loveland, Ohio – The Little Miami River Chamber Alliance is calling all Christmas fanatics to come and enjoy a beautifully decorated City of Loveland winter wonderland. Can anyone resist the clip-clop and jingle of horse-drawn carriages and the smell of hot cider?

    The Little Miami River Chamber Alliance said that the City of Loveland will once again be transformed into a beautiful wonderland for the Christmas holiday.

    On December 17, visitors can enjoy carriage rides, a train ride, complimentary tastings, crafts, holiday beverages, a trolley ride, Christmas entertainment, and a few new items in historical downtown Loveland.  Entertainment will be in the center of town next to the live nativity scene and inside many businesses.

    CeeCee Collins, President of the chamber shared that “there will be so many fun activities such as train rides, caroling and Santa’s Wonderland, just to name a few! This is such a great event where the businesses want to give back to everyone that has patronized and visited in downtown. They truly appreciate everyone supporting local businesses and hope they will return to enjoy all of the Loveland area. There will be many samplings and give-a-ways for all ages to enjoy!”

    This event will be held rain, snow, or shine. And we predict shine because the Weather Channel says it will be sunny and nearly 40 degrees on December 17,

    A few Facts:

    • The event takes place from 4-8 PM, on December 17th
    • The train is at the Loveland Museum Center and a trolley will take guests from Downtown Loveland to the museum
    • Maps of all the activities will be placed inside the businesses and available by the clock tower.
    • A back portion of Railroad Avenue will be closed to allow for the horse-drawn carriages. Carriages will cost $2 per person.
    • Line up for the Carriage is on Railroad Avenue across from the Wicked Pickle Restaurant.
    • A Holiday Trolley will transport people to the Loveland History Museum from Harrison Avenue at no charge.
    • Entertainment will be in the center of town and next to the fountain.
    • A shuttle bus will take folks from the Shoppers Haven Parking lot to downtown Loveland. The Shuttle will run the entire time.
    • The event is free for all, thanks to our sponsors. Special Thank you to our Presenting sponsors: Sibcy Cline Realtors, Kelli Williams, and McCluskey Chevrolet, Inc.
    This is believed to be the poster for the first Christmas in Loveland in 1987.

    The event began in 1987 when Loveland artist, Deirdre Dyson was asked to design and silkscreen posters for the first two years of Christmas in Loveland.

    On, December 6, 1987, women at Grailville saw the crass capitalism of how the birth of Jesus was celebrated and wanted to change things up, at least for Loveland. They wanted to put a little “Christ” back into Christmas by offering a community event they named, Christmas in Loveland.

    Dyson said, “The intent of the women at the women’s retreat center was to celebrate Christmas, rather than celebrate Christmas shopping.”

    Years later, former Loveland resident, Martin Schickel volunteered to start organizing the event and did so for many years. Schickel’s family was deeply connected with Grailville, so it was a natural fit. In 2013, Schickel, who was also one of the founders of Loveland’s Amazing Race, later re-named The Amazing Charity Race, decided to gradually retire from being so actively involved in community events, so he turned over Christmas in Loveland to the Loveland Area Chamber of Commerce. It was Schickel’s gift to the community that he re-gifted to the Chamber. Schickel also has deep connections with the Chamber having once served as its President.

    Not sure what to expect at Christmas in Loveland this year? Click below to view photos taken by Loveland Magazine Photographer Sam Smith of Christmas in Loveland in 2016.

    Christmas in Loveland (2016) through photos

    This LOVELAND MAGAZINE HD VIDEO is short clips of some of the sights and sounds of Christmas in Loveland 10-years-ago.

  • The Best of Loveland’s 1st Oktoberfest!

    The Best of Loveland’s 1st Oktoberfest!

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – Did you attend Loveland’s First Oktoberfest? If not well do we have an early Halloween treat for you! 

    I of course went to both days of Loveland’s Oktoberfest on September 24th and 25th and wow was it an absolute showstopper! Not only did all of the Downtown Loveland area transform into a place filled with German food, drinks, and activities, Nisbet Park located right off the Loveland Bike Trail successfully turned into a traditional Biergarten!

    A Look Around Nisbet Park’s Oktoberfest Biergarten

    The Nisbet Biergarten was home to the Warsteiner Beer Emporium, the Stein Slide, live entertainment, the Wiener Dog Race, local vendors like Kona Ice, Dolph’s Dog’s, Epic Picnics, Right Stuff Grill, and Cincy Shirts (sold custom Loveland Oktoberfest T-shirts), the Stein Hoisting finals, the Tapping of the Keg, and beautifully decorated picnic tables surrounded by lights for families and friends to sit down and take in the atmosphere! Those that attended were able to grab beer tickets or buy a Loveland Oktoberfest keepsake mug to fill with traditional Oktoberfest Warsteiner Beer.

    • The Warsteiner Beer Emporium in Nisbet Park’s Biergarten
    • The Stein Slide
    • Cincy Shirts set-up in Nisbet Park’s Biergarten
    • Epic Picnic’s Owner Amanda provided the Biergarten with a German themed picnic where you could have your photo taken
    • New local business Dolph’s Dogs served up some delicious sausages, hot dogs, and bratwursts in the Biergarten
    • Owner Dolph in action
    • Dolph’s Dog’s traditional Hot Dogs
    • Dolph’s Dog’s Bratwurst loaded up with peppers and onions
    • Kona Ice served up mouthwatering Ice creations in the Biergarten
    A Stein Slide Challenge

    The local Downtown Loveland restaurants also participated in the Oktoberfest magic by providing traditional German food specials and hosting the prelims of the Stein Hoisting a.k.a “The Masskrugen Challenge!” 

    The streets of Loveland were filled with people wearing their finest German Lederhosen’s or Dirndl’s, in which Bishop’s Quarter’s held a costume competition for those wanting to show off their attire!

    The Wiener Dog Race was the star of the festival as 15 Wiener Dogs competed for a Tara’s Pet Boutique Gift Card in front of a sea of people. Although the race itself was tight, my very own Dorkie (Dachshund Yorkie Mix) Dean took the first place finish! I decided to donate the gift card to the 2nd place Wiener Dog who was also a very impressive competitor! 

    A Look Around The Wiener Dog Race
    • The Starting Line for the Wiener Dog Race that was held in Nisbet Park
    • I was in charge of making the Wiener Dog Race a success!
    • Thanks to all those who helped with the race!
    • Myself and the Wiener Dog Champion, my dog Dean!
    • Fox19 covering Loveland’s Oktoberfest
    • The Keg Procession Crew!

    One of the most traditional Oktoberfest moments was the Keg Procession that then led into the Tapping of the Keg! I was proud to be a part of the Keg Procession that included many cherished Loveland community members including LMRCA President Cee Cee Collins, LMRCA Board President Doug Portman, and Mayor Kathy Bailey. Once we arrived at the Main Stage located in the Biergarten both Mayor Bailey and Portman tapped the keg which led to an explosion of cheers and beer chugging from the crowd. What a wonderful moment of celebration it was for the city of Loveland!

    Check out the videos below of The Wiener Dog Race, The Keg Procession, and the Tapping of the Keg!

    Loveland’s 1st Oktoberfest turned out better than anyone could have imagined! We would like to say thank you to all those who came out to celebrate Oktoberfest! Your support for the city of Loveland and its local businesses means the world to us! We would also like to say thank you to Loveland’s Oktoberfest sponsors, The Little Miami River Chamber Alliance, Besl and Baden, Coldwell Banker Realty, The Christy Jones Team, Historic Loveland on the Bike Trail, Synergy, Duke Energy, Ramsey’s Trailside, Paxton’s Grill, Dale Robertson Custom Jewelry, Suzi Cree from Keller Williams Realty, PRMG, and Warsteiner. 

    For those who didn’t attend Loveland’s 1st Oktoberfest, we hope to see you all next year!

    For more Loveland event updates stay tuned to the Loveland Salad With ME, Cassie Mattia!

  • New college and career readiness initiatives at Loveland Schools

    New college and career readiness initiatives at Loveland Schools

    Loveland Schools College and Career Counselor Drews Mitchell presented about Tiger Steps Ahead at the Board of Education business meeting on October 15

    Loveland, Ohio – Over the past year, students have been placed in internships with several local companies and organizations, including First Star Logistics, the Little Miami River Chamber Alliance, NEST Learning Center, Whistle Stop Clay Works, and Loveland Magazine. Career shadowing opportunities have been created at Real Link, Bond Furniture, Festo and Lifeboat Digital Media.

    To prepare students for higher education and career choices, the Loveland City School District has launched Tiger Steps Ahead   ̶  a program allowing students a systematic approach to career advising. Starting with activities as early as sixth grade, Tiger Steps Ahead offers students career exploration, internship opportunities, career shadow experiences, and lunch and learn sessions with local professionals to help them hone in on their strengths, interests, and passions.

    “We are excited to see the increased engagement and use of career planning tools by our students in sixth through twelfth grade,” said Loveland Schools College and Career Counselor Drews Mitchell. “Using advisory time for career assessments at school helps students better understand their personal strengths and gives them research opportunities to assist them in planning for high school and beyond. The follow-up to the career assessments also creates more awareness of potential academic pathways available right here at Loveland.”

    Ricky Mulvey recently won the Region 4 Mark of Excellence Award for collegiate journalism. Mulvey was Loveland Magazine’s 1st paid student intern. Stipends for our paid student interns have been provided through the generous support of Jarvis Global Investments since 2008 when Mulvey was in 8th grade. This photo was from 2012 when Mulvey reported for Loveland Magazine at a campaign rally in Eden Park when Barak Obama was running for President.

    Academic pathways have been accessible to students at Loveland Schools for several years and serve as guiding maps for students as they explore personal career interests and make connections to their course sequencing. The district has clearly defined pathways for a list of careers, and partnerships with local colleges and universities that can expedite a student’s chosen path. Academic pathways define core requirements and provide resources for extended learning opportunities, including internships and job shadowing experiences.

    While Tiger Steps Ahead is an intentional progression of traditional academic counseling services, it also allows student input data to impact the planning of future programs and courses at Loveland Schools:

    “When planning for program expansion and course offerings in the district, it’s critical that we align them with potential career pathways for our students,” said the district’s Director of Teaching and Learning Andrea Conner. “The knowledge of trends in student choices gives us valuable information to make purposeful decisions, while also making us better equipped to support our students in their post-secondary planning.”