With his yellow miners’ helmet on Evan Rutherford, 4, comes around a bend on the Kid’s Express, a hand crank power train at EnterTrainment Junction in West Chester. Photo by Tony Jones.
School is officially out for summer in West Chester and Liberty townships. It is now time to find activities for children to do.
Cincinnati Enquirer photographer Tony Jones visited two hot spots this week, EnterTRAINment Junction and Keehner Park’s Nature Basket program.
The program is typically offered once a month and is held at either the Station Road Schoolhouse, 6670 Station Road, or at Keehner Park’s Owl Shelter, 7211 Barrett Road.
Supplies need to be prepared beforehand, so registration is required for each session.
To register, call 513-759-7312 or email lgroff@westchesteroh.org and leave your name, home phone number and the number of children who will attend.
The program is typically offered once a month and is held at either the Station Road Schoolhouse, 6670 Station Road, or at Keehner Park’s Owl Shelter, 7211 Barrett Road.
Supplies need to be prepared beforehand, so registration is required for each session.
To register, call 513-759-7312 or email lgroff@westchesteroh.org and leave your name, home phone number and the number of children who will attend.
The program is typically offered once a month and is held at either the Station Road Schoolhouse, 6670 Station Road, or at Keehner Park’s Owl Shelter, 7211 Barrett Road.
Supplies need to be prepared beforehand, so registration is required for each session.
To register, call 513-759-7312 or email lgroff@westchesteroh.org and leave your name, home phone number and the number of children who will attend.
The program is typically offered once a month and is held at either the Station Road Schoolhouse, 6670 Station Road, or at Keehner Park’s Owl Shelter, 7211 Barrett Road.
Supplies need to be prepared beforehand, so registration is required for each session.
To register, call 513-759-7312 or email lgroff@westchesteroh.org and leave your name, home phone number and the number of children who will attend.
The program is typically offered once a month and is held at either the Station Road Schoolhouse, 6670 Station Road, or at Keehner Park’s Owl Shelter, 7211 Barrett Road.
Supplies need to be prepared beforehand, so registration is required for each session.
To register, call 513-759-7312 or email lgroff@westchesteroh.org and leave your name, home phone number and the number of children who will attend.
The program is typically offered once a month and is held at either the Station Road Schoolhouse, 6670 Station Road, or at Keehner Park’s Owl Shelter, 7211 Barrett Road.
The 2013 schedule includes an additional sessions at the Station Road Schoolhouse on Feb. 6.
Supplies need to be prepared beforehand, so registration is required for each session.
To register, call 513-759-7312 or email lgroff@westchesteroh.org and leave your name, home phone number and the number of children who will attend.
Brian Garver (on lift, on left), who is the grandson of Bob and Janet Niederman, spearheads the set up for the annual Niederman Family Farm Christmas Walk. The event, which opened for the 12th straight year Nov. 23 did so without one of its founding family members Bob Niederman (parents are Bob and Janet) who passed away midway through the event in December of 2011. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber Nov. 16, 2012.
The holiday season continues this weekend with many things to do in Greater Cincinnati and in the West Chester area.
However, at the same time, there are many other things to do close to home.
All weekend
Christmas at Junction continues - The Christmas season at EnterTrainment Junction features multiple attractions that will run through Dec. 31. The Main Street Holiday Trains exhibit features three free train displays. There is also a Christmas Journey attraction where visitors walk through a winter wonderland to visit Mrs. Claus and Santa. Extended hours (open until 9 p.m. Dec. 15-23, Dec. 26-30) begin Saturday. Closes at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and on New Year’s Eve. Closed on Christmas.
Niederman Farm’s Christmas Walk shines on - More than 1 million lights were turned on the day after Thanksgiving when the Niederman Family Farm 12th annual Christmas Walk opened to the public. The unique holiday event focuses on the Bible and the birth of Jesus Christ. The Christmas Walk is open until Dec. 30 and is available from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The farm is located at 5110 LeSourdesville-West Chester Road in Liberty Township.
Friday
Lakota West Swing Dance – The Lakota West Jazz Bands will perform at the school’s annual swing dance event this Friday from 8 to 10 p.m. The dance is for all ages and is open to the community. The dance will be held at the high school’s cafeteria, 8940 Union Centre Boulevard in West Chester. Throughout the evening, party goers will enjoy dancing and listening to music from the big band era as well as holiday classics performed by the various Lakota West Jazz Bands.
Saturday
Santa Suit Fun Run – The first annual Mojo Running Santa Suit Fun Run will take place this Sunday at 11 a.m. in The Streets of West Chester. 500 people in Santa suits will participate in the event. All of the proceeds from the event will benefit Reach Out Lakota, which is a charitable organization aimed at assisting individuals and families in the Lakota school district through its food and clothing pantries.
Lakota East Freshman School to host robotics tournament – A total 24 teams will compete this Saturday at the Thunderhawk Regional FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Lego League tournament in attempt to qualify for the iSPACE District Tournament. The robot competitions, which will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., are free to attend and will be held on the Lakota East Freshman School, 7630 Bethany Lane.
Rodney Barbour will perform at ‘A Christmas Music Festival’ Saturday at Crestview Presbyterian Church in West Chester.
Brass Band to perform Christmas concert- The Cincinnati Brass Band will perform “A Christmas Music Festival” at Crestview Presbyterian Church, 9463 Cincinnati-Columbus Road, at 7 p.m. Saturday. Rodney Barbour, Claire Northcut and the Crestview Chancel Choir will also be performing.
Toys for Tots collection – Bridgewater Falls shopping complex is partnering with B105 to host a drive for the United States Marines’ Toys for Tots program. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at stations located at the end of the Staples parking lot from noon to 2 p.m.
Miami’s VOALC to host shopping event with Santa – The Miami University Voice of America Learning Center will host a special holiday shopping event that will feature Santa Claus and plenty of Miami University gifts. The holiday shopping event will take place this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Learning Center’s lobby.
Voice of America Museum opens for tours Saturday – The National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting will once again be open for tours this Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. The West Chester landmark has opened on the third Saturday of each month since July, so the public can have the opportunity to learn about the history of Voice of America.
Lakota East at Lakota West – Both Lakota boys’ basketball programs are ranked in the top half of The Cincinnati Enquirer’s coaches’ poll and both are unbeaten. No. 2 Lakota West (2-0, 1-0 in GMC) will host No. 3 Lakota East (5-0, 1-0 in GMC) at 7:30 p.m. Each team plays on Friday night, so their records will change by gametime Saturday. The two rivals will face each other again this season on Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at Lakota East High School.
Remember to share your holiday photos
Photos of Olde West Chester Christmas Walk and other holiday events in 2011
The 2011 WestChesterBuzz holiday photo gallery is made up of photos provided by community members, WestChesterBuzz, West Chester Township and the Cincinnati Enquirer. Please feel free to submit your 2012 holiday pictures through WestChesterBuzz.com’s photo page or by emailing akiefaber@westchesterbuzz.com.
The program is typically offered once a month and is held at either the Station Road Schoolhouse, 6670 Station Road, or at Keehner Park’s Owl Shelter, 7211 Barrett Road.
The 2013 schedule includes an additional sessions at the Station Road Schoolhouse on Jan. 9 and Feb. 6.
Supplies need to be prepared beforehand, so registration is required for each session.
To register, call 513-759-7312 or email lgroff@westchesteroh.org and leave your name, home phone number and the number of children who will attend.
There is no charge to attend the program. The program will not be canceled due to rain.
However, at the same time, there are many other things to do close to home.
All weekend
Christmas at Junction continues - The Christmas season at EnterTrainment Junction features multiple attractions that will run through Dec. 31. The Main Street Holiday Trains exhibit features three free train displays. There is also a Christmas Journey attraction where visitors walk through a winter wonderland to visit Mrs. Claus and Santa. The holiday attractions are open from 10-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 12-6 p.m. Sunday. Extended hours (open until 9 p.m. Dec. 15-23, Dec. 26-30). Closes at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and on New Year’s Eve. Closed on Christmas.
Niederman Farm’s Christmas Walk shines on - More than 1 million lights were turned on the day after Thanksgiving when the Niederman Family Farm 12th annual Christmas Walk opened to the public. The unique holiday event focuses on the Bible and the birth of Jesus Christ. The Christmas Walk is open until Dec. 30 and is available from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The farm is located at 5110 LeSourdesville-West Chester Road in Liberty Township.
A Night in Bethlehem – This Saturday and Sunday, the Crestview Presbyterian Church, 9463 Cincinnati-Columbus Road, in West Chester is hosting its fifth annual holiday event where visitors can become an interactive part of ancient Bethlehem. Visitors will receive customers and get to walk through Bethlehem. There will also be many hands on activities. The event will take place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on both nights.
Friday
Lakota boys’ basketball season tips off – Both the Lakota East and Lakota West boys’ basketball teams will be in action on Friday. Lakota East (3-0) – No. 7 in The Cincinnati Enquirer preseason coaches’ poll – will host Colerain (1-0), while Lakota West (1-0)– No. 2 in Enquirer preseason poll – will host No. 4 Middletown (0-1). Both games will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Adopt a pet or have your pet met Santa - The Liberty Veterinary Hospital, 6823 Yankee Road, will host a unique holiday event this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring a pet adoption drive, a Humane Society fundraiser and a holiday craft and bake sale.
Fairfield Twp. Christmas Parade – Bridgewater Falls, a popular shopping location for West Chester and Liberty Township residents, will host its Christmas Parade this Saturday at 10:30 a.m. The parade ends in The Village at Bridgewater Falls. Families can meet Santa Claus at Buffalo Wild Wings from 12 to 2 p.m.
Walk on Wild Side – Voice of America Park will have it Walk on Wild Side Hikes event on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. During the event, park goers can explore the park with the aid of a MetroPark guide. The hikes are open to all ages and last approximately an hour. Walkers should meet at The Ronald Reagan Lodge.
Sunday
Pioneer Christmas - Santa will also be at the annual Pioneer Christmas event in the cabin in the clearing at Keehner Park from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. This event will provide children with an opportunity to celebrate Christmas like the pioneers did in 1833. There will be some traditional pioneer fare such as buffalo, deer chili, molasses cookies and apple cider.
Santa’s Workshop – Voice of America Park will host a holiday event this Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. The event will be held at The Ronald Reagan Lodge. The event will include a visit from Santa, food, entertainment, activities and crafts. Admission is $12 per person (ages 13 to adult), $9 per person (ages four through 12) and free for children under the age of 4.
Remember to share your holiday photos
Photos of Olde West Chester Christmas Walk and other holiday events in 2011
The 2011 WestChesterBuzz holiday photo gallery is made up of photos provided by community members, WestChesterBuzz, West Chester Township and the Cincinnati Enquirer. Please feel free to submit your 2012 holiday pictures through WestChesterBuzz.com’s photo page or by emailing akiefaber@westchesterbuzz.com.
