French Creek Foundation, City of Avon team up again for holiday festival – cleveland.com

AVON, Ohio -- The French Creek Foundation and the City of Avons annual Tree Lighting Ceremony went off without a hitch Dec. 7.

In addition to all the activities, Maya Rak, 10, helped Mayor Bryan Jensen to light the tree.

Maya is bravely fighting cancer right now and we are dedicating this years tree lighting to her, said Clint Gault of the French Creek Foundation, organizers of the yearly event.

What many people dont realize is that we have two meetings a month for six months in preparation of (the event) every year, with the ultimate goal of making an impact on a child who is going through a tough time, he said.

Maya Rak was the winner of the Ride with Santa competition this year. She is incredibly sweet, and my heart goes out to her and her family as she fights through her cancer treatments. I would ask that all say a prayer for her this holiday season."

The festival began at 5 p.m. at Avons gazebo at the corner of Detroit and Stoney Ridge roads. Maya and Santa then led the parade from the gazebo through Olde Avon Village to the municipal parking lot behind the Avon Senior Center, where activities took place.

Donations of canned goods, gift-wrapping supplies and money at the main tent all went to benefit the citys Community Resource Services.

Activities included a gingerbread house contest (see winners below); Live entertainment with a DJ, fairytale characters and an appearance by Lake Erie Crushers mascot Stomper; a craft tent; live reindeer and ponies; Avon school choirs; visits with Santa; and food, including pizza, cookies, coffee and hot cocoa.

"The event was the best it has ever been, Gault said, largely because of all of those who got involved and helped, with a couple thousand people in attendance, and the additions of pony rides and more food vendors.

We are blessed to have a mayor who stands behind and values community gatherings and helping to make an impact on those who are in need," he said.

The holidays sometimes can feel overwhelming with all of the year-end items that need to be completed, but it is important to take a step back and remember all of the blessings we have and be grateful for them, Gault said.

The event is a great reminder that, as the movie Its a Wonderful Life says, Life doesnt have to be perfect to be wonderful.

Winners of the gingerbread house contest were:

- Age Group 3-5: 1st -- Astoria Gault, 2nd -- Silas Long

- Age Group 6-8: 1st -- Bradley Wilson, 2nd -- Jon Gorney

- Age Group 9-11: 1st -- Samantha Gorney (also Library Choice Award), 2nd -- Samuel Plas

- Age Group 12-14: 1st -- Dominic Sprungl

- Age Group 15-18: 1st --Justin Sprungl

Read more from the Sun Sentinel.

Link:
French Creek Foundation, City of Avon team up again for holiday festival - cleveland.com