Courtesy of Seneca County Common Ground Press Release –

The next Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market will take place on the 20^th anniversary of the 9/11. To help commemorate the day the Tiffin Police and Fire All Patriots Memorial committee will be setting up at the market. The group will have supplies for people to make appreciation cards for soldiers, veterans, and first responders.  

 The station to make cards for troops will be set up next to the market bank table. The cards will be sent to troops in care packages created by a local baker. Those who visit the market will be able to donate funds the care package project as well as the memorial fund.

“We could never thank first-responders, soldiers and veterans enough. The community can express their appreciation by signing posters to be given to local first-responders and making cards. Donations will be accepted to benefit Splash of Love from Home, Project Cookies from Home and All Patriots Memorial,” said Jill Gosche, secretary of the Tiffin Police and Fire All Patriots Memorial committee.

 In addition to the 9/11 activities, the farmers market will have the usual market bingo, great produce, and fun. Currently the produce that is in season and will be at the market includes apples, carrots, sweet and hot peppers, sweet corn, tomatillo, swiss chard cilantro, collards, eggplant, zucchini, lettuce, onion, parsley, tomato, fennel, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, garlic, potatoes, fall squash, and romas cabbage. In addition to fresh produce, the market also has soaps, lotions, baked goods, and more!

“The board and I hope that people will come out to help make cards for veterans, troops, and first responders while shopping locally. All of us and our vendors realize without all of their sacrifices we would not be able to hold events like this in our free country,” said Kirsten Ameling, market manager.

The vendors for this week includes: Ada Glee’s Garden, Baked By Bells, Bella Cuisine, Brick House Flower Farm, Catawba Island Juice Co., Countryside Acres, Clay Hill Organic, Creative Pottery, Delicious Food Truck, Drowns Produce, DJ’s Honey, Enders Maple Treats, Friends of the Tiffin Seneca Public Library, Flo’s Homemade Pies, Goat Milk Lotion, LLC, Hopes Landing, LB’s Eclectic Eats, Me and the Boys, JP’s Carvings and Designs, Project Noelle, Put Your Name on it, Raizen Girls Cookies, Riehm Produce Farm, Roseleaf Flowers, Seneca County SNAP Education, Smith Brothers Sweets, Spirit Space Gallery and Gifts, the Tiffin Lions Club, and The Tiffin Elks.

To learn more about the Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market and about the Market Bank programs, visit and subscribe at www.tiffinsenecafarmersmarket.com/. If you are interested in becoming a vendor or have questions, you may contact the Market Manager, Kirsten Ameling, at manager@sccommonground.org. 

To see a full list of events happening to remember and honor the events of 9/11 in Seneca County, please visit: /blog/2021/08/18/remembering-911-in-seneca-county 

The next Fostoria Farmers’ Market will be held on Saturday, September 4th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the grass lot on the corner of East Tiffin and South Main Streets. Saturday’s market is being sponsored by the Fostoria Community Arts Council.

#FostoriaRocks, the Facebook group, will be at the Fostoria Community Arts Council’s booth, helping anyone that would like to paint a rock to be placed at various locations. Fostoria Rocks is a community project to help inspire others and foster creativity in Fostoria and the surrounding area. It’s a hide-and-seek game of sorts. Grab a paintbrush, get creative, find some great hiding spots, and be on the lookout for these hidden gems! The group will have rocks to find around the market.

In addition, Plein air artists (artists that paint out in the open) have been invited to paint at and around the Farmers’ Market/downtown area that day. Painters might be spotted painting anywhere from the municipal yard down to the parkette.

 Nearly 40 vendors are slated to participate in Saturday’s Fostoria Farmers’ Market, offering a wide variety of items including produce, plants, baked goods, honey, jams, handmade soaps, lotions and body care and many unique, handmade crafts, gifts and customized items.

The market is held rain or shine.

Participating Vendors at September 4th Fostoria Farmers’ Market

Food Items

• Bella Cuisine, Linda Lambert – Artisan breads, jams, cookies, baked goods
• Brad’s Bees – honey and related products
• Fostoria Eastern Star – Breakfast burritos, muffins, beverages
• I Got the Sugars, Samantha Juliano – decorated cookies, drop cookies, cake pops, pies, cupcakes, chocolates, breads
• Just Jammin’ & Stuff, Cynthia Brubaker – Assorted jams, crafts and cottage goods
• Sweet Roots, Ashley Stahl & Kathy Reinhart – pies, cookies, breads, rolls
• Tasty Dogs, Jamie Johnson – Beef hot dogs, sausage, walking tacos, chips and drinks

 Produce, Plants & More

• Fostoria Garden Club – Perennials/bedding plants, kettle corn, garden flags, garden related items
• Joseph’s Greenhouse, Ron & Linda Joseph – Produce, perennials, bedding plants, hanging baskets, herbs, succulents, potted plants, mums (Participates in Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program)
• Mr. Basket – Produce, potted plants, hanging baskets

 Craft & Gift Items

• Al’s Intarsia, Al Deuble – woodcrafts
• Beyond Laser Creations, Jena Stearns – crafts and custom personalized items
• Brady’s Delicate Creations, Pat & Gary Brady – Barn quilts, outside games and more
• Chaos and Coffee Apparel, Trisha Mayle – personalized tee, sweatshirts, tanks
• Diamonds Creations & Co. – crafts, hair bands and more
• Distorted Dyes, Megan Blausey – tie-dye hoodies and t-shirts
• Fausder’s Fancy Bead Creations, Joy Saunders – Jewelry, crafts, decorated bottles with lights
• Friends of the Kaubisch Memorial Public Library – bookmarks, folded books & wreaths, I Spy Bottles, used books
• Ruth Hasselman – hand-crafted items: baby quilts, bibs, knitted washcloths, pot scrubbies, fabric hot pads, crocheted microwave dish holders, woven mug rugs and table runners
• In a Class by Itself, Cynthia Lohrbach – Glass/pottery yard/garden decorations
• Natures Bed and Breakfast, Jim Foard – hand-crafted bird, bat and butterfly homes
• Painted Pane, Chris Leiter – painted windows, glass, wood
• Pat Coronado – apron’s, cozy bowl, casserole cover
• Peachful Crafts, Leatrice Depp – crochet décor and apparel
• Dick & Linda Perrine’s Crafts – windchimes, garden art and more
• Prairie Song Pottery, Deb McEwen – functional and decorative pottery items, natural pet treats
• Serendip Candles, Lisa Adams – hand-poured soy wax candles

 Soaps, Lotions & Health Products

• All Things Beautiful Body and Bath, Stefanie Torrey – Handmade soaps, bath bombs, butter, lotions, creams, lip balms, candles and more
• Appalachian Wilderness, Harold Leemaster – Soap, lotion, creams, herbal salves
• Chinook Soap Co., Erica Brown – Goat’s milk soaps, natural products, deodorants, toothpastes, lip scrubs, salves
• Sisters in Shelter: Hope’s Landing – bath and body products, candles

 Specialty Items

• Clear Choice Exteriors – replacement windows, doors, roofing & seamless gutters (See 419windows on Facebook)
• Fostoria Area Historical Society – historical items & visitor information
• Fostoria Baptist Church, Pastor Ryan Brown – free water, snacks and special activities
• Fostoria Lions Club, Mona DiCesare – selling tickets to Ohio State raffle basket – also Plunder Jewelry
• From Tips to Toes with Arlene – ColorStreet nail strips – check which one is coming
• Pursuit Ministries & Entertainment, Micah Brown – balloon animals
• Scentsy by Elizabeth Thomas, Independent Consultant
• Usborne Books and More, Nikki Kleba – books and activities for all ages

About Fostoria Rocks (From their Facebook page)

Fostoria Rocks is a community project to help inspire others and foster creativity in Fostoria and the surrounding area. It’s a hide-and-seek game of sorts. Grab a paintbrush, get creative, find some great hiding spots, and be on the lookout for these hidden gems!

 General Guidelines:

• Post your pictures, stories or clues on this page, and then hide new rocks or relocate rocks you find to a different spot for someone else to find.
• If you want to keep the rock you find, be sure you replace it with a rock that you have painted.
• Hide all rocks outdoors (please don’t hide them indoors).
• Use paints that will withstand weather (such as acrylic) and use a clear coat (such as mod podge or polyurethane spray) to seal it.
• Try to add the FB group name on the back of the rock so people who find them will know where to post pics. “FB Fostoria Rocks”
• Please don’t place rocks in places that could damage property.
• Please don’t be hateful to each other. If anyone is having issues there are 3 administrators at this time. Message one of us. We will work the best we can to get it resolved.
• Please only paint and place Rocks.
• -When hiding rocks around town, please make sure you keep them out of the grass, do not place in trees, statues, fountains, monuments, or walkway’s. The workers who cut the grass don’t want to hurt anyone while mowing.
• Please do not place Rocks in medians or close to busy intersections and roads. Kids are out looking for these rocks and we want to keep everyone safe. Please keep that in mind when you place or hide your rocks. If you have to question if its a dangerous spot to place your rock, it probably is.
• Since kiddos will see the rocks as well as these FB posts, please no inappropriate paintings or comments. Any inappropriate posts will be deleted immediately. 

To wrap up the East Green Concert Series, Heidelberg University and Tiffin University are excited to sponsor Kid Sistr to take the stage!  Kid Sistr will perform on Saturday September 4th, at 8pm at the Frost-Kalnow Amphitheater. 

Kid Sistr is Sabel (guitarist), Sara Keden (bassist) and Rebecca Webster (drummer), an all-women, New-York-born indie trio. The band’s bright sound and colloquial writing reflect their varied influences; a Kid Sistr listener will hear the bursting bubble gum of the Top 40 charts, the palatable peculiarity of 1980s new wave, the unabashed amplitude of 2000’s alternative rock, and the meticulous construction of the singer-songwriter style. The resultant songs are rosy shards of guitar-pop ear candy, ready to be unwrapped and dissolved.

Kid Sistr’s debut EP is a self-titled, six-track project. The first single, ‘Little Sister Song’, is a spirited, rock-and-roll dedication to snarky younger siblings and rom-com teenager-dom. Although lighthearted in sound and verse, ‘Little Sister Song’ carries substantial sentiment for the band members. Sabel, Keden and Webster are all eldest children in sister-only families. This uniting fact not only provides the inspiration for the group’s name, but also heavily informs Kid Sistr’s creative identity. The shared experience of sisterhood motivates Kid Sistr to represent the interests and realities of young women. Each track on the EP is a piece of a pooled consciousness between sisters. Together, the six songs on Kid Sistr make an equally humorous and emotive portrait of womanhood. Kid Sistr demonstrates the trio’s willingness to become shiny, strange, silly, or soft in order to tell profound stories of ambition, heartbreak, femininity, sexuality and friendship. The EP is out now on all streaming platforms.

Learn more about the East Green Concert Series and how to support here: https://www.eastgreenconcerts.com/

The next 3rd Thursday in Tiffin, OH will be the Downtown Tiffin Pizza Party!  Head to Downtown Tiffin on Thursday September 16th, from 6pm to 9pm.  Stroll through the largest Pizza Party event EVER in Downtown Tiffin and redeem $1 tickets for a pizza item from participating vendors.  Half of each ticket will go to the Salvation Army Tiffin Citadel.  To enjoy with your pizza, grab a drink/DORA beverage to-go while you explore! 

Tickets will be available starting Monday August 30th online and at select Tiffin locations, including, The Renaissance of Tiffin, Ralph’s Joy of Living, Seneca Cleaner’s, and Simply Susan’s.  Tickets will also be sold the night of the event in the RTA Lot (next to Reclaim It 127).  In the RTA Lot you can purchase your tickets or pick up your online order!

Participating restaurants include: 

• BEST Taco Shop & Breakfast Spot 
• Clover Club 
• Domino’s Pizza
• The Elks Lodge #94
• Fort Ball Pizza Palace
• Heavenly Pizza 
• Jac & Do’s
• Marco’s Pizza
• Napoli Pizza
• Reino’s Pizza & Pasta
• Simply Susan’s 
• The VC Tiffin Cameo

This event is sponsored by the Seneca County Young Professionals.  

The Fostoria Rail Preservation Society will host the 19^th annual Rail Festival on September 25, 2021, in Fostoria, OH.  The Rail Festival will be held at the Fostoria Junior/Senior High School (1001 Park Avenue. Fostoria, OH 44830) from 10am – 4pm.  There will be more than 150 tables that guests can visit during the Rail Festival that will include vendors and displays.  The Rail Festival will offer train memorabilia and merchandise for sale, toy trains, a swap meet, model train displays, a photo contest, historical rail tours, coloring pages for kids, food, and more.

Admission to the Rail Festival is $5 for adults and children 10 years of age and younger get in free.  Parking is free for both the Fostoria Rail Festival and the Fostoria Iron Triangle Swap Meet.  In previous years, the Fostoria Rail Festival has brought in more than 1,000 people to attend the event.  Of these attendees, they have represented 18 different states, hundreds of cities, and two different countries.     

In addition to attending the Rail Festival, guests can visit the Fostoria Rail Park, which includes the Iron Triangle. The Fostoria Iron Triangle Rail Park is a 5-acre tract directly inside the three double-track mainline freight rail lines that meander through Fostoria. Open 24/7, this park provides a 360-degree viewing platform that allows one to experience the sights and sounds of the 60-plus trains that pass-through Fostoria daily.

For more information on the Fostoria Rail Festival and the Fostoria Rail Preservation Society, visit: www.fostoriairontriangle.com.

Destination Seneca County has partnered with Geocachers Anonymous, a group of geocaching enthusiasts in Northwest Ohio, to launch what will be the only geocaching trail in Northwest Ohio, the Seneca County Geo Trail.  The Seneca County Geo Trail will send participants on the ultimate treasure hunt throughout the county.  There will be opportunities for participants to collect pathtags, explore new locations, and leave their mark in the geocaches.  Completion of the trail will earn participants a unique Geocache coin.  Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity where participants use a GPS enabled device to locate “caches” at specific locations marked by coordinates all over the world.  

To officially launch the trail, Destination Seneca County and Geocachers Anonymous will be at JAM’s Monthly Market to promote and educate people about geocaching and the Seneca County Geo Trail.  

The event will begin on Saturday, September 18, 2021, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at JAM’s Monthly Market and the table will be located outside the enterance of the JAM’s Monthly Market building at 145 Madison St. Tiffin, OH 44883. This event will focus on teaching people how to geocache, setting up the geocaching app, and answering questions.  Participants will have the chance to hunt for a geocache, take hourly walks with geocaching experts to learn, and receive a special prize for first time cachers who find a geocache.

The table will also be set up on Sunday, September 19, 2021, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Sunday will focus on celebrating the official launch of the Seneca County Geo Trail.  There will be a free pancake brunch from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm (served grab and go style) and a special geocache tag for those in attendance.  The Seneca County Geo Trail will go live on the Geocaching App at 12:00 pm during the pancake breakfast.  

More information about the kickoff events and the Seneca County Geo Trail can be found at: destinationsenecacounty.org/geotrail.

Several events are being planned to encourage community members to reflect on the 20^th anniversary of the terror attacks on the nation on Sept. 11, 2001.  

September 10:

The Remembering Patriots Car Show

Location: Tiffin’s Buffalo Wild Wings

Schedule: 4pm – 7pm 

6pm: Awards Ceremony 

7pm: Patriotic Ceremony

The Eric Sowers Band: Performing immediately after the conclusion of the Patriotic Ceremony until 10pm.

Proceeds from the event are to benefit Seneca County Firefighters Association and Harold J. Fraley Sr. FOP Lodge 128.  To register for the car show, please find a paper or online registration form here. 

September 11:

All Patriots Memorial Gathering

Location: All Patriots Memorial is located at Washington and Water streets, near downtown Tiffin.

Schedule: 

8:46am: The time the first plane struck the World Trade Center in New York City – community members may join local first-responders and veterans at Tiffin Police and Fire All Patriots Memorial for bagpipe music, speeches, a prayer, a wreath-laying, Taps and a rifle salute.

Card Making at Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market

Location: Jefferson Street, Downtown Tiffin

Schedule: 

9am – 1pm: Make cards for first-responders, veterans and soldiers.  Some cards will be given to Project Cookies from Home, which ships flat-rate boxes to heroes deployed overseas.

All Patriots Memorial Education & Donation Collection

Location: All Patriots Memorial is located at Washington and Water streets, near downtown Tiffin, Donations being accepted in parking lot across the street (in front of Ralph’s Joy of Living) 

Schedule: 

1pm – 3pm: Community members may visit All Patriots Memorial to learn more about the site. Representatives from local organizations – including FISH, The Hub, Lotus Recovery House, The Salvation Army, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church’s sharing kitchen, Seneca County Department of Job and Family Services’ foster care program, Seneca County Opportunity Center, Seneca Mentoring Youth Links, Solitude Ministries and Tiffin Community Non-Food Pantry – will be present accepting donations.  Tiffin Kiwanis members will assist with unloading vehicles.  A list of each organization’s needs will be shared on the memorial’s Facebook page in August.

Seneca East’s Stars, Stripes, & Lights: 

Location: Seneca East is located at 13343 E. US 224, Attica.

Schedule: 4pm -11pm

4pm: Stars, Stripes, & Lights Cross Country Meet 

6pm: Ceremony honoring local first-responders at 6 p.m., and it will include a giant flag in the shape of the United States, recognition of first-responders and a fly-over of a B-17 World War II bomber.  Cost to attend the event is $5.

Haunted Tiffin Walk

Location: Starting location TBD, Ending location is the All Patriots Memorial

Schedule: 8:30pm – 10:30pm

The Scuttlebutt & Scandal walk ends at All Patriots Memorial where Lisa Swickard – an author/historian who has penned 10 books about local history – and ghost walk investigator Rachel Wyncoop recant the story of the death of Marshal August Schultz.  On the 20th anniversary of the terror attacks, psychic Lindsey Lawson will offer her insights surrounding that horrific day in American history and will be joined in the discussion by sensitive Nancy Oldaker and psychic Emily Rinaman.  Visit www.hauntedtiffin.com for registration information.

Join Shayna Steele on August 21st at 8pm at the Tiffin East Green Amphitheater!

Taking the stage this Saturday in the East Green Concert Series is Shayna Steele!  One of the most dynamic singers in a generation, Shayna Steele effortlessly crosses over between soul, blues and gospel to retro R&B and jazz.  Shayna has performed as background vocalist with Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson, Bette Midler and Steely Dan, and tours as a featured vocalist with Grammy Award winner Chris Botti. She was a featured vocalist on Snarky Puppy’s “Family Dinner” and reached #1 on the Dance Billboard charts as featured vocalist on Moby’s “Disco Lies.”  Shayna’s Broadway credits include Rent, Jesus Christ Superstar, and a member of the Dynamites in the original cast of Hairspray.  A self-proclaimed “American Air Force brat,” she grew up all over the world, but now calls New York City home. This is Shayna’s second appearance in Tiffin with her pianist and partner, Ohio native David Cook.

Head to Downtown Tiffin, grab a bite to eat and a seat on the East Green to enjoy a night of amazing music from the iconic Shayna Steele! 

Be sure to check out the final act in the East Green Concert Series to wrap up your summer.  See details below! 

UFest: University Music – September 4 ▪ 8:00 to 10pm

Learn more about the concert series here.

Come on down to Riehm Produce Farm and enjoy the day exploring, racing, sliding, jumping, and making memories with over 20 fun activities for all ages. If you haven’t already, it’s time to make coming to the farm your new favorite fall tradition!

Riehm’s Barnyard Fun and Corn Maze is open Saturdays and Sundays from September 25 through Halloween. This year’s Corn Maze design is celebrating Jeep’s 80th anniversary. Try your hand at solving the Jeep trivia this year.

Mazes from the past include Ohio State, Scooby Doo, Dinosaurs, Star Wars, and Charlie Brown.

New this year pedal carts and corn barn! The pig races run every two hours during the weekend, and you can cause the goats to walk the planks for food! Sling shot several different vegetables destined for the trash at the targets, then see the large-scale launcher—the pumpkin cannon. The pumpkin cannon will be shot off in the back hayfield, while hayrides will give you a behind the scenes look at Riehm’s cattle operation. Hayrides circle through about every twenty to thirty minutes.

Try your hand at milking-a-cow or challenge someone at the duck races. Take your turn on the Giant Hill Slide. Play games such as steer roping, Checkers, or the giant games, like giant Jenga, peg game or Connect 4.

When you’ve had your fill, make sure you take home purchases, including pumpkins, cider, apple dumplings, kettle corn and other fall treats. You can also enjoy farm fresh and finger-licking good food, from the concession stand: farm raise beef and brat burgers, Johnny Fries – farm grown potatoes with all the fixn’s, and hot dogs for the youngsters.

General admission is $10. Children up to two are free. Event hours are 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday and 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday.

No pets, please.

Read more at FunAcres.net/event

The Seneca County Tourism Council in partnership with Destination Seneca County has announced a new grant program that looks to enhance the tourism environment in the community. The Seneca County Grant Assistance Program (GAP), sponsored by tourism dollars through Destination Seneca County, aims to assist organizations with advertising and promotion of activities, create positive image building publicity for the Seneca County area, and enhance the tourism environment of the area.

The Seneca Council Tourism Council was formed in early 2021 and provides full transparency to tourism partners on how Destination Seneca County utilizes bed tax dollars to promote destinations and Seneca County. The main goal of this group is to collaborate to maximize the impact of tourism dollars. The council meets quarterly and is made up of representatives of destinations and partners in Seneca County.

“The council is pleased with the progress that has been made in promoting Seneca County as a destination and we feel as this program will support many of our partners who help make our community the best place to live, work, play and visit,” said Michael Strong, Executive Director of The Ritz Theatre and Chair of the Seneca County Tourism Council.

The Seneca County Tourism Council has allocated $5,000 to be used for the remainder of the 2021 calendar year. Grants are available for a minimum of $250 and up to $2,500. Those eligible to apply include any not-for-profit group or organization doing business in the Seneca County area. Such parties may apply for the GAP program online at www.DestinationSenecaCounty.com/GAP-Application.

Join Jess Baldwin on August 7th at 8pm at the Tiffin East Green Amphitheater!

Next in the East Green Concert Series the stage welcomes Jess Badlwin!  With dreamy art pop music known for her velvet vocals, lush harmonies and playful rhythms, Jess is a Columbus, Ohio, based singer, songwriter, producer and recording artist. She has appeared on American Public Television’s Songs at the Center, performed on Mountain Stage with The Fields of Gettysburg, won the Ohio Music Award for Cover Song in 2016 and 2017, and was a quarterfinalist in the American Traditions Competition in 2015 and 2017. Jess is a nationally-renowned voice teacher and expert in pop vocal technique, and when she’s not performing, Jess helps singers find their own voices.

This is an act you will not want to miss hearing.  Grab a seat and see you there! The remaining lineup for the East Green Concert Series is…

Shayna Steele – August 21 ▪ 8:00 to 10:00 PM

UFest: University Music – September 4 ▪ 8:00 to 10

Learn more about the concert series here.

Courtesy of Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market Press Release – 

The board of Seneca County Common Ground is announcing today that due to road construction which will be taking place on South Washington Street in the near future, the Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market will be moving one block east to Jefferson Street. This move will take place beginning with the next Farmers Market on August 14, 2021.

The Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market will be working closely with the vendors, customers and the City to ensure that this is a smooth transition for everyone. According to Market Manager Kirsten Ameling, “The location of the market may be changing, but the vendors, atmosphere and fun will remain the same.”

The market will remain on Jefferson Street between Market and Perry streets for the rest of the 2021 season. Market visitors are encouraged to check out the adjacent attractions at the new location including the Splash Pad area and the East Green Amphitheatre at National Corner as well as the Tiffin-Seneca Public Library.

Visit tiffinsenecafarmersmarket.com as well as the Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market Facebook page for all the latest updates and news. Questions can be directed to Market Manager, Kirsten Ameling, at manager@sccommonground.org. 

The Ritz Theatre Presents the 2021-2022 Ritz Players Season!

After a brief pause in performances due to COVID-19, The Ritz Theatre is proud to announce another outstanding season of events for 2021-22 presented by the Ritz Players.  See below for the full line up of shows that will be sure to steal the stage featuring local community members.  Season subscription sales begin August 2nd and single event tickets begin August 30th.  Tickets can be purchased and more information can be found on their website at ritztheatre.org

The Ritz Players are a community theatre organization that strives to present high-quality performances, staged at The Ritz Theatre. They believe in the power of live theatre to ignite the imagination, stimulate thought, offer an avenue for creative expression, and provide entertainment. Through their productions, workshops for young people and outreach programs, they strive to integrate theatre into the lives of the people who come into contact with their organization.

The Ladies of Harmony

September 10, 11 & 18, 2021 – 7:30 PM, September 19, 2021 – 2:00 PM | An event in The National Theatre at The Ritz

The laughter is nonstop in this hilarious comedy. Six church ladies arrive at Harmony Church’s fellowship hall to plan a small funeral dinner for a man they despised. While eating doughnuts, drinking coffee and gossiping on a variety of topics including Pastor Bob’s go-go dancing fiancée, the church ladies engage in a game of “what-ifs” and “I-wish-I-hads,” and in doing so, reveal several secrets about themselves. However, the biggest shock comes the next day when an unexpectedly large crowd of mourners arrive at the funeral dinner and the ladies have to endure their most embarrassing moment yet! | Sponsored by David Stover – Allstate Insurance & Reineke Family Dealerships

All Together Now!

November 13, 2021 – 7:30 PM, November 14, 2021 – 2:00 PM | An event in The National Theatre at The Ritz

All Together Now! A Global Event Celebrating Local Theatre, in which theatres around the world are empowered to locally produce and perform an exclusive musical revue featuring songs from MTI’s beloved shows. Join us in this cavalcade of hit songs from some of the greatest musicals ever written including Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Fiddler on the Roof. | Sponsored by Baumann Chevrolet Buick GMC

Little Women

February 11, 12 & 19, 2022 – 7:30 PM, February 20, 2022 – 2:00 PM | An event in The National Theatre at The Ritz

Under the guidance of their beloved mother, the four young March sisters — tempestuous Jo, motherly Meg, shy Beth and spoiled baby Amy — struggle to keep their family going while Father’s away in the Civil War. In this beautifully dramatized adaptation of the classic novel, even as privation, illness, and sibling rivalry cast their shadows, each girl strives to find her true self. | Sponsored by Croghan Colonial Bank & Reineke Family Dealerships

Clue

May 13, 14 & 21, 2022 – 7:30 PM, May 22, 2022 – 2:00 PM

Based on the iconic 1985 Paramount movie which was inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, CLUE is a hilarious farce-meets-murder mystery. The tale begins at a remote mansion, where six mysterious guests assemble for an unusual dinner party where murder and blackmail are on the menu. When their host turns up dead, they all become suspects. | Sponsored by Reineke Family Dealerships

Anything Goes

July 8, 9 & 16, 2022 – 7:30 PM, July 17, 2022 – 2:00 PM

The S. S. American is sailing between New York and England with a comically colorful assemblage of passengers: Reno Sweeney, a popular nightclub singer and former evangelist, her pal Billy Crocker, a lovelorn Wall Street broker who has come aboard to try to win the favor of his beloved Hope Harcourt and a second-rate conman named Moonface Martin, aka “Public Enemy #13.” Song, dance and farcical antics insue as Reno and Moonface try to help Billy win the love of his life. | Sponsored by Reineke Family Dealerships & Your Legacy Federal Credit Union

Come on down to Riehm Produce Farm and enjoy the day exploring, racing, sliding, jumping, and making memories with over 20 fun activities for all ages. If you haven’t already, it’s time to make coming to the farm your new favorite fall tradition!

Riehm’s Barnyard Fun and Corn Maze is open Saturdays and Sundays from September 25 through Halloween. This year’s Corn Maze design is celebrating Jeep’s 80th anniversary. Try your hand at solving the Jeep trivia this year.

Mazes from the past include Ohio State, Scooby Doo, Dinosaurs, Star Wars, and Charlie Brown.

New this year pedal carts and corn barn! The pig races run every two hours during the weekend, and you can cause the goats to walk the planks for food! Sling shot several different vegetables destined for the trash at the targets, then see the large-scale launcher—the pumpkin cannon. The pumpkin cannon will be shot off in the back hayfield, while hayrides will give you a behind the scenes look at Riehm’s cattle operation. Hayrides circle through about every twenty to thirty minutes.

Try your hand at milking-a-cow or challenge someone at the duck races. Take your turn on the Giant Hill Slide. Play games such as steer roping, Checkers, or the giant games, like giant Jenga, peg game or Connect 4.

When you’ve had your fill, make sure you take home purchases, including pumpkins, cider, apple dumplings, kettle corn and other fall treats. You can also enjoy farm fresh and finger-licking good food, from the concession stand: farm raise beef and brat burgers, Johnny Fries – farm grown potatoes with all the fixn’s, and hot dogs for the youngsters.

General admission is $10. Children up to two are free. Event hours are 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday and 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday.

No pets, please.

Read more at FunAcres.net/event

Courtesy of Press Release by Greg Dell: 

Reineke Family Dealerships to host Car Show and Road Rally in Scenic Downtown Tiffin

Reineke Family Dealerships (including Reineke’s Tiffin Ford Lincoln, Reineke Collision Center, Reineke RV, and Eclipse Auto Care) will host a car show and road rally on Saturday, August 21st, 2021, in downtown Tiffin at the East Tower (109 Jefferson St.). All proceeds from the event will benefit The East Green Summer Concert Series. “We’re excited to host this car show and road rally again this year and look forward to spending the day in downtown Tiffin!” said Dan Reineke, Reineke Family Dealerships.

The Motors N’ Music Car Show will run from 3pm to 7pm at the East Tower property. While the car show is happening, an optional road rally will take place at 4:30pm taking those car show participants on a scenic journey through the countryside and city of Tiffin. At the conclusion of the car show (approximately 6:45pm), commemorative trophies will be awarded prior to the start of the evening’s concert. Following the awards, everyone is encouraged to attend the free concert at 8pm with Shayna Steele at the Frost-Kalnow Amphitheater.

You can pre-register your vehicle for $10 (and get a free t-shirt) at www.drivereineke.com/car-show or register your vehicle the day of for $15. General admission is free to the public. Lastly, the all-new and highly anticipated Ford Bronco will be on site for viewing. For more information, visit www.drivereineke.com/car-show or reach out to Greg Dell. 

About Reineke Family Dealerships: Reineke Family Dealerships, founded in 1960 by William F. Reineke, Sr., is a family-owned dealership organization known for strong customer loyalty and high sales and service ratings. Reineke Family Dealerships operates in Fostoria, Tiffin, Lima, Upper Sandusky, Findlay, North Baltimore, and sells Ford, Lincoln, Nissan, Honda, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and RAM vehicles, and most recently, Reineke RV in Toledo and Tiffin, along with Eclipse Auto Care in Tiffin.

About The East Green Summer Concert Series & Amphitheater: The East Green Summer Concert Series is a local non-profit arts organization that is building an enduring legacy of art and beautiful music in the Tiffin-Seneca County area by encouraging artists and musicians with grants, scholarships, and performance and teaching opportunities. The main purpose of this not-for-profit entity is to promote fine arts, the performing arts and music education while engaging the community. All performances are held in the Frost-Kalnow Amphitheater, downtown Tiffin’s newest outdoor live music venue

About Shayna Steele: One of the most dynamic singers in a generation, Shayna Steele effortlessly crosses over between soul, blues and gospel to retro R&B and jazz. Shayna has performed as background vocalist with Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson, Bette Midler and Steely Dan, and tours as a featured vocalist with Grammy Award winner Chris Botti. She was a featured vocalist on Snarky Puppy’s “Family Dinner” and reached #1 on the Dance Billboard charts as featured vocalist on Moby’s “Disco Lies.” Shayna’s Broadway credits include Rent, Jesus Christ Superstar, and a member of the Dynamites in the original cast of Hairspray. A self-proclaimed “American Air Force brat,” she grew up all over the world, but now calls New York City home. This is Shayna’s second appearance in Tiffin with her pianist and partner, Ohio native David Cook.

The Ritz Theatre Announces New 2021-22 Season

After a brief pause in performances due to COVID-19, The Ritz Theatre is proud to announce another outstanding season of events for 2021-22.  Since not being able to host events since spring of 2020, The Ritz Theatre is excited to welcome guests back for music, comedy, magic, community theatre, and family entertainment.  See below for the full line up of shows that will be sure to steal the stage.  Season subscription sales begin August 2nd and single event tickets begin August 30th.  Tickets can be purchased and more information can be found on their website at ritztheatre.org

Spring 2020 Covid Carry-Over Performances

Trace Adkins 

NEW DATE:  Friday, October 8th, 2021 | 7:30pm

A Nashville icon for more than two decades, Trace Adkins has made his mark on the country music industry. 11 million albums sold. Time-honored hit singles. Momentous, fiery and always memorable live performances, GRAMMY nominations, CMT and ACM awards and nearly 200 million plays on YouTube. Hell, even a slew of movie and TV roles have come the Grand Ole Opry member’s way. Working with some of Nashville’s most respected songwriters, Adkins continues to find ways to connect with his fans through music while recording what he describes as autobiographical songs throughout his career. Hits include “Ladies Love Country Boys,” “You’re Gonna Miss This” and “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing.” | Sponsored by Roppe Corporation & Republic Lumber

Chicks with Hits

NEW DATE:  Friday, October 15th, 2021 | 7:30pm

Enjoy the rare opportunity of seeing three of the biggest female artists in country music on stage together performing an intimate night of acoustic music. And, with 36 top ten singles and over ten millions records sold between them, there’s a lot of material to pull from. Three guitars, three stars, singing together all night. It’s about to get real! | Sponsored by Blanchard Valley Health System

Herman’s Hermits | Starring Peter Noone

NEW DATE:  Friday, November 12th, 2021 | 7:30pm

At the age of 15, Peter Noone achieved international fame as lead singer of the legendary ‘60s pop band, Herman’s Hermits. His classic hits included “I’m Into Something Good,” “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter,” “I’m Henry VIII, I Am,” “Silhouettes,” “Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat,” “Just a Little Bit Better,” “Wonderful World,” “There’s a Kind of Hush,” “A Must To Avoid,” “Listen People,” “The End of the World” and “Dandy.” Ultimately, Herman’s Hermits sold over 60 million recordings. In all, 14 singles and seven albums went gold. The Hermits were twice named Cashbox’s “Entertainer of the Year. | Sponsored by Blanchard Valley Health System

 

REZA | Edge of Illusion

NEW DATE:  Saturday, January 22nd, 2022 | 7:30pm

REZA is recognized as one of today’s most highly sought-after entertainers in the touring illusion industry, delivering innovative, engaging and spectacular performances worldwide. REZA infuses state of the art production elements, masterful comedic timing, and numerous interactive & inspirational moments, allowing the audience to experience the magic first hand. Perhaps REZA’s greatest secret is his uncanny ability to communicate his performance art on such a personal level. REZA is intriguing, engaging, and captivating. He isn’t just a magician. He is an entertainer. | Sponsored by Ballreich Snack Food Company, LLC

 

 2021 – 2022 Ritz Theatre Season

Head Games | The Foreigner Tribute

Saturday, October 2, 2021  | 7:30 PM

Head Games is New York’s original Foreigner tribute. With over ten years experience, they are a high-powered rock and roll band that embodies all the flash and glam of the ‘70s – ‘80s era that Foreigner was known for. With hits like “Cold As Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” “Feels Like the First Time,” “Waiting For a Girl Like You” and their mega-hit “I Want to Know What Love Is,” Head Games performs all the Foreigner classics with the same authenticity that made the legendary band so successful. | Sponsored by Croghan Colonial Bank

 

Jukebox Saturday Night

Saturday, October 23, 2021  | 7:30 PM

Jukebox Saturday Night is a music review of the great Big Bands during the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s. The event captures the sounds of great melodies and lyrics performed by an energetic group of instrumentalists and vocalists. Jukebox Saturday Night celebrates America’s Swing Era, performing the greatest hits by Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Jimmy Lunceford, Harry James, Artie Shaw, Cab Calloway, Benny Goodman, Bunny Berigan, Count Basie and more. Vocal selections will include songs made famous by Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, Bob Eberly, Helen O’Connell, Rosemary Clooney and other vocal idols. | Sponsored by Mercy Health – Tiffin Hospital

The Texas Tenors 

Friday, October 29, 2021 | 7:30 PM

The Texas Tenors have amassed a huge fan base worldwide with over half a million followers on social media and more than 20 million views on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. With impressive live ticket sales tracked by PollStar, they are considered the most successful touring group in the history of America’s Got Talent. The Texas Tenors appeared on the most recent season of NBC’s national hit television show America’s Got Talent: The Champions. After airing worldwide, their fan base grew even larger than before. As consummate professionals, these three friends with a simple All-American dream have proven their impact will be long lasting as their popularity continues to grow. | Sponsored by Republic Lumber

The Nutcracker | Chicago Festival Ballet

Saturday, December 18, 2021 | 7:30 PM

Delight in the story of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince as you never have before. Renowned dancer and choreographer, Kenneth von Heidecke’s Chicago Festival Ballet performs The Nutcracker with powerful jumps, endless turns and beautiful costumes and sets. Dancing mice, toy soldiers and twirling sugarplums are sure to add magic to your holiday season! | Sponsored by Old Fort Banking Company

 

Nobodies of Comedy

Saturday, January 29, 2022 | 7:30 PM

You’ve never heard of them…but hey, they’ve never heard of you either! Here’s your chance to see the funniest up-and-coming comedians in America. We’ve hand-picked these comics from the best unknown talent from across the country and rolled them into one hilarious show. They may be a bunch of nobodies…but not for long! Don’t miss this chance to see tomorrow’s stars of comedy today. (Intended for mature audiences only) | Sponsored by Clouse Construction & Reineke Family Dealerships

The Frontmen of Country 

With Richie McDonald (Lonestar), Larry Stewart (Restless Heart) and Tim Rushlow (Little Texas)

Friday, February 4, 2022 | 7:30 PM

With their combined amazing vocal and instrumental talents, The Frontmen deliver a high energy show packed with fan-favorites from their three award-winning and critically-acclaimed bands.

Lonestar – “Amazed,” “My Front Porch Looking In” and “I’m Already There.”

Restless Heart – “Tell Me What You Dream,” “When She Cries” and “I’ll Still Be Loving You.”

Little Texas – “God Blessed Texas,” “Amy’s Back in Austin” and “What Might Have Been.”

Sponsored by Blanchard Valley Health System & Roppe Corporation

 

Winter Dance Party

Saturday, February 26, 2022  | 7:30 PM

John Mueller’s Winter Dance Party® is the official live and authentic re-creation of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper’s final tour and the only show endorsed by the Holly, Valens and Richardson estates. Each live concert performance includes over two hours of unbridled, high voltage entertainment featuring all the hit songs of the ‘50s era: “That’ll Be The Day,” “Peggy Sue,” “Oh, Boy,” “Rave On,” “La Bamba,” “Chantilly Lace” and many, many more. John Mueller, the critically acclaimed former star of the U.S. touring version of the London/Broadway hit musical Buddy…the Buddy Holly Story, performs as Buddy Holly with Linwood Sasser as the Big Bopper and Ray Anthony as Ritchie Valens.

 

Kansas | The Point of No Return Tour

Saturday, March 5, 2022 | 7:30 PM

With a legendary career spanning nearly five decades, KANSAS has firmly established itself as one of America’s iconic of classic rock bands. Composing a catalogue that includes 16 studio albums and five live albums, KANSAS has produced eight gold albums, three sextuple-Platinum albums (Leftoverture, Point of Know Return, Best of KANSAS), one platinum live album (Two for the Show), one quadruple-Platinum single “Carry On Wayward Son” and another triple-Platinum single “Dust in the Wind.” KANSAS appeared on the Billboard charts for over 200 weeks throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s and played to sold-out arenas and stadiums throughout North America, Europe and Japan. | Sponsored by Blanchard Valley Health System

 

Thomas Pandolfi, Piano

Saturday, March 26, 2022 | 7:30 PM

The young American pianist, Thomas Pandolfi, is an exciting virtuoso who is becoming more and more sought after by audiences. He has been showered with superlatives by critics for his passionate artistry and amazing technique. His orchestral appearances often feature not only the beloved masterpiece concerti by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff and Liszt, but also the equally brilliant ones by Paderewski, Rubinstein and Moszkowski. Thomas is also considered a leading interpreter of the works of George Gershwin.

Michael Bolton

Sunday, May 1, 2022 | 7:30 PM

Michael Bolton is a multiple Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and social activist, who has sold more than 65 million records globally and continues to tour the world.  Bolton remains committed to humanitarian causes, especially through the Michael Bolton Charities, now in its 25th year. In recognition of his artistic achievements, Michael won two Grammys for Best Pop Male Vocal Performance (nominated four times), six American Music Awards, three Emmy nominations and a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. With nine #1 singles, Michael has seen nine studio albums rank in the Top Ten, including his 28th CD, Songs of Cinema, a tribute to beloved songs from the world’s most iconic films. | Sponsored by National Machinery Foundation

 

Friday Night Live

Oct. 22, Nov. 5, Dec. 10 – 2021 | Jan. 21, Feb. 25, Mar. 25, Apr. 22, May 20 – 2022

Fridays | 7:30 PM

Looking for something to do on a Friday night? The National Theatre at The Ritz will host an eclectic selection of artists in an unplugged performance environment. Each Friday Night Live will feature two or three regional entertainers that may include a folk singer, a jazz musician, an aspiring singer/songwriter or some other style of artist who is passionate about the opportunity to showcase their talents. Join us for a glass of wine in this casual, intimate setting. | Sponsored by Tong’s Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing

 

Hollywood’s Greatest Movies

Oct. 13, Nov. 17, Dec. 15 – 2021 | Jan. 12, Feb. 16, Mar. 16, Apr. 13, May 11 – 2022 

Wednesdays | 2:00 PM

Before television, movie complexes and the internet – there were movie theatres. Grand movie palaces were built with great excess including elaborate interior design, conditioned air and the incredible ambiance that became an important part of the movie-going experience. Built in 1928 to capture the huge demand for “talkies,” The Ritz Theatre became “the” place to see movies in Tiffin. Take a Wednesday afternoon to enjoy a nostalgic journey down memory lane. with the movies that played an integral role in the history of The Ritz.| Sponsored by Your Legacy Federal Credit Union

The Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market is expanding to Court Street. This weekend’s market on Saturday, July 24, 2021 from 9am to 1pm will feature vendors filling South Washington street between Market and Perry streets and moving onto Court street for the first time in history.

The 2021 Farmers market season has been one of the largest yet with more and more vendors applying to join the market. One of the main goals of Seneca County Common Ground, the organization that operates the market, this year was to increase the number of vendors and bring a wider variety of products to the farmers market. The vendors work diligently to ensure they are providing the highest quality locally made products. This week there will be fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh cut flowers, juices, baked goods, honey, maple products, soaps, tumblers, pottery, cleaning supplies, jellies and jams, wool products, along with other homegrown and handmade products.

The mission of Seneca County Common Ground is centered specifically around local food. To ensure that the majority of the products at the market are truly “local,” the board has implemented a “sixty-forty” rule.  Vendors must have grown, raised or created at least 60% of the products that are brought to the market. 40% of the produce are allowed to be purchased outside from other growers to ensure customers have access to a multitude of fruits and vegetables that are not grown in our area or are not in season. This means that customers will only see certain products at specific times of year and they won’t typically see exotic products like bananas or oranges.

“Cucumbers are one of the newer vegetables that will be at this week’s market as they are now coming into season locally,” said Market Manager Kirsten Ameling. “Cucumbers can quickly be used with a dip, create a refreshing drink, spice up a boring salad and help add crunch to a sandwich. They are currently being harvested now from Riehm Produce Farm for the next several weeks.”

Riehm Produce Farm also plants a wide variety of strawberry plants that grow at different times of the season to provide locally grown strawberries for a longer period of time. Other produce that producers work with similarly include sweet corn, tomatoes, melons and more.

In addition to all of the produce and goods vendors, the market is bringing back hot, ready-to-eat food with the addition of a food truck. This week, Delicious Food Truck will be operating at the market to serve lunch to market customers. This truck provides a wide variety of food items such as  Italian Beef, Fried Chicken, Gyros, and Deep Fried Cheesecake.

“We love to see our local farmers market continuing to grow as an attraction and a destination not only to increase the quality of life for Seneca County residents, but to draw outside visitors into our community as well,” said Bryce Riggs, Executive Director of the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Services. “I’m looking forward to supporting the future growth of the market and increasing the synergy with local businesses.”

The 2021 season of the Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market continues this Saturday, July 24, 9am-1pm. The market will occur on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month now through October and is located on South Washington Street between Perry  and Market streets. In addition to the vendors, there are also children’s activities available and the Market Bank program is fully operational which allows customers to utilize credit cards, SNAP Benefits/EBT/P-EBT, Produce Perks, Senior Farmer Market Nutrition Program Vouchers (SFMNP), Women Infants Children Farmers Market Nutrition Vouchers (FMNP).

The list of vendors for this week includes: Baked By Bells, Bella Cuisine, Buckeye Star Alpacas, Catawba Island Juice Co., Countryside Acres, Clay Hill Organic, Creative Pottery, Delicious Food Truck, Drowns Produce, Enders Maple Treats, Friends of the Tiffin Seneca Public Library, Flo’s Homemade Pies, Hopes Landing, LB’s Eclectic Eats  Me and the Boys, Miss Cindy’s Cookies, Project Noelle, Put Your Name on it, Raizen Girls Cookies, Riehm Produce Farm, Roseleaf Flowers, Seneca County SNAP-ED, Smith Brothers Sweets, Spirit Space Gallery and Gifts, the Tiffin Lions Club, Tiffin Elks, and Windy Hill Berries.

To learn more about the Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market and about the Market Bank programs, visit and subscribe at www.tiffinsenecafarmersmarket.com/. If you are interested in becoming a vendor or have questions, you may contact the Market Manager, Kirsten Ameling, at manager@sccommonground.org. 

The Seneca County Brewery Tour has been announced to take place on Saturday August 14, 2021, beginning at 3pm. The Brewery Tour is put on in partnership with Bliss Charters, Destination Seneca County, Downtown Tiffin, Fostoria Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, and Shuff Consulting.

The Seneca County Brewery Tour will include stops at four local breweries throughout Seneca County. Breweries include The Laird Arcade Brewery, The Tiffin Brewery, The UrbanWoody Brewery, and Hoptometry Brewery. Learn more about the participating breweries below. Participants can register at: https://tinyurl.com/SenecaBrewTour and will receive information on their starting location via email one week prior to the event. Participants will be shuttled around via a Bliss Charters Bus and participating breweries will offer live music, food from local establishments, and food trucks.

The Laird Arcade Brewery: A 3.5 BBL brewhouse focusing mostly on taproom sales, with some local distribution. Their emphasis is to promote as much local business as we can.  They strive to keep their ingredients as locally sourced as possible.  It is their sincerest hope to help with the downtown revitalization of Tiffin.

The Tiffin Brewery: Producing quality beers for Tiffin, Ohio and the surrounding community. Quality beers start with superior water profiles and dedicated sanitation throughout the brewing process. A brewer’s production brewery to offer peer brewery services and quality customer product. The Tiffin Brewery is the production end of AH Brewing, LLC.

The UrbanWoody Brewery: The Urban Woody Brewery is family and veteran owned and serves locally crafted beer brewed in house using mostly Ohio grown ingredients.  The Urban Woody Brewery offers a rotating seasonal tap list and special events throughout the year, including Oktoberfest which highlights other Ohio breweries and brings visitors to Downtown Fostoria.

Hoptometry Brewing Co: Downtown Tiffin’s newest brewery coming in 2022! Check out their renovations as they prepare to launch.

The next Fostoria Farmers’ Market will be held on Saturday, July 17th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the grass lot on the corner of East Tiffin and South Main Streets. “Christmas in July” is the theme of Saturday’s market, which is being sponsored by Flippin’ Jimmy’s Burgers and Chunx.  They will be distributing complimentary Faygo pop and bottled water, while supplies last, as well as a chance to win a $50 gift card.

Nearly 50 vendors are slated to participate in Saturday’s Fostoria Farmers’ Market, with 9 new vendors this week. Offerings will include produce, plants, baked goods, honey, maple syrup, jams, handmade soaps, lotions and body care and a wide variety of unique, handmade crafts, gifts and customized items. There should truly be something for everyone.

Additional activities slated for the Farmers’ Market include:

• The OSU Extension SNAP-Ed program will be offering taste tests of Summer Salsa and a puzzle for kids to color and cut out
• Fostoria Baptist Church will be hosting free snacks/refreshments and activities.
• Crabapple Creations will have a station set up so kids can make a tie-dye shirt for $15.00. Sizes up to 6XL are available!

Participating Vendors at July 17^th Market

Food Items

• Bella Cuisine, Linda Lambert – artisan breads, jams, cookies, baked goods, cinnamon rolls
• Brad’s Bees, Brad Schaser – honey and related products
• Brick “n” Brecher Sugar Shack – Maple syrup, candy, sugar, tea, cream lollipops and cotton candy
• Fostoria Eastern Star – Breakfast burritos, muffins, beverages
• I Got the Sugars, Samantha Juliano – decorated cookies, drop cookies, cake pops, pies, cupcakes, chocolates, breads
• Just Jammin’ & Stuff, Cynthia Brubaker – Assorted jams, crafts and cottage goods
• Miss Cindy’s Cookies, Micah Kirchner – Cookies, brookies
• Parkhurst Dining, Kelli Steinmetz – coffee, donuts, breads, cinnamon rolls, fritters, pies
• Sweet Roots, Ashley Stahl & Kathy Reinhart – pies, cookies, breads, rolls
• Tasty Dogs, Jamie Johnson – Beef hot dogs, sausage, walking tacos, chips and drinks

 Produce, Plants & More

• Fostoria Garden Club – Perennials/bedding plants, kettle corn, garden flags, garden related items
• Joseph’s Greenhouse, Ron & Linda Joseph – Produce, perennials, bedding plants, hanging baskets, herbs, succulents, potted plants, mums (Participates in Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program)
• Mr. Basket – Produce, potted plants, hanging baskets
• Windy Hill Berries, LLC, Jane Stearns – blackberries

Craft & Gift Items

• Al’s Intarsia, Alfred Deuble – Wood intarsia art
• Bark, Bake, Decorate, Bre Titus – dog treats and related crafts
• Beyond Laser Creations, Jena Stearns – crafts and custom personalized items
• Brady’s Delicate Creations, Pat & Gary Brady – Barn quilts, outside games and more
• Crabapple Creations, Casandra Parrish – tie-dye clothing and accessories – wants double booth – will have tie dye station for kids to make shirts
• Pat Coronado – aprons, cozy bowls, button bracelets, casserole covers
• Diamonds Creations & Co. – crafts, hair bands and more
• E. P. Bumgardner, Barry Schaeffer – non-branded handmade jewelry and accessories
• Fausder’s Fancy Bead Creations, Joy Saunders – Jewelry, crafts, decorated bottles with lights
• Ruth Hasselman – hand-crafted items: baby quilts, bibs, knitted washcloths, pot scrubbies, fabric hot pads, crocheted microwave dish holders, woven mug rugs and table runners
• Hoot Owl Crafts, Sharon Weddell – Handmade wreaths, tooth fairy pillows, pocket pillows, seasonal decorations
• Kenley American Shop, Jessica and Kathy Kenley – Bracelets, necklaces, hair ties, ear warmer head bands, candle holders
• Natures Bed and Breakfast, Jim Foard – hand-crafted bird, bat and butterfly homes
• November Ridge, Steve Kauffman – Home and yard décor
• Painted Pane, Chris Leiter – painted windows, glass, wood, etc.
• Dick & Linda Perrine’s Crafts – windchimes, garden art and more
• Prairie Girl Graphics, Patricia Simonsick – Jewelry, crafts, personalized items, baked goods
• Prairie Song Pottery, Deb McEwen – functional and decorative pottery items, natural pet treats, oregano
• Pursuit Ministries and Entertainment, Micah Brown – balloon animals
• Serendip Candles, Lisa Adams – hand-poured soy wax candles
• Usborne Books and More, Nikki Kleba – books and activities for all ages

 Soaps, Lotions & Health Products

• All Things Beautiful Body and Bath, Stefanie Torrey – Handmade soaps, bath bombs, butter, lotions, creams, lip balms, candles and more
• Amethyst Touch Holistic Health – Ziliz health and wellness products including CBD tincture and topical cream
• Appalachian Wilderness, Harold Leemaster – Soap, lotion, creams, herbal salves
• Chinook Soap Co., Erica Brown – Goat’s milk soaps, natural products, deodorants, toothpastes, lip scrubs, salves
• Sisters in Shelter: Hope’s Landing – bath and body products, candles

Specialty Items

• Clear Choice Exteriors – replacement windows, doors, roofing & seamless gutters (See 419windows on Facebook)
• Fostoria Area Historical Society – historical items and visitor’s information
• From Tips to Toes with Arlene, Arlene McCarty – ColorStreet nail strips
• Scentsy by Elizabeth Thomas, Independent Consultant

Join Crystal Bowersox on July 24th at 8pm at the Tiffin East Green Amphitheater!

Next in the East Green Concert Series lineup is Crystal Bowersox!  Northwest Ohio native Crystal Bowersox developed her love for music at an early age from a need to find peace in a chaotic world and to mend a young mind in turmoil.  At 18, she moved to Chicago, busking on city streets and subway platforms, and growing up musically through the influence of the city’s rich and diverse culture. She leapt to national attention appearing on the ninth season of American Idol, and since then has released three LP’s, two EPs, several singles, and is currently developing an autobiographical, theatrical rock concert titled, “Trauma Queen”.  Her new single, the rock/gospel anthem “Courage to Be Kind”, powerfully delivers a message of love and unity to a world in conflict.

Crystal will be opened for by Tiffin local, Martin Koop.  Grab a seat and check out this next awesome act in the East Green Concert Series!  The remaining line up includes..

Jess Baldwin – August 7 ▪ 8:00 to 10:00 PM

Shayna Steele – August 21 ▪ 8:00 to 10:00 PM

UFest: University Music – September 4 ▪ 8:00 to 10

Learn more about the concert series here.

Ever heard the suggestion to “grab a DORA drink,” or seen a sign that states “DORA accepted here,” and wondered what it is all about? 

We are here to help!  This is DORA 101 and your guide to staying refreshed in Downtown Tiffin. 

DORA stands for Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area and allows patrons of liquor-permitted establishments within the DORA boundaries to possess a specifically marked open container within the designated area.  The DORA allows beverages everyday from 11am – 11pm and boundaries span from the American Legion on S. Washington St. to Fort Ball Pizza Palace on N. Washington St.  The only open container allowed will be the designated, specially marked DORA cup purchased from a participating establishment, and a DORA cup cannot be brought into another liquor licensed establishment.  Non-liquor licensed establishments are able to accept DORA drinks within their business if they wish. You can look for the DORA stickers on the doors of businesses to determine if they will accept DORA drinks or not.

Tiffin (and soon to be Fostoria!) is one of several communities in the state of Ohio that has implemented a DORA program, with that list continuing to grow.  You can grab a DORA drink from the following establishments… 

• American Legion
• Bear’s Den 
• The Chandelier Community Event Center
• Clover Club
• Fort Ball Pizza Palace
• The Empire at 138
• GW’s Fine Food and Spirits
• The Laird Arcade Brewery
• Madison Street Tavern 
• Reino’s Pizza & Pasta
• The Renaissance of Tiffin 
• The Ritz Theatre
• The Tiffin Elks
• The Viaduct 

The City of Tiffin reminds residents to be mindful of the boundaries. If someone with a DORA cup goes beyond the boundaries, it is considered an open container violation and they can get fined. The same goes for the program’s hours — if you have a DORA drink beyond the 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. hours, it is also considered an open container violation.

So stop in, grab a DORA drink, and take a stroll downtown.  Enjoy! 

The Seneca County Fair will take place July 26th, 2021 – August 1st, 2021.  A great place for friends and family to come together, the 179th annual Seneca Fair has many new an exciting events planned to interest audiences of all ages.  Enjoy the friendly competition and proud display of projects and products from exhibitors that have worked so hard to accomplish and compete.  In addition to checking out the competition, partake in the joys of delicious fair food, games, rides, and live entertainment. 

Some highlights of the Seneca County fair include harness racing, the pig scramble, Seneca County sled nationals, Kyle Garrison livestock scramble, bulls and barrels, tractor pulls, and the demolition derby.  Stop by the Farm Stage to hear artists such as the Eric Sowers Band, Jess Kellie Adams, Copperhead Road, and many more!   

Tickets can be bought at the gates of the Seneca County Fairgrounds and season, single day, and student tickets are available.  Kids under the age of 9 years old get in free! 

You can see a full line up of events and the schedule for fair week here. 

The Seneca County Fair thanks their day sponsors, The Seneca County Farm Bureau, Old Fort Banking Company, Re/Max Unlimited Results Realty, Mercy Health, Clouse Construction, AG Credit, and North Central Electric Cooperative. 

Grab the whole family and see you at the fair! 

  Make your way to Seneca County this weekend to take part in the holiday weekend festivities.  

Join LowDown Brass Band on July 10th at 8pm at the Tiffin East Green Amphitheater!

 Next in the East Green Concert Series lineup is LowDown Brass Band. The LowDown Brass Band is a uniquely strong representation of Chicago Music culture. The all horn band leans heavily on dancehall and street beat rhythm, with the energy of conscious hip hop, jazz, reggae, and soul. Its two albums have received rave reviews nationwide, and the band’s appearances have included the Montreal Jazz Festival, Vancouver Jazz Fest, World Music Fest, Lagunitas Beer Circus, Chicago Jazz Fest, Alaska’s Salmon Fest, and many others. The Chicago Sun Times calls the band, “Not exactly Slipknot, but not exactly John Philip Sousa either. What it is, exactly, is AWESOME!”

LowDown Brass is just one of the many amazing groups and artists the East Green Concert Series has lined up for this summer.  Grab a seat on the lawn and get ready to hear some awesome tunes. 

The remaining East Green Concert Series consists of…

Crystal Bowersox – July 24 ▪ 8:00 to 10:00 PM

Jess Baldwin – August 7 ▪ 8:00 to 10:00 PM

Shayna Steele – August 21 ▪ 8:00 to 10:00 PM

UFest: University Music – September 4 ▪ 8:00 to 10

Learn more about the concert series here.

Destination Seneca County has announced that they will partner with the Tiffin Developmental Center in continuing the tradition of a Halloween Parade in Tiffin. The Halloween Parade will take place in Downtown Tiffin, to allow additional room for social distancing, on October 31 at 4:00 PM. The Tiffin community will have their community Trick-or-Treat from 6:00 to 8:00 PM following the parade.

Candy Messmer, Parade Coordinator with Tiffin Developmental Center, was pleased to see that the parade will continue this year, “We are thrilled that this highly anticipated tradition will be held safely this year and we look forward to inviting the Seneca County community back to the Tiffin Development Center campus again next year.”

Tiffin Mayor Aaron Montz praised the positive news, “After learning that the parade may not take place this year, I worked with community members to ensure that this event would happen for the enjoyment of all residents especially after the past year we have all had.”

Parade participants can sign up online by October 24 at www.DestinationSenecaCounty.org/Halloween.

Make your way to Downtown Tiffin for the 3rd Thursday event: Sweet Summertime! 

SHOP
Browse 3rd Thursday specials from our Downtown businesses all day long.  We also have JAM’s Monthly Market which opens at 4 p.m. on Thursday and runs all weekend!

EAT & DRINK
Grab something to eat from a food truck in city lots 5 and 7, or stop by local restaurants and check out their 3rd Thursday specials. You can always grab a DORA beverage and stroll South Washington Street.

PLAY
There will be kid and adult activities in city lots 5 and 7. Cool off at the splash pad at National Machinery Corner… it will be open late!

ENJOY
Enjoy the evening in Cherry Alley with a concert by the Cherry Bombs (courtesy of Tiffin Community Foundation). The Cherry Bombs will play from 5-7 pm and Jake Heil will play at the Frost-Kalnow Amphitheater at the East Green from 7-9 pm.

The remaining Third Thursday Series will consist of:

Taste of Tiffin on August 19 – Food and drink vendors will be set-up in the parking lot between the splash pad and the library.  Most will be selling food items for $1. Many downtown retailers and restaurants will be offering specials that night as well.

Seneca County Young Professionals Pizza Party on September 17 – Bring the whole family to enjoy a taste of Tiffin and Seneca County! The event will take place throughout Downtown Tiffin. Attendees can purchase $1 tickets that can be redeemed for a pizza from any vendor. Half of each ticket sold will go toward charity. 

Downtown Trick or Treat on October 22 – Bring the kids for the annual downtown trick-or-treat from 3:30-5:00. Then grab your friends for an early Halloween fun night out. Shop, grab a drink… and maybe dinner and dessert too!

You can check out other Downtown Tiffin events at DowntownTiffinEvents.com.

East Green president Mike Klepper explained that although the installation of the new high efficient circulating pump system will be delayed until mid July, the old pump system will be temporarily used in the time being with more limited hours. “We know the community is eager to see the splash pad open after a full year’s shutdown in 2020 due to Covid 19. “It’s great that this Saturday brings both an evening concert at the East Green and the opening of the splash pad,” said Klepper.

Courtesy of Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership and City of Tiffin Press Release —

Santa Monica, California-based Bird Rides, Inc. has announced it is now offering its e-scooters in the City of Tiffin. Bird announced in April its intention to add Tiffin to its list of cities. With the help of the newly-established Entrepreneurial Opportunity Clearinghouse through the Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership, a local company who will oversee the operation was identified. The electric scooters can be used on roads and in bike lanes and have a maximum speed of 15mph.  Tiffin Mayor Aaron Montz was excited about Bird’s announcement. “We’ve been working with Bird for a while, and I’m looking forward to having this fun, environmentally-friendly mobility solution in our community. They will make a great addition to the City of Tiffin.”

Guidelines:

Scooters must be parked out of the way of pedestrians and never blocking driveways. Riders are required to be 18 years-old and above to access the scooters. They are also encouraged to wear a helmet on every ride and required to obey all standard rules of the road. For more information, including an opportunity to receive a free helmet (only pay for shipping and handling), visit www.bird.co/safety-mobile.

How to Ride:

Users who want to rent the scooters will need to install the Bird app, where all available scooters are displayed. Before starting, the user supplies payment information, scans the QR code on the scooter, and begins the trip. To end the trip, the user must take a photo of the parked scooter. The price of the trip is immediately withdrawn from the user’s credit card.

Bird offers the following programs that are available for all who qualify: 

• Community Pricing – Bird’s Community Pricing Program offers a 50% discount to low-income riders, Pell grant recipients, select local nonprofit and community organizations, veterans, and senior citizens. It’s designed to be the most inclusive micromobility discount program available anywhere. To sign up for the Community Pricing Program, download the Bird app, create an account, and email your proof of eligibility to access@bird.co.
• Free Rides for Healthcare Workers and Emergency Personnel – Bird is proud to offer free rides to healthcare workers and emergency personnel. To sign up, simply email a copy of your medical identification card along with your name and phone number to together@bird.co. Eligible riders will receive two free 30-minute rides per day for as long as it takes to help our communities to recover from this global health crisis.

About Bird:

Founded in September 2017, Bird operates shared electric scooters in more than 100 cities in North America, Europe and the Middle East with 10 million rides in its first year of operation. The company was founded and is run by Travis VanderZanden, formerly an executive at Lyft and Uber. Notably it became the fastest startup to ever reach $1 billion in valuation.  If a resident sees an issue with a Bird scooter or would like to contact the company, call 1 (866) 205-2442, email hello@bird.co or use ‘Community Mode’ feature in the Bird mobile app. More information can be found at www.bird.co and on their blog, www.bird.co/blog.

About the Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership:

Started in 1983 as the Seneca Industrial and Economic Development Corp. (SIEDC), the Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to driving positive economic, downtown, and community development in Tiffin and Seneca County, Ohio, which consistently ranks among the top communities nationally for economic development. Learn more about the great things going on in Tiffin and Seneca County at www.tiffinseneca.org.

Over this past weekend, a group of 40 individuals were able to experience Seneca County.  These visitors belong to The Airstream International Club (Wally Byam Caravan Club International) and travel to different cities around the country to stay and experience unique opportunities that each city has to offer. 

In Seneca County, our guests were able to receive the VIP treatment and witness behind the scene experiences.  They spent their weekend at Walnut Grove RV Resort and kicked off their visit with a tour of The America Civil War Museum of Ohio.  At the conclusion of the tour and an inside look into the past, the next stop was the Tiffin Glass Museum and Shoppe.  At the Tiffin Glass Museum, guests heard about the rich history of glass in Ohio and also about the story behind Tiffin glass while having the opportunity to purchase beautiful pieces to take home.  In downtown Tiffin, the 3rd Thursday event “Cruisin’ into Summer” was in full swing with a free car show, DORA drinks, and later hours and discounts at local shops.  Our adventurers were able to explore this awesome event, grab a bite to eat, and end their day with a presentation at The Seneca County Museum.  

On Friday, that day started off with a visit to the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Libraries and Museums in Fremont, OH.  From there, our visitors experienced a live glass cutting demonstration from the brilliant cutter and designer, Aidan J. Scully from Hawkes Crystal.  After seeing how the beautiful pieces were created, the group traveled to explore and shop at Hawkes Crystal in downtown Tiffin.  Rodgers Flowers provided snacks and refreshments for guests while they shopped in store.  To wrap up Friday, the group ended at Ralph’s Joy of Living.  At Ralph’s they were given an interactive shopping presentation where the top 8 kitchen items from the last year were reviled to them with an opportunity to also win prizes for participating. 

To top off the weekend, Saturday included a special trip for each the gals and guys of the group.  Then ladies were invited to Rustic Flair & Brush, a DIY workshop, where they created custom airstream themed welcome mats to add to their personal airstreams.  The men traveled to Old Fort, OH to Gillmor Ordnance where they saw learned about the history of cannons and even got to see one fired off. After each trip, guests met back at The Renaissance of Tiffin for a roaring 20’s atmosphere, drinks, and to chat with owner, Dave Spridgeon. 

It was a packed weekend full of just some of the things that makes Seneca County special and the place many call home.  We absolutely loved having this amazing airstream adventure group in our community and cannot wait to welcome them back soon! 

 Looking to have a custom itinerary made for you when you stop in Seneca County?  Destination Seneca County is your one stop shop, let us help make your experience great! 

Want to see more?  Check out pictures from the weekend on our Facebook page.