First Ohio City Christmas Walk a Major Success; Plans Under Way for the 2010 Event

More than 850 people from across Northeast Ohio braved the elements to enjoy the first annual Ohio City Christmas Walk on December 5, 2009.  Plans are under way for an even better event on December 4, 2010.  Check back to this page later in the year for more details as they are announced.  In the meantime, read below to see what happened last year.

2009 Ohio City Christmas Walk Preview

From a modern hot pink sequined tree to an antique version made of German goose feathers, holiday decorations will prove to be as unique as Cleveland’s near west side neighborhood hosting the first Ohio City Christmas Walk on Saturday, December 5, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Far more than the halls will be decked at six homes that will be open to ticket holders in an easily walkable corner of Ohio City, between West 28th and West 30th Streets on Bridge, Jay and Fulton Avenues.

Stops include a mansion with twin turrets and twin trees, a thoroughly modern interpretation of a Victorian Italianate, a touch of Sweden with its charming customs and a great home with a Great Room in a seamless new addition.  A study in contrasts comes on Bridge Avenue where a tiny workman’s cottage is filled with antiques to provide a step back in time and a stunning contemporary version of a Victorian brownstone glows with a Far Eastern flair.  

The Marquard Mansion may look familiar to visitors who are fans of House and Garden Television (HGTV).  That is because it was featured in three episodes of the show “Room by Room.”  When HGTV decorators did makeovers of three rooms, their goal was to recreate the grandeur of the early 1900s when early Cleveland area builder John Marquard first made his Jay Avenue home his family’s primary residence.  

Up the street, a large, one-time farm house has just undergone a major expansion. To allow tourgoers a chance to come in from the cold, ticketholders will enter through a spacious new garage and quickly find themselves before a roaring fire as they begin their tour and pass under the mistletoe.  

At the gallery-like Italianate on Fulton Ave, the front courtyard’s eye-catching fountain supported by stone cherubs will be stored for the winter to make way for the first of many holiday trees.  Inside spinning lady ornaments literally will be kicking up their heels to welcome visitors into this dramatic, modern transformation of a home built in the late Victorian period.

Family treasures and traditions abound in many Ohio City homes, and the Christmas Walk allows one homeowner to share her Swedish heritage.  A Swedish-born grandfather and great aunt always made the holidays special while setting the tone to celebrate both Saint Lucia’s Day on December 13 and Christmas.

The modern take of a Victorian brownstone is the only new home on the Christmas Walk. Rich earthtones and pieces from world travels provide a welcoming atmosphere, along with a grand tree that will carry your eyes to the 21-foot angled ceiling and unique windows that frame cityscapes.

The workman’s cottage on the tour retains its small rooms and original character.  Outside decorations above its red door went up in early September when artist Ingrid Hoegner-Leek provided a “Coming Soon” sign to advertise the Christmas Walk.  Last open to the public on a spring tour three decades ago, this cozy Bridge Avenue cottage is filled with antiques.  This treasure trove of collectibles gives visitors a glimpse into holidays past.

The first Ohio City Christmas Walk will be dedicated to the late Roy Pogalies, “remembered by many for his Santa collection, his Santa hat, his Santa-like joy and laughter and more than 20 years as a neighborhood leader,” as noted on the tour ticket.

Due to overwhelming response, this event has sold out.  Those who have already purchased tickets can pick them up the day of the event between 10:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. at Ohio City Blooms, 1909 West 25th Street, Cleveland.  Parking is available in the lot behind Ohio City Blooms’ rear entrance and may be used for the evening or during ticket pickup.  For additional information on the event, call 216.781.3222.