College Hill businesses offer lots to do during tree lighting

COLLEGE HILL, Ohio (WKRC) - The 2nd annual “Light Up College Hill” is Tuesday night.

The family-friendly event will include a live reindeer to feed and pet, a penguin from the Cincinnati Zoo, train rides for kids, caroling and concessions.

Because of the pandemic, last year’s tree lighting ceremony was virtual.

“We did it as a Facebook live event and we had about 100 people show up around the perimeter of the park, so this year we want to do it bigger and better and still do it in a COVID-conscious and safe way, and I think we’re going to see that tonight,” executive director of The College Hill CURC Seth Walsh said.

Dozens of stores along Hamilton Avenue will be participating in the event.

“If you get cold, we’ll have events going on inside storefronts that will be COVID safe, so you can get warm, and we’ll be selling merchandise,” Walsh said. “If you come and find out you’re really, really cold we’ll have sweaters to buy, as well as beanies and other gear.”

At Kiki, you’ll be able to decorate your own cookies, and if you stop into Fern, you can make your own small origami star to later be strung into a garland.

Other participating businesses include College Hill Coffee Company, Marty’s Hops and Vines, Silk Road Textiles, Tango Del Barrio, Mashroots, Spotless Spaces Cleaning, Brink and Hartman & Ehrmantraut CPA’s.

“It’s great to see the community coming together,” Walsh said. “This has been the community vision for so long and to see this business district come back to life is incredible.”

Light Up College Hill runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

The lighting ceremony will take place at 8 p.m.