EVENTS
BBA Plans 11th Annual Community Garage Sale
This year’s date is the third Saturday in June
Start saving those attic treasures or your basement bounty for the 11th Annual Bath Community Garage Sale, scheduled this year the weekend of Father’s Day, on the third Saturday in June, June 17, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sponsored by the Bath Business Association (BBA), in cooperation with Bath Township, the annual community garage sale typically features more than 70 individual participating locations, scattered throughout Bath, with sites shown on a Garage Sale map and marked by signage.
“The garage sale is a great way to find those ‘hidden treasures’ in the Bath community,” said Kelley Brubaker, BBA Secretary and Garage Sale Committee Chair. “There should be an amazing selection of items this year from toys, clothes and tools to furniture, knick-knacks and household items.”
Proceeds from the sale help to fund a scholarship award for a graduating high school senior living in Bath who is planning to pursue further study in business.
Cost to participate in the Bath Community Garage Sale is $20, with participating applications to be available in the May Bath Country Journal and posted by mid-April on the BBA website, www.bathbusinessassociation.com.
Watch for more details as spring approaches or call 330-666-3347 for information.
Wye Road Bridge Lighting, Santa Arrival Herald Bath’s Holiday Season
A favorite Thanksgiving tradition in Bath is the annual Wye Road Bridge Lighting and Santa Arrival, courtesy of the Bath Business Association (BBA).
This family friendly, free-of-charge event takes place at the Wye Road Bridge, near The Bake Shop in Ghent, on the Friday after Thanksgiving, this year on Nov. 25, starting at 5:30 p.m.
“This is the 18th year for what has become a Bath holiday tradition,” said Nancy Fay, BBA co-president, chair of the event and owner of The Bake Shop in Ghent. “It’s one way our 84 BBA members ‘give back’ to the community, by planning, organizing, and contributing to this event.”
The section of Wye Road along the bridge takes on the look of a winter fairyland with garlands and lights draping the bridge and the decorated Christmas tree ready to be lit up during the evening festivities. Caroling from the porch of The Bake Shop will precede the lights being turned on just about the time Santa Claus arrives in his “sleigh.” It then becomes a Pied-Piper scenario as Santa leads children of all ages to his post under the tent in the parking lot, where he’ll spend the evening listening to the holiday wishes of all.
“We have the best Santa Claus in the world. A man who looks more like Santa Claus than the real Santa Claus,” said Fay. “It’s always gratifying for us to see how much fun and enjoyment this brings to the children and families taking part.”
Mingling among the crowd will be Rudolph, the Red-Nose Reindeer, and Frosty the Snowman, both adding to the winter-wonderland ambiance. Gift bags, stuffed with holiday themed goodies donated by BBA members, will be handed out to the younger attendees. Holiday cookies, courtesy of Vaughn & Company Salon, along with coffee and hot chocolate, compliments of The Bake Shop in Ghent, will be available under another tent, while a third tent will be the site for crafts and activities for the children awaiting their turn to visit Santa Claus.
“We’re always grateful for the support we receive for the Bridge Lighting from the township,” said Jody Konstand, BBA co-president. “This holiday event runs so smoothly because of the assistance from Bath’s police, fire and service departments, as well as the Bath trustees and township Administrator and Police Chief Vito Sinopoli.”
The tradition of the Wye Road Bridge Lighting and Santa Arrival is an effort of the BBA to promote the unique and distinctive businesses in Bath, many of which are BBA members, especially during this time of the year.
“It’s our way to encourage residents to enhance their holiday shopping experience by shopping locally,” said Konstand. “It’s a great way to support the businesses of your friends and neighbors right here in Bath!”
For details about the Wye Road Bridge Lighting, call 330-666-3347.
Bath Welcome Bags
The Bath Business Association is responsible for distributing Welcome Bags to new residents coming into Bath Township. The listing of people moving into the community is provided to the BBA on a monthly basis by township officials. Welcome bags – filled with township information as well as small gifts items, discount coupons, and information about the BBA-member businesses – are then delivered to the new residents by a BBA member. Business-related information, such as brochures, coupons, business cards or promotional items – is limited to BBA members. For more information, please contact Chris Parsons at 330-861-3529; Marie Dusini at 330-836-2552 or Nancy Fay at 330-666-3347.
Wye Road Bridge Lighting and Santa Arrival - CANCELLED FOR 2020 DUE TO PANDEMIC
Annually, for the past 16 years, the BBA has sponsored this event on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Families and community members gather at the site of the Wye Road Bridge as a way to usher in the holiday season. There is the bridge and Christmas tree lighting; caroling; cookies, hot chocolate and coffee; goody bags for the young people; visits from Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer and the Hale Farm & Village costumed interpreters and always the much-anticipated arrival of Santa Claus. Children line up to meet with Santa and to share their holiday wishes as the culmination of one of Bath’s seasonal, holiday traditions.
During its nearly 20-year history and in addition to the above, the BBA has been involved in a number of township projects and events including:
-
Township-wide Candidates’ Nights/Forums
-
Compilation and publication of the Bath Township Directory
-
BBA-sponsored Zoning Forum in cooperation with Bath Township Zoning Department
-
Participation in Bath Community Day festivities
-
“Adoption” of a needy family or families living in the Bath community during the Christmas holiday season
-
Providing speakers and role models for the Revere High School business classes