MasonBuzz.com

The city of Mason will dress up its downtown business district and celebrate the holiday season during its annual Christmas in Mason event from 6-9 p.m. today.

Activities take place on Main Street and Reading Road between Mason-Montgomery Road and Second Avenue. This area will be closed to traffic from 4 p.m. until midnight.

A parade of canine escorts dressed up in holiday finery will lead Santa Claus into the festivities at 6:15 p.m. when the Santa Paws parade gets under way.  The parade kicks off this year at the corner of Main Street and Mason-Montgomery Road and proceeds down Main to the Plaza.

2011 Christmas in Mason Pageant Court

After the parade, a tree lighting ceremony takes place on the Plaza at 6:30 p.m.  Santa will also be available for pictures for the rest of the evening.  A full line-up of live entertainment takes place on the Main Stage throughout the evening.

The Mason Historical Society invites visitors to stop by the Alverta Green Museum at 207 E. Church S. to learn about the history of Mason.

Other activities include horse-drawn carriage rides, story times at the Mason Public Library, caricature and balloon artists, and ice and wood carvers. “Stocking Stops” scattered throughout the downtown area will welcome visitors.

Shuttle buses will run from St. Susanna Church at 616 Reading Road and Grace Baptist Church at 5595 Mason Road.

For more information, go to www.festivalsofmason.org or call 513-229-8534.

Posted in: Community, Events, News |

Tags: Tags: business district, carriage rides, christmas in mason, city of mason, detours, downtown, entertainment, festivals of mason, free, grace baptist church, holidays, mason, mason historical society, mason public library, pageant, santa claus, santa paws parade, st. susanna church, traffic

The Mason Heritage Festival returns to downtown Mason this Saturday with an expanded lineup of events and festivities.

This year’s event marks the return of Bicycle Days — the name by which the festival was known for much of the 1970s.

A bicycle decorating contest, 25-mile morning bike ride and bicycle scavenger hunt are the latest additions to a packed one-day lineup expected to draw a crowd of 10,000 people.

“This year we’re rolling back the clock and it’s the Mason Heritage and Bicycle Festival,” said Scott Pierce, president of Festivals of Mason.

The event kicks off with the 10 a.m. Heritage Parade, which starts at the Mason Municipal Building on Mason-Montgomery Road and winds down Main Street, ending at Fourth Avenue and Reading Road.

• Find out parade route street closings and detours

“The parade is a significant piece to the day,” said Pierce.  “It’s the cornerstone that brings everyone together.”

Live music, the Little Miss Heritage pageant, Mason Idol competition and the Historical Society’s classic car show highlight the rest of the day’s activities.

Opening ceremonies and the crowning of the Little Miss Heritage pageant winner will take place immediately after the parade.  Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Now in its eighth year, the popular Mason Idol contest has attracted dozens of competitors from Mason and beyond, said Pierce.  Performances begin at 1:30 p.m. at the CenturyLink Stage.

This year’s festival won’t be restricted to just Mason’s historical downtown area, said Pierce.

The bicycle scavenger takes riders on a 9-mile route through the city, highlighting both Mason’s 20-miles of bike paths and historic landmarks.

The ride is free and each participant will receive a free T-shirt and an entry for a drawing to win a Trek bicycle.  The scavenger hunt’s start times are 2, 2:15 and 2:30 p.m.

The one-day downtown festival was initiated in 1965 to commemorate the city’s 150th anniversary and became an annual tradition in 1968.

“Our heritage really highlights the people of Mason.  It’s that fellowship and camaraderie of our citizens that really highlight the day,” said Pierce.  “It’s a big city get-together.”

For more festival information, go to www.festivalofmason.com.

Posted in: Community, Events |

Tags: Tags: classic car show, downtown mason, food, games, heritage festival parade, historic mason, history, little miss heritage pageant, live music, mason heritage and bicycle festival, mason heritage festival, mason historical society, mason idol, scott pierce

The Mason Historical Society will hold a fundraiser at the Mason LaRosas restaurant on Wednesday, Aug. 17.

Eat at LaRosa’s any time between open and close tomorrow and the restaurant will donate 20 percent of proceeds to the Mason Historical Society.  The offer is applicable for dine-in, carry-out and delivery orders.

A flyer is required and must be presented with the bill.  Download the flyer, pictured right, via MasonBuzz or at the historical society’s website at www.masonhistoricalsociety.org.

LaRosa’s is at 1086 Reading Road.  For more information, call the Mason Historical Society at 513-398-6750.

Posted in: Community, Events |

Tags: Tags: flyer, fundraiser, larosas, mason, mason historical society, pizzeria, restaurant

Mason held its first city council meeting of the year last night.  Here are the highlights:

The meeting opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.  Mayor Don Prince recognized Mason High School sophomore Joshua Vonderhaar, who had been selected as the honorary Mason Mayor that day.

Prince noted that Joshua is active in the school marching band, participates in mock trials and will perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City in March with the Mason High School Symphonic Band.

“He was rather quiet,” said Prince of Joshua’s day as mayor.

Mason Mayor Don Prince, right, reads a proclamation declaring the Mason High School sophomore to be honoary mayor for the day in Mason. Josh's parents and brother, left, attended the event.

RECOGNITION OF VISITORS

Kevin Shew of Prestige Fireworks asked council members about funding sources for Mason’s “Red, Rhythm and Boom” event.   Mason City Council last month approved suspending the popular summer festival as a way to save money.  The action was part of council’s approval of the city’s 2011 budget at its Dec. 13 council meeting.

The move to eliminate the festival happens as city officials are predicting a 4 percent drop in general fund revenues next year. Next year’s general fund budget is down by 5.5 percent from 2010.

“We’re not at all opposed to having an event, but we’re not funding it this year,” said Mayor Don Prince.

“It has nothing to do with our patriotism,” added Council member Char Pelfrey.  “It was totally monetary, which does not preclude to say that Mason can celebrate our Independence Day independently.”

AGENDA ITEMS

• Res. 2011-01 Requesting the County Auditor to make Tax Advances during the year 2011 pursuant to Section 321.34 of the Ohio Revised Code: Unanimously approved

• Ord. 2011-01 Approval of the replat for Lots 25, 26, 29 and 30 of Carmelle Subdivision, Section One: Unanimously approved

• Ord. 2011-02 Approval of the reissuance of Bond Anticipation Notes related to the purchase of the Golf Center at Kings Island: Unanimously approved

• Ord. 2011-03 Authorizing payment in the not to exceed amount of $4,000 to the Warren County Humane Association, a private non-profit organization; Ord. 2011-04 Authorizing payment of $4,000 to the Mason Historical Society, a private non-profit organization; Ord. 2011-05 Authorizing payment of $4,000 to the Mason Area Arts Council, a private non-profit organization: Approved (Council member Rich Cox abstained from voting on payment to the Mason Historical Society, citing membership on the society’s board)Assistant City Manager Jennifer Heft explained that funding to the above groups had been reduced by 50 percent in the city’s 2011 Budget, approved at the Dec. 13 meeting.

• Ord. 2011-06 Authorizing payment of $25,000 to Festivals of Mason, Inc. in support of the 2010 Heritage Festival and Christmas in Mason: Unanimously approvedFunding for Festivals of Mason, Inc. was cut by $25,000 at the council’s Dec. 13 meeting.  City Manager Eric Hansen explained that since the city entered into an agreement with Festivals of Mason in 2004, the city has been the major financial backer of the event.  The city provides in-kind support, such as police staffing and other labor, but the festival also relies on sponsorships, vendor fees and other revenues.

• Ord. 2011-07 Authorizing Agreement #23879 with the Ohio Department of Transportation for the purpose of constructing the U.S. 42 Improvement Project: Unanimously approved

• Ord. 2011-08 Authorizing a contract with Southeastern Equipment Co., Inc. for the purchase of one (1) 2011 Case Loader in the amount of $138,519: Unanimously approvedHeft noted the city’s current case loader was purchased in 1997 for $91,000.  It was expected to last 15 years at the time of purchase.  The city has spent $38,000 in repairing the loader, which suffers from rust and corrosion.  She noted that by purchasing a new loader now and not in August, the city will save $13,000 on its purchase.

Hansen concluded with the city manager’s report in which he discussed the success of the Mason Hope for the Holidays program, which provided food to 39 local families in need and toys to more than 60 needy children, and the Mason Community Center renovations.

“It’s too early to declare victory, but it’s a very good start, said Prince on the community center.

“I think that these numbers are impressive,” said Council member Christine Shimrock.  “I am going to declare a small victory just not for the center but for the city.  I am optimistic that we will be able to sustain the success.”

Council then entered into an executive session to discuss personnel matters before adjourning.

Posted in: Board of Trustees, Community, Government, News |

Tags: Tags: city budget, city council, don prince, heritage festival, mason, mason area arts council, mason historical society, mayor for the day, red, rhythm and blue, spending, warren county humane society