Local fall events spark attraction back to small businesses
All photos by Shay MacLean.
Looking for things to do this month in Cleveland? Some local businesses are hosting fall events with a few changes to keep guests safe during COVID-19.
Outdoor Fall Market - Oct. 17
Grit & Grace Market, a local vintage and artisan-inspired marketplace, is hosting its first-ever outdoor fall market on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This free event will host 50 vendors, including food and other local shops.
Owners Brandon and Melody Miles are thrilled to host this event on the large open space outside the Old Woolen Mill, where they opened their business this January.
“I think it’s going to be a really well-attended event because so many things have been canceled recently, and I think people are ready to get out and do things and experience things,” said Miles. “And the good thing is this event will be out in the open so you can spread out, we’ve got a nice big area there.”
Miles believes this event is important for the community, as well as the vendors themselves.
“So many of these kinds of events have been canceled lately, and we thought let’s give our vendors an opportunity to make some money with this,” said Miles. “It’s also a good way to get people to the [Old Woolen Mill] and see the future of what we think can happen here.”
In addition to the stalls, attendees can enter a draw to win gift cards to Grit & Grace Market. More information about Grit & Grace Market can be found on their Facebook.
Bird & Barn - Oct. 21 and 22
Tickets are now available for Free 2 Fly’s annual fundraising event, Bird & Barn. Hosted at Black Fox Farms, this evening market will highlight local vendors with unique, handmade and handcrafted offerings.
All ticket proceeds will support Free 2 Fly, a local nonprofit that supports and empowers women.
Organizers are ensuring that the event will be safe for all attendees. Free 2 Fly Communications Manager Ellie Topinka outlined how this year will be different from previous years.
“We have less vendors this year to allow for larger booth spaces and to encourage social distancing and have also added outdoor vendor space,” said Topinka. “We will also have sanitizing stations throughout the venue, and all volunteers and Free 2 Fly staff will be wearing masks.”
To find out more about Bird & Barn and purchase tickets, click here.
Themed Runs at Terra Running Company - Oct. 29
After a hiatus from group events during COVID-19, Terra Running Company is hosting free themed runs for the community this fall. On Oct. 6, participants joined a wo-mile group walk/run around downtown Cleveland.
Another themed run will take place on Oct. 29, with participants dressing up in costume. Brittany Katz, owner of the Terra Running Company and Bear Brew Coffee, is excited to offer these events once again with safety precautions.
“We would love Lee students to participate in any of our themed group runs!” said Katz. “They are always free and often include a giveaway or raffle.”
Spaces are limited for each of these events, and registration can be found here.
