This weekend, area residents have an opportunity to check out local businesses for holiday shopping ideas and a chance to win prizes.
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, the Tiffin Little Box Shops are holding the third annual Holiday Happenings. This year ,29 businesses are participating with demonstrations, open houses, specials and refreshments.
Carol Yager, president of Crystal Traditions and a member of the Little Box Shops, said the event has been popular in the past and helps introduce local businesses to the community.
"Not only is it a good event, it brings people to Tiffin and exposes the small business," she said. "It lets people know they exist and what they have to offer."
Yager said many businesses are returning for their third year.
There will be extras for people this weekend. Crystal Traditions will have demonstrations of glass-blowing and glass-cutting and Russian glass on display; the Enchanted Moment Doll Shoppe and Museum will be hosting paid doll appraisals; Paper and Ink is to hold book-signings throughout the weekend; the Angelus will hold rosary-making and ornament-painting presentations; Something Special is hosting local artist Sue Wikham for art signings; and Bunky's Bike Shop will hold a raffle for a free tune-up.
Fact Box
Participating businesses
The Angelus, 212 Jefferson St.
Bunky's Bike Shop, 45 S. Washington St.
Burn's Electric, 116 E. Market St.
Crystal Traditions, 145 Madison St.
Ewald Furniture Co. 2931 S. SR 100
Enchanted Moment Doll Shoppe and Museum, 174 Jefferson St.
Forte Music, 717 W. Market St.
Frameworks located at 643 Miami St. Unit 4
Grammes Brown House, 172 Jefferson St.
GW's Fine Foods and Spirits, 275 S. Washington St.
Hidden Treasures 14 Sycamore St.
Hoperoy's Hallmark Shop, 77 S. Washington St.
Jeffrey Jewelry, 2449 W. Market St.
King's Glass Engraving, 181 S. Washington St.
Paper and Ink, 98 S. Washington St.
Phat Cakes, 45 S. Washington St
Phillips Electric, 176 S. Washington St.
Ralph's Joy of Living,33 N. Washington St.
Reino's Pizza and Pasta,73 E. Market St.
Same Day Signs, 80 E. Market St.
Something Special "A Street of Shops," 2800 S. SR 100
Subtle Verse, 181 Jefferson St.
Surf 'N Turf Specialties and More, 300 S. Washington St.
Threads, 2451 W. Market St.
Tiffin Area Chamber of Commerce, 19 W. Market St.
Tiffin Art Guild, 178 S. Washington St.
Tiffin Glass Museum and Shoppe, 25 S. Washington St.
Tom Rodgers Flowers, 245 S. Washington St.
The Wax Shack, 89 Jefferson St.
An open house is planned at Grammes Brown House, with presentations by members of the Tiffin Historic Trust, and art is on display at the Tiffin Art Guild and Subtle Verse.
Visitors also are encouraged to visit the participating locations to play Holiday Happenings bingo. First prize is a big-screen television, second prize is a $250 gift certificate to Surf 'N Turf Specialties and More and third prize is a $100 gas card.
The Tiffin Glass Collectors Show and Sale is taking place 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at 780 E. CR 20. A fee of $3 admits a person for both days.
People who visit the show will be able to see glass offerings from vendors, including the 2011 limited edition cobalt ornament.
"You never know what the dealers are going to bring; it's always a surprise," said group president Ruth Hemminger.
And while many of the stores will close at 5 p.m., visitors can stay for "The Who Show" Saturday at The Ritz Theatre.
For ticket information, call (419) 448-8544.
Also, the 7th annual Harvest of Hope dinner is 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sunday at Meadowbrook Ball Room in Bascom.
For Holiday Happenings information, call (888) 298-7236 or visit www.tiffinlittleboxshop.com.
