| 


|
Historic
Ladoga hosts many annual events. Our Candlelight Christmas Tour was one
of the organization' s first fundraising events. The first home tour was
hosted on December 19, 1993, and was organized within two weeks. Each
year, Ladoga features 1-2 businesses, 3-5 homes, the historic Presbyterian
Church, a live nativity, and a Victorian era Father Christmas and Victorian
Miss. Some years have also included live reindeer and carriage rides.
Candle illuminaries mark the tour sights along with signs and balloons.
Ladoga's ambiance is enhanced each year thanks to a decorating contest
sponsored by the Ladoga Lions Club. Judging for this contest (which requires
no entry form) takes place just prior to the home tour and signs are placed
in the lawns of the winners.
Christmas
Tour Day 2004 was up and running (literally) early as Historic Ladoga
extended the festivities to include hosting our List Annual Kris Kr ingle
Keep-on Kickin' Klassic (5K) Run/Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk. The run
and walk began simultaneously at 2:00, immediately followed by an awards
program. All runners given commemortative sweatshirts, and both runners
and walkers were adorned with Santa hats, & jingle bells for their
shoes as part of their race packets--making this a very festive, very
fun event.
|
The
overwhelming success of our Christmas Tour prompted us to want to showcase
the talents of our many gifted gardeners. Even our own residents were
surprised to find out that the Ladoga community has some very elaborate
and magazine-worthy outdoor paradises. So, in 1998, our first annual Garden
Tour was held featuring six gardens. Each year the attendance has grown
and this past year our tour was hosted in conjunction with the Strawberry
Festival held at the Lane Place in Crawfordsville. The Garden Tour inspired
some gardeners to form a spin-off group to enable them to share gardening
secrets and trade plants.
Out
of respect for our veterans and love of Country. Historic Ladoga planned
its first Memorial Pancake Breakfast in 1995. The day began early as Dick
Wolfsie and Barney from Channel 6 in Indianapolis was slated to broadcast
live from the debut event which featured local children and entertainers.
Pancakes and sausages were served by Paula Par due in the Ladoga Firehouse
prior to a ceremony held at the Ladoga Cemetery. Each year. a brief message.
military salute. and patriotic songs are part of the ceremony that is
attended by approximately 50 people each year. Small American flags are
given to each student at Ladoga Elementary School in advance. and are
available to anyone the day of the breakfast. The 2002 Memorial Day Pancake
Breakfast was held for the first time at Old Normal. It also included
an expanded menu thanks to a few new volunteers who are also wonderful
cooks. The annual pancake breakfast is a freewill donation event and is
held each year on Memorial Day.
Another
favorite event for the children of Ladoga is the annual Easter Egg Hunt
Local merchants, the Volunteer Fire Department, and generous members provide
candy, funds, and prizes for the free event A small group of dedicated
volunteers pack hundreds of plastic eggs with candy, and arrive early
on the designated Saturday to hide the treats and section off Davis Park
according to age group. Weeks of preparation goes into this event that
takes place with 10-15 furious minutes start to finish. This year over
180 children attended the hunt and each left with overflowing baskets
and overwhelming smiles.
|