|
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.
|
