The first Galena Fall Gathering, a day of music, cars and food, has been set for Oct. 15 in the village square.
Proceeds from the daylong event will go toward building a new playground in Galena and for cancer research, focusing on pediatric research and treatments at The Ohio State Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.
The Galena Fall Gathering is partnering with the Buckeye Cruise for Cancer and Pelotonia, two organizations that support innovate cancer research at the James and Solove Research Institute.
“This is our first year for the Galena Fall Gathering, and we think it’s going to be spectacular,” said Galena Mayor Jill Love. “There’s going to be something for everyone – fantastic music, great food, a fitness expo and a car show.”
Love said the Galena Fall Gathering grew out of a need for an event that would benefit the community, generate funds for charity, and create a new, inclusive playground at Miller Park.
The Galena Fall Gathering will be held on the village square from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. The day’s events include:
• A Taste of Big Walnut: Local restaurants will be lined up along Columbus Street to offer their wares.
• Mid-Ohio Porsche exhibit: Porsches will be lined up along Harrison Street.
• Crafts and Creations: High-end artists will be selling their work.
• Kids Zone presented by Primrose School
• Cake/Pie and a Chili & Salsa Contest
• Fitness Expo featuring a Sherri Louis cycle class, sponsored by Next Level Fitness, and Hip Hop Fitness with Mike Nicholson.
Jamie Stevens, one of the organizers of the Galena Fall Gathering, said the response from the community “has been amazing.”
“We’ve had so many individuals and companies step up to help make this inaugural gathering a success,” Stevens said. “We’re looking forward to this first event and using it as a launching pad for future gatherings.”
The musical lineup will include North to Nashville, LDNL, Famous Johnson Brothers and A.J. Angelo. The musical acts are presented by The Buckeye Cruise for Cancer, John Page of Pagestock Ltd., and Van Easterday, owner of New Legs Productions.
Love said, “Our mission statement is, ‘Elevating lives and building unity through community improvements and charitable service.’ With these principles in mind, it’s been such a blessing with collaborate with the Big Walnut Civic Association, which works tirelessly on behalf of our greater Big Walnut community. They have been involved from the beginning and such a help to this great event.”
One of the special fundraisers for the event is a silent auction that includes two hand-painted guitars donated by the rock band Twenty One Pilots and autographed by band members Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun. The guitars were painted by Nancy Elhallak, who has painted guitars for the Rolling Stones and the Grateful Dead. Also included in the auction is a weeklong vacation at a Cabo condo, a weeklong vacation in Myrtle Beach, and a hot-air balloon ride. The online bidding is available now, but the auction also will be open the day of the Galena Fall Gathering. To bid online, visit https://galena.cbo.io/.
Anyone interested in volunteering for the event can sign up online at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805094aa4af2eaaf49-2022.
For a complete lineup of the Galena Fall Gathering, visit www.galenafallgathering.com.
