By KELLEY MOHR Staff Writer Imagine walking through a bustling downtown on a summer night: Stores and restaurants are open, live music resonates through the square and people mingle in the twilight before congregating to watch a movie from the courthouse lawn. This is the scene that Historic Downtown Millersburg Promotions and Events Director Tara McCulloch envisions as she plans Second Saturdays, an event HDM hopes to install this summer to join annual events like Antiques in the Alley, the Holmes 100 Cycling Fest and the Thunder Over Holmes County Independence Day festival. "We just want to have something fun for people to do on a Saturday night, and not just tourists. This would be for the entire community, all of Holmes County, everybody is welcome," said McCulloch. The evening event is to be held on the second Saturday each month, from May to October, with a "Through the Decades" theme starting in the 1940s and culminating in the present. The music and movie choices will correspond with each month's theme. In May, for example, live jazz performers will play the big band sounds of the era, people can dress up in period garb and the movie of the month will be a '40s classic like "Casablanca." The films will be viewed on the new inflatable 16-by-9 foot outdoor movie system provided by the Holmes County Prevention Coalition. "One of the most important things that we have to do in order to make this happen is get sponsorships," said McCulloch, who asks people and businesses in the community to help make Second Saturdays a reality. In thanks for such support, HDM would provide sponsors with recognition in newspaper ads, on the HDM Website and Facebook page and on-site at the event. "The biggest roadblock is funding, we just don't have it in our budget," said McCulloch, noting that each individual airing requires a $350 license. "But it would be such a shame to have this equipment and not be able to use it, especially for something the public would enjoy. I think this would be a huge event and it's not going to do anything but grow once it's established." Aside from the film, the event would potentially feature a band, booths, vendors and other entertainment such as comedians and magicians. Many merchants would stay open late, creating a perfect opportunity for shopping, congregating and free entertainment, all topped off with a movie. "It's almost a little mini festival once per month where there is a reason for people to come into town," she said. "There really isn't any expense and you don't have to travel anywhere. If you are staying in the community as a tourist, it's right here; if you're a resident, it's right here. "Plus it's just a good way to be among your community members, to have that sense of belonging. We just really want to foster that spirit of community: We're all here, this is a great place to be and we have a lot to offer," said McCulloch. And with no movie theater elsewhere in the county, HDM hopes to offer monthly entertainment for locals and tourists all summer. And as a surprising addition to the Thunder Over Holmes County Independence Days celebration, HDM would like to provide an outdoor ice skating rink ... in July. "What a way to put Holmes County on the map: Outdoor ice skating in July," said McCulloch. Once again, HDM asks for sponsors. The rink, with its artificial and synthetic simulation of ice, would cost $5,000 for a two-day rental that includes shipping, set up, staff and ice skates. "There is no other way we could do that without sponsorship. And again, it could be one person, it could be two businesses or it could be a conglomerate of sponsors," said McCulloch. Such a unique, family-friendly attraction would draw people from all over, including the Amish community, she said. "Historic Downtown Millersburg coordinates it, but it is Holmes County's festival. It is truly a community event and we want everybody from the entire county and surrounding communities to attend the event." Reporter Kelley Mohr can be reached at 330-674-5676 or kmohr@the-daily-record.com.
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