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MIDDLEFIELD -- The Grinch descended on the Middlefield community in a big way on Saturday, making it a "Merry Middlefield" for all involved.
An event of this magnitude took a community of businesses as well as the Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis of East Geauga County, and volunteers working together in advance to perfectly execute the festivities, according to Kim Breyley, a member of the Middlefield Chamber of Commerce and one of the event's planners.
Donations from the community of toys and gift cards, and the extra time and effort involved in planning and following through by volunteers ensured that Middlefield was a merry place to be.
Some of the members of the Chamber of Commerce began receiving toy and gift card donations designated for local charities right after Thanksgiving. Breley said 22 businesses in and around Middlefield served as dropoff points for the donations.
After breakfast with the Grinch and the drawing of tickets for the recent "stuff the bus" event, the Grinch was off to "steal" the toys and gift cards from the chamber members. Max the dog and Cindy Lou Who also accompanied the Grinch on his shenanigans for the day.
The Kiwanis Club served breakfast at Cardinal Junior / Senior High School. The Grinch, along with Max and Cindy Lou, posed for pictures, and the Grinch also signed books that children brought.
There was a "Grinchy" coloring contest in the Geauga Amish Post and the Middlefield Post, with the possibility of winning a $25 gift card to a participating store. Each work of art was on display at the breakfast and names for the winners were drawn.
Breley said more than 600 people entered the coloring contest. Winners were: Clar Mae Frey of North Bloomfield, adult; Rebeka Miller of Middlefield, 13-16 age group; Trinity Culliton of Middlefield in the 7-12 age group; and Aaron D. Miller of Atlantic, Pa. in the 4 to 6 age group.
Also taking place at the school was a craft show featuring more than 50 vendors lining the hallways. Some came a good distance to be part of the event, including Streetsboro, Perry and Chardon.
The United Methodist Church served lunch and Santa arrived at Great Lakes Outdoor Supply and was available for photos until a fireworks display at 6 p.m. sponsored by GLOS.