Raven Wings & BBQ Things coming to downtown Ravenna Saturday. What you need to know

Diane Smith, Record-Courier
·2 min read

A festival that once celebrated the environment at Ravenna parks has partnered with Main Street Ravenna, moved downtown and added barbecue foods to its offerings.

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Raven Wings & BBQ Things will take place 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday in downtown Ravenna.

Organizer Sammi Miller said the event will take place on Ravenna's Courthouse Lawn, with the portion of Main Street in front of the courthouse closed, as well as portions of South Chestnut Street and Park Avenue next to the courthouse.

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Miller said she started the event in 2018 as Raven's Nest Fest and previously hosted it in Chestnut Hills Park and Ravenna City Park. It was suspended in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, she approached Main Street Ravenna about bringing the event downtown. Main Street officials suggested adding barbecue to the festivities, and the event was renamed and relocated.

“When I started this festival in 2018, it was always my vision to have it on Main Street. I am excited to bring thatvision to life this year with the help of Main Street Ravenna," she said. "Each year, a couple of our volunteers have created their very own environmental take home craft table for kids, and I can’t wait to see what they come up with this time.”

There will be musical performances from Gretchin Miller, Venus Bemus & The Full Flavor, and booths from Studio Clay, Krystal Korner, Fed Up Apparel, Farm Girls Kitchen, OB and Zen, Superbloom by Syd, & Grown and Created. Bill Starcher will provide local art.

Local food trucks will provide barbecue, and area stores and restaurants also will be open during the event. The event will include raffle baskets, 50/50 drawings, lawn games, crafts and storytelling, as well as Owlbert from the Portage Parks District. Event t-shirts will be sold for $15, or $20 for a shirt with tie-dying.

Proceeds from the raffles will offset the expenses of putting on the festival next year.

Miller said with the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area now in effect, the event will include activities for both adults and children. She said she's hosting the event because she wants to do a good thing for the community.

"I'm just a girl who loves Ravenna and I love the earth," she said.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Raven Wings & BBQ Things coming to downtown Ravenna on Saturday