The sun is shining, the trees are blooming and the smell of flowers drifts in the warm spring air. As the first weekend of June approaches, Toledoans are getting excited for one of the community’s oldest and most beloved festivals.
On Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8, the 43rd annual Historic Old West End festival will take place across 25 city blocks of Toledo’s finest preserved neighborhood, featuring a diverse collection of Victorian and Edwardian homes, making this neighborhood a city favorite.
Don’t wait for the Festival to begin. Enjoy live entertainment and fun on Friday night, June 6.
The roster of events has something to appeal to all. Homeowners will open their doors to share a piece of historic Toledo with the public. Other highlights include the 105th Anniversary of the King Wamba Carnival Parade, neighborhood garage and antique sales, the OWE 5K Run/Walk, a juried art fair as well as live entertainment and concerts, with wine and a variety of locally brewed beers in the arboretum’s beer garden.
The OWE Festival draws crowds from throughout the region to celebrate art, culture and creativity. So strap on your sandals and enjoy the art and history.
King Wamba Carnival Parade
King Wamba Carnival ParadeSaturday June 7th from 10am to 11:30am
Celebrate the birth of summer by paying homage to Toledo’s grand but short-lived Mardi Gras Festival of 1909. The parade is a sensory playground of sights, sounds, and experiences including art cars, a multitude of musicians and a “Mini Cooper Crew” all in special OWE style.
This year’s King and Queen are Dave and Lynn LaPlante, longtime residents and volunteers in the Old West End. The Grand Marshals are the personnel of Toledo Fire and Rescue Station Number 17
Home Tours Round Up
Home Tours Round UpHistoric houses open their doors
The 43rd annual Historic Old West End Festival celebrates one of Toledo’s most distinctive neighborhoods. Spanning twenty-five blocks of architecturally important houses, the OWE includes numerous examples of Victorian, Edwardian, Queen Anne, Romanesque, Arts and Crafts, Neoclassical and Colonial Revival style homes. A majority of the houses were built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with Old World craftsmanship in the woodworking, stone masonry, and other design elements that is rarely duplicated in modern-day construction.
Donation for House Tour tickets:
$15 per person / $25 per couple / $5 single house tour per person
Children 12 and under are FREE when accompanied by an adult paid admission
$10 per person with a donation of 5 canned goods to benefit "St. Paul's United Methodist Church"
Drop off canned goods at either Information Booths
Purchase tickets at either Information Booths or at any House Tour location.
B.The Pratt-Lockford Home
(2515 Glenwood): Built in 1907 by Judge John H. Doyle as a gift for his daughter, Helen, this Colonial-style home features a four-column, covered front porch and side panel windows. The interior appointments include amazing wood details, butler’s pantry and a gracious grand staircase. Be sure not to miss the colorful stories about the past inhabitants of this historical home.
A.The George Williams-Jane & Dave Pettijean Home
(2532 Glenwood): Built in 1914, this Arts and Crafts home is celebrating its centennial year. A gorgeous beveled and leaded-glass entrance leads to an interior boasting original oak craftsmanship and light fixtures. A stairwell window seat below triple stained glass windows highlights a tulip motif. As an added delight, the current owner's original artwork adorns this lovely home.
E.The Reynolds Secor Home-Mansion View Inn
(2035 Collingwood): Built in 1887, this magnificent 10,000-square-foot mansion was designed by Edward O. Fallis and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Interior highlights include Italian marble, hand-carved 13-foot ceilings, Honduran mahogany and a beautiful stained glass window in the dining room. There are three floors, 18 rooms and six and one half baths in this historic gem.
C.The George Allen-Deb Todd Kienzle Home
(2238 Scottwood): Built in 1892 by architect David L. Stine for George Allen of Allen & Parkhurst, a home decorating company, this home features a spectacular entry with stained glass windows and wood floors showing craftsman artistry. Additional details include chandeliers, pocket doors, detailed fret work, second floor laundry, must-see bathrooms and main and staff staircases.
D.The Edward & Florence Scott Libbey Home
(2008 Scottwood): Built in 1895 by architect David L. Stine, this stunning home is a combination of shingle and Colonial revival style. The interior includes a 30-foot reception hall, a cherry wood grand staircase featuring a large stained glass bay, a mahogany parlor, and an ornately paneled dining room accented by 10 hand-carved lions’ heads. Historic Toledo grandeur at its best!
Poets & Troubadours schedule
Commons Park Stage
Bancroft at Robinwood
Saturday:
Noon • Nick Muska and Tom Barden (Poets); Steve Finelli (Musician)
1pm • Greg Peters (Poet); Steve and Jennie Finelli (Musician)
2pm • Steve North (Poet); Jennie Finelli (Musician)
3pm • Rebecca Wood (Poet); Orlando Finelli (Musician)
4pm • Dennis Doblinger (Poet); Orlando Finelli and Mike Fox (Musician)
5pm • Joseph Schafer (Poet). Blind Dawg (Musician)
Sunday:
11am • Arnie Koester (Poet); Open (Musician)
Noon • Trina Stolec and Patrick Mcgee (Poet); Open (Musician)
1pm • Kayla Marie William (Poet); Grant and Don Flick (Musician)
2pm • Jonie Mcintire (Poet); John Ross (Musician)
3pm • Todd Doering (Poet); Chase Brady (Musician)
4pm • Lorraine Cipriano (Poet); John Zema (Musician)
5pm • Mike Kocinski (Poet); Open (Musician)
Friday, June 6
Agnes Jackson Reynolds Arboretum
7pm – Silent Lions (Minimalist pop-rock from Toledo)
8pm – The Hard Lessons (Hard rock from Detroit)
9pm – Chit Chat (Surf-rock from Ann Arbor)
10pm – Thirty Three & 1/3 (Psychedelic rock from Toledo)
Saturday, June 7
Agnes Jackson Reynolds Arboretum
12pm – Jean Holden (Vocal expression)
2pm – Late Nights and Early Mornings (Detroit jazz)
3pm – The Ruth Nichols Group (Classic jazz)
4pm – Rick Meyers (Musical saw virtuoso)
5pm – Rob Storm (Pop / folk)
6pm – Brynn and Ben (Pop rock)
7pm – Flatline Revival (Diverse rock)
8pm – R.M.O. (Tommy 2 Tone meets the Tubes)
9pm – Groove Plexus (Psychedelic jazz)
10pm – JoJo Stella (Psychedelic rock)
2041 Parkwood Ave. Stage
2pm – Figs Posey – Nate Stiles
3pm – JoJo Stella (Psychedelic rock)
4pm – Jeff Loose
Art Fair Stage (Parkwood at Woodruff)
Noon – Aegele Middle Eastern Dancers
1pm – Ben Stalet (Folk-rock)
2pm – Black Swamp Blues Players
3pm – The Young Repertoire Education Program
(Broadway classics)
4pm – The Refuge Band (Christian rock)
5pm – The Estar Cohen Project (Modern jazz)
Sunday, June 8
Agnes Reynolds Jackson Arboretum
Noon – Orlando Finelli (Old and new tunes)
1pm – The Young Repertoire Education Program
(A showcase of broadway classics)
3pm – Kitty Glitter (Indie rock)
4pm – Mytown Motown (Honest motown)
5pm – Finelli Family Harmonies (Classics)
Art Fair Stage (Parkwood at Woodruff)
Noon – Laurie Swyers and Elenie Ash (Jam band)
1pm – Dave Carpenter (Folk & americana)
2pm – Rick Meyers (Musical saw)
3pm – Glass City Steel (Steel drums)
4pm – Space Gypsies (Rock)
5pm – Pilot Radio (Rock)
Festival Art Fair
The OWE Festival Art Fair takes place on the grounds of the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion. World-class juried artists from over six states will advertise their work while festival attendees stroll the tree-lined property that runs along Woodruff Ave. between Scottwood Ave. & Collingwood Blvd. 11am-5pm both Saturday and Sunday.
Participating Artists:
Glass
Carol Walker
D & J Glass Designs
Harbor Glass
Kim Ritter
Lori Wells
Fiber
Batik Creations
Gretchen Brautigan
Tara Hubbard
Traci Lender/Charleen Wellinger
Carrie Mickey/Kathy Bella
Michelle Sokol
Aly Stacey
Photography
Mark D. Heard
Sarah Hanson
Sarah Sobel-Poage
Metal
Chris Brautigan
Hans Reubel
Jewelry
Denise Donaldson
Karyl Gatteno
Lizz Godfrey
Chelsea Hall
Terri Huntley
Jane Lamanna
Pam/Ceci Lemons
Michelle Maddux
Marie McGlathery
Nadine Musser
2-Dimensional
Janet Davies
Monte Ellson
Steve Mockensturm
Other
Garden Accents
Laura Harrison
Kina Hoffman
Liz Stutzman
Pamela Chris Designs
Marketplace Vendors
• Printed on a Lark
• Sharon's Creations
• All Good Things
• L & L Enterprise Jewelry
• Nature Green
• Family Jewels
• Z Tupperware
• EverDry Waterproofing
• W&L Pearl Arts
• ABC Seamless & Bath Planet
• Residential Renovations
• Jupmode
• Old West Initiatives
• Toledo Lasik and Cataract Center
• Inkas Crafts
• Procraft Home Products
• Enhancing Abilities
• Michele Arnett
• Petite Panoramas
• LeafFilter North Inc.
• BathFitters
• ItWorks Global
• Dimensions in Style
• Jhonny Cornejo Crafts
• Colonial Wagon and Wheel
• Africa Art
• The Toledo Blade
OWE 5k STAMPEDE
OWE 5k STAMPEDEWhat better way to celebrate the Old West End Festival than with the thunder of rubber soles on pavement? The OWE 5K Stampede brings casual runners and fitness fanatics together. The run/walk (you pick the speed) will begin in front of the Professional Building on the corner of Parkwood Ave. and Monroe St., passing in front of the Toledo Museum of Art and winding its way through the neighborhood. Registration begins at 7:30am on Sunday, June 8, and the race starts at 9am rain or shine. $25. Download an entry form at toledooldwestend.com
Food Vendors
Food VendorsFood trucks and vendors will be located at the Art Fair (Parkwood & Woodruff Ave.) and the Arboretum (Delaware & Robinwood Ave.), Saturday & Sunday from 10am-6pm. Menu includes BBQ, hamburgers, gyros, ribs, funnel cakes, pizza, smoothies, fries, ice cream, hot dogs and more.
Children's Activities
Woodruff and Parkwood Aves.
ART ACTIVITIES
Saturday 11am – 4:30pm / Sunday Noon – 4:30pm
located under the TMA tent on Woodruff Ave.)
Sponsored by AIA Toledo in cooperation with the Toledo Museum of Art Hands-on art activities
MUSIC ACTIVITIES
Saturday from Noon – 5pm
Sponsored by Kathy & Martin Jarret and Judy & Dave Winder
John Davis Vibe Man provides interactive eclectic vibraphone music for kids and families alike.
nSunday 2pm – 5pm
Sponsored by Dr. Pamela Stover
Dr. Pamela Stover provides ethnic percussion instruments for kids and families to explore.
MOVEMENT ACTIVITIES
Saturday Noon – 5pm on the grass of the Glass Pavilion
Sponsored by Jenn McCullough
Integration Yoga with Jenn demonstrating "In the Moment" fun yoga poses for children.
Car Show
Car ShowRev your engines and get ready to cruise back in time at the 43rd annual Historic Old West End Classic Car Show on the front lawn of Scott High School, Saturday June 7 11am- 2pm. Bring your family and friends out to enjoy a piece of automotive history.​
Scott High School Community Bash
Scott High School Community BashJesup Wakeman Scott High School is celebrating more than 100 years as an educational presence in the Old West End. Building renovations, completed in 2012, have allowed the iconic Collingwood Ave. building to become a community hub, offering services beyond secondary education to the residents in the area.
On Saturday, June 7, from 12pm-4pm, Scott will host a Community Bash on the lawn. Activities will include face painting, bounce houses, games, live music, and food.
List of OWE Association Committees
The Old West End Association
Mission Statement “Dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Old West End.” Our neighbors are dedicated individuals that believe that preservation of our historic homes is vital to the City of Toledo. Proceeds from the OWE Festival help support the following Old West End Association committees:
PRESERVATION
This committee consists of district residents whose mission is to safeguard and promote historic preservation within the Old West End; provide historic preservation leadership; work to see that the Historic District Ordinance is adhered to within the District; work for the improvement of rundown, derelict and abandoned properties; promote the enforcement of local laws regarding nuisance properties and negligent landlords; in view of future energy concerns, remain open to ideas regarding the use of new building materials, which will add to the lifespan and viability of these homes, provided they are approved by the Historic District Plan Commission; join with other local historic preservation groups to share ideas and provide a united front in the wake of urban renewal, urban blight and in-filling; extend an outreach to surrounding communities, that might want to work with us to help renew their own communities; and provide information about historic preservation work being done in the Old West End to other parts of the City and region.
STREETSCAPE
The Streetscape Committee of the Old West End Association is responsible for planning and expediting the improvement, beautification and historic qualities of our neighborhood through the efforts of neighborhood volunteers.
ARBORETUM
The Agnes Reynolds Jackson Arboretum is a serene two-acre garden spot located at the corner of Robinwood and Delaware Avenues, the former site of St. Lukes Hospital. It was named in honor of the late Agnes (Aggie) Reynolds Jackson in recognition of her years of devotion and hard work for the Old West End and Toledo. The support of Aggie’s family and the late Dr. Robert Jackson has been invaluable in the development of the Arboretum. In 1985, the Old West End Association acquired this land, once a neighborhood eyesore. It’s current beauty is due to the dedication and efforts of many Old West End residents. Trees, bushes and plantings are available for adoption as a memorial or honorarium for a friend or loved one. Music in the Park is a music series performed in the park throughout the summer. Commemorative Bricks are also available. Tax deductible donations are always welcome.
MANSION VIEW
Bed & Breakfast & Special Events Center – This beautiful 1887 Victorian Mansion was donated to the Old West End Association in 2000. It is now used for all Association meetings and is available as a Bed & Breakfast and to rent for weddings, business or social events. Call 419-244-5676 for more information.
EDUCATION
The Education Committee of the Old West End Association provides opportunities for both children and adults to learn more about the cultural diversity of our neighborhood and supports our neighborhood’s educational institutions. Grants and volunteer help are available to assist educational institutions with programs and/or projects.
