TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE CONTENTS
SPONSORS LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT RIDE BRACELETS KIDS DAY KIDS FUN RUN BLOSSOM TIME RUN PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT WEEKEND SCHEDULE PARADE GRAND MARSHAL BEAVERS CUP
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TASTE OF CHAGRIN ADVERTISING INDEX 47 48 UPDATES TO COME
TEAM
a big thank you to friends & supporters of the
...and more!
Happy Blossom everyone.
My name is Gabe Franklin and I'm the current president of the chagrin valley Jaycees. As a lifelong resident of the chagrin valley and chagrin falls service department employe, I have dedicated my life to serving our community in any way I can. It is an absolute honor to be in this position and be given the opportunity to serve you as president. I hope you all enjoy this year's blossom time festival and help us celebrate America's 250th birthday party!
Gabe Franklin 2026 Chagrin Valley Jaycees President
RIDE BRACELETS
Thursday One Session: 5:30-9:00
$30
Saturday All Day Special: 10:30-9:00 $45 Morning Session: 10:30-9:00 $30 Evening Session: 4:00-9:00 $30 Friday All Day Special: 2:00-9:00 $40 Evening Session: 5:00-9:00 $30 Sunday All Day Special: 10:30-9:00 $45 Morning Session: 10:30-4:00 $30 Evening Session: 4:00-9:00 $30 All Weekend Pass Purchase Online prior to Blossom or At the Blossom Time Festival ( Thursday and Friday) The park will be closed Monday, May 25th in observance of Memorial Day Individual ride tickets are available during the festival hours at each ticket booth.
KIDS DAY 2026
Jungle Terry (9-10)
Games Under the Big Top (10aM-12pM) Kiddie Rides Open (10:30aM)
Kicking off at 9 AM, Kids Day is all about fun for our younger guests! The festivities begin with a special performance by Jungle Terry under the Big Top Tent, followed by the opening of the Blossom Time kiddie rides at 10:30 AM.
From 10 AM to Noon, the Big Top comes alive with classic games like the egg toss, pie- eating contest, and more exciting surprises!
Balloon artists and clowns will be on hand to delight the crowd with entertainment and whimsical balloon creations that are sure to bring smiles.
Our very own Junior Jaycees will also be there offering temporary tattoos and face painting—always a big hit with the kids!
Thanks to our generous local sponsors, children can also enjoy a variety of crafts, games, hands-on activities, and tasty treats throughout the morning.
MAY 24th, 2025 AGES 3-4 @ 10:30 AM | AGES 5-6 @ 10:45 AM
KIDS OLDER THAN 6 SHOULD SIGN UP FOR THE 1 MILE RACE
Race Line Up: South Franklin and Center St Race Route: Center to Maple St and Back
SPONSORED BY:
WITH VOLUNTEERS FROM: S
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CHAGRIN FALLS OFFICE
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Thank you and have a great Memorial Day weekend! - Chagrin Valley Jaycees Blossom Time Committee
SAFETY REMINDER Each year, the Jaycees meet with the Village Officials, before and after the event, to discuss the event and look for ways to ensure the safety of all attendees. One area of emphasis is crowd control at the parade. The parade is exciting for children and they may not realize the danger of running in the street. Parents – it is your responsibility to ensure your children are not running into the street and stay back at the curb. RIDE BRACELET/TICKET PRICES Ride bracelet session prices can be seen on page 24 - All weekend pass $125 Please remember that the funds raised from Blossom Time are donated to 30+ worthy organizations throughout the year that directly impact life in the Chagrin Valley. ALL-WEEKEND RIDE BRACELET The Jaycees will offer an All-Weekend ride bracelet again this year for $100 (when purchased pre-sale), which will be good for every session, all weekend long. These can be purchased online at cvjc.org. By purchasing your wristbands online prior to the event, you will be able to avoid the long lines at the ticket booths and pick up your pre-purchased wristbands at the Jaycee booth located at the Big Top tent entrance. Wristbands purchased at the festival will be $125.
BLOSSOM TIME POSTER Back by popular demand, Lyndall Insurance and the Valley Art Center conducted a contest to create a commemorative 2026 Blossom Time poster. The winning submission will be available for sale in the Jaycee booth or online at cvjc.org. There will even be limited-edition prints, signed and numbered by the winning artist! What a great way to commemorate a class reunion or special year!
BLOSSOM TIME RUN: STOP THE BANDITS! The Blossom Time Run has more than two thousand runners but the number of people who don't register is estimated at over 500. With an entry fee of $35, this is over $17,000 in lost revenue. As previously stated, these proceeds go to support worthy causes in our own community. Additionally, the extra runners may interfere with registered runners who are interested in official race times. Please take the time to register for the race. Your registration will get you a Blossom Time Run T-shirt (while supplies last). If you choose to still not register, there will be officials at the starting line asking runners without a numbered bib to move to the back of the race field
The U.S. Constitution has 7,591 words DID YOU KNOW?
SCHEDULE BLOSSOM TIME 2026 THURSDAY 5/21 WHEN WHAT WHERE
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SCHEDULE BLOSSOM TIME 2026 FRIDAY 5/22 WHEN WHAT WHERE
SCHEDULE BLOSSOM TIME 2026 SATURDAY 5/23 WHEN WHAT WHERE
SCHEDULE BLOSSOM TIME 2026 SUNDAY 5/24 WHEN WHAT WHERE
SCHEDULE BLOSSOM TIME 2026 MONDAY 5/25 WHEN WHAT WHERE
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR ANOTHER AMAZING BLOSSOM TIME WEEKEND.
Half of all U.S. presidents came from four states DID YOU KNOW?
On Sunday, May 24, Preston Superstore, Chagrin Home Improvements, and the Chagrin Valley Jaycees Charitable Foundation proudly present the Annual Blossom Time Parade in Chagrin Falls. As the grand finale of the Blossom Time Festival, this cherished tradition continues to bring together families, friends, and visitors from across Northeast Ohio for a day filled with celebration, community spirit, and hometown pride. Originally celebrated in Chagrin Falls prior to World War II, the Blossom Time Parade was revived by the Jaycees and has since grown into one of Ohio’s most colorful and anticipated annual events. Each year, the streets of downtown Chagrin Falls are filled with marching bands, elaborate floats, fire apparatus, antique vehicles, community groups, performers, and entertainment from throughout the state. With attendance in recent years reaching more than 60,000 spectators, this year’s parade is expected to welcome an even larger crowd as we celebrate the 250th Anniversary of America. The 2026 parade will honor the spirit of patriotism, community involvement, and the traditions that have made Blossom Time a memorable part of Chagrin Falls history for generations. Preston Superstore, Chagrin Home Improvements, and the Chagrin Valley Jaycees Charitable Foundation are honored to welcome everyone to this long- standing community tradition. We invite you to join us for an unforgettable day celebrating America, community, and the continued legacy of the Blossom Time Parade.
In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, the Chagrin Valley Jaycees Charitable Foundation would like to pay tribute to all who have served this great nation, particularly those who did not return home to their families. To commemorate this milestone, we have constructed a model tomb to represent that cause. This project was made possible with the help of the Chagrin Falls Eagles Aerie 2436. We would also like to extend a special thank you to Mike Lawrence, Jim Kormos, Scott Soreo, Craig Sotrero, Troy Young, and Bill Huen. Without such dedicated community support, this tribute would not be possible. This model is built to a 3/4 scale of the original at Arlington National Cemetery and weighs nearly 800 lbs. As the Tomb passes, please remove your hats and place your hand over your heart as we honor and remember those we have lost. Grand Marshal
History of the Tomb
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery was established after World War I to honor unidentified American war dead. It has since evolved into a central national memorial for all unknown service members.
1921: On November 11, the Unknown Soldier was interred at Arlington in a ceremonial procession through Washington, D.C.
1926: Soldiers from nearby Fort Myer began guarding the Tomb during daylight hours.
1937: The U.S. Army ordered a continuous, 24-hour guard—a vigil that has remained uninterrupted ever since, regardless of weather or events.
TO THOSE WHO HAVE BRAVELY SERVED OUR COUNTRY-
BEAVERS CUP In 2015 a Blossom Time Parade Beaver's Cup was created to commend the efforts of the resident’s along the parade route that celebrate/decorate their homes and lawns during the Blossom Time Parade.2025 marks the 10 Year a Beaver Cup will be rewarded. th
Award Winners have included: 2015 “Super Heroes” Tom and Sally Florkiewicz of 230 East Washington
2016 “Wild Wild West” Jeff and Katie Grabner of 395 East Washington
2017 “Welcome to the Jungle, the Adventure Continues” John and Christine Thome of 120 East Washington
2018 “Once upon a time, making Dreams Come True” John and Christine Thome of 120 East Washington
2019 “Past, Present, and Future – "175 years still Strong” Diana and Palmer DePetro of 206 East Washington
2022 "An American Classic since 1956" The Kilpatrick Family of 315 E.Washington St.
2023 “Old School Fun Since 1956” The Marchetti Family of 395 E. Washington St.
2024 “A Weekend Unlike Any Other” The Kilpatrick Family of 315 E.Washington St.
2025 “Level Up!” The Marchetti Family of 395 E. Washington St. Are you proud to be an American?
There have been 27 versions of the American flag DID YOU KNOW?
Celebration of Children presents the In Partnership With:
TASTE OF CHAGRIN Get ready to eat your way through Blossom Time at the Taste of Chagrin! Food trucks from all across Northeast Ohio are rolling into Chagrin Falls and lining North Franklin Street with incredible flavors, sweet treats, carnival favorites, smoky BBQ burgers, smoothies, and so much more. Whether you're craving pulled pork sandwiches, fresh-squeezed lemonade, fried festival favorites, or something totally unique, there's something for everyone at this year's Taste of Chagrin! Come hungry and make it part of your Red, White, and Blossom weekend tradition. SATURDAY 5/23 10AM-9PM SUNDAY 5/24 10AM-6PM
Original Greek Gyros G. Richardson's Concessions
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