For the third year, Ontario Growth Association (OGA) and the Richland Mall partnered to bring family fun to center court with the Fall Festival on Saturday. Families took their little ghosts, witches, princesses and superheros to the Richland Mall to take part in free activities designed to bring community and businesses together.
“It is really great working with OGA. They do a lot for the community. Events like this bring in businesses, kids and families. This is great family fun. There is lots to do for the whole family,”said Katie Hosler, a Richland Mall associate.
The mission of OGA is to make Ontario a great place to live, work and grow and a family event like the festival fits that goal. OGA President David Yaney said that partnering with the Richland Mall in a way that brings families into the mall to take part and share and create memories only makes sense.
The day’s activities were sponsored and made possible by the collaborative efforts and donations of local businesses. Fire Side Homes, located in Bellville, and the Richland Mall were the main sponsors; but the event’s activities were made possible by local businesses donating candy for trick or treat, money to help fund the event and in the case of the wing-eating, Roosters, located at 2140 West 4th Street in Mansfield, donated several dozen wings for anyone interested in taking the challenge. Men and women alike took there places at the table with a pile of BBQ wings in front of them, the first one to finish won a $25 mall gift certificate.
There was a magic show, balloon sculpting with Jimmy the Clown, air inflatables, face painting, a costume contest and trick-or-treating through the mall rounded out the days activities.
“We hope to keep this going every year and to see it expand as well. We would like to see more people, more businesses get involved. In the end, it’s all for the kids. It’s all about the kids,”said Yaney.
