For the second year in a row, the city of Grandview Heights will play host to the Junior League of Columbus’ annual Holiday Tour of Homes.
The 11th tour will be held 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Dec. 5 at various homes in and around Grandview.
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Last year’s Holiday Tour of Homes, photos courtesy of the Junior League of Columbus
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Alison Lemle, holiday tour of homes chairwoman, says the Junior League decided to hold the event in Grandview for the second year running because of the positive feedback it heard.
“The homes have so much character,” Lemle says.
While last year’s event included homes only in Grandview, this year the tour will feature homes in Marble Cliff as well as Grandview, such as a Roxbury Road home that’s on the National Register of Historic Places.
When choosing tour stops, the Junior League looks for homes with character, Lemle says. These houses can be older or newer, and some may have undergone renovations. The Junior League works directly with homeowners to determine participation. Last year, five homes were part of the tour, and this year, the goal is to increase that number.
Each home on the tour is decked out for the holidays, reflecting the personality of the homeowner. Some decorations reflect personal collections, while others are more modern in style.
“Every home is extremely different, and all the décor is different,” Lemle says.
Homeowners have the opportunity to work with a designer to ready their homes for the tour.
“It’s something there and available if they like,” Lemle says.
Some homeowners will open every room for the tour, while others will open only the lower level. Those exploring the homes can not only find décor inspiration, but also ideas for housing design elements in general.
“People find that very interesting,” Lemle says.
Last year, more than 300 people attended the tour, and the Junior League is hoping to boost
that number for this year. Since 2007, the tour has raised more than $80,000 for the organization.
The Junior League is also hoping to continue its Tour of the Avenues program, in which participating business along Grandview Avenue offered discounts and freebies to attendees of the Holiday Tour of Homes. Last year’s businesses included Thread, Stauf’s Grandview, Figlio, Vino Vino, Spagio and Pure Imagination Chocolatier.
Tickets can be purchased at www.jlcholidays.org. For $50, participants can also gain access to the tour’s preview party, held 7-10 p.m. at King Avenue Five. The event also allows visitors a sneak peek into one of the homes featured on the tour.
“It is a very fun, laid-back event,” Lemle says.
About the Junior League of Columbus
Since its inception in 1923, the Junior League of Columbus has expanded to 500 members. Membership is open to women 22 years of age and older.
In addition to running the Kelton House Museum & Garden, the group focuses on providing educational readiness to students in central Ohio. Members carry this out in a variety of ways. The Adopt-A-Backpack for Children program focuses on fundraising throughout the year to purchase school supplies and backpacks to give to students before the start of the school year. For the Kids in the Kitchen program, the Junior League holds several events throughout the year to promote healthful eating habits. Children learn how to make good choices about food and also about how to prepare healthful, quick meals.
The Junior League also participates in various other volunteer efforts around Columbus by assisting other community organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Mid-Ohio Foodbank and Lutheran Social Services.
Sarah Sole is an editor. Feedback welcome at ssole@cityscenemediagroup.com.
