Celebrate community unity at the inaugural West Geauga Unity Day

By Mary Malik

Come one, come all, and join your Chesterland, Newbury and Russell neighbors for the inaugural West Geauga Unity Day, on Sunday, August 27, at West Geauga High School.

The West Geauga Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with Chester Township Police Chief Craig Young and the Chester Township Police Department, is hosting this event to bring these communities together in support of local businesses, service organizations and each other.

“Unity Day is a way for the Chamber of Commerce, formed in 2022, to introduce itself to residents and give back to the community with a fun event full of food, music and activities for the whole family,” Chamber board member Tonya Peto says. “It’s our way to say we’re here and want to support this community in every way we can.”

Unity Day will include vendor tents full of information and products from local businesses, along with an entertainment tent featuring music all day long, a barnyard animal show, a yoga session and Jazzercise, as well as an hour of special characters, face painting and even pickleball courts.

“That’s right, you won’t even have to miss your pickleball game,” chamber member and Unity Day organizer Rachel Kalina says. “It’s just a fun day filled with all the activities we’ve come to expect and enjoy at summer community festivals with a few surprises.”

The last event like this that residents might remember, Chester Fest, was held in 2016. The new Chamber of Commerce thought it was about time to hold its own event and include surrounding communities.

Rachel and Tonya agree that the main goal of Unity Day is to include all the townships in the area and highlight the businesses. There’s so much this combined community has to offer and Unity Day is a great way to showcase all of it in one place for everyone to enjoy.

Rachel and Tonya want to remind all local businesses and non-profit organizations that vendor space and event sponsorships are still available.

“We are accepting sponsors for event tents and games,” Rachel says. “For example, the dunk tank is sure to be a popular attraction with all four school principals agreeing to be targets.”

The principals of Westwood Elementary, Lindsey Elementary, West Geauga Middle School and West Geauga High School have all volunteered for a great cause. You can pay $1 for three balls to try to dunk your favorite principal, or $5 will buy you an immediate dunk—no ball-throwing necessary. Keep in mind kids, you might see your principal at school on Monday.

“Everyone loves a dunk tank,” Rachel says. “And, of course, the best part is the proceeds are split between the schools, the city, police and fire departments and the Chamber of Commerce. So, step right up and dunk your favorite principal. It’s all in good fun.”

And don’t forget to look up. A University Hospitals helicopter is scheduled to land on the grounds of the high school. So come out to Unity Day, enjoy the food, music, games and activities and mingle with your neighbors in this festive atmosphere.

For information on membership and Unity Day sponsorships contact the West Geauga Chamber of Commerce at WGChamber.com or call 440-363-1640.