"So many people remember coming back here," Local tradition continues at Dayton Arcade

DAYTON, Ohio (WKEF) - Right now, organizers are getting ready to open the Dayton Arcade doors to celebrate Holly Days, a tradition we haven’t seen in nearly thirty years.

The free, family-friendly event kicks off today at 3 and ends Thursday night at 8.

Culture Works development manager Bill Perry said this is a new chapter for the Dayton Arcade.

He said it’s an exciting chance to open the space for people to either enjoy an old holiday tradition or create a new one.

“So many people remember coming back here decades ago where it was part of their holiday traditions to come downtown and shop for that local gift that everyone’s been so excited for to grab something to eat to grab something to eat the last holidays took place in 1993,” Perry said.

There will be live entertainment, dancers, music, and don’t forget the snow. It's all to get people into the Christmas spirit.

He said the event is also about supporting local businesses.

The Dayton Arcade will be filled with more than two dozen local vendors.

One of them is Saint Anne's Cheese Co.

Owner Annie Foos said she’s hoping to give Daytonians a blast from the past, not just with her cheese but with her style.

She said she’ll be dressed just like Ruth Disher, who owned a cheese stand in the arcade during the 1920s.

“People would early in her career take their horse from the Oregon District or St. Anns Hill and come get a wedge of cheese and meat and then go take their horseback and go feed their family. So to bring cheese back into the arcade is important to us and to put the art into artisan cheese,” Foos said.

The Contemporary Dayton will also have its holiday gift gallery on display, with a focus on multicultural artists, woman creators, and sustainable items.

Organizers say while a mask mandate is not in effect, they recommend people mask up.

They are asking people who plan to come to enter through the fourth street entrance.