COMMUNITY AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
 

Inquiries may be directed to Linda Haley, Community Affairs Director, at 836-3333 or to lhaley@groveport.org.

The Community Affairs Department is based in Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main Street, Groveport.

The COMMUNITY AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT provides cultural and educational arts programming targeted to all ages and interests.  Programming stimulates individual creative expression and appreciation for the arts by providing high quality, affordable classes and special events.  The Department also provides and maintains facilities which are available for reservation by residents, businesses and civic associations.  Rotating art exhibits are presented which appeal to a broad cross-section of the general community.  The Department is based in Groveport Town Hall, 648 Main Street.
 
GROVEPORT TOWN HALL is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Sunday from Noon - 6 pm.   For further information, please call (614) 836-3333.
  
In the TOWN HALL ART GALLERY, area professional and amateur artists and collectors regularly exhibit works of art or interesting collections. Recent exhibitions have included watercolors, vintage trains and Erector sets, collages and mixed media, antique glassware, and Victorian children's toys.  For current and future art exhibits, click here.

Programming in the CULTURAL ARTS CENTER includes, but is not limited to Painting, Photography, Fiber and Other Visual Arts; Theater and Performing Arts, Culinary Arts, Crafts, Humanities (e.g. history, folk studies, language, travel), Health and Wellness, Natural Sciences, and Music.  For a current calendar in the Cultural Arts Center, click here.

CROOKED ALLEY KIDSPACE offers arts and educational programming for children.   Preschoolers through middle school students will enjoy arts and crafts, dance, theater and special events tailored just to them.  Located at 630 Wirt Road, KidSpace also offers an enclosed playground with a 15' treehouse and Children's Garden, and the opportunity to reserve the entire building for your own private event or party.  For calendar of current classes and events at KidSpace, please click here.

Based in Town Hall, the GROVEPORT HERITAGE MUSEUM displays historic artifacts and memorabilia dating to the Village's earliest days in the mid-nineteenth century. The Museum describes the Village's merger of two towns on the Ohio and Erie Canal - Wert's Grove and Rarey's Port - into "Groveport" in 1847. The Village remains the only "Groveport" in the nation. Of special interest is the area devoted to the original Horse Whisperer, Groveport resident John S. Rarey, whose unique methods as a horse trainer earned international praise.

SOCIAL AND MEETING ROOMS at Groveport Town Hall and Crooked Alley KidSpace may all be reserved for your special event.  Usage of facilities is free to Groveport residents and taxpayers; a fee is charged to all non-taxpayers.  All Groveport residents and taxpayers must show a picture ID to receive free usage of facilities.  All renters must also sign in upon arrival and sign out upon departure to confirm attendance at your event.   
  *  Town Hall's auditorium and ballroom can accommodate groups up to 115 persons with tables, or 263 people theater-style.  Two smaller rooms serve groups up to 50 persons.  For a Town Hall Reservation Contract, click here.
  * Crooked Alley KidSpace, the Village's arts and education center for children, features one smaller room and one large room for your event.  For a KidSpace Reservation Contract, click here.  
Note: Reservation of tennis courts, the Log House and all park shelters are through Groveport Recreation Center.

SPECIAL EVENTS attract guests throughout central Ohio.  [Note: Due to current budgetary restraints, some of the previously offered Special Events may not be held in 2010. Please call Town Hall at 614.836.3333 to confirm program presentation:
Lunch with the Bunny features a light luncheon, Bunny crafts and a chance to get a photograph taken while sitting on the Bunny's lap, all at Groveport Recreation Center. The Village's free annual East Meets West Wellness Fair allows visitors to sample both traditional and alternative practices at Groveport Town Hall.   Keep Groveport Beautiful Day, offering an opportunity to help beautify the Village through flower planting and litter pickup, is held on the Saturday prior to Mother's Day. Village Independence Day includes the Groveport Madison Lions Club Parade at 1:30 pm, the annual Groveport Garden Club's Flower Show at Groveport Town Hall from Noon - 4 pm, and fireworks at dark. Brown Dog Day isn't just for brown dogs!  The Village's annual Pet Show offers prizes and contests and an obstacle course for you and your favorite pet companion. Kids from 5 - 12 enjoy the last big festival of the summer at KidsFest / Back to School Expo in mid-August, while parents appreciate all the helpful information to get their little ones ready for school.  Co-sponsored by the Southeastern Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, Groveport's Hometown Classic Car Show will be held on Sunday, September 19 and will feature the finest vehicles in the area from eras past.  Apple Butter Day, held each year on the 2nd Saturday in October, offers music, homemade crafts and skilled craft demonstrators, all located in and around the grounds of the Village's 1820's Log House.  Halloween also includes the annual Halloween Block Party sponsored by the Groveport Madison Lions Club.  A Salute to Veterans is held annually on November 11 at Veterans Park, 421 Main Street.  Santa Claus visits Groveport on the first Friday in December beginning with the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony across from Town Hall and the arrival of Santa on a fire truck to officially welcome the holiday season. Hometown Holiday is an annual collaboration between the Groveport Heritage Society and the Village offering horse-drawn carriage rides, tours of historic homes and special events throughout the Village.