Light Up OTR to illuminate the neighborhood on Dec. 14

Celebrate Over-the-Rhine’s new developments, restaurants and stores with the community at Light Up OTR on Dec. 14. It’s the third year for the event, and it's double the size of last year's event.
 
This year, Light Up OTR covers an eight-block radius in the neighborhood. Lasty year, there were 1,000 luminaries between Sycamore and Vine, with each street north of Central Parkway and south of Liberty. This year, there are 2,000 luminaries on these streets, plus Race and Elm, says Micah Paldino, CEO of Peanut Butter & Jelly, which, along with Agar, is one of the presenters of the event.  
 
“It’s great to see everyone come together to create a beautiful luminary display,” says Paldino.
 
“Without traditions, people have no shared culture,” he adds. “It’s our hope that this event, and others that occur annually, will continue to thrive throughout OTR. Without them, we’re just a bunch of people who live in the same neighborhood. Light Up OTR is special because it takes place during the holiday season, when traditions such as tree-lighting ceremonies and luminaries, all borrowed from other cultures, are given to others and passed down so that we keep a sense of our origins in tact as we go into a new year.”
 
At 10 pm, a 30-foot tree will be lit in front of KAZE, OTR’s newest restaurant, at 1400 Vine Street. The tree will be topped with a one-of-a-kind topper made by Such N Such. After the tree lighting, there will be an after-party at KAZE, featuring DJ Emmit Jones, who is also the creative director at PB+J, drinks, dancing and a Framester Photo Booth.
 
Not only does Light Up OTR work to create a sense of community, but it also benefits the Freestore Foodbank. People can adopt a cart, donated by Kroger, for $100. Cart sponsorship comes with luminary supplies; the carts can be decorated or branded one hour before the start of the event. The carts are then used to distribute the luminaries throughout OTR.
 
Do Good:

• To volunteer for Light Up OTR, meet up at 6 pm to put together the luminaries. Then at 8 p.m., help distribute the luminaries around the neighborhood.

• Adopt a cart and donate to the Freestore Foodbank.

• Join community members for the annual tree lighting and after party at KAZE at 10 p.m.

By Caitlin Koenig
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