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Blossom to be reel homecoming
(by Barbara Christian - April 25, 2011)
WINDOW ON MAIN STREET, BY BARBARA CHRISTIAN
Blossom to be reel homecoming
Is it spring yet? Just as we thought it was never going to get here comes that first sign it's time to turn the furnace thermostat to "off." Spring, thy name is Blossom Time!
Last week, you may recall, the Chagrin Valley Jaycees, sponsors of that annual kick-off to the warmer weather, went public with their plans for this year's jam-packed, big-fun festival.
As always, it will be held over the Memorial Day weekend, May 26 through May 29 and ending in time for the more reflective Memorial Day observance on Monday, May 30.
And, as you may have read last week, the weekend will honor, as Sunday's parade marshal, Chagrin Falls High School's own Lee Unkrich, class of 1985, Oscar-winning director of "Toy Story 3."
Lee's schedule will include some other appearances, according to the Jaycees. What and where they will be is still in flux, but rumor has it he will do a Q and A under the big-top tent that Friday or Saturday.
Jaycees President Paul Chess also has agreed to be interviewed by the local Peacock Network affiliate, which is a Blossom Time sponsor, about Lee's Blossom Time turn.
And, as it turns out, Lee will be back here in his old stomping grounds around the same time "our local boy makes good" is named to Time Magazine's 100 most influential people list.
Note to the Chagrin Falls School Board: Wouldn't it be a nice gesture to rename the high school drive "Lee Unkrich Way" for that weekend? And here's an idea for South Russell Village Council: Wouldn't it be fun to temporarily rename the street Lee grew up on -- Fairview Road -- to "Lee Unkrich Road"?
But what really makes the whole Blossom Time-Lee Unkrich story special is the festival theme -- "The Toys Are Back in Town" -- a nod to Lee's involvement with the "Toy Story" film franchise since forever. Taking it to the altruistic heights, the theme also plays into the Jaycees' toy drive, which will take place over the big weekend. Details on that are to follow.
While we hate to kill the buzz over all of this, we are compelled to remind you that into each spring some rain must fall, and so it is with this year's edition of Blossom Time.
Is this life imitating art or is it art imitating life? Whichever, we are sad to tell you the super-popular Beatlemania performance held traditionally Saturday night under the big-top tent will be no more. Just like the real Beatles, members of the tribute band have "Let it Be," broken up, and there will be no farewell performance.
Moving on. As mentioned, Monday of that big weekend is Chagrin Falls' traditional Memorial Day observance with a parade up South Franklin Street to Evergreen Hill Cemetery.
Patriotic decorations at the veterans' graves and memorials are always a sobering sign of spring. This year, the display will be added to by the Chagrin Falls Historical Society, which will place permanent commemorative flag holders at the graves of 75 Civil War veterans, five from the War of 1812 and one Indian Wars vet.
Yes, folks, the big weekend is on its way and dragging a reluctant spring with it -- 35 days and counting.
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