The 48th annual Holidays at the Manor House opens Saturday and runs through Sunday, December 10, at Wildwood Preserve Metropark with all new displays by volunteer decorators. The free event is open every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Last year, more than 20,000 people toured the decorated house over the nine-day event.
Every year, dozens of volunteers ring in the holidays by decorating more than 30 areas on three floors of the 30,000-square-foot Manor House then invite the community in to enjoy the show. Among this year’s displays are “Noël en Provence” by Alliance Française de Toledo, “Cruising Route 66” by Car Cruisers for Hospice and “A Heavy Metal Christmas” by blacksmith Carolyn Powers.
Just a short walk from the Manor House in Metroparks Hall, the Swanton Area Railroad and Model Club will have its annual display of model trains, open during the same hours.
Also returning this year is a s’more making station, open from noon to 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, December 2, 3, 9 and 10.
After dark, visitors can enjoy outdoor lights on the drive into Wildwood’s main entrance on Central Avenue, and along a walking path beside the Ottawa River, below the Manor House.
Decorations at Glass City
The Ribbon at Glass City Metropark in East Toledo is also decorated with holiday lights. Since it opened November 10 for its inaugural season, more than 5,000 people have skated the 1,000-foot-long ice trail.
Ice skating at The Ribbon, which continues daily, except Christmas Day, through February 19, is available by reservation in 90 minute timeslots. Hours vary by day. The cost to skate is $10 for adults, and $8 for children 3-12 and seniors 65 and older.
For more information about Holidays at the Manor House, The Ribbon or to make skating reservations, please see MetroparksToledo.com.