When many people first think of Xenia, they can’t help but think of the tornadoes that passed through there and almost destroyed it…
…but did you know that “Xenia” – pronounced ZEEN-yah – comes from the Greek word that means “hospitality”?
And that Xenia is home to the hub of 170 miles of paved bikeways, allowing the city to call itself the “Bicycle Capital of the Midwest?”
That probably explained, when I attended the Xenia Community Festival…
…why it emphasized free bike parking…
…utilized bike transport by community organizations…
…and even gave out free bike helmets to kids (Greene Memorial Hospital)…
…which they could use in a guided bike rodeo (XAYP/Parks and Trails)…
…that enhanced bicycling skills and taught bike safety.
But bikes were only one aspect of this festival…
…where other organizations came together to touch on Xenia’s future…
…local politics…
…school board elections…
…elderly and handicapped in need of transport (XARSC)…
…and residents in need of affordable housing (Nat. Church Residences).
There was also a bit of community fundraising, thanks to Xenia Christian High School and the local scouts.
Various gift vendors also took part in the festival…
…selling jewelry (Beadjou Boutique)…
…art…
…and wooden carvings…
…while downtown businesses did their best not to miss out on the action.
At the far end of the festival…
…there was a section for all the rides…
…games…
…and various food trucks…
…including a selection of pork chops and steak sandwiches…
…and some musical ambiance to make it taste even better (Jimmy’s Jukebox).
And still there was more…
…with face painting (Tiny Tot)…
…free water, stickers and balloons…
…(although it meant retrieving them from a hiding clown)…
…and spiritual music on the main stage (AHOP)…
…interestingly only mere yards away from one of the Dayton Demonz.