Here at Reed Memorial Library, it’s time again to go crazy with #GingerbreadMadness and Midnight Madness. Gingerbread Madness is already in full swing and we’re deep in planning for our part in Ravenna’s Midnight Madness celebration.

Our free Gingerbread Madness house kits were gone super quickly again this year. We assembled over 100 kits and limited them to one per family to make sure more of you could participate. Although the kits are gone, you can make or bake your own creation to join in the madness; we’d love to have you participate! You choose: go all out and bake a masterpiece or pick up a ready-made kit at the store and customize it. Then bring it to the library so we can put it on display. Download some helpful tips and an icing recipe if you need it and don’t forget to check out our #gingerbreadmadness board on Pinterest for inspiration.

The gingerbread houses and our planning frenzy will all come together during the Midnight Madness holiday celebration on Friday, November 24^th. You don’t have to stay up until midnight but we will be open later, until 8 pm. We’ll close down regular operations early, just before 5pm. At 5pm, we’ll throw the switch and go into full holiday mode.

You can see the gingerbread village display inside the library and inside the storefronts along Main Street. All those houses that you, your neighbors, and friends decorated are taking center stage that night. Each one is unique and when you put them all together it’s quite an amazing sight.  

Grab a free cup of hot cocoa to sip while you watch the parade on Main Street. If you can gather family or some friends, head up to our second-floor fireplaces for a group photo. Both fireplaces will be decorated, with furniture arranged for the perfect photo. We’ll have a photographer on hand so you don’t have to ask a stranger or take an awkward group selfie. Choose from a traditional holiday look or a natural white winter backdrop. Or take a picture at both!

Santa and his reindeer will arrive a bit later. Santa starts his first storytime at 6 pm, with 3 additional sessions at 6:30, 7:00, and 7:30 (all storytimes are free). The storytimes will be in our largest meeting room, decorated just for the occasion. We’re handing out tickets this year, up to 75 per time slot, so we’ll have ample room for everyone.  Santa’s reindeer will hang out on our front lawn while he visits inside. Take some time to see these amazing animals up close and learn about them from their caretakers.

In between stories and reindeer and photos and cocoa, take the kiddos to our letter station and write letters to Santa. Each letter that you write and place in our special mailbox will receive a personal reply from Santa, mailed to your home. If you can’t get it done that night, we’ll have the letter station up until December 13^th.

Get ready and join in the library madness again this year. Go crazy decorating your gingerbread house and plan to be at the library on November 24th for free, festive, holiday fun. We’ll see you then!