Read about the latest happenings on Go Ottawa’s blog.

Lately

Jacqueline Langhals Jacqueline Langhals

8 Guiding Principles

Core values are an essential part of any organization. They are what comprise an organization’s culture, identity and what guides decision-making. At Go Ottawa, we are founded on eight guiding principles provided to us from Heritage Ohio, Ohio’s Main Street America Coordinating Program. These principles have been proven time and again in downtown revitalizations efforts, and we believe will lead us well here in Ottawa.

Read More
Pages for the story book trail downtown are getting installed! You will be able to read the entire story of The Night Before Christmas as you travel throughout downtown. Opening night is tomorrow! 6pm. Starts at the Christmas tree lot by Gustwiller&r
Pages for the story book trail downtown are getting installed! You will be able to read the entire story of The Night Before Christmas as you travel throughout downtown. Opening night is tomorrow! 6pm. Starts at the Christmas tree lot by Gustwiller’s. It will be on display until 1/10/25! #OnceUponAMainStreet
It’s #GivingTuesday! Today only, if you donate $25 or more, you’ll get an awesome Ottawa bag! (Modeled here by the wonderful Kyle Stechschulte, keeping warm by the fireplace.) You can donate on the Support Us tab of our website! https:/
It’s #GivingTuesday! Today only, if you donate $25 or more, you’ll get an awesome Ottawa bag! (Modeled here by the wonderful Kyle Stechschulte, keeping warm by the fireplace.) You can donate on the Support Us tab of our website! https://www.paypal.com/donate?token=d_L6xkmmfX_llsDhdyHBpvzWTNXoTuxGvLYMkZl6FSuVyJvp0y5wxCK4uAZt46zq9AFQm7EwFzjvuHcb
The map is ready! This year we are letting the public vote! Plan your trip with family and friends and enjoy the lights! Voting can be found on our website’s blog. https://www.go-ottawa.com/go-ottawa-blog/ottawa-light-up-contest-2024
The map is ready! This year we are letting the public vote! Plan your trip with family and friends and enjoy the lights! Voting can be found on our website’s blog. https://www.go-ottawa.com/go-ottawa-blog/ottawa-light-up-contest-2024
Ready for @ottawaohchamber Christmas Parade! Starts at 2!
Ready for @ottawaohchamber Christmas Parade! Starts at 2!
On this day of Thanksgiving, we want to take a minute to thank all of our Go Ottawa volunteers. From November of 2023 to this October, we counted more than 530 hours that were donated to the community. That has a dollar value equivalent of more than
On this day of Thanksgiving, we want to take a minute to thank all of our Go Ottawa volunteers. From November of 2023 to this October, we counted more than 530 hours that were donated to the community. That has a dollar value equivalent of more than $16,000! These volunteers painted, power washed, hung lights, planned, worked events and so much more - because they love our community. Here's a big thank you for all you do! To all of those that donate their time to our community, whether for Go Ottawa or one of the other many wonderful organizations in our community, thank you. Happy Thanksgiving!
Only 2 days left to sign up for the Ottawa Light Up Contest! Sign up by emailing hello@go-ottawa.com by the end of day 11/29! Let's see our community's holiday spirit!
Only 2 days left to sign up for the Ottawa Light Up Contest! Sign up by emailing hello@go-ottawa.com by the end of day 11/29! Let's see our community's holiday spirit!
QR code cards are in! These will link you right to our Explore Ottawa portion of website! If your business would like some of these for visiting patrons, please reach out and we can bring some by! https://www.go-ottawa.com/explore-ottawa
QR code cards are in! These will link you right to our Explore Ottawa portion of website! If your business would like some of these for visiting patrons, please reach out and we can bring some by! https://www.go-ottawa.com/explore-ottawa
Friends and family in town for the holidays? Looking to get them a unique gift? How about some Ottawa swag? For a limited time only these shirts and bags will be available for purchase at @gustwillers! Get some Ottawa gear while also giving to a good
Friends and family in town for the holidays? Looking to get them a unique gift? How about some Ottawa swag? For a limited time only these shirts and bags will be available for purchase at @gustwillers! Get some Ottawa gear while also giving to a good cause! And don’t forget to grab some stuff from Gustwiller’s while in there and get your Shop Local Passport from the @ottawaohchamber stamped! Fun fact on the shirts - the graphic behind the ottawa logo is actually a map of Ottawa if you look close!
Come to Downtown Ottawa on Dec 5, 2024 for the opening night of our first ever story book trail along Main Street. Visitors can follow along to The Night Before Christmas while checking out the window displays of our downtown storefronts. The trail will also include a decorated tree lot, with trees decorated by local businesses and organizations. There will also be 3 ‘photo op’ moments along the trail that were designed by our elementary schools and built by local businesses! Lastly, opening night will include some carolers, performances, food and drink and even some crafts! We can’t wait and hope to see you there! If you can’t make it to opening night, however, the ‘trail’ will remain on display through 1/10. Happy holidays!
11 more days to sign up your home for this year’s Ottawa Light Up Contest! Help make our town even more bright and cheerful this holiday season! Email hello@go-ottawa.com to sign up.
11 more days to sign up your home for this year’s Ottawa Light Up Contest! Help make our town even more bright and cheerful this holiday season! Email hello@go-ottawa.com to sign up.
We are excited to share a new section of our website! Explore Ottawa. (https://www.go-ottawa.com/explore-ottawa) On it, we have sections for things like restaurants in town, outdoor recreation opportunities, lodging, and much more. This is still a wo
We are excited to share a new section of our website! Explore Ottawa. (https://www.go-ottawa.com/explore-ottawa) On it, we have sections for things like restaurants in town, outdoor recreation opportunities, lodging, and much more. This is still a work in progress, but wanted to get it out there now. Please email us if you have feedback or if we missed someone/something on one of the listings. hello@go-ottawa.com
Feeling exhilarated after sharing our findings from our @aarplivable bike audits! We discussed how to make Ottawa a more pedestrian and cyclist friendly place to live. Lots of good info exchanged. If you would like to learn more or hear about our fin
Feeling exhilarated after sharing our findings from our @aarplivable bike audits! We discussed how to make Ottawa a more pedestrian and cyclist friendly place to live. Lots of good info exchanged. If you would like to learn more or hear about our findings, email us at hello@go-ottawa.com. These audits and report were made possible through a Community Challenge grant from @aarp
Sneak peak of one of the 3 installations being designed by our elementary schools and built by local businesses! All 3 have made great progress! Can’t wait for the community to see!
Sneak peak of one of the 3 installations being designed by our elementary schools and built by local businesses! All 3 have made great progress! Can’t wait for the community to see!
It’s that time of year! Time to start signing up for our 2nd Annual Ottawa Light Up Contest! If you would like to be entered, please email your name and address to hello@go-ottawa.com. Like last year, we will provide a map for residents to be
It’s that time of year! Time to start signing up for our 2nd Annual Ottawa Light Up Contest! If you would like to be entered, please email your name and address to hello@go-ottawa.com. Like last year, we will provide a map for residents to be able to go and enjoy the lights!
Once Upon a Main Street will feature a story book trail, inviting families to explore Ottawa through the lens of “The Night Before Christmas.” Visitors will follow the trail through a decorated Christmas tree lot, artistic window displays
Once Upon a Main Street will feature a story book trail, inviting families to explore Ottawa through the lens of “The Night Before Christmas.” Visitors will follow the trail through a decorated Christmas tree lot, artistic window displays and stunning large-scale installations showcasing the talent and craftmanship of our local elementary schools and their industry partners. Opening night will be on 12/5 from 6pm-8pm. This will include performances from the OGHS Drama Club (6pm), Center Stage Dance Academy (7pm), and The Dance Center (7:30pm). The Girl Scouts of Western Ohio will also have a station for some crafts. Along with other fun and goodies from some of our Main Street businesses! 12/5 will also kick-off of our 2nd Annual Ottawa Light Up Contest, with maps provided at the Christmas tree lot. And if you cannot make it for opening night, the story book trail through the window displays, decorated trees and public installations will remain up until Jan 10! Go to our Facebook event for more details as we get closer!
This weekend is looking to have a bit of a fall chill in the air but sunny … perfect for fall hiking! Check out these maps of Ottawa’s trails!
This weekend is looking to have a bit of a fall chill in the air but sunny … perfect for fall hiking! Check out these maps of Ottawa’s trails!
Did you know that you can access all of our previous newsletters on our website? Just scroll to the bottom of our blog for our newsletter archive. October’s letter is out! https://www.go-ottawa.com/go-ottawa-blog
Did you know that you can access all of our previous newsletters on our website? Just scroll to the bottom of our blog for our newsletter archive. October’s letter is out! https://www.go-ottawa.com/go-ottawa-blog
Did you know that part of the Village of Ottawa’s Strategic Planning process was to create a new brand? A brand is more than just a logo. Beyond the font types and color choices, a good brand communicates the history, story, aspirations, and va
Did you know that part of the Village of Ottawa’s Strategic Planning process was to create a new brand? A brand is more than just a logo. Beyond the font types and color choices, a good brand communicates the history, story, aspirations, and values of a place. Three themes emerged from this process that reflected Ottawa’s story. Space to Grow Ottawa is where you can grow your family, your business, and your quality of life. It is a place where you can affordably live and grow with the community around you. Downtown and the River Ottawa is a comeback story. The downtown and the river are no longer something that we need to overcome, but instead are what makes us stand out among our peer villages and towns. Building Together We do not work alone in Ottawa. We are a village in every sense of the word. We support our neighbors in times of need. We will work together to make Ottawa the best it can be. Ultimately, those concepts were combined to give us a new identity that communicates an easy-going way of life that many living in nearby metro areas may think impossible or out of reach. ‘Rooted’ communicates grounded, down to earth and family-oriented, but it also can be used to market the Village in a multitude of ways by connecting to recreation and the river, hospitality and culinary experiences and much more. All of this to say, if you were curious why the Village vehicles had a new logo on them ... now you know why. :)
What a spooktacular time last night! Thanks @goodlooks.ent for the tunes and @artmeparty for the spooky fog! And big thanks to @ottawaglandorfkeyclub volunteers!
What a spooktacular time last night! Thanks @goodlooks.ent for the tunes and @artmeparty for the spooky fog! And big thanks to @ottawaglandorfkeyclub volunteers!
Tonight is the night! Community Trick or Treat 6pm-7pm Downtown Trick or Treat at businesses 7pm-8pm Halloween Dance Party at the Rex 6:30pm-8:30pm with tunes from @goodlooks.ent
Tonight is the night! Community Trick or Treat 6pm-7pm Downtown Trick or Treat at businesses 7pm-8pm Halloween Dance Party at the Rex 6:30pm-8:30pm with tunes from @goodlooks.ent
Pages for the story book trail downtown are getting installed! You will be able to read the entire story of The Night Before Christmas as you travel throughout downtown. Opening night is tomorrow! 6pm. Starts at the Christmas tree lot by Gustwiller&r It’s #GivingTuesday! Today only, if you donate $25 or more, you’ll get an awesome Ottawa bag! (Modeled here by the wonderful Kyle Stechschulte, keeping warm by the fireplace.) You can donate on the Support Us tab of our website! https:/ The map is ready! This year we are letting the public vote! Plan your trip with family and friends and enjoy the lights! Voting can be found on our website’s blog. https://www.go-ottawa.com/go-ottawa-blog/ottawa-light-up-contest-2024 Ready for @ottawaohchamber Christmas Parade! Starts at 2! On this day of Thanksgiving, we want to take a minute to thank all of our Go Ottawa volunteers. From November of 2023 to this October, we counted more than 530 hours that were donated to the community. That has a dollar value equivalent of more than Only 2 days left to sign up for the Ottawa Light Up Contest! Sign up by emailing hello@go-ottawa.com by the end of day 11/29! Let's see our community's holiday spirit! QR code cards are in! These will link you right to our Explore Ottawa portion of website! If your business would like some of these for visiting patrons, please reach out and we can bring some by! https://www.go-ottawa.com/explore-ottawa Friends and family in town for the holidays? Looking to get them a unique gift? How about some Ottawa swag? For a limited time only these shirts and bags will be available for purchase at @gustwillers! Get some Ottawa gear while also giving to a good
Come to Downtown Ottawa on Dec 5, 2024 for the opening night of our first ever story book trail along Main Street. Visitors can follow along to The Night Before Christmas while checking out the window displays of our downtown storefronts. The trail w
11 more days to sign up your home for this year’s Ottawa Light Up Contest! Help make our town even more bright and cheerful this holiday season! Email hello@go-ottawa.com to sign up. We are excited to share a new section of our website! Explore Ottawa. (https://www.go-ottawa.com/explore-ottawa) On it, we have sections for things like restaurants in town, outdoor recreation opportunities, lodging, and much more. This is still a wo Feeling exhilarated after sharing our findings from our @aarplivable bike audits! We discussed how to make Ottawa a more pedestrian and cyclist friendly place to live. Lots of good info exchanged. If you would like to learn more or hear about our fin Sneak peak of one of the 3 installations being designed by our elementary schools and built by local businesses! All 3 have made great progress! Can’t wait for the community to see! It’s that time of year! Time to start signing up for our 2nd Annual Ottawa Light Up Contest! If you would like to be entered, please email your name and address to hello@go-ottawa.com. Like last year, we will provide a map for residents to be Once Upon a Main Street will feature a story book trail, inviting families to explore Ottawa through the lens of “The Night Before Christmas.” Visitors will follow the trail through a decorated Christmas tree lot, artistic window displays This weekend is looking to have a bit of a fall chill in the air but sunny … perfect for fall hiking! Check out these maps of Ottawa’s trails! Did you know that you can access all of our previous newsletters on our website? Just scroll to the bottom of our blog for our newsletter archive. October’s letter is out! https://www.go-ottawa.com/go-ottawa-blog Did you know that part of the Village of Ottawa’s Strategic Planning process was to create a new brand? A brand is more than just a logo. Beyond the font types and color choices, a good brand communicates the history, story, aspirations, and va What a spooktacular time last night! Thanks @goodlooks.ent for the tunes and @artmeparty for the spooky fog! And big thanks to @ottawaglandorfkeyclub volunteers! Tonight is the night! Community Trick or Treat 6pm-7pm Downtown Trick or Treat at businesses 7pm-8pm Halloween Dance Party at the Rex 6:30pm-8:30pm with tunes from @goodlooks.ent