Ave Festival debuts in Elyria

An Elyria resident is setting the trend for grassroot festivals in Lorain County.

The Ave Festival is making its debut at 11087 Middle Ave. in Elyria.

The three-day event began July 16 and concludes July 18.

Festival hours are from noon until 9 p.m.

Organizer Brittany Jackson is a serial entrepreneur whose name is known for her different endeavors, most notably Trench Way Boxing.

“I grew up in Elyria, so I’ve always wanted to be able to give back to my community,” Jackson said.

The event was inspired by the slew of festivals which take place throughout Lorain County, she said.

“I always went to different festivals around town, and believed one day I, would do something similar,” Jackson said. “This is the first annual festival, so I’m going to pull out all the stops.”

Jackson said she’s most inspired by the lack of community events and opportunities.

“We don’t have much going on, so I always felt like I could do more,” she said. “I just believe in myself, so I knew I could make it happen.”

The first night of the festival included a boxing match with multiple fight cards.

“Boxing is my life, I don’t box, but I love it,” Jackson said. “So, if there is any way I can get my fighters into the limelight, I will make it happen.”

Overall, the festival incorporates more than 25 vendors who sell a variety of products and merchandise, ranging from home-cooked meals to custom made T-shirts.

“I want to make a difference in my community,” Jackson said. “A part of that is to provide avenues for businesses to be known and make money.”

Vendor Tammie Carroll-Smith of Tammie’s Touch, which specializes in custom-made items, said she wants to demonstrate successful small business ownership.

“There are positive Black-owned business owners,” Carroll-Smith said. “I just want to encourage the young people and plant a seed in their lives so they can give back to the community.”

Jackson said this is the first event of many she will produce in the county.

“Don’t get tired of me, because I’m not going to stop,” she said.