“Snap, crackle, pop” might have been popular in Victorian England – and not with a bowl of cereal. During the Victorian era, Christmas Crackers made that sound and were a popular gift item at gatherings. Even Queen Victoria and Prince Albert shared them with their nine children.
This is the cover of Tom Smith’s catalog where he sold many novelties.
Christmas Crackers all began with Tom Smith of London in 1847. He first used a twisted sheet of patterned paper to wrap his sugared almonds. When sales slipped, he began finding new ways to promote his candy and his business. His first idea was to include a romantic note.
Inside the cracker were a variety of gifts depending on who was to be the recipient.
When the note didn’t increase sales, Smith enlarged the size to a paper tube so it could hold something larger inside. Then wrapped it in festive paper fitting for the occasion This new improved cracker was launched for sale under the name “Bangs of Expectation.”
Imagine the excitement of waiting to see what special surprise was hidden inside.
Two people would hold the cracker and snap it, the “snap” being produced by the silver fulminate inside. The paper would “crackle “and out would “pop” a piece of candy, a trinket, fans, jewelry, and a piece of paper with an amusing joke or riddle.
What do you get if you eat Christmas decorations?
Tinselitis!
What do Santa’s little helpers learn at school?
The elf-abet!
His sons carried on the business after Tom died in 1869, never to see the real success of his cracker. His three sons – Thomas, Henry, and Walter – added a tissue paper crown to the cracker. This became a Christmas tradition in England, and when the tube broke apart, the person holding the longest end got to keep all the contents. The paper hats inside took the appearance of crowns, and were then worn at Christmas dinner. You had to wear your crown!
This Norman Rockwell painting of snapping Christmas Crackers was done in 1911.
Crackers were often used as table decorations but also present at Victorian teas with special ones made for the Queen’s family. It was even rumored that Queen Elizabeth enjoyed her Christmas lunch while wearing one of Smith’s crepe-paper crowns. Tom Smith, Ltd. still holds the Royal Warrant as Supplier of Christmas Crackers to the Royal Family.
In 2022, Tom Smith celebrated the 175th anniversary of the invention of Christmas Crackers. Today, they make approximately 17,000,000 Christmas Crackers a year. The Christmas tradition continues!
Maybe you would like to add a little “Snap, crackle, pop” to your Christmas by starting the Christmas cracker tradition with your family. Perhaps you’ll enjoy the little riddle inside as you place the crown on your head.
Bright lights greet visitors as they enter Wild Lights at the Akron Zoo. (Photos by Curt Kennedy)
The Akron Zoo turns into a Christmas extravaganza from November 24, 2023 to December 29 with “Wild Lights” every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. At this time of the year, there are many activities to help you enjoy one of the “wildest” holiday displays in Northeastern Ohio.
Lighted musical Christmas trees capture the hearts of many.
Almost the entire zoo is decorated with over a million holiday lights in a fresh design this year. Visit Holly Jolly Hillside where sparkling, lighted trees move to synchronized music, and watch some of your favorite zoo animals in their winter habitat as you and your family catch that wild Christmas spirit. If you need to get out of the cold wintry air, step inside one of the many indoor exhibits that are open.
Perhaps you’ll see live bears as well as the lighted ones at Grizzly Ridge.
Walk through this Winter Wonderland surrounded by the sounds of the holiday season and lighted displays of everything from Christmas trees and snowmen to angels and zoo animals. Make sure you are dressed warm for a ride on their animal carousel. Or perhaps you’d rather try ice skating.
Children are excited to visit Santa Land.
It’s a great place to visit Santa Claus each open evening until Dec. 23 when he has to return to the North Pole to get ready for that big night. Once Santa leaves, the Grinch, Snowman, Snow Princess, and Snow Queen will make special appearances. Actually, the Grinch will be causing problems at Wild Lights the entire month of December. Enjoy his wild antics as he twists and turns throughout the zoo.
Beautiful large Christmas ornaments are a great place for a photo opportunity.
Perhaps you would also like to visit Mrs. Claus’ Sweets. Enjoy tasty sweet treats and her specialty, S’mores! It’s another great place to have your picture taken. You’ll find photo ops throughout the zoo.
Everyone likes walking through a colorful tunnel of lights.
Adults can purchase a glass of beer or add an adult jolt to their hot chocolate or coffee to get a cozy feeling. There’s something for everyone at Wild Lights!
Pillars of light lead the way to Wild Asia.
Special performances include holiday carols performed by local groups and many holiday characters roaming the grounds. Christmas comes alive at Wild Lights.
Akron Zoo began in the early 1900s when Perkins Woods Park was given to the City of Akron for the enjoyment of children. Two brown bears were donated to begin the facility.
These wise owls know that Wild Lights is a great place to capture the Christmas spirit.
In 1950, a small museum of Natural History was developed and just three years later expanded to include the Akron Children’s Zoo, which at that time was based on Mother Goose themes.
Live turtles can also be found in the Curious Creatures section of the zoo.
The Akron Zoo received accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 1989. Since that time constant expansion has made it a popular place throughout the year while it still remains a small zoo, which can be easily explored, yet large enough to be interesting.
An elephant greets you at the entrance of Pride of Africa.
Currently, the zoo occupies 77 acres, which includes animal habitats, guest amenities, and support facilities. Travel around the world while visiting themed parts of the zoo with nearly 1000 animals. You might enjoy Pride of Africa or Wild Asia as well as Grizzly Ridge or Curious Creatures. Sounds like there is something everyone will enjoy.
Children and adults enjoy riding on the Conservation Carousel, which features 33 one-of-a-kind, hand-carved, wooden animals from around the world. Here you can enjoy the sounds of the carousel as you ride a giraffe, tiger, ladybug, or bear just to name a few of the delightful animals. Rides are only $2 per rider. Sometimes the Grinch is even riding.
Both young and old enjoy the fun of a train ride anytime of the year.
When visiting Pride of Africa, stop by the Train Depot to enjoy a ride on the A&K Wilber Express or the Considine Express. You not only get a fun train ride but also can enjoy a look at the African lions.
If you enjoy Virtual Reality, go diving with the sharks in Undersea Explorer located in the Curious Creatures section. It’s the safest way to swim with the sharks.
Akron Zoo Wild Lights will bring a smile to your face …and perhaps a desire to go skating.
Wild Lights at Akron Zoo is sponsored by Akron Children’s Hospital. This is a weekend affair opened from Nov. 24 – Dec. 29 every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 5-9. Walk-up adult admission is $18 while admission for children ages 2-14 is $14.
Enjoy an evening with family or friends as you catch the Christmas Spirit at Akron Wild Lights.
Enjoy a touch of the Old West as you enter Dogwood Pass during the Christmas season.
Howdy, partner! Catch the feeling of an Old West Christmas at Dogwood Pass in the hills of Southern Ohio. Many roads head in that direction. All are scenic.
Enjoy the spirit of Christmas as you walk down the street in this Old West town.
Their Christmas season begins the first Friday after Thanksgiving. They are open in December from Thursday thru Sunday until Christmas. At this time, their Western town transforms into a winter wonderland filled with colorful lights, the Christmas spirit, and performances with holiday themes.
Candy Cane Lane leads to interesting Old West places of business.
Take a walk through Dogwood Pass and step inside all of their buildings, which are decorated in the spirit of that era. Here you’ll find a saloon, jail, church, general store, bank, freight office, gun shop, livery stable, and more. Along the way, you’ll find many original pieces from long ago. The only things modern are the twinkling Christmas lights.
The saloon was the first building constructed at Dogwood Pass.
Happy trails to you while visiting their Roy Rogers Memory’s Museum with classic memorabilia. Here you’ll find original movie posters, Roy and Dale’s Western outfits, and their guns. They continue to search for Roy Rogers’ memorabilia to add to their collection. Then, stop at the saloon for a drink…root beer is what they serve.
Watch a bank robbery take place during one of their Wild West Shows.
On weekends at 3 pm, their Wild West Shows are full of action, gun-slinging, lively cowboys, and horses. Watch lawmen and outlaws fight it out in the streets of Dogwood Pass. Often there is a bit of comedy thrown in and you might even see a cowboy riding his horse backward. Calamity Jane often makes an appearance as she argues with the cowboys to add a little humor.
The Grinch tries to steal their Christmas spirit.
Santa and the Grinch appear every open day after the Wild West Shows to create more Christmas cheer. The Grinch tries to steal the spirit of Christmas from Dogwood Pass but that’s impossible.
Santa enjoys arriving in his new buggy.
Santa arrives in his new buggy, which delights both children and adults. The singing interactive snowmen are a big hit and everyone likes to touch them and see their reaction. Children might enjoy a horseback ride through the town.
John T. Wayne, grandson of the famous Western actor John Wayne, will make an appearance on the weekend of December 15-17. He will be there to talk about and autograph his books. He has written his autobiography as well as eight books set in the west with the latest book being “Peace in the Valley.”
Sharlene and Mike “Frog” Montgomery live the Old West life on a daily basis.
This Western town in Beaver, Ohio began as an idea of Mike “Frog” Montgomery. Frog always had a passion for history and the life of a cowboy. He actually grew up on the farm where Dogwood Pass is located and married his wife, Sharlene, on this spot about thirty years ago.
The saloon, their first building, is still an important part of Dogwood Pass today.
One thing Frog always wanted was a saloon to hang out in after he went horseback riding or hunting. In 2009, he built that saloon in his own back yard…just for a hobby! He said his hobby went wild…Wild, Wild West, that is!
The dressmaker was an important person in the days of the Old West.
The family now has the help of about 70 volunteers who all dress in authentic Western costumes. Actually, Frog dresses that way all the time so people are used to seeing him in town with guns in his holsters. Volunteers make it special as they come to have fun. Everyone there is so friendly, you’ll want to come back again.
You know it’s an authentic Western atmosphere when you learn that three Western movies have been filmed there. “Western World” tells the story of a sheriff faced with more corruption than he thought possible. “Brimstone Saint” involves a preacher who became a gunslinger to stop witchcraft in his small worn. The most recent movie, “Showdown in Yesteryear,” thrusts a wannabe cowboy back in time 160 years through a mysterious door.
Snowmen, some of them interactive, give a special touch to a snowy day at Dogwood Pass.
For 2023, Dogwood Pass at 726 Adams Rd., Beaver, Ohio opens on Friday, November 24, and continues weekly from Thursday to Sunday until December 23. Admission on Thursday is $10, with children under 6 free. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, admission is $15 with children under 6 free. Hours vary on different days so check out their schedule on Facebook for updates.
Mike enjoys talking to visitors and telling them the story of Dogwood Pass.
Mike and Sharlene live just outside the Dogwood Pass fence so welcome people throughout the year even though most events take place on Friday and Saturday. If you don’t have time to head out West, visit the biggest Old West Town east of the Mississippi. Mike is a country boy and loves to talk to visitors. You’ll definitely feel welcome at Dogwood Pass!
Bring your family, bring your kin, and come on down to Christmas at Dogwood Pass where the West meets the North Pole for a rootin’, tootin’, good time!
Dogwood Pass is located in southern Ohio at 726 Adams Rd., Beaver, Ohio. It’s directly south of Columbus, Ohio in the direction of Portsmouth, and not far from the Ohio River, Roy Rogers’ boyhood stomping ground.
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