Amelia Hill, 8, and her sister, Charlotte Hill, 10, drink hot chocolate inside the Elmore Barn during the 2025 Hot Cocoa Walk. They are the daughters of Park District Administrative Specialist Sara Hill. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

ELMORE – The Park District of Ottawa County and the Elmore Historical Society are teaming up to offer the Hot Cocoa Walk, back for its third year and with plenty of activities to embrace the winter weather season.

Set for 1 to 3 p.m. on Jan. 24, at Depot Park in Elmore, on the North Coast Inland Trail, this free event is open to all ages and will be held snow or shine. A cozy hot cocoa station stocked with a variety of sweet toppings will again greet attendees in the heated Barn, and activities will include a snowflake scavenger hunt, snowflake craft, and story time by the fireplace, with the reading of Snowflake Bentley, winner of the 1999 Caldecott Medal for illustrations, about Vermont farmer Wilson Bentley who photographed snowflakes. Members of the Elmore Historical Society will also lead historical building tours of The Heckman Log Cabin built in the 1860s and the Elmore Train Depot Museum housing memorabilia from historic Elmore. The Elmore Train Depot opened in 1869 and was purchased by the Elmore Historical Society in 1981. It opened as a historical museum in 2001.

Depot Park is located at 353 Maple St. in Elmore.

The Park District of Ottawa County is excited to again partner with the Elmore Historical Society for this fun event that encourages participants to get outdoors and embrace the season.

“As the weather brings less activity to the Elmore Historical Society buildings, we are excited to invite this group of winter explorers and outdoor enthusiasts to spend some time here,” said Carolyn Neff, secretary of the Elmore Historical Society. “Our cozy fire and inviting atmosphere are designed to make everyone feel comfortable and welcome. The story time will be a warm, relaxing addition as we all enjoy some hot cocoa. We look forward to sharing this fun event with you.”

To learn more about the Park District of Ottawa County, visit ottawacountyparksoh.org. Learn more about the Elmore Historical Society at https://sites.google.com/view/elmoreohiohistoricalsociety/home.