PBS Western Reserve believes that serving our region starts with a consistent presence in the community. In fiscal year 2025, our community engagement team organized and hosted eight unique screening events, attended five community festivals, and fostered new hobbies and interests through experiential learning opportunities. All events are an opportunity to bring joy to our community, offering a space to meet new friends, learn something new and celebrate public media.
July 6: Kent Heritage Festival | 500+ visitors
This marks our second year at Kent’s annual Heritage Festival, where we proudly host a booth featuring giveaways and prizes from PBS KIDS and PBS Western Reserve. This year, we introduced an exciting chance for guests to meet and take photos with Daniel Tiger, along with a story time on stage, where each family received complimentary books.
August 24: Akron Pride
PBS Western Reserve’s first Pride event was a wonderful opportunity to connect and engage with both members and viewers at Akron’s busiest festival, which draws over 40,000 people to the city’s downtown. We provided complimentary Pride-themed giveaways, including wristbands and buttons, along with details about Pride-related programming available on the PBS App and Passport. Additionally, we distributed information sheets outlining local resources for the LGBTQ+ community.
August 29: City Centric and The World According to Polka Watch Party | 95 attendees
We organized a watch party at our station to celebrate and promote the upcoming seasons of City Centric and The World According to Polka. The event featured local cuisine, exciting giveaways and a sneak peek at the two new seasons.
September 14: Loving Local Showcase in Chagrin Falls
We participated in Chagrin Falls’ Loving Local Showcase to engage with attendees and residents about City Centric, which featured an episode on Chagrin Falls. During the event, we gave away station-branded freebies and connected the public to information about PBS Western Reserve.
September 28: Medina Fall Festival
We took part in Medina's Annual Fall Festival to engage with attendees and residents about City Centric, which lighted Medina in its second season. During the event, we gave away station-branded freebies and informative materials.
September 28: New Berlin Oktoberfest
We took part in New Berlin’s Oktoberfestival to engage with attendees and residents about the new season of The World According to Polka. During the event, we gave away station-branded freebies and PBS Western Reserve resources and visitors enjoyed a performance by the Chardon Polka Band.
October 20: The World According to Polka Screening at the West Side Bowl | 45+ attendees
Simply Slavic, an organization featured in the latest season, organized a watch party at the Westside Bowl in Youngstown. During this event, we screened four episodes — two from the first season and two from the second — while distributing information about the series. It was an opportunity to celebrate polka, Slavic heritage and gather at a beloved local venue.
October 29: Paint Like Bob Ross with Nicholas Hankins | 11 registrants
This virtual painting experience was hosted by Nicholas Hankins, a Bob Ross Certified Instructor and host of The Joy of Painting with Nicholas Hankins: Bob Ross’ Unfinished Season who guided attendees in creating a beautiful Bob Ross- classic filled masterpiece with those happy little clouds.
December 7: Member-Exclusive Screening of Season 5 of All Creatures Great and Small | 75 attendees
To express our gratitude for our members, we hosted two exclusive early screenings of the first episode of the new season of All Creatures Great and Small, accompanied by afternoon tea. Members enjoyed tours of the station, special gifts and even had the chance to win prizes during the evening.
December 14: Winter Wonderfest at Experience Hartville
Hartville, Ohio’s new Winter Wonderfest brought families' festive dreams to life with a dazzling Christmas light display, live music and animated holiday scenes. We participated in this event by adding to the experience with PBS KIDS winter-themed activities and offering guests the opportunity to take a photo with Molly of Molly of Denali.
January 14: Leonardo da Vinci Screening & Panel Discussion | 65 attendees
We held a hybrid screening, panel discussion and Q&A of Ken Burns’ Leonardo da Vinci at the Fine Arts Association in Willoughby. This event was free and open to all, connecting community members to history in a fun and dynamic setting.
February 11: Virtual Wine Tasting with Rick Steves | 58 registrants
This virtual tasting experience was hosted by Rick Steves and a professional sommelier who guided attendees in tasting different wines while learning the art of wine tasting. The event more than tripled in local attendance from last year’s event, which was attended by 17 people.
March 15: Member-Exclusive Screening of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light on Masterpiece | 30 attendees
We hosted a member-only screening of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light on Masterpiece at our station one week prior to its broadcast premiere. Members also had the chance to take a tour of the station.
April 9: Member-Exclusive Station Presentation and Tour | 19 attendees
We hosted a company presentation and station tour exclusively for our members, inviting them to see where the work happens, meet the folks who keep their favorite series on the air and learn more about how they can get involved in public media.
April 12: Wetland Wonders: A Walk & Talk and Screening Experience at Mill Creek Park | 35 attendees
Participants enjoyed a special screening of By Nature's Design, followed by a Q&A session where they engaged with experts and learned more about the importance of wetlands. We also took a walking tour of the Newport Wetlands to explore these vital ecosystems firsthand, encouraging our audience into the outdoors!
April 19: Company presentation and screening of Séances and Slot Machines: The Story of Brady Lake Park | 20 attendees
We were invited again to be the guest presenter for the McGuffey Historical Society’s April meeting. Marketing Manager Stephanie Virgallito presented PBS Western Reserve’s organization profile, followed by a documentary screening. Screenings like this allow us strengthen our relationships with community organizations and connect over our shared regional history.
April 26: Wetland Wonders: A Walk & Talk and Screening Experience at KSU Stark | 42 attendees
Participants screened By Nature's Design, followed by a Q&A session where they engaged with experts and learned more about the importance of wetlands. We also offered a guided walking tour of the KSU Stark Wetlands to explore these vital ecosystems firsthand.
June 4: Station Presentation and Tour | 16 attendees
We hosted a company presentation and station tour that was open to the public, inviting attendees to see where the work happens, meet the folks who keep their favorite series on the air and discover how they can get involved in public media.
June 6: Dreamnight at Akron Zoo | 250+ visitors
Dreamnight is an international initiative that welcomes children living with chronic conditions and their families to visit local zoos and aquariums. We attended for the third consecutive year, inviting children to meet Olive from Elinor Wonders Why. Along with meet-and-greets, each child received a goodie bag with activities, an elephant keychain and more.
WAYS TO WATCH:
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1)
Fusion (WNEO 45.2 / WEAO 49.2)
FNX — First Nations Experience (WNEO 45.3 / WEAO 49.3)