A Note from our President:

On behalf of myself and the rest of the Executive committee who collectively have close to 100 years experience with Holiday at Home, and fellow committee members, welcome to Kettering Holiday at Home 2026! We’ve been preparing for this patriotic Labor Day weekend filled with family fun, music and community spirit since last September.

This year’s theme – “250 Years Celebrating America’s Independence“ – will honor Our Nation.

The festivities at Lincoln Park in Kettering on Sunday and Monday will offer a free children’s area filled with games, live music and dancing, and arts and crafts vendors selling American made items. Fire Up! your taste buds and savor the flavor of dozens of food vendors, and maybe even enjoy a slice of apple pie. Car enthusiasts, “Rev up your engines!” On Sunday, we’ll be showcasing VW cars, and on Monday the invitational auto show with a newly added 80’s class. The themed Gala is Saturday night at the Presidential Banquet center. Don’t forget my favorite (lol) the Holiday at Home Labor Day parade on Monday at 10 am- the largest parade in the Miami Valley.

The weekend wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated Holiday at Home committee members and volunteers, generous sponsors, and the support from the city of Kettering! Thank you Team!

Looking forward to celebrating America’s Independence and Freedom with you; we encourage wearing the patriotic colors of red, white and blue.

Sincerely and my pleasure,

Ed Koehnen, III
President and Parade Chair
Holiday at Home 2026

Holiday at Home 2026

Grand Marshal

Bill Pees has always been a volunteer, faithful friend, hard worker, and a loving father and husband. He and his wife Candy have lived south of town their entire married life of 58 years. His career took him to teaching physical education and coaching, working 45 years for Hayes Tools and several name changes to that company that is now owned by a French Family.

Bill and Candy both loved kids. He coached both his kids Brady and Katie in soccer and his son was a strong player in track and field.

When Bill was President of his 1964 Class at Oakwood, a teacher there told him he would be President for life. How true that was. He was Booster Club President, Chair of Society of Manufacturing Engineer for two years, Camp Kern Board Chairman, and now for the second time on the Carl Kern Advisory Board.

Bill and Candy have been members of Christ United Methodist Church for 55 years, and Bill has been Chair on several committees. He was also Head Usher for 48 years. Bill has given 28 years to Kiwanis and helped merge the Kettering and Centerville Clubs. He has been President 5 times. He is also a Charter member of the Beavercreek Kiwanis Club. He was Lt. Governor of the 11 Dayton area Kiwanis Clubs in 2008. He was Ohio District Membership Coordinator for 3 years, helped open 10 new Clubs in Ohio, and was just elected to the Kiwanis Ohio District Hall of Fame.

A volunteer for life! You got it.

2026 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

GALA

Saturday 9/5/2026 Presidential Banquet Center 6:00p-10:00p, open to the public

ARTS & CRAFTS HOURS

Sunday 9/6/2026 10:00a-6:00p
Monday 9/7/2026 10:00a-5:00p

Children’s zone

Sunday 9/6/2026 11:00a-6:00p
Monday 9/7/2026 11:00a-5:00p

Concessions

Sunday 9/6/2026 10:00a-6:00p
Monday 9/7/2026 10:00a-5:00p

Parade

Monday 9/7/2026 10:00a-12:00p

5K run/walk

Monday 9/7/2026 7:50a

Auto show

Sunday 9/6/2026 VW Auto Show
Monday 9/7/2026 Invitational Auto Show

2026 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Board Chairperson: Jennifer Hart

President: Ed Koehnen

Vice President: Sean Bohn

Treasurer: Jordan Wyant

Interested In Being A Holiday At Home Volunteer?

Holiday at Home is always on the lookout for passionate individuals eager to contribute their time and energy to help make our community celebrations truly memorable. Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or considering giving your time for the first time, there’s a role for everyone. Many of our volunteers cherish the sense of camaraderie and purpose they experience while working alongside neighbors and friends.

From assisting with event setup to managing activity booths or helping with cleanup, the opportunities to get involved are as diverse as the people who make up our community. Volunteering with Holiday at Home provides a chance to develop new skills, meet like-minded individuals, and create lasting memories for yourself and others.

I'm Interested!

ACTIVITIES

INFORMATION

A Brief History Of Holiday At Home

The Holiday At Home celebration began on Labor Day, 1959, under the sponsorship of the Kettering YMCA which held the event to promote a membership drive. It was known then as “Kettering Day.” The YMCA board accepted a suggestion from President Robert Eichenlaub to plan a community parade and program. The events first year success was so great that it was deemed worthwhile to conduct for a second year. Many leaders of the community and the YMCA worked together to organize a parade and evening program. From this well-organized beginning, Holiday At Home was refined and enlarged to the present Labor Day weekend festival that is now enjoyed by thousands of south suburban residents and visitors. The name, Holiday At Home, was selected through a contest. It promotes the idea of staying at home over the holiday weekend, rather than becoming part of the large group of travelers at that time. Kettering is used in the name to indicate the location; however, the festivities are intended for all of the communities south of Dayton. All southern communities and townships are invited to share in the Holiday At Home activities and to become part of the organization.