It’s hard to believe that more than 20 years have passed since our first entry in the Central Ohio Parade of Homes back in 2003 at Shawnee Crossing in Pickerington. At that time, the Parade of Homes took place within a single subdivision, where visitors could stroll down the street and explore each home. Our craftsman-style entry in 2003 made a lasting impression, winning six gold awards, including the prestigious People’s Choice Award for Best House and Best Interior Design. One of our fondest memories from that year is the connection to Ohio’s rich history — we showcased images of barns painted for the Ohio Bicentennial. We even invited the artist who painted those barns as a special guest. You can still find some photos of those barns in our model home in Lockbourne today.
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Following our success in 2003, we proudly returned for the 2004 Central Ohio Parade of Homes at Sherman Lakes subdivision in Delaware. This time, our Cotswold-style American Heritage Home, a truly one-of-a-kind design, swept the awards again, taking home six distinctions. These included gold awards for Architectural Design, Curb Appeal, Owner’s Suite, and Interior Design, as well as the coveted People’s Choice Award. Though we can’t quite recall the sixth award, what stands out is the lively atmosphere inside the home, with traditional Irish music playing throughout, creating a warm and inviting experience for every visitor.
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After taking a break, we made our comeback in 2007 at Pinnacle Golf Community in Grove City. While the exact award details from that year are lost to time, we do know that our light nautical-themed home made waves, complete with Finding Nemo playing in the family room and a golf cart parked in the third-car garage. This award-winning home showcased a design that embraced the spirit of its golf community surroundings.
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At the time, the Central Ohio Parade of Homes was a localized event, with all homes situated within one specific neighborhood. Visitors could easily walk from one home to the next. Today, the Parade has evolved into a scattered-site tour, requiring attendees to drive across central Ohio to experience the best in custom home design. It’s a much different approach but one that showcases the diversity and creativity of Central Ohio’s homebuilding community, and we’re proud to have been part of its history. Though we’re not participating in the scattered-site Parade of Homes this year, our model home is open Monday through Saturday. We invite you to stop by and experience all that American Heritage Homes has to offer. Whether you’re looking for inspiration or ready to start building your dream home, our team is here to help you every step of the way. Click here for directions to our Model Home.