Medina County Safe Communities Coalition promotes safe and sober driving through annual Holiday Mocktail Mix-Off

BRUNSWICK — Local organizations and businesses served unique mocktails to the public to encourage safe driving this holiday season at the Holiday Mocktail Mix-off on Thursday. The event is hosted by the Medina County Safe Communities Coalition and was held at St. Ambrose Parish in Brunswick this year. Medina County Health Department Health Promotion Supervisor Mike Metcalf said each participating organization can create a theme for their booth and make a nonalcoholic drink for members of the public to try. Judges and the public then voted on their favorite drinks. The following groups took part in the event this year: Alternative Paths Brunswick Division of Police Castle Noel The Children's Center of Medina County Empanadas Latin Street Food was the best taste winner. Medina County Career Center criminal justice students were given the people's choice award. Medina County Health Department Women, Infants and Children was the best presentation winner with a "Wizard of Oz" themed booth. Medina County Sheriff's office law enforcement explorers Sconefully Delicious was named the best overall winner. St. Ambrose Parish State Highway Patrol Medina Post The purpose of the event is to remind the public to drive safely and not drink and drive this holiday season, Metcalf said. "The reason for that is we see more alcohol-related crashes between Thanksgiving and New Year's, and that's here in Ohio," he said. "Of all the months of the year, the most alcohol-related crashes happen right now." The event also shows that holiday fun can happen without alcohol, Metcalf said. "Our goal tonight is to remind people to drive sober, but there are non-alcoholic options too to have fun and enjoy the holiday season," he said. "If you do drink, always get a designated driver, and there's ride assistant apps now like Uber and Lyft that can get you places, so utilize those or rely on friends." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.