Troll Mania: Alliance is going to get a little hairy

Benjamin Duer, The Repository
·3 min read

ALLIANCE − Justin Timberlake's 2016 hit "Can't Stop the Feeling" was a feel-good, catchy tune for the beloved Trolls movie.

The organizer of this week's three-day "The Alliance of Trolls Convention" event in downtown Alliance is hoping to capture those same electric vibes.

From Friday through Sunday, the sixth Troll mania festival starts at the Troll Hole Museum. It will include several events throughout downtown Alliance involving troll dolls.

"Trolls are here to remind us that when you're good to one another good things happen," said event organizer Sherry Groom, owner of the Troll Hole Museum.

More:Five questions with ... Sherry Groom, co-creator of the Troll Hole Museum

All of the doll fun begins with dinner and a troll comedy show that headlines Friday events, followed by a 14-store scavenger hunt Saturday and a Troll Hobble 5K Fun Run on Sunday.

Participants in the family friendly Troll Hobble 5K can run or walk on the Iron Horse Trail in troll costumes. The cost is $35 to participate, or $15 for children ages 12 and younger.

The pre-race activities include a costume contest and a TikTok challenge. Registration includes a Troll Hair headband, string backpack, a drink, a chocolate troll and a chip-timed race with awards. T-shirts will be available for purchase.

Event updatesThe Troll Hole Museum Facebook

Here's a more detail list of events:

Friday, Sept. 23 - "An Evening with Trolls"

Event starts at 5 p.m. at 318 E. Main St., Alliance.

  • Dinner and entertainment. Mix and mingle with other troll collectors and enthusiasts. Tickets are limited and must be bought in advance. The dinner includes troll stew.

  • Live Troll comedy show also will have a sing along with Troll performers.

  • Exclusive Troll Hole Museum merchandise for sale.

  • Meet and greet with Sherry Groom, owner of the world's largest troll doll collection.

Saturday, Sept. 24 - "Troll Mania on Main"

Event will run 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 228 E. Main St., Alliance. Free family event with some paid activities.

  • Scavenger Hunt. Find troll dolls hidden in 14 shops on historic Main Street. A map can be bought online for $5 or get a free one by completing a Tik Tok dance challenge at the Troll Hole Museum. Prizes will be awarded.

  • Trolls Magic Market. Art, crafts, vintage toys, collectible and event exclusive merchandise at Jupiter Event Center at 346 E. Main St.

  • Guided or self-guided tours of the largest troll doll collection at the Troll Hole Museum.

  • Troll-themed escape game at Wisecracks Comedy at 117 E. Main St.

  • Visit Mad Dogs and Crazy Cats at 40 N. Arch Ave. for troll-themed surprises in the cat lounge.

Sunday, Sept. 25 - "Troll Hobble 5K Fun Run"

Starts at 8:30 a.m. at 228 E. Main St., Alliance.

  • Pre-race free Trolls Costume Contest at 8:30 a.m. Prizes awarded. Troll accessories available for purchases.

  • TikTok dance challenge and flash mob before the race.

  • Runners and walkers can dress like a troll for the 5K event on Iron Horse Trail. The running event starts 9 a.m. at the Troll Hole Museum.

  • Guided tours of the Troll Hole Museum are available.

Groom said registration for most of these events can be done ahead of time or the day of the event. The dinner requires advanced purchase.

In addition to the listed activities, there also will be sidewalk games, other vendors and Stark County Parks involved. "It's going to be laid-back fun," Groom said.

Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com. Follow on Twitter @bduerREP.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Alliance's Troll convention features family-friendly fun