Akron's Sugar Plum Tour is back for a jolly 25th annual season.

Emily and Jeremiah Harding felt a sense of urgency in their 2025 hunt for a new home for their family.

They had their sights set on finding a space in Akron to be near Adolph Optical in Highland Square, where Emily is the third-generation owner. Adding to the pressure, they wanted to be settled into their new home before the start of the school year, when one of their four children started high school.

The Hardings weren’t sure what they would find when they visited a 5-bedroom, 4-bathroom brick colonial on Merriman Road. Built in 1911, the house had already been on the market for nearly a year.

But once Emily walked in, she felt a sense of certainty. She turned to Jeremiah and said one cryptic word: umbrella.

“That was our code word that meant that the home was going to protect us,” said Emily.

Jeremiah wasn’t as immediately sure, but when Emily turned on the faucet in a first floor bathroom and the water flowed into the white porcelain integral spout sink, something affected him.

“I just got what she meant,” said Jeremiah.

One year after the purchase of the house, the Harding family is putting it on display for everyone to see: Their home is one of five stops on the 25th Annual Sugar Plum Tour, the signature fundraiser of the Gay Community Endowment Fund of the Akron Community Foundation.

Proceeds are used to fund programs that positively impact the local LGBTQ+ community and Greater Akron as a whole.

“Moving into this house, the first thing I said was, ‘Okay, we’re gonna be a stop on the Sugar Plum Tour,’ so this is a dream come true,” said Emily.

A loving restoration

The Hardings describe the 3,800 square-foot house as having a “funky style.”

“It’s a cross between a Georgian revival and a craftsman, with marble thresholds and bifold doors and so many crazy things they just don’t make anymore, but which have all been so lovingly restored,” said Emily.

This is only the Harding family’s second Christmas in their new home. The first was less than jolly. Baba, Emily’s grandmother and a huge source of Christmas spirit, had recently died.

“Christmas was Baba’s jam and she definitely made it my jam,” said Emily.

For the past decade, Baba had been gifting Emily her Christmas decorations that she had collected over her life. Baba’s decorations are now stored in the butler’s pantry during the off season.

“We now lovingly call it Baba’s pantry,” said Emily.

The decorations include 40 brass candlesticks that Baba purchased from Colonial Williamsburg, which the Hardings will now use to line the Christmas mantle.

“I wish she could be here to see it,” said Emily.

Sorry, no Clydesdales

When Emily received word that their Sugar Plum Tour application had been accepted, she immediately sent a text to the family’s group chat.

“I let them know that there would be no living with me from now until Christmas,” laughed Emily.

Their children leapt into action, starting an assembly line to bring the Christmas decorations up from the basement. And then they and Jeremiah promptly got out of the way.

“We knew this was on her bucket list and Christmas is definitely her thing, so we all just want to let her do what she does so amazingly well,” said Jeremiah.

He did, however, exercise his veto power in one small instance.

“She asked for Clydesdales pulling a yule log and I did say that, ‘No, we’re not having horses in the front yard,’” said Jeremiah.

Emily said the vibe of the house will be “very classic,” with different themes for different rooms.

“I want to keep it as elegant as possible without going completely over the top,” she said.

The Harding family is excited to open up their home and do so for a good cause.

“We want people to feel warm and welcomed and leave with joy,” said Emily. 🔥

IGNITE ACTION

The 25th anniversary of the Sugar Plum Tour will be held on Sunday, Dec. 6, from noon to 5 p.m. With one ticket, you will be able to visit all five homes on the tour. Virtual tour tickets are also available. Buy tickets or get more info by visiting the Sugar Plum website here.