The Division of Travel and Tourism complies news releases on a regular basis, including monthly events releases, releases on a theme and Ohio tourism trends.
Celebrate Summer at Your Own Speed in Ohio this July
6/26/2008
CONTACT:
Marty McDonald, (614) 888-1381
Tamara Brown, (614) 466-8591
COLUMBUS, Ohio (June 26, 2008) - July is the perfect time to celebrate summer with outdoor festivals and celebrations. Travelers seeking a relaxing entertainment opportunity will find the serenity of hot air balloons, colorful humming birds, scrumptious food and wine events, and historic tributes to those who defended our country. Visitors interested in a faster paced getaway also have plenty of event choices including fighter jets displaying the finest in aerodynamics, some of the top acts in R&B and hip hop, race cars speeding by the stands in excess of 150 mph and the roar of the crowd at the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame game.
Following is just a sampling of the relaxing and adrenaline pumping events available to Ohio visitors in July. For additional events or to plan your Ohio getaway, please go to
www.DiscoverOhio.com or call 1-800-BUCKEYE.
Family Fun
Hand Feeding Hummingbirds, Lake Hope State Park, McArthur, Now through Aug. 31
See brilliant green and ruby hummingbirds up close and hear the beating of their wings as they drink from a hand-held feeder. State park visitors will make their own hummingbird feeders and practice some patience as they wait for these beautiful birds to become brave enough to feast on nectar offered to them by hand.
BalloonFest 2008, Freer Field, Ashland, July 3-6
Enjoy the uplifting feel of boldly colorful hot-air balloons as they lift off the ground and take flight. During this year's BalloonFest, families are welcome to enjoy balloon races, tethered balloon rides, stage performances, sports races, displays and exhibits. Stay for Saturday night when the hot-air balloons are illuminated by lamps to glow in the dark at the Balloon Glow exhibit!
The Great Mohican Indian Pow-Wow, Mohican Reservation Campgrounds & Canoeing, Loudonville, July 11-13
Watch the Warriors of the Ani Kituwah Dance Group and learn about native culture and lifestyle as you partake in fellowship, competitions, native foods, music, storytelling and demonstrations. Strike a bargain with some of the more than 40 native craftspeople and traders who feature pottery, bead working, knife making, feather working, silversmithing and more.
Arts and Culture
Macy's Music Festival, Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, July 25-26
Listen to some of the world's finest contemporary music in an incredible combination of R&B, hip hop and jazz at the two-day concert that offers musical variety for every taste. Don't miss this year's line-up including Patti LaBelle, Earth Wind & Fire, J. Holiday and Maze featuring Frankie Beverly.
North Market Food & Ohio Wine Festival, Columbus, July 11-13
Get your taste buds ready for the ultimate in food and drink at this year's Food and Ohio Wine Festival in Columbus' delicious North Market. Select savory vintages from 18 Ohio wineries are available for tasting. Learn what foods to pair with your favorite wine, and the children will enjoy face painting, balloon twisting and a chance to scale the Ohio Farm Bureau's corn climbing wall.
Ingenuity Festival, Playhouse Square Center, Cleveland, July 25-27
Embrace diversity in the artwork of internationally renowned artists. Experience culture through the beating of drums, interpretive dance and an array of different foods. Art and innovation come together at this year's Ingenuity Festival that calls visitors to be both spectators and participants.
Sports and Recreation
Vectren Dayton Air Show, July 19-20
The amazing U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor makes its Dayton debut and headlines this year's air show. Enjoy a weekend of military jet demonstrations, world-class aerobatic champions and entertainment for the whole family that celebrates Dayton's rich aviation heritage as home of the Wright Brothers and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Night of Thunder, National Trail Raceway, Hebron, July 19
Feel the rumble of fast-action sports at the National Trail Raceway this July. Racing enthusiasts are sure to gather around the jet-powered racecars as they ride a 40-foot fountain of fire and snowmobiles that reach speeds up to 150 mph! And, if all that action gets your stomach rumbling, join in on the hot-dog eating contest to see if you can stake your claim to fame at this year's Night of Thunder event.
Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival, Canton, July 25-Aug. 3
Grab your favorite pigskin and NFL team jersey and head over to Ohio's greatest football festival. Located in Canton, the Pro Football Hall of Fame celebrates the annual NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies with football's finest and nearly 700,000 football fans nationwide. Stick around for a parade and concert, fireworks, the AFC-NFC Hall of Fame Game, ribs and more.
History and Heritage
The Presidents' Men: U.S. Black Marshals, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Cincinnati, July 1-Aug. 15
Experience a history of service and sacrifice up close and personal when you visit the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center's exhibit that honors African Americans in the elite corps of the U.S. Marshals through first-hand accounts of the first generation of this select corps. Other parts of the exhibit raise awareness of the disparities that still affect the U.S. Marshal Service today.
1813 Independence Celebration, Fort Meigs, Perrysburg, July 4-6
Celebrate July 4th as it was at Fort Meigs in 1813 with cannon firings, toasts, music and a day of leisure. War of 1812 soldiers and civilians will recreate this day in history with demonstrations, hands-on activities for families and a living history encampment. The highlight of the day is the eighteen-gun National Salute accompanied by toasts, and fife and drum music.
Tribute to the American Soldier, Historic Fort Steuben, Steubenville, July 11-13
A salute to the American soldier from the French and Indian War to the present day, this three-day event brings American military history alive and honors those who have served. Explore the traveling military and medical triage museum that features weapons, uniforms and vehicles.
Looking for additional July events? Visit
www.DiscoverOhio.com. The Discover Ohio Travel Planner and Discover Ohio Calendar of Events are both viewable online at
www.DiscoverOhio.com. To order your free copy of the 2008 Discover Ohio Travel Planner, click on the Free Publications icon or call 1-800-BUCKEYE. For additional information, trained travel counselors are available at 1-800-BUCKEYE to assist callers weekdays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
About the Ohio Tourism Division
The Ohio Tourism Division is the premier source of information for travelers and media about Ohio's vibrant tourism experiences, attractions, and economy. Division marketing programs contributed to an estimated $38 billion in visitor sales in 2007 and 454,000 jobs sustained by visitors to the state. A part of the Ohio Department of Development, the Division's mission is to promote and celebrate Ohio's unique travel opportunities and market the state's outstanding quality of life.
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