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.
'Spring' Back to Life with Exciting Activities in Ohio this March
Weave your own basket, check out an auto show or indulge in the sweet smells of nature
2/11/2009
CONTACT:
Marty McDonald at (614) 383-1621
Tamara Brown at (614) 466-8591
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Feb. 11, 2009) - Spring is just around the corner, and Ohio is celebrating with a host of festivals, exhibits and exciting outdoor activities. Experience the Luck o' the Irish, attend the largest multi-sport festival in the country, dance to famous blues acts or discover your new favorite wine at an international wine festival. It's all here in Ohio, and it's too much fun for just one day! Following is just a sampling of March events available to those looking for fun and exciting travel ideas close to home. For additional events, visit
www.DiscoverOhio.com or call 1-800-BUCKEYE.
Family Fun
Golden Dragon Acrobats of China, Marion Palace Theater, Marion, March 7
This must-see event represents the best of the time-honored tradition of mixing award-winning acrobats, traditional dance, spectacular costumes and ancient and contemporary theatrical techniques to present a show of breath-taking skill and spell-binding beauty.
Free Family Day: Celebrating the Life & Legacy of Amelia Earhart, International Women's Air and Space Museum, Cleveland, March 14
March is Women's History Month, and the International Women's Air and Space Museum is celebrating with an exciting new exhibit called Flight to Fame: The Life & Legacy of Amelia Earhart. Stop by to learn about Earhart's legacy and enjoy an airplane display and free games and activities.
Longaberger's Spring Fling, Longaberger Homestead, Frazeysburg, March 28 - April 4
Start spring off on the right foot at the Longaberger Homestead. Enjoy a sidewalk sale or try your artistic skills to make your very own unique basket.
Arts and Culture
Ohio Watercolor Society Exhibit, Wassenberg Art Center, Van Wert, March 1 - 31
This free exhibit features the best paintings from the Ohio Watercolor Society's annual juried show and includes several award-winning works. Add a splash of color to your life as you stroll past the deep blue of the sea or the brilliance of a sunrise in one of these paintings.
Southern Ohio Indoor Music Festival, Roberts Centre, Wilmington, March 27 - 28
Come celebrate the music culture of southern Ohio through foot-stomping bluegrass and soul-searching acoustics. This two-day event features award-winning musicians including the James King Band and David Peterson and 1946.
Cincinnati's International Wine Festival, Duke Energy Center, Cincinnati, March 12 - 14
Now in its 18th year, the Cincinnati International Wine Festival is the Midwest's premier celebration of wine, food and music. Stop by and visit 135 wineries with more than 600 samples of the finest vino! Other highlights include winery dinners, a charity auction and a luncheon.
Sports and Recreation
Maple Fest 2009, Snavely's Sugar Shack, Republic, March 8
Experience first-hand the old-fashioned tradition of collecting syrup from maple trees as you take a stroll through the woods on a late winter day. Enjoy a pancake and sausage meal with a side of aromatic maple sugar.
Greater Cleveland Auto Show, I-X Center, Cleveland, Feb. 28 - March 9
Come check out the ultimate in all car shows! The Greater Cleveland Auto Show features more than 1,000 production, classic and concept vehicles and draws more than 600,000 visitors throughout this must-see, 10-day event.
The 2009 Arnold Sports Festival, The Greater Columbus Convention Center, Franklin County Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Nationwide Arena and the Ohio EXPO Center's Lausche Building, Columbus, March 6 - 8
Come flex your muscles at the largest multi-sports festival in the country! The event annually hosts 17,000 athletes competing in 37 events and 11 Olympic sports. The three-day Arnold Fitness EXPO welcomes 650 exhibitors offering a street of shops with the latest in fitness apparel, equipment, training tools and supplements.
History and Heritage
St. Patrick's Day Celebration, Dublin, March 14
Grab your green garb and channel your inner leprechaun for a day packed with fun and festivities. Dublin is home to the St. Patrick's Day Celebration-a day filled with Celtic bands, floats and a miles-long community parade. Explore Dublin's Historic District, shop for Irish imports, enjoy Celtic entertainment or sip on an Irish tea. Erin go Bragh!
100 Missions Up North Exhibit, National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, March 19 - Dec. 31
This large exhibit showcases the courageous history and rich traditions of Air Force Airmen flying hazardous missions over North Vietnam during the Southeast Asia War. Located in the museum's Modern Flight Gallery, the exhibit displays many individual achievements along with some of the humorous customs related to celebrating the completion of a tour.
18th Annual River Cities Blues Festival, Lafayette Hotel, Marietta, March 20 - 21
You don't need to take a trip to Mississippi or Louisiana to get a dose of the blues. Marietta's historic Lafayette Hotel is home to the River Cities Blues Festival. The festival, known for drawing blues musicians from across the country (Big James and the Chicago Playboys, Eddy "the Chief" Clearwater), gets visitors out on the dance floor, leaving them feeling anything but blue.
Looking for additional March events? Visit
www.DiscoverOhio.com. The Ohio Travel Planner and Ohio Calendar of Events are both viewable online at
www.DiscoverOhio.com. To pre-order your free copy of the 2009 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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