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.
Savor Summer Flavors in Ohio this June
It's all fun and games with summer festivals and multicultural, sports and recreational events
5/21/2009
CONTACT:
Tamara Brown at (614) 466-8591
COLUMBUS, Ohio (May 21, 2009) - Ohio's outdoor celebrations and festivals are ushering in the summer's warm weather and fun for people of all ages. June is alive with exciting events, including a festival that celebrates the creation of the banana split, blues and jazz music and the spirits of those who took part in the Civil Rights Movement. Check out all the invigorating experiences awaiting visitors planning their next Ohio three-day getaway. After all, Ohio is Too Much Fun for Just One Day!
Following is just a sampling of June 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
Coshocton Hot Air Balloon Festival, Coshocton County Fairgrounds, June 5 - 7 (NE)
Gather the family together for some high-rise fun at the Coshocton Hot Air Balloon Festival where hot air fans have gathered for more than 25 years. Highlights of the festival include watching more than 20 hot air balloons taking flight at once, musical entertainment, carnival rides, food and an arts and crafts booth.
Banana Split Festival, JW Denver Williams Memorial Park, Wilmington, June 12 - 13 (SW)
Observe the heyday of the 1950s and '60s with all things American: rock and roll, classic cars and of course, banana splits! Visitors will enjoy a make-your-own banana split booth, an Elvis tribute artist and a banana split eating contest. Grab your poodle skirt and hula hoop and hop to the Banana Split Festival, now in its 14th year.
Longaberger Independence Day Celebration, Longaberger Homestead, Frazeysburg, June 27 (SE)
Come home to Longaberger Homestead for a small-town Independence Day Celebration featuring a fabulous 30 to 40-minute fireworks display, games, live musical entertainment and menus from the backyard grill. Even better, admission to this event is free!
Arts and Culture
Columbus Arts Festival, Discovery District, June 5 - 7 (C)
Discover a world of art from more than 230 juried artists and craftspeople. Hands-on art activities, live music, delicious food from Columbus' most famed vendors and more are on site for people of all ages. This is a great way to kick off the summer and even add a few pieces to your own art collection.
Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival, Gahanna, June 19 - 21 (C)
Attendees to this jazzy festival will find themselves singing along to their favorite 12-bar blues songs as sung by one of hundreds of musicians. The Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival has grown into a feature event for Central Ohio combining fantastic musical acts with the talents of regional artisans and crafters, amusement rides, family-oriented games and activities, local entertainment and great food creating the perfect family outing.
Avon Heritage Duct Tape Festival, Veteran's Memorial Park, Avon, June 19 - 21 (NE)
Did you know Avon is home to the world's Duck® tape brand duct tape? This Father's Day weekend, get together with the family and celebrate Dad and his favorite tape at Avon's pirate-themed duct tape festival! The festival features everything duct tape - from sculptures and crafts to fashions and games. More importantly, stick around for the duct tape parade with floats made of - you guessed it - duct tape.
Sports and Recreation
Junior World Championship of American Football, Fawcett Stadium, Canton, June 27 - July 5 (NE)
The 2009 International Federation of American Football Junior World Championship is the world's first football tournament featuring the best high school-aged national teams from four continents. All games will be played in Canton's historic Fawcett Stadium, home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game and Hall of Fame Enshrinement ceremonies. Call (800) 574-5874 to reserve your ticket.
Third Annual Civil Rights Game, The Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati, June 20 (SW)
Come cheer on the Cincinnati Reds as they battle the Chicago White Sox. The game is played in honor of the three recipients of Major League Baseball's annual Beacon Awards that recognize those whose lives are emblematic of the spirit of the civil rights movement. This year's three honorees are Bill Cosby for the Beacon of Hope, Hank Aaron for the Beacon of Life and Muhammad Ali for the Beacon of Change.
Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure, Throughout Northwest Ohio, June 20 - 27 (NW)
This fun-filled bike tour of Ohio attracts more than 3,000 cyclists of all ages from across the nation. This year's adventure stops in the northwestern Ohio communities of Norwalk, Elmore, Bowling Green, Defiance and Fostoria for visits to the Thomas Edison Home, Hayes Presidential Center, Bellevue Railroad Museum, Schedel Arboretum, Ft. Meigs, Auglaize Village, Fostoria Glass Heritage Gallery, Snooks Dream Cars and more.
History and Heritage
Tecumseh! Outdoor Drama, Chillicothe, June 5 - Aug. 29 (SE)
Witness the epic life story of the legendary Shawnee leader Tecumseh as he struggles to defend his sacred homelands in the Ohio country during the late 1700s. This outdoor drama has been labeled one of the most mesmerizing in the nation. Sit beneath the stars in the beautiful and spacious Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheatre and experience a herd of galloping horses, live military cannon firings and the most dazzling battle sequences offered on stage.
Juneteenth Cincinnati, Eden Park, Cincinnati, June 20 - 21 (SW)
While this festival's historic roots are in Texas, Juneteenth Cincinnati celebrates the same theme: the end of slavery in America. What once began as a statement has grown in Cincinnati to a festival that welcomes nearly 20,000 people to celebrate the declaration of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Muster on the Maumee, Fort Meigs, Perrysburg, June 20 - 21 (NW)
Muster on the Maumee presents real-life demonstrations of soldiers from the Medieval period up to Vietnam. Period military camps, including one of the largest Roman and Viking encampments in the country, are open for visits with re-enactors. Musket, rifle and artillery demonstrations will take place throughout the day, and period trades people will be offering their wares for sale.
Looking for additional June events? Visit
www.DiscoverOhio.com. To order your free copy of the 2009 Ohio Travel Planner or Spring/Summer Ohio Calendar of Events, click on the Free Publications icon online or call 1-800-BUCKEYE. The Ohio Travel Planner and Ohio Calendar of Events also are both viewable online at www.DiscoverOhio.com. For questions and additional information, trained travel counselors are available to assist 1-800-BUCKEYE 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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