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.
Revel in Summer's Most Delightful Days with a Trip to Ohio this August
Ohio is the perfect place to experience a double dose of music, foods, sports and the arts
7/21/2009
CONTACT:
Tamara Brown at (614) 466-8591
COLUMBUS, Ohio (July 21, 2009) - With summer still in full swing, opportunities for exciting and affordable travel in Ohio continue to thrive. Check out the Hall of Fame Festival honoring football's heroes or experience the thrill of a baseball game in the 1800s. Sample some of Ohio's finest wines or embrace Ohio's rich Appalachian heritage through distinctive bluegrass beats. However you're looking to spend the end of the summer season, Ohio is Too Much Fun for Just One Day!
Following is just a sampling of August events available to those looking for fun, budget friendly travel ideas close to home. For additional events, visit
www.DiscoverOhio.com or call 1-800-BUCKEYE.
Family Fun
Twins Days Festival, Twinsburg, Aug. 7 - 9 (NE)
Check out the annual festival that's sure to leave you seeing double. Every year, more than 2,000 sets of twins, triplets and multiples gather in Twinsburg for the Double Take Parade, live entertainment, fireworks and more, making this the world's largest annual gathering of twins and one of Ohio's most unique festivals.
Maumee Summer Fair, Aug. 14 - 15 (NW)
Tease your taste buds with food samples from 20 Maumee-area restaurants. In addition to four blocks of food and arts and crafts booths, the Maumee Summer Fair features a variety of entertainment including live music, a great kid's fun zone and a classic car show.
60th Annual Parade of the Hills, Nelsonville Public Square, Aug. 19 - 22 (SE)
Where else can you go for an enormous gathering of parades for all ages? The Parade of the Hills entertains with the Welcome Home Parade, Bicycle Parade and the Grande Parade. Other highlights include the Ohio State Fiddlers' Championship at Stuart's Opera House, art walk, fireworks display and more.
Arts and Culture
11th Annual Lebanon Blues Festival, Aug. 1 (SW)
This year's Lebanon Blues Festival isn't just a celebration of blues music, though there will be eight different blues bands rocking the live entertainment stage. Make sure to channel your inner dragster and check out the Blues, BBQ and Bumpers car show for delicious barbeque and 150 classic road warriors like hot rods and roadsters.
Vintage Ohio, Kirtland, Aug. 7 - 8 (NE)
Celebrate the 15th anniversary of one of the most acclaimed summer wine festivals in the country. Vintage Ohio greets more than 30,000 wine enthusiasts every year with more than 25 Ohio winemakers. Highlights of this year's festival include live musical entertainment and a tantalizing, fine-dining experience at any one of several local restaurants.
Y Bridge Arts Festival, Zanesville, Aug. 7 - 8 (SE)
Pay homage to the only bridge in the U.S. where you can end up on the same side where you started on either the Licking or Muskingum rivers. Along with nationally-recognized artists, the Y Bridge Arts Festival honors this Ohio curiosity with a slew of live entertainment and delicious home cooking from the area's finest local restaurants.
Sports and Recreation
Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival, Fawcett Stadium, Canton, July 31 - Aug. 9 (NE)
Grab your favorite pigskin and NFL team jersey and head over to the country's greatest football festival. 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 worldwide. Stick around for a parade and concert, fireworks, the AFC-NFC Hall of Fame Game featuring the Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans and more.
29th Annual Mopar Nationals, National Trail Raceway, Hebron, Aug. 7 - 9 (C)
Gather together with 50,000 Mopar fans and check out the event fit for any car enthusiast. Thousands of Mopar show cars, race cars and concept cars are placed on display. Highlights of the event include more than 600 cars competing in 16 race classes, a professionally judged car show and dozens of other attractions that make this event fun for the whole family.
1860s Base Ball, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center, Fremont, Aug. 23 (NW)
Have you ever wondered how base ball (two words in the 1800s) was played in the 19th century? Check out this free, fun-filled event that demonstrates how America's favorite pastime began. Watch The Squires take on the Cincinnati Red Stockings with historically accurate equipment, uniforms and rules that make this an educational and entertaining experience for all.
History and Heritage
Dublin Irish Festival, July 31 - Aug. 2 (C)
Known as one of the biggest and best Irish festivals in the country, the Dublin Irish Festival provides an authentic Irish experience without the need to travel far. More than 60 musical acts liven up seven stages and feature bands performing different styles of Irish music. Other highlights include storytelling, folklore, hands-on workshops, an area to research your genealogy and a 10th-century authentic Irish village.
Appalachian Heritage Day, Miami Whitewater Forest, Cincinnati, Aug. 8 (SW)
Immerse yourself in Appalachian culture and heritage. Enjoy music from bluegrass bands like Darby and the Woodpickers, Moonshine Drive and Vern McIntyre's Appalachian Grass. Don't miss the craft demonstrations, lace making, wood carving, basket making, spinning and delicious home-style fixin's!
Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival, Aug. 20 - 22 (NW)
Though small in size, Bucyrus has an enormous German heritage and the Bratwurst Festival is the ultimate celebration! Known for its authentic bratwurst makers, Bucyrus welcomes thousands of visitors every year for this annual event that showcases three days of parades, contests, rides and of course, plenty of delicious, grilled bratwurst.
Looking for additional August 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 $39 billion in total sales in 2008 and 452,000 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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