SUMMER FUN
Southeast Ohio festivals and attractions
5/20/2012Barbecue, brew and plenty of food and music await at a host of festivals in southeastern Ohio.
Gold Wings & Ribs Festival: June 1-2, motorcycle tours, a motorcycle light parade, barbecue, cookie-stacking, pickle spitting and hog-calling contests are just a few of the events on the docket. Did we mention motorcycles?; downtown Pomeroy (Meigs County) just 30 minutes south of Ohio University; free; 1-877-634-4726, www.goldwingsandribs.com
Brick Street BBQ: June 8-9, the first stop on the Ohio Triple Crown barbecue competition, this Kansas City Barbecue Society event prides itself on barbecue. In addition to judging chicken, ribs, pork and brisket, there will be a Miss Brick Street BBQ and Moustache King Compeititon, so start growing your facial hair now; downtown Marietta (Washington County); free; 740-373-0894, www.brickstreetbbq.com
Washboard Music Festival: June 14-16, home of the Columbus Washboard Co., the festival celebrates the impact the humble washboard has had on musical genres ranging from jazz to zydeco and bluegrass. The music will be constant, so be ready for that washboard. If you want to take a break, the company will be giving tours throughout the day. The festival will also feature arts and crafts from the area’s Appalachian artisans, a quilt show, a Civil War era exhibit, antique tractors, children’s rides and entertainment and a car show. Logan (Hocking County); free; 740-380-3828, www.washboardmusicfestival.com
Ohio Brew Week Festival: June 22-30, a weeklong festival dedicated to beer? What’s not to like? The Athens County festival culminates with the June 30 Brews on the Block festival on West Union Street in downtown Athens featuring food, entertainment and plenty of suds. Greg Hardman, owner of Cincinnati’s Christian Moerlein Brewing Co., will be the keynote speaker for the event that will focus on 176 craft beers from 28 Ohio breweries. Events include beer dinners, golf tournaments, brewers forums and more; prices vary; 740-591-8707, www.ohiobrewweek.com
108th Ohio Hills Folk Festival: July 11-14, baking contests, tractor rodeos, frog jumping contests, a 5-kilometer run, fireworks, a pet show, parades, a flea market, entertainment and music — and that’s just scratching the surface of what this festival brings to the table. Talk about an overachiever. Guess that’s what you get when you turn 108; Quaker City (Guernsey County); 740-679-2704, www.ohiohillsfolkfestival.com
LilyFest: July 13-15, this festival is a gardener’s dream come true — 3 acres of artistically designed gardens, ponds and garden sculptures; plant sales, advice from Ohio State University master gardeners on plant growing and maintenance, art, food and music; Rockbridge (Hocking County); free; www.lilyfest.com
Jamboree In the Hills: July 19-22, this country music extravaganza will offer performances from the likes of Tracy Lawrence, Jason Aldean, Charlie Daniels, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Rascal Flatts to name just a few. Located in Belmont County between St. Clairsville and Morristown off Rt. 40, this annual event draws more than 100,000 people, many of whom will be in line waiting to get in long before the main gates open. Prices vary; 1-800-624-5456; www.jamboreeinthehills.com
Parade of the Hills: Aug. 15-18, all the makings of a traditional festival with entertainment, art, concessions and midway games, there will also be parades galore — hence the festival’s name. Nelsonville’s public square (Athens County); free; 740-753-3525, www.paradeofthehills.org
A sampling of popular summertime activities and events compiled by Dispatch staff members.
OUTDOOR DRAMAS
‘THE LIVING WORD’
Description: 38th season for the religious drama about the life of Christ
Location: 6010 College Hill Rd., Cambridge (Guernsey County)
Performances: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays June 15 through August and 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays in September
Admission: $18, or $15 for senior citizens, $5 for children 4 to 12
Seating capacity: 800
Wheelchair access: yes
Running time: 2½ hours,
Information: 740-439-2761, www.livingworddrama.org
‘TRUMPET IN THE LAND’
Description: 43rd season for the historical drama about the founding of Ohio’s first settlement
Location: Schoenbrunn Amphitheatre, New Philadelphia (Tuscarawas County)
Performances: 8:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays through Saturdays June 15 through Aug. 25 (except for dates when the historical drama The White Savage will be presented on July 7, 10, 16, 20, 26, 31 and Aug. 4, 10, 13 and 18 and the musical All Shook Up, 8:30 p.m. July 28, Aug. 3, 9 and 17)
Admission: $12 to $17, or $12 to $15 for senior citizens, $6 to $8 for children 12 and younger
Seating capacity: 1,279
Wheelchair access: yes
Running time: 2½ hours for the historical dramas and musical
Information: 330-339-1132, www.trumpetintheland.com
OUTDOOR MUSIC
JAMBOREE IN THE HILLS
Description: An outdoor rain-or-shine event, the festival boasts some of the top names in country music.
Location: Off Rt. 40, Morristown (Belmont County)
Performances: The festival (July 19-22) includes Jason Aldean, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rascal Flatts, Ronnie Dunn, Charlie Daniels, Little Big Town, Tracy Lawrence, Lee Brice, Michael Stanley and more. Call for full schedule and set times.
Parking: $20 daily (no overnights), with $25 daily VIP parking available. Camping pass ($215 to $235) does not include admission. Call or visit the website for more information.
Tickets: $55 to $90 (one day), $130 to $140 (two days), $185 to $200 (three days), $215 to $235 (four days)
Information: 1-800-624-5456; www.jamboreeinthehills.com
LEGEND VALLEY
Description: The music and camping event near Buckeye Lake features veteran musicians as well as rising stars.
Location: 7585 Kindle Rd., Thornville (Perry County)
Performances: Spring Hookahville (May 25-27) featuring Ekoostik Hookah, Gov’t Mule, Yonder Mountain String Band, Cornmeal and more; All Good Festival (July 19-22) featuring the Allman Brothers Band, the Flaming Lips, Phil Lesh and Friends, Bob Weir and Bruce Hornsby featuring Branford Marsalis and more; Dark Star Jubilee (Aug. 31-Sept. 2) featuring Dark Star Orchestra, Keller Williams, Jorma Kaukonen and more
Parking: free; RV camping, $50 to $125
Tickets: $65 to $229
Information: 740-323-1485, 1-866-55-TICKETS, www.legendvalley.net, www.hookahville.com, www.allgoodfestival.com, www.darkstarjubilee.com
MUSEUMS
THE DAIRY BARN ARTS CENTER
Description: The center offers exhibitions, events and educational programs that promote area artists and artisans.
Location: 8000 Dairy Lane, Athens (Athens County)
Open: noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Friday-Saturday; noon to 8 p.m. Thursday; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday
Admission: $7, or $4 for students and senior citizens, free for members and children younger than 12
Parking: free
Special exhibits: “Beyond Words: The Art of the Graphic Novel,” featuring of graphic art by over 50 artists spanning five decades. from throughout the world. During the opening of the exhibition on Memorial weekend, many of the owners of pieces in the show will give tours and share the histories of of the pieces.
Wheelchair access: yes
Information: 740-592-4981, www.dairybarn.org
NATIONAL ROAD / ZANE GREY MUSEUM
Description: The museum pays homage to the first national road to the West and Zane Grey, the “father of the adult Western” who wrote more than 80 books.
Location: 8850 East Pike, Norwich (Muskingum County)
Open: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday
Admission: $7, or $6 for senior citizens or AAA members, $3 for students
Parking: free
Wheelchair access: yes
Information: 740-872-3143, www.ohiohistory.org/nationalroad
ROSCOE VILLAGE
Description: The 1800s canal-era experience features hands-on activities, costumed interpreters and canal-boat rides.
Location: Rts. 16 and 83 near the junction of Rt. 36, Coshocton (Coshocton County)
Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; call for times of tours
Admission: free, a fee for some attractions
Parking: free
Wheelchair access: yes
Information: 1-800-877-1830, 740-622-9310, www.roscoevillage.com
ZOO
THE WILDS
Description: A 10,000-acre conservation center in southeast Ohio features rare and endangered animals living in natural, open-range habitats.
Location: 14000 International Rd., Cumberland (Guernsey County)
Big attractions: Giraffes, wild dogs, rhinos, zebras, cheetahs and several varieties of deer are just a few of the animals visitors can see during bus rides through the natural habitat. Zip lines, horseback riding and fishing tours are available at additional costs. Overnight facilities include a lodge, cabins and yurts.
Open: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily May through September
Admission: Safari Transport tour in enclosed bus, at least 2 hours, $20, or $19 for senior citizens 60 and older, $15 for children 4 to 12, free for children younger than 3; open-Air Safari tour, 2 1/2 hours, $30, all ages. Both tours cover open-range areas as well as stops at viewing centers. Wild Animal Encounter tour, for younger children, on open-air bus, $30, $15 for children 4 to 12, free for children younger than 3. Wildside Tours, offered year-round, include interaction with animal specialists and observation of their work, 2 1/2 hours, $125, reservations required.
Parking: $5
Information: 740-638-5030, www.thewilds.org