Culture
Summer 2016 At-a-Glance Guide
< < Back to summer-2016-at-a-glance-guide
The cicadas have come out of hiding; the thermostat is regularly dipping into the high 70s; and slowly reddening sunburns are starting to appear on the noses and foreheads of those not wise enough to slather on SPF. This can only mean one thing: summer 2016 is here, and it’s already shaping up to be a good one.
Whether you love planning outdoor treks with your pals or roaming the countryside on your lonesome looking for adventure on those long summer weekends; there’s plenty to do, see and taste here in Southeast Ohio.
SOUTHEAST OHIO STATE PARKS
Let’s start with a directory of the region’s many state parks. (Make sure to bring bug spray, it’s ‘skeeter season, after all!)
Athens County
Strouds Run State Park: http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/stroudsrun
Burr Oak State Park: http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/burroak
Belmont County
Barkcamp State Park: http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/barkcamp
Coschocton County
Dillon State Park: http://www.stateparks.com/dillon_state_park_in_ohio.html
Salt Fork State Park: http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/saltfork
Gallia County
Crowned City Wildlife Area: http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/crowncity
Guernsey County
Salt Fork State Park: http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/saltfork
Harrison County
Harrison Lake State Park: http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/harrisonlake
Hocking County
Hocking Hills State Park : http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/hockinghills
Jackson County
Jackson Lake State Park: http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/jacksonlake
Lake Alma State Park: http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/lakealma
Lawrence County
Compass Plant Prairie Nature Preserve: http://naturepreserves.ohiodnr.gov/compassplantprairie
Crown City Wildlife Area: http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/crowncity
Dean State Forrest: http://forestry.ohiodnr.gov/dean
Symmes Wildlife Area: http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/symmes
Meigs County
Forked Run State Park: http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/forkedrun
Monroe County
Piatt Park: http://www.monroecountyohio.net/parksandrec/piattpark.html
Morgan County
Burr Oak State Park: http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/burroak
Blue Rock State Park: http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/bluerock
Big Bottom Memorial State Park: http://www.visitmorgancountyohio.com/great-outdoors/big-bottom-memorial-state-park/
Muskingum County
Blue Rock State Park: http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/bluerock
Dillon State Park: http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/dillon
Noble County
Wolf Run State Park: http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/wolfrun
Perry County
Perry State Forrest: http://forestry.ohiodnr.gov/perry
Vinton County
Lake Hope State Park: http://parks.ohiodnr.gov/lakehope
Washington County
Howes State Park: http://www.stateparks.com/howes.html
OUTDOOR DRAMAS
Looking for an afternoon that is a bit more organized than regular old hiking or biking? Whether you’re aching to feast your eyes on folks decked out like James (son of Zebedee) or noted Moravian minister David Zeisberger, either one of these outdoor dramas has unique fun in store for audiences this summer.
The Living Word
Description: 42nd season for the religious drama about the life of Christ.
Location: 6010 College Hill Rd., Cambridge (Guernsey County)
Performances: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays June 17 to Sept. 24; Crucifixed Youth/Family Rally (August 6, 12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.); the Jerusalem Experience (10 a.m. to noon Aug. 27), an interactive children’s program
Admission: $18, or $16 for senior citizens, $6 for children 4 to 12 for The Living Word; admission varies for other shows
Seating capacity: 800
Running time: 21/2 hours for The Living Word; other shows vary
Information: 740-439-2761, www.livingworddrama.org
Trumpet in the Land
Description: 46th season for the historical drama about the founding of Ohio’s first settlement.
Location: Schoenbrunn Amphitheatre, New Philadelphia (Tuscarawas County)
Performances: various dates June 17 to Aug. 20; also The White Savage (various dates July 2 through Aug. 13); all shows 8:30 p.m.
Admission: $15 to $20, or $15 to $18 for senior citizens, $8 to $10 for children 12 and younger for all shows
Seating capacity: 1,279
Wheelchair access: yes
Running time: 2-1/2 hours for Trumpet and Fiddler; 2 hours, 15 minutes for The White Savage.
Information: 330-339-1132, www.trumpetintheland.com
MUSEUMS
Ohio is steeped in history, and you can pop by any of these regional museums to verify that fact. Whether you’re looking for actors in period costume wear or you simply want to check out some local art, any one of these fine establishments will meet your needs.
Roscoe Village
Description: The 1800s canal-era experience features hands-on activities and costumed interpreters.
Location: 600 N. Whitewoman St., Coshocton (Coshocton County)
Open: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; call for tour times
Admission: free; a fee for some attractions
Parking: free
Special exhibit: Mudlarked in Roscoe — visitors interact with costumed interpreters as they fill their bills of lading on a scavenger-hunt experience (additional fee, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend)
Information: 1-800-877-1830, 740-622-7644, www.roscoevillage.com
Zanesville Museum of Art
Description: The museum boasts an extensive Ohio glass and pottery selection as well as works by Cezanne, Toulouse-Lautrec, Matisse, Picasso, Rembrandt and Rubens.
Location: 620 Military Rd., Zanesville (Muskingum County)
Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays
Admission: $6, or $4 for senior citizens 60 and older and children 10 to 18, free for children 9 and younger and members
Parking: free
Special exhibit: 71st Ohio Annual Exhibition — explore the paintings, glass work, photography, fiber art, textiles, ceramics and other entries for the arts competition (June 11 through Aug. 21)
Information: 740-452-0741, www.zanesvilleart.org.
Kennedy Museum of Art
Description: Ohio University’s art museum, housed in the old grounds of the Athens Mental Health Center. This season the museum has both an exhibition of interdisciplinary art entitled Merging Concepts as well as their permanent collections.
Location: 100 Ridges Circle, Athens (Athens County)
Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Admission: Always free. Donations accepted.
Parking: Several free visitor spots are available, as well as metered parking.
Information: 740-593-1304, www.ohio.edu/museum
ZOO
What says “summertime” more than checking out exotic animals? Very few things indeed! Bring the kids (or just your youngest pals,) to check out the beauty of critters you just don’t see in the wild around here.
The Wilds
Description: A 10,000-acre conservation center in southeastern Ohio features rare and endangered animals living in natural, open-range habitats.
Location: 14000 International Rd., Cumberland (Guernsey County)
Big attractions: experience rare and endangered animals such as giraffes, rhinos, zebras and cheetahs living in their natural, open-range habitats at the conservation center in southeastern Ohio. Zip lines, horseback riding, fishing tours, a lodge, cabins and yurts are available.
Open: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily May through September, weekends only in October
Admission: Safari Transport tour, $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, $30, all ages; Wildside Tours, $125, reservations required.
Parking: $6
Information: 740-638-5030, www.thewilds.org
OTHER SOUTHEAST OHIO ATTRACTIONS
None of the above get your juices flowing? Not to worry, there’s much more in stock for your summertime enjoyment in the Buckeye state.
Wayne County
Buckin’ Ohio Western Experience: May 28-Sept. 17; professional bull riding, Western town recreation, shopping; 8154 Garman Rd., Burbank; 330-624-7205; www.buckinohio.com
Tuscarawas County
Fort Laurens: Open May-October; museum on-site of Ohio’s only Revolutionary War fort, with audio-visual presentations, war artifacts; 124 East High Ave., New Philadelphia; 330-874-2059; www.fortlaurens.org
Holmes County
Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center: Open Monday-Saturday; interpretive tour, Conestoga wagon, one-room schoolhouse, local arts and crafts; 5798 CR 77, Berlin; 330-893-3192; www.behalt.com
Stark County
Pro Football Hall of Fame: Open daily; tour, interactive exhibits, galleries; 2121 George Halas Dr. NW, Canton; 330-456-8207; www.profootballhof.com
Guernsey County
Byesville Historical Society and Museum: Open Mondays and Wednesdays, May-September; antiques, photographs and documents from 1800s to present day; 236 East Main St., Byesville; 740-685-2812
Monroe County
Piatt Park: Open daily; 119-acre park with caves/gorges, hiking and camping; State Route 78; 740-472-1328; www.monroecountyohio.net
Harrison County
Harrison County History of Coal Museum: Monday-Saturday; comprehensive look at early day and modern mining in southeast Ohio; Puskarich Library, 200 East Market St., Cadiz; 740-942-2623; www.harrison.lib.oh.us
Noble County
Seneca Lake: Open daily; 3,500-acre lake offering fishing, swimming, boating, family camping; 22172 Park Rd., Senacaville; 740-685-6013; www.mwcd.org
Washington County
Ohio River Sternwheel Festival: Sept. 9-11; more than 30 authentic sternwheel boats, family entertainment, fireworks; corner of Front and Greene Streets, Marietta; 1-800-288-2577; www.mariettaohio.org
Morgan County
Ribs, Rhythm and Blues Festival: June 6; regional blues and jazz musicians perform in the historic Union Hall Theater; 7520 Marion St., Chesterhill; 740-554-6994; www.unionhalltheater.org
Perry County
Wayne National Forest: Open daily; public hunting, fishing, camping, horse trails and hiking throughout southern Perry County; www.fs.usda.gov/wayne/
Hocking County
Washboard Music Festival: June 16-18; three-day celebration of the washboard as a musical instrument, with concerts, a car show, parade and more; East Main Street, Logan; www.washboardmusicfestival.com
Vinton County
Vinton County Air Show: Sept. 18; features pilots from around the U.S., skydiving, food, kids’ activities; Vinton County Airport, 66285 Airport Rd., New Plymouth, www.vintoncountyairport.com
Athens County
Stuart’s Opera House: See event schedule; national, regional and local musicians, theater productions and more; 52 Public Square, Nelsonville; 740-753-1924; www.stuartsoperahouse.org
Meigs County
Big Bend Blues Bash: July 29-30; national and regional blues acts perform during two-day blues festival, located along the Ohio River; Pomeroy Riverside Amphitheater; 100 East Main St., Pomeroy; www.pomeroyblues.org
Gallia County
Our House Tavern Historic Site: Open Wednesday-Sunday; living history museum in 1800s house, with tours, artifacts and more; 432 First Ave., Gallipolis; 1-800-752-2618 www.ohiohistory.org
Jackson County
Jackson Apple Festival: dates TBA; rides, parades, live entertainment; 250 East Main St., Jackson; www.jacksonapplefestival.com
Lawrence County
Rally on the River: dates TBA; annual car and motorcycle show, featuring live music and vendors; Ironton; facebook.com/irontonrallyontheriver