COLUMBUS – Just because summer is coming to an end, doesn’t mean there is any end of places to go or things to do in Ohio.
Ohio Tourism has a whole list of September activities spotlighted on its tourism Web site, www.OhioTourism.com.
Some of the fairs, festivals, and celebrations still to be experienced include:
* Garlic festival. The Northern Ohio Garlic Festival, Sept. 8-9, Lorain County Fairgrounds at Wellington, will include a variety of garlic foods, cooking demonstrations, craft displays and garlic lectures. New for 2001 is a garlic pasta-eating contest.
* Lake County PerchFest. A coastal festival at Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park Sept. 7-9, to the overwhelmingly delicious smell of cooking perch and walleye and the fishing contests, there are the additional attractions of fireworks and a car show.
* Mystery weekend. Historic Roscoe Village at Coshocton, holds its Sleuth Mystery Weekend Sept. 8-9, inviting visitors to follow a trail of intrigue and suspense with a cast of zany characters at the Inn at Roscoe Village. The special weekend package includes a cocktail reception, dinner for two, overnight accommodations and Sunday brunch.
* Rwandan Fete. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium at Powell, will stage a special evening event Sept. 8 to allow visitors to experience Rwanda. The event, will feature African music and dancing, Rwandan cuisine, and guest speakers. Proceeds will benefit the endangered mountain gorillas and the local Rwandan people.
* Storybook gardens. Toledo Botanical Garden will bring children’s literature and mythical gardens to life Sept. 15-16, using the gardens as a setting for storytelling, old-fashioned games, puppet shows, and interactive theme gardens to inspire the imagination.
* Adventure on horseback. Smoke Rise Ranch Resort and Campground at Glouster is sponsoring an overnight ride Sept. 15-16 for new and experienced riders. A four hour trail ride will take them to a remote campsite where they can relax under the stars around a campfire.
* Indian powwow. The Grand Mohican Indian Pow Wow at the Mohican Reservation camp and festival grounds at Loudenville will be Sept. 14-16 This is an authentic native American gathering complete with historians, flint knappers, drumming demonstrations and dance competitions.
* Oktoberfest. The Discover German Village at Front and Sycamore streets in Columbus will held their Oktoberfest on Sept. 21-23. Brick streets, manicured gardens and mature trees of this National Historic Landmark separate this architecturally historic district from the bustling downtown Columbus. This year for the first time in Ohio, Oktoberfest will feature Milwaukee’s famous “Glockenspiel.”
* Lakeshore clam bake. The volunteer fire department of Put-in-Bay hosts a traditional end of summer clam bake Sept. 22
* Civil War encampment. The Ohio Statehouse lawn in Columbus will be the site for an authentic Civil War encampment re-enactment Sept. 20-23. With thundering canons the encampment will brings the sights, sounds, and smells of the Civil War era alive for a weekend of artillery displays, drills, and a grand evening ball in the Statehouse rotunda.
* Wooly Bear Festival. The largest one-day festival in Ohio, the Wooly Bear Festival celebrates the caterpillar by that name at Victory Park in Vermilion on Sept. 30. The event includes a caterpillar race and an official weather prognostication divined from the color and coat of numerous wooly bears.
* Sternwheel Riverfest. September 27-29 Sternwheelers line up along the banks of the Ohio River at Pomero Courtesy Dock Sept. 27-29 for this three-day event which includes boats tours, a chili cook-off, a hot-air balloon launch, and a line-throwing competition.
* Grape Jamboree. The grape district of northern Ohio celebrates the harvest with a festival in downtown Geneva, Sept. 29-30. The festival includes parades, a farmer’s market and other festivities.
