For the last several years, Logan County has hosted a series of events for National Tourism week in May. But there was always a big negative about that timing: kids were still in school and, often, couldn’t participate.
With that in mind, the Logan County Visitors Bureau (LCVB) decided to hold off on their tourism activities until later in the summer.
Well, later is now with the fun kicking off this Friday, Aug. 2, and going through Saturday, Aug. 10. And all you need to get started is a passport and the schedule.
For Anna Louden, LCVB director, picking the first week of August made sense for several reasons.
“We wanted it to be around some of the bigger events of the summer,” she said. And with Rock the Lake this Saturday, Aug. 3, and Hot Summer Nights Cruise-in seven days later, they found an ideal week to make it happen.
The schedule also includes the First Friday Taste of Bellefontaine on Aug. 2 and the return of Wacky Boat Races at Lakeview Harbor the morning of Aug. 10.
Everything in between includes adventures and treats for the whole family, and much of it is free. You and your family can do a variety of activities, from a free nature discovery day at Indian Lake State Park Nature Center to gem mining at Ohio Caverns.
This year, the passport also includes four coupons, which are only redeemable on specific days and mostly limited to one per family. Those are:
- One free donut at The Donut Shop, Russells Point, Tuesday, Aug. 6.
- One free buttercream iced sugar cookie at City Sweets & Creamery, Bellefontaine, Wednesday, Aug. 7.
- One free kid’s dip at Stoner’s Ice Cream Parlor, West Liberty, Thursday, Aug. 8.
- Free gem mining, one per child ages 4 to 12, at Ohio Caverns, West Liberty, Thursday, Aug. 8.
Other notable free or discounted offers:
- Saturday, Aug. 3—Feed the animals and play putt-putt for $3 at Marmon Valley Farm, Zanesfield.
- Monday, Aug. 5—Free Nature Discovery Day at Indian Lake State Park Nature Center, Lakeview, and free putt-putt at The Root Beer Stand, Russells Point.
- Tuesday, Aug. 6—Free historic boat tour at Russells Point Harbor.
- Wednesday, Aug. 7—Free admission and scavenger hunt at the Logan County History Center.
- Thursday, Aug. 8—Free treat when visiting Marie’s Candies, West Liberty.
- Saturday, Aug. 10—Free behind-the-scenes tour of the Holland Theatre, Bellefontaine, from 6-8 p.m.
“The overall goal is for people to see everything Logan County has activity-wise and attraction-wise,” Louden concluded. “We hope everyone will get out and about and explore Logan County.”
To see the complete schedule of events and download your passport, go to the Logan County Visitors Bureau Facebook page and click on the Tourism Week event link.