2008 Vinton County Calendar of Events

February

February 2  Sweetheart Serenades  - Includes romantic music, traditional 'foods for love,' bubbly beverages, and chocolate treats at 7 p.m. at Ravenwood Castle. (1-800-477-1541)

February 9 Sweetheart Serenades  - Includes romantic music, traditional 'foods for love,' bubbly beverages, and chocolate treats at 7 p.m. at Ravenwood Castle. Reservations required. (1-800-477-1541)

March

March 1 - Barn Dance and Chili Cook-off.  4PM Fairgrounds. $5/ person $3/ children under 6. Funds are used to send Vinton County 4-H members to camp.

March 22  5^th Annual Easter Egg Hunt - Kids can search for prize-filled eggs and families can participate in "egg-citing" games! Held at the Lake Hope State Park Nature Center at 2 p.m. (740-596-3030)

March 29   Random Acts presents "The Chalice of Malice," - This medieval 'who-dunnit' with dinner will be held at 7 p.m. in the Ravenwood Castle Great Hall. Reservations required.  (1-800-477-1541)

April

April 5  Lake Alma Clean-Up Day - Help beautify Lake Alma. Great for Scout and 4-H groups and anyone who would like to spend some time outside in the spring! Bring your own gloves, comfy shoes and bucket. Free lunch provided afterwards. 9 a.m. - noon. (740-384-4474)

April 5 Lake Hope Trail Day and Clean-Up - Help us fix our trails and clean up the park. Great for Scout groups, families, clubs and individuals. Cookout lunch afterwards. Bring work gloves. Meet at the Shelterhouse. 10 a.m. - noon. (740-596-3030).

April 18 - 4-H Council Soup and Sandwich Dinner & Chinese Auction 4 p.m.-7 p.m.  Community Building. Funds are used for Vinton County 4-H camp scholarships.

April 18-20  A Spring Literary Arts Festival - Hosted by the Herbert Wescoat Memorial Library and the Friends of the Library. Will feature author and storyteller Rafe Martin,  New York Times Bestseller Brad Meltzer, the ProMusica String Quartet, a Native American Dance Troupe, a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream and more.

April 19  Annual Wildflower Walk - This 1.5 mile walk along Raccoon Creek will identify wildflowers and discuss folklore. Meet at the Hope Furnace with your vehicle. 10 a.m. - noon. (740-596-3030)

May

May 1 - 4   Vinton County Wild Turkey Festival - Live music, rides and delicious food are just a few attractions during this annual event. (740-591-1118)

May 3  Youth Fishing Tournament - For kids ages 1-16. Adult must be present with each child. Held at the parking lot below the Lake Hope Dam. Trophy presentation and cookout afterwards. The park will provide poles and bait or participants can bring their own. 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. (740-596-3030)

May 4  Bicycle Race and Spaghetti Dinner - Visit Wilkesville to witness this professional race and to enjoy a delicious spaghetti dinner. (740-669-3915)

May 4    Rosebriar Shakespeare Company  - presents the comedy, "Much Ado About Nothing" - Held at Ravenwood Castle’s Pavilion in the Woods at 3 p.m. and followed by a buffet supper in the Great Hall. Reservations required.  (1-800-477-1541)

May 10    Migration Birdwalk - Search different habitats for spring migrants. Last year we saw 50 species of birds! Some binoculars provided. Meet at the Hope Furnace 9 a.m. - Noon. (740-596-3030)

May 24  Holiday Shop Hop - Travel the hills and dales of Vinton County to over 20 quaint shops, art studios, restaurants and scenic attractions. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (1-800-477-1541)

May 31  8^th Annual Raccoon Creek Float  - Join the Raccoon Creek Water Trails Association during this annual float in the Zaleski State Forest.

May 31- June 1 RC Fly-In - This fly in for remote controlled aircraft will bring out the kid in you.  Food will be available both days including a bean dinner on the 1st.  Held at the Vinton County Airport. (740-385-9392)  Lodging is available at Lake Hope State Park. For Park information, call 740-596-5253.

May 31 - Vinton County Relay for Life - The Relay will take place at  the Vinton County High School from 12 Noon to 6 a.m. on June 1, 2008.   For more information call 1-888-227-6446.

June

June 7  Wal-Mart All American Fishing Derby at Lake Alma - Contests, lunch and prizes. Meet across from the campground. 9 a.m. - noon.  (740-384-4474)

June 15 Big Boy Toy Day - This is just the ticket for all those big boys and their toys out there. Bring your antique cars, trucks and tractors to show off. Day will also feature lawn mower racing, prizes and great food. The event is free but parking donations are encouraged. Held at the Vinton County Airport. (740-385-9392)

June 22 Garden Stroll - Enjoy the Castle gardens at their seasonal best, and dine on a flowery and herbal luncheon menu at the Coach House Tea Room. Ravenwood Castle.  11 a.m. - 3 p.m. (1-800-477-1541)

July

July 3-5  Vinton County Athletic Boosters 4^th of July Celebration - Enjoy a hometown holiday celebration. The celebration will include a parade, queen's contest, entertainment and more. Fireworks will be held on July 5. (740-596-5375)

July 4   Wilkesville 4^th of July Parade - Enjoy an old fashioned Independence Day parade. 11 a.m.  (740-669-0704)

July 5   Holiday Shop Hop - Travel the hills and dales of Vinton County to over 20 quaint shops, art studios, restaurants and scenic attractions. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (1-800-477-1541)

July 12 Hummingbird Banding -Hummingbird expert Allen Chartier will be coming back to Lake Hope State Park for a banding demo on July 12, 2008.  He will present a PowerPoint presentation at 10:00 a.m. and then conduct a banding demo at noon.  (740-596-3030)

July 18 - 19  Ravenwarts School of Magical Arts - Morning and afternoon Magic 101, 201 and advanced classes for kids and adults wanting to learn and practice some sleight- of-hand with professional magician "Professor" John Bloom.  Saturday night "Magic and Illusion under the Stars" in the Pavilion in the Woods.  Call Ravenwood Castle for info and reservations. (1-800-477-1541)

July 19  Zaleski Flint Knap-In  -  Learn how to make arrowheads, primitive tools and atl-atls. Displays and demonstrations. Held at the Lake Hope Nature Center 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. (740-596-3030)

July 21 - 26   Vinton County Junior Fair - This traditional county fair features food, livestock and entertainment. (740-596-2176)

July 26  Wilkesville Fireman's Fish Fry - Prepare yourself for the delicious fish served up fresh every year. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (740-669-3151)

August

August 2  Lake Alma Beach Party  - Fun, sun and sand await you at this day-long party that features music, games, a 5K run, pretty baby contest and more.  (740-384-4474)

August 3   Rosebriar Shakespeare Company  - presents "The Canterbury Tales" - Held at Ravenwood Castle's Pavilion in the Woods at 3 p.m. and followed by a buffet supper in the Great Hall. Reservations required.  (1-800-477-1541)

August 10   Ridgetop Music Fest  - Celebrate Appalachian music and storytelling at the Vinton County Airport. Day also includes crafts and food. Admission is free but parking donations are encouraged. (740-596-9811)

August 30  Holiday Shop Hop - Travel the hills and dales of Vinton County to over 20 quaint shops, art studios, restaurants and scenic attractions. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (1-800-477-1541)

September

September 6  Wilkesville Bean Dinner - This event began as a reunion for Civil War veterans shortly after the war ended and has continued as a much loved Wilkesville tradition. The meal is prepared much the same way as the founders prepared it. (740-669-0407)

September 21  Vinton County Airshow - The Vinton County Airport hosts the largest free airshow in Ohio. Day features plane rides, acrobatic flying, RC flying and all sorts of fun in the skies. Also features some of the best barbeque chicken in Ohio. Parking donations are accepted. (740-385-9392)

September 27  Horse-drawn Wagon Rides -  Enjoy the fall colors as we clippity-clop through the hills. Continuous 20 minute rides begin at the Nature Center. 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. (740-596-3030)

October

October 18  29^th Annual Fall Hike - Three mile guided hikes begin at 10 a.m. at the Lake Hope Shelterhouse. Hike ends at Hope Furnace with bean soup and cornbread. Shuttles return you to your car. Enjoy Sassafras tea to start. Later that day, enjoy the fall colors with horse-drawn wagon rides through the hills. Continuous 20 minute rides begin at the Nature Center from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (740-596-3030)

October 19 Leaf Peep and Young Eagles Day - What better way to check out Vinton County's fall foliage than from the sky? Kids ages 6-18 ride for free. Vinton County Airport (740-385-9392)

October 24-25  12^th annual Halloween Campout - Day long event features games for kids and adults, hay rides, costume contest, best decorated campsite contest, food, fun and prizes. Reservations are recommended. Make reservations up to six months in advance by calling 1-866-644-6727. For event information, call Lake Alma State Park at 740-384-4474.

October 25  Rural Ohio Appalachia Revisited (ROAR) Day - Celebrate Appalachian culture through crafts, music, food and fun. Celebrate Appalachian Halloween at the Nature Center and enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, s'mores and more! 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (740-596-3030)

November

November 8   Holiday Shop Hop - Travel the hills and dales of Vinton County to over 20 quaint shops, art studios, restaurants and scenic attractions. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (1-800-477-1541)

November 22   Wilkesville Masonic Lodge Free Thanksgiving Dinner - Celebrate Thanksgiving with friends new and old at this free meal. (740-669-4831)

November 22  Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre with Random Acts.  Plot to be announced. Ravenwood Castle. Reservations required. (1-800-477-1541)

November 29  Renaissance Madrigal Dinner Will feature music by Silent Lion and a 16^th-century menu at Ravenwood Castle at 7 p.m. Reservations required (1-800-477-1541)

November 30  Chili Dinner and Deer Hunter Flights  - Have a steaming hot bowl of chili and check out your hunting area.   Vinton County Airport (740-385-9392)

December

December 1-31  Holiday Trail of Lights - Hike through the forest to view our 100,000 light display including animated scenes, decorated trees, and landscape lighting. Extra activities on weekends. Begin at the Lake Hope State Park Nature Center. 5:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. nightly. (740-596-3030)

December 5   Wilkesville Community Choir Sing - The spirit of the holidays is alive and well in Wilkesville with this community event. (740-669-0407)

December 6 Christmas in Downtown - Join us for an old fashioned Christmas celebration complete with music, giveaways, craft sale, discounts, a parade and Santa. (1-800-596-4459)

December 6  Renaissance Madrigal Dinner Will feature music by the Renaissance Singers of Chillicothe and a 16^th-century menu at 7 p.m. at Ravenwood Castle. Reservations required. (1-800-477-1541)

December 31 Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre with Random Acts. Plot to be announced. Ravenwood Castle. Reservations required. (1-800-477-1541)

Ongoing Events

Every Saturday June - October  Vinton County Farmer's Market - Pick up locally grown produce every Saturday morning 8 a.m.- noon. Located in the parking lot behind the Herbert Wescoat Memorial Library at 120 N. Market St., McArthur.

June 18 - Labor Day  Hand-Feeding Hummingbirds - Participants can make a feeder and attempt to hand-feed hummingbirds. Held at the Nature Center. Contact for days and times. (740-596-3030)

Vinton County Proud and Beautiful Photography Contest  - Share your vacation memories with the Vinton County CVB. Enter your best pictures in our annual photography contest for a chance to win cash and prizes. Entry forms available at the Vinton County Visitors' Center or online at www.vintoncountytravel.com. (1-800-596-4459)

For a detailed calendar