Enjoy Family Fun in Ohio Throughout January
January signifies a time for New Year's resolutions, new beginnings and renewal of old friendships and commitments. Ohio has January events that will help travelers get a good start on any of those endeavors. For those who have resolved to get into better shape in 2010, how about a scenic six-mile trek in southeast Ohio, a brisk walk at an outdoor festival or perhaps some skiing or snowboarding? For those who want to jump-start their creative juices, there are outstanding quilt, watercolor painting and global art exhibits to provide inspiration. If spending more time with the family is a 2010 priority, there are numerous opportunities for ice skating, seeing Olympic ice carvers, enjoying winter at the zoo or learning about Ohio's ancient peoples.
Following is just a sampling of January events that make Ohio Too Much Fun for Just One Day! For more fun, budget-friendly travel ideas close to home, check DiscoverOhio.com, follow Discover Ohio on Twitter @DiscoverOhio or become a fan of the Ohio Tourism Division on Facebook at www.facebook.com/discoverohio.
Family Fun
- Holiday Fest, The Beach Waterpark, Mason, Now through Jan. 10 (SW) Traditionally a warm-weather destination, the Beach Waterpark transforms into a winter wonderland adorned with millions of twinkling lights. Hop aboard the Polar Express for a train ride through the park, lace up your skates and hit the ice on the 7,600-square-foot outdoor rink or jump into a paddleboat and enjoy a winter cruise around the waterway.
- Frozentoesen at the Toledo Zoo, Jan. 2 - Feb. 28 (NW) Chill out and enjoy winter at the Toledo Zoo's Frozentoesen. Half-priced admission offers visitors affordable experiences where they can observe animals being fed or watch a carver use chainsaws and picks to transform a block of ice into a glistening sculpture.
- Mohican Winter Fest, Downtown Loudonville, Jan. 15 - 16 (NE) Check out Loudonville in Ohio's wild Mohican Country during Winter Fest for a brisk blast of winter fun. Watch as Olympic ice carvers create more than 50 illuminated ice carvings to decorate the town square. Other highlights include speed ice carving contests, ice carving demonstrations, carriage rides and ice skating in Central Park, weather permitting.
Arts and Culture
- The Journey of Hope in America: Quilts Inspired by Barack Obama, National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, Wilberforce, Dec. 18, 2009 - Dec. 18, 2010 (SW) This year-long exhibition features 90 quilts celebrating the election of the United States' first African-American president. The exhibit showcases art quilts, folk-art quilts and other traditional quilts handmade by fiber artists from all over the country, representing the diversity of the country's races, ethnic backgrounds, cultures and religions.
- Watercolor Paintings from the Permanent Collection, Zanesville Art Museum, Jan. 7 - Feb. 27 (SE) Celebrate Ohio artists such as Karl Kappes and Walter Chapman by viewing the Zanesville Art Museum's 40 featured watercolor paintings, selected from its permanent collection. See Ohio's delicately-painted landscapes, towns and buildings or view the locales captured from exotic expeditions. Paintings in the exhibition date from the 1890s to the present.
- The Orchid Forest, Franklin Park Conservatory, Columbus, Jan. 9 - Feb. 28 (C) Wrap yourself in the warmth of Franklin Park Conservatory's Pacific Island Water Garden within a colorful, tropical landscape during the Orchid Forest exhibition. Dozens of vibrant, exotic orchids hang from trees and rocks throughout the conservatory's tropical plant collections. Check out Dale Chihuly's world-renowned glass pieces of Chihuly Reimagined, also on display.
Sports and Recreation
- Hocking Hills Winter Hike, Logan, Jan. 16 (SE) Enjoy winter's splendor on a historic six-mile trek from Old Man's Cave to Ash Cave. Dress in layered clothing to adjust to outside temperatures and wear good footwear to enjoy the scenery of hundreds of thousands of trees and a frozen waterfall. This exhilarating hike is free and refreshments are available at Cedar Falls for a donation and a shuttle bus returns hikers to Old Man's Cave.
- Amp Big Air Competition, Mansfield, Jan. 23 (NE) Become a spectator at one of Ohio's biggest outdoor winter sporting events and enjoy the thrill of extreme skiing and snowboarding. Taking place at the base of the Competition Slope at Snow Trails, competitors launch into the air, performing multiple tricks and spins, while spanning a 50- to 60-foot gap, all taking place under the lights of this free evening event.
- Greater Toledo Auto Show, SeaGate Convention Centre, Jan. 28 - 31 (NW) The Greater Toledo Auto Show is the one-stop destination for car enthusiasts everywhere. Visitors enjoy new styles of classic models and yet-to-be-released cars from modern dealers. Check out the Crushed Car Contest where visitors take guesses at a car that's been crushed into a near solid block of metal to win fun prizes. Admission is only $5 for adults and free for children 12 and under.
History and Heritage
- Earth Movers and Artisans, Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Dayton, Now through Jan. 18 (SW) The Hopewell people were known for their magnificent mounds, earthworks and trading routes, and the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery explores and examines their culture, historic tribes and struggles as Europeans entered the Ohio region. On view are artifacts including bronze items, weapons, ceremonial pieces, a recovered baby bonnet and timelines exploring the history of this culture.
- The Legend of John Brown by Jacob Lawrence, Akron Art Museum, Now through Feb. 14, 2010 (NE) The Akron Art Museum offers a compelling exhibit featuring one of its most legendary natives, abolitionist John Brown, and details the 150th anniversaries of his anti-slavery raid on Harper's Ferry and his execution on Dec. 2, 1859. Check out selections from Artist Jacob Lawrence's celebrated print series, The Legend of John Brown, and artifacts from the Summit County Historical Society.
- African Art Tradition and Influence: Global Impacts & Similarities, King Arts Complex, Columbus, Jan 12 - 31, 2010 (C) This exhibition features traditional styles of handiwork and art pieces from around the world. Art from King Arts' Global Gallery offers vibrant pieces from artisans in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The exhibit aims to showcase the similarities in texture and style of art all over the world, despite vast geographic distances.
For additional January events, visit www.DiscoverOhio.com. To order a free copy of the Ohio Travel Planner or the 2009-2010 Fall/Winter Ohio Calendar of Events, click on the Free Publications icon at www.DiscoverOhio.com or call 1-800-BUCKEYE. The Ohio Travel Planner and Ohio Calendar of Events also are both viewable online. Trained travel counselors are available to assist 1-800-BUCKEYE callers weekdays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Related posts:
