Chillicothe and Ross County — As I wrote in my previous story, local tourism and recreation is shifting into a fall pattern. The online event calendar of the Ross-Chillicothe Convention & Visitors Bureau’s shows what’s down for fall in September and beyond – here’s more of a sampling of the largest or most family-friendly events:
‘Fall’ in love with Chillicothe’s downtown during the Fall Open House September 22-24 (not to be confused with the annual Christmas Open House the weekend before Thanksgiving). “Grab a beverage and walk about town, visiting your favorite haunts.” It features sidewalk sales, special fall-inspired treats, and more.
During the Open House is the annual Ghost Walk Saturday, September 23rd. Tour several buildings in downtown Chillicothe and discover their haunted history, including meeting the paranormal investigators who investigated each one. (I’ll be helping out at City Hall.) The event is a fundraiser for the the Chillicothe Halloween Festival October 13-15th.
Also that weekend is the Buckeye Off Road Adventure Expo at the Ross County Fairgrounds September 22-24. “Bring your Mega Truck, OHV, SXS, truck, Jeep, or ATV for a weekend packed full of off-road vendors, obstacle courses, mud pits, food, and much more. This is setting up to be the most badass off-road expo in the midwest.”
And just to make things busier on that same weekend, TOSRV continues with a fall date instead of Mother’s Day weekend in May. The Tour of the Scioto River Valley, “A Rite of Passage for 62 Years,” will have cyclists traveling from Columbus to Portsmouth on the Ohio River and back September 23-24.
Another ghost walk will be in the west of Ross County: ‘Explore the historic village of Bainbridge by lantern light and learn about past residents who roamed the valley. Join us for the 5th Annual Bainbridge Legends of the Past Historic Ghost Walk – Saturday, September 30th.’
And along with Sugarloaf Mountain’s offering, haunted houses and scare houses will be starting up. The first listed is The Last Carnival Haunted House starting September 30th on Valley Road, off State Route 772 close to the county line.
Again, attendance fees vary widely, so look into each event before you leave.
