Summertime fun
Events, attractions close to home for Valley’s residentsBy Kate York, kyork@mariettatimes.com
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Fact Box
More, Page B2, Perspective
Broughton nature area to show off this year's additions, including a new entrance and pond, an open house.
Much of the area's attractions are tied to water.
Plenty of festivals ahead celebrate what the region has to offer.
Tourism facts
Visitors to Washington County in 2004 (the latest year for which figures are available) totaled more than 1.7 million people. Their collective spending in Washington County totaled $194 million in 2004; up 4 percent over 2003 (a $7.9 million increase).
$40.74 million of that amount was overnight trip spending.
$153.26 million came from day trip spending.
Tourists' spending breakdown for 2004:
$62.08 million, or 32 percent, for food and dining.
$48.50 million, or 25 percent, on shopping.
$38.8 million, or 20 percent, on transportation costs.
$32.98 million, or 17 percent, on recreation.
$11.64 million, or 6 percent, on lodging.
Source: Marietta Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau
For those who can't afford another fill-up at the gas pump or maybe just can't stand to be trapped in a car for hours hearing "Are we there yet?" there's good news.
Experts say there's plenty to do in the summer months without leaving the Marietta area, in the water, on land, in the great outdoors or without going far from the air conditioning.
"We've had a lot of local people calling in to check event schedules, using our Web site and stopping in to get information," said Kelly Blazosky, director of the Marietta-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau. "People are taking advantage of what's here."
From kayak rentals to a trip to the Marietta Aquatic Center to a cruise on a sternwheeler, there are a lot of options for those who love the water.
"The water is a great attraction," said Blazosky. "Water attractions are one of the top things we're asked about and the Valley Gem is one of the most popular things."
July and August are typically very busy months for the Valley Gem sternwheeler, said Capt. Katie Sands, and many of the boat's passengers are from Washington or surrounding counties.
"It seems like we've been having more local people," she said. "They're saying that this is what they're doing on their vacation - taking the kids on the boat today and tomorrow going to the museums. We never heard that last year."
On land, visitors and locals are spending the warm weather months at old favorites like the trails of the Wayne National Forest and discovering new recreation opportunities, including Marietta's first disc golf course at Broughton's Wildlife and Education Area on Ohio 821.
"There are people out there almost every day," said Lee Offenberger, a member of the Marietta Disc Golf Association. "People seem to be having a lot of fun there."
The course, which opened last summer, expanded to 18 holes in May and should have 27 by the end of August, Offenberger said.
Tournaments, including a nighttime Glow Throw event July 26, are planned throughout the summer at the course.
For those looking for something a little less active, the Ohio River and Campus Martius museums are open for the season and offer a respite from the sun and heat, said Blazosky.
"A lot of people want outdoor activities this time of year but there are some who want to be inside," she said.
And for those who want a mix, shopping or eating in downtown Marietta is always a pleasant surprise for those visiting the area, Blazosky said.
Marietta resident Cara Nichols, 31, said she often forgets how many summer recreation opportunities there are in the area until she has visitors.
"When people from out of town come, there are all these things they want to do," she said. "They want to take the trolley ride through Marietta or go on the Valley Gem, and these are things I just don't think about because I see them every day. We actually have a good bit to do here if you get out and do it."
Like many residents, Nichols said her favorite local summer activities are the festivals, from the Sternwheel Festival and Riverfront Roar to the new offerings like the Sweet Corn Festival.
"Those are my favorite times of summer," she said. "But on a normal day, it's also nice just to get some ice cream and walk along the river. We're pretty lucky we can do that."
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ladynoogs
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07-05-08 1:05 PM
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well, we've certainly made an effort! I agree with you about the "slower pace" if my parents suggest it he'll be all for it. There's nothing wrong with movies and video games and cell phones as long as the kids are taught responsibility and moderation. I never appricated what marietta had to offer until i came home from college all "growed up". coming home after living in TN made me love my town even more. Maybe one day our children will be the same way... they realize what history and community our town has to offer one day.
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lynn45750
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07-05-08 11:25 AM
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and the "slower pace" allows you to build relationships with your children which is not a bad thing either. Of course you have to be the parent and make the effort!
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Contrarian
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07-05-08 10:44 AM
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I agree with your sentiment. The museums struggle in a world with action films and video games...it's hard to compete with all the other distractions of cell phones, iPods and blackberries. But museums and boat rides give you a chance to slow down a bit, and catch your breath, and actually hear yourself think. Can that be a bad thing?
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ladynoogs
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07-05-08 9:54 AM
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while i would prefer to take my family elsewhere for vacation (i.e NYC, Boston, Disneyland) its just not affordable nor convienient. If my 15 year old were actually interested in those things mentioned in the article we'd go. But having grown up a teen around here i understand perfectly that its just not "cool" to be seen in local muesuems or even the aquatic center with *gasp* your parents. So i'll spend my summer carting him around to movies that i'm not allowed to see (with him anyway) and probably going to those muesuems alone while he's at said movie. we'll be having backyard BBQ's with my family and his invited friends will disapear into the garage to play video games or to the hill to play football. but you know what... we'll all have a good albeit cheap summer. you dont nee to do fancy things and go expensive places to have fun. I think thats what this article is trying to say goulash and contrairian
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Contrarian
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07-05-08 8:15 AM
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Goulash: Happy spin? In this paper? Haven't you been reading about all the doom and gloom, drunken deputies, criminal offenders, job losses, etc.? I'm stunned anyone would vacation here...it's just too depressing!
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goulash
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07-05-08 6:24 AM
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When did it become the business of the media to put a happy spin on everything in American life. You see this all the time now on television and now newspapers. I think that it is sad that people work hard all year, have a few weeks off, and cannot afford to broaden their horizons by traveling outside their community.
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