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Red White and Boom!

June 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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COLUMBUS: Because July 4 lands on a Monday this year, Columbus’ Red White and Boom! planners opted for a Friday evening extravaganza and the weather is supposed to be great for beginning the big American birthday bash. Just a perfect way to start the celebrations. For those that haven’t been to the big sparkler display along the river, the rockets will be launched from Vets Memorial (across the street from COSI and across the river from the Leveque Tower.

Live music starts at 3:00 p.m. and lasts till around midnight on Nationwide Boulevard. Plenty of good food will also be on hand. The annual Red White and Boom will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Broad Street at COSI heading east, proceeding north on Front Street. The parade will feature over 80 entries from Central Ohio.

Filed Under: Central Ohio, Columbus

Jazz! Art Quilts in Performance

April 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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The King Arts Complex in collaboration with the African Parish House Quilters are proud to present the highly anticipated opening exhibition of “Jazz! Art Quilts in Performance”, Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. in The Elijah Pierce Gallery. This exhibition celebrates quilts and jazz as an art form in the cultural heyday of music and craft.    Dr. Marlene O’Bryant Seabrook (Charleston, SC), renowned Quilter, Educator, and Jazz Advocate will showcase her magnificent quilts along with traditionally styled Quilts from the African Parish House Quilters of Columbus.

Elijah Pierce Gallery
The Elijah Pierce Gallery presents a wide range of historical and contemporary exhibitions which include painting, sculpture, graphics, photography, and decorative arts. A rich variety of programs and services are available to the public.

The King Arts Complex
867 Mt. Vernon Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43203
(614) 645-KING

Filed Under: Columbus

Big Birds of Highbanks

March 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Like those famous birds of Hinkley, Ohio and the swallows of San Juan Capistrano, the eagles of Highbanks Metro Park are back and nesting. They first started building their massive nests in the tree tops along the cliffs of Highbanks Metro Park several years ago. High above the Olentangy River, visitors flock to the Observation Deck at the park for a glimpse of the majestic birds. They’re not always easy to find, but once you know what you’re looking for you’ll be able to spot them right off. Binoculars are definitely a plus in getting a better view, but most visitors to the deck will be happy to share theirs if you don’t have a pair.

Good viewing will continue until about mid April when the bare trees begin to unfurl their leaves. It’s a little over a mile hike back to the observation deck on a well graveled path through some very scenic hills and paths which crosses through a very large earthen wall, that was once a part of a prehistoric settlement of mound builders similar to those found at Fort Ancient in southern Ohio.

 

Filed Under: Central Ohio

Lincoln’s Last Visit to the Statehouse

February 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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On Sunday, February 13, it will be 150 years to the day that Abraham Lincoln last visited Ohio’s Statehouse on his way to Washington DC to be sworn in as America’s 16th president. After his assassination, his body would lie in state in the rotunda for mourners to view.

On his way to Washington to take that oath, Lincoln stopped in Columbus and spoke to a joint session of the Ohio Legislature in the House Chamber. During this time as he was speaking to then Ohio Governor Dennison when he received a telegram informing him that the election had been certified and that he was officially the President-elect. After he left Columbus by train, there was an attempted assassination in Baltimore. After that failed attempt, Lincoln had to continue his trip in disguise, he began growing his trademark beard and wearing a stovepipe hat.

To honor Lincoln’s association with Ohio, the statehouse will present a special re-enactment of the visit  by a nationally renowned Lincoln re-enactor on Sunday, February 13 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Ohio Statehouse. The presentation is free and open to the public; however an RSVP is required at www.OhioStatehouse.org due to limited seating. If you can’t attend Sunday’s event, you can watch a live stream video at: www.ohiochannel.org/.

For more information about Abraham Lincoln and Ohio’s State Capitol >>

Filed Under: Central Ohio

Hilliard’s First Responders Park

November 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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HILLIARD, Ohio: We recently posted some new photographs of Hilliards “First Responders Memorial Park”.  The park was officially dedicated on September 11, 2010 and we encourage everyone that has an opportunity to visit the park. The park is one of the largest memorials in the country dedicated to those who gave their lives on 9.11 trying to save others.

Hilliard did a fantastic job of combining materials to create a solemn place where visitors can reflect upon the events of that day and the sacrifices made.

Included are numerous artifacts from Ground Zero included twisted steel beams, even a section of subway rail removed from the tunnel that ran underneath the towers.

For those that can’t make it to the park, here is a link to some photographs of the park: http://www.touring-ohio.com/central/hilliard/first-responders.html

Filed Under: Central Ohio, Ohio News

Ohio Statehouse Holiday Festival

November 18, 2010 By 1 Comment
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COLUMBUS, Ohio: The first Wednesday after turkey day is the special one day open house and the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus. This annual Holiday Festival is free and open to the public where for 2 hours starting at 5:30 p.m. you can come to the statehouse for the usual holiday music, arts and crafts, special performances, meet a number of community mascots, enjoy refreshments AND meet Mr & Mrs Claus who will be arriving on the statehouse front yard promptly at 5:30 p.m. The event is free but they ask if you can, bring a nonperishable food item for the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.

Mr. & Mrs. Claus arriving at the Statehouse

December 1, 2010
Columbus, Ohio

5:30 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.

Filed Under: Columbus, Festivals, MAD COW, Ohio History

2010 Circleville Pumpkin Show

October 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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CIRCLEVILLE, OHIO: The world famous Circleville Pumpkin Show (#104), the “greatest free show on earth” got started Tuesday evening, and then Wednesday morning the giant pumpkin weigh-in took center stage at Main and Court Street. Among the 1000s of pumpkins on display, 27 vied for the coveted biggest pumpkin in Circleville award. Much to the chagrin of probably a few of Circleville  contestants, Bob Liggett showed up with another winner, despite a summer of extended 90+ degree days, Bob was able to bring a big gourd weighing in at 1622. Although this is just a few pounds under his winning entry from last year, it was still big enough to claim title as being the BIGGEST OHIO PUMPKIN this year.


Bob & Jo Liggett with their 1622 pumpkin they call “Butterball”

Second Place went to Cecil Weston with a 1180 pound entry (this was Cecil’s first attempt) and Darryl Crosby took 3rd place at 1082.5 pounds.

Lindsey’s Bakery also had their “World’s Greatest pumpkin Pie” on display in their bake shop on Main Street. Here’s a list of ingredients that went into making this family-reunion sized pumpkin pie:

  • 96 pounds of cooked pumpkin
  • 44 pounds sugar
  • 16 gallons of milk
  • 15 dozen eggs
  • 4 pounds corn starch
  • 24 ounces pumpkin spice
  • 24 ounces salt
  • 36 pounds of pie dough
  • Bake for 6 hours
  • Cool for 6 hours

The Circleville Pumpkin Show runs through Saturday and includes parades, live entertain, rides, and just about anything you can imagine with a pumpkin flavor.

Here’s the entire field:

  1. Bob Liggett – 1622
  2. Cecil Weston – 1180
  3. Darryl Crosby – 1082.5
  4. Jody Selvage – 1056.6
  5. Bob Liggett – 1050
  6. Dean Park – 1004.5
  7. Ken Speakman – 974
  8. Anthony DeCastro – 958.5
  9. Team Gerchy 925.5
  10. Rob Valentine – 806
  11. Lloyd Shepherd – 767.5
  12. Dean Park – 749.5
  13. Gary Liff – 742
  14. Chris Vanderpool – 697.5
  15. Rick Vanderpool – 694.5
  16. David Hoff – 608
  17. Carol Douglas – 557.5
  18. Tim Tootle – 529
  19. Larry Schaffer – 502.5
  20. Darry Crosby – 461.5
  21. Eric Smith – 423.5
  22. David Douglas – 392.0
  23. Madison Fortner – 282.5
  24. Tony Vanderpool – 259.5
  25. Kevin Sowers – 220.5
  26. Diane Gabriel – 136
  27. Colton Mace – 96


Filed Under: Central Ohio, Featured, Ohio Events

Jazz & Rib Fest — Columbus

July 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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COLUMBUS, OHIO: The aroma of hot ribs and sounds of cool jazz will return the Arena District in downtown Columbus on July 23, 24 and 25 for the Jazz and Rib Festival. This is one of the BIG ONES. Crowds in past years were estimated at 500,000 (I wonder who gets the job of counting folks having a great time).

Like last year, with construction along the Scioto Mile still in progress, the festival will be focused between the North Bank and the Arena District for a really nice mix of venues and views. This year’s festival will offer jazz connoisseurs over 60 hours of live performances from musicians descending on Columbus from all over the world. In addition to the 44 scheduled jazz performances, 23 award winning rib-burners representing 10 states, Canada and Australia will be grilling their signature ‘Que along Spring and Long Streets to compete for “Best Ribs” bragging rights.

The American Electric Power stage in McFerson Commons and the North Bank Park stage will anchor the event with featured performances by RnR featuring Rick Braun and Richard Elliot; Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue; Tito Puente Jr.; Ali Jackson Quartet; Alfredo Rodriguez Trio; and Columbus Jazz Orchestra with special guest Christian Howes.

The Jazz Café at North Bank Pavilion will showcase local and regional jazz artists on an intimate riverfront stage set against the city skyline. The Jazz Café will offer covered seating on the back patio of the North Bank Pavilion facing the stage and will be adjacent to rib judging activities held within the Pavilion.

July 23 and 24 — 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
July 25 –  11 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Admission is free/$10 parking

For a more detailed schedule of performers and activities see Jazz&Rib Fest

Filed Under: Columbus, Music Festivals, Video

Miami Valley Steam Threshers in Plain City

July 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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PLAIN CITY: The Miami Valley Steam Threshers Reunion and Show is once again on display in Plain City. This is the 61st show and it’s bigger than ever.
Friday night was the annual tractor parade through Plain City which featured not only a number of steam tractors in town for the show, but also just about every other kind of tractor ever built. Besides the usual politicians running for office hamming it up, the parade also had plenty of music and free candy for the kids.

The Steam Threshers show runs through Sunday.

For more info on the Miami Valley Steam Threshers, visit their Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Miami-Valley-Steam-Threshers

Filed Under: Central Ohio, Festivals, Video

Smokin’ Blues, Sizzlin’ Hot Ribs & More!

July 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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CANAL WINCHESTER: A FREE two-day summer street celebration featuring live Blues on two stages, Rib Competition, non-rib food, art/artisan vendors, children’s activities and a beer garden – all in a classic small town environment. See www.bluesandribfest.com for more info!

Here’s a few tips to make your blues and ribs even better:

  • Bring portable chairs… house seating is limited.
  • No coolers or outside food or beverages allowed in the festival area.
  • No skateboards, rollerblades, bicycles, scooters or any other “recreational wheels” are permitted inside the festival area.
  • Please Leave Pets At Home (they will appreciate it!)
WHEN: August 6 – 7 (rain or shine)
Friday 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
WHERE: Downtown Canal Winchester (South High Street closed between Waterloo and Columbus Streets). On/Off-street public parking is available in the areas adjacent to the Ribfest grounds
Filed Under: Central Ohio, Music Festivals, Video
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