Sites & Attractions Announcements!
May, 2008
A Real "Free-for-All"
Well, here we are. A flip of the calendar page brings us face-to-face withsummer and the traditional vacation season. But 2008 is proving to be anything but a traditional year! Gasoline prices are higher than they've ever been in our history and food prices are continuing to rise. The resulting economic uncertainity will, without a doubt, impact the tourism industry. Nationwide, the current reseach says the number of American families planning a summer vacation is at a 30-year low. The fact that you are looking at this page suggests that you are still looking for some place to go and some interesting things to do this summer.
The Ohio Division of Travel and Tourism is maintaining a relatively optimistic view. The prevailing opinion is that people will continue to travel, but will look at "downsizing" thei vacations - that is, travel less miles, spend fewer days, and seek out inexpensive lodging, dining and attractions for their families.
You can't get more inexpensive than "free" which is what you'll find a lot of in Van Wert. Because our communities has a rich tradition of support and private sponsorship, there are few activities and attractions for which you pay. But don't confuse "free" with "inferior". We have some great entertainment coming to Van Wert this summer and our wonderful attractions remain open withspecial programs and exhibits. Among those great FREE things you enjoy are our One Wonderful Experience Weekend in June featuring a juried art show, crafts, concerts featuring Phil Dirt adnthe Dozers and the Jon Justice Blues Band. We have a series of eight FREE summer outdoor concerts in Fountain Park with nationally-known talent (including John Ford Coley. We celebrate our nation's birthday with a FREE 3-day Holiday at Home celebration. If you are a yard sale fanatic, there's no better place than Van Wert in August, as we celebrate our Crossroads Festival - the only place where you can take part in both the " longest yard sale in the world" (the Highway 127 Yard Sale stretching from Ohio to Alabama) and the historic Lincoln Highway Yard Sale (from West Virginia to Illinois). Come and enjoy our 2nd Annual Rib Cook-Off with FREE admission. The cook-off will feature 8 rib vendors from northwest Ohio, a wiffleball tournament and a corn hole tournament, and live music in the evening. Our library, museums, and art center are open and FREE to the public.
Van Wert is located within an 1 1/2 hours of other metropolitan areas in Ohio and Indiana.
If the price of gasoline is within yoiur budget and your looking for a convenient locationto call home for a few nights, we invite you to consider our hometown. Lodging and food prices in Van Wert are comparable to other communities of our size, leaving more of your vacation dollars to visit attractions in the larger cities.
As always, The Convention and Visitors Bureau stands ready to be of any assistance to you in planning your visit. You can call us at 419-238-9378 or toll free at 877-989-2282 or contact us directly from this website.
Welcome Home to our community, where guests are treated like one of the family!
Larry
Lee
Executive Director
