Plenty of activity is on tap this spring in the Little Cities of Black Diamonds microregion of southeastern Ohio. Check out the following options below and mark your calendar!
Appalachian Spring
20th Anniversary Potluck Supper
Victorian Brain Architecture
April 23, 2015 • 6pm • Tecumseh Commons • Shawnee
Marietta artist Geoff Schenkel helps the Little Cities of Black Diamonds Council celebrate its 20th Anniversary & kick off the 13th Annual Appalachian Spring season with an exhibit and program entitled Victorian Brain Architecture. The “brain” is a large and stunningly beautiful interactive installation that features artifacts from the Victorian Era in the region, which coincides with the Hocking Valley Coal Boom Era 1870-1925. Potluck supper begins at 7pm. Bring a covered dish or dessert to share, a drink of preference and your own table settings. Event is free and open to the public.
Appalachian Spring/Final Friday
Little Cities Cantilever Theater
April 24, 2015 • 7pm • Public Square • Nelsonville
Living history characters will share highlights of the region’s history from the upstairs porch of the Dew Hotel during Nelsonville’s Final Friday Second-story cantilevered porches are one of the signature architectural features of the Little Cities region. Theme for this show is the region’s histori role as “Agents of Change” during and after the Hocking Valley Coal Boom in several thematic areas: labor union organizing, breaking the color barrier, and environmental legacy & restoration. Show lasts one hour. Little Cities volunteers will be selling slices of our famous home made pies before and after the show under the Dew Hotel porch on Public Square.
Appalachian Spring
Victorian Brain Architecture Viewing
April 28-May 2, 2015 • 11am-3pm Daily • Tecumseh Commons • Shawnee
Open gallery hours for Marietta artist Geoff Schenkel exhibit titled Victorian Brain Architecture will take place daily from 11-3. The “brain” is a large and stunningly beautiful interactive installation that features artifacts from the Victorian Era in the region, which coincides with the Hocking Valley Coal Boom Era 1870-1925.
Appalachian Spring
Tour de Forest Benefit Bicycle Ride
Wayne Forest Kids Activities
May 2, 2015 • Public Square • Nelsonville
The 10th Annual Little Cities Tour de Forest Benefit Bicycle Ride raises funds for heritage and environmental education in the Little Cities microregion. Departures from Stuart’s Opera House on Nelsonville’s Public Square begin at 7AM and run through 10:30am. The non-competitive ride features multiple routes of differing terrain (flat and hilly) ranging from 5 to 100 miles. The first ever gravel route is added to this year’s event. Registration is $30 per person or $45 for a family package. Registration includes a pre-ride granola bar from Fullbrook’s Cafe, lunch upon return, and souvenir waterproof bicycle maps or bandanas. Visit www.tourdeforest.wordpress.com to register.
Finely Crafted in Ohio’s Hill Country Tour
May 17-18 • Depart Fairfield County Fairgrounds • Lancaster
A two-day guided tour with overnight accommodations at Burr Oak Lodge will feature products, past and present, crafted from the landscape of Fairfield, Perry, Athens and Morgan Counties. Local gourmet foods and spirits are featured on this highly curated tour. Contact Ohio Hill Country Heritage Area at www.ohiohillcountry.org for registration and details.
