Ohio Proud at the Ohio State Fair

If you're planning on visiting the Ohio State Fair this week, you'll definitely want to visit the Ohio Proud areas to get a taste of some homegrown Ohio goodness!

Chefs from across the state will be gathering for the annual Heartland Cuisine demonstrations, where they will showcase their best recipes. The demonstrations will take place at the Taste of Ohio Cafe and will feature many products from Ohio agriculture. They are sponsored by Ohio Proud, as well as Ohio's commodity organizations, agribusinesses, top chefs, and other Ohio-based supporters.

You'll also receive a free copy of the Heartland Cuisine cookbook, which will provide you with the recipes from the demonstrations. Categories in the cookbook include: Apple, Beef, Dairy, Fish, Lamb, Pork, Poultry, and Ohio Proud.

Finally, you can sample and purchase fresh produce, jams, ice cream, and salsa at the Ohio Proud Farmers Market located just inside the Cardinal Gate at the fairgrounds.

The Ohio State Fair began on July 28 and will run through August 8, 2010. It takes place at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio. Gates are open from 9:00 AM until 10:00 PM each day except for August 8, when gates close at 8:00 PM. Tickets are $10 for adults, ages 13-59; $8 for youth, ages 5-12; $8 for seniors, ages 60 and over; and children under five get in for free. Parking is $5 per vehicle.

Ohio Proud began in 1993 and serves as the Ohio Department of Agriculture's "marketing program that identifies and promotes food and agricultural products that are made in Ohio and grown in Ohio."

Right now, there are 410 Ohio proud partners in 77 counties across the state. Purchasing locally grown products help support the state's agriculture business and provides one in seven of your fellow Ohioans with a job. According to the Ohio Proud website, agriculture is the Buckeye State's biggest industry and each year, it contributes over $98 billion to the state's economy. You can learn more by visiting OhioProud.org.

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Remember to call 513-422-1907 for Security Camera Systems in Middletown, Cincinnati, or the Dayton, Ohio areas.

Summer Fun & Festivals in Ohio

If you're looking for something to do this summer, Ohio is the place to be! Lots of fun festivals will be taking place, helping you celebrate and get into the summer mood. Below you'll find just a few activities for your family, whether you're looking to learn about history or celebrate the arts.

July 16 -17, the Marietta Sweet Corn Festival is the place to be! Fresh hot buttered corn on the cob will be served alongside delicious foods from local restaurants. You and your family can participate in or watch cornhole tournaments, historical re-enactments and more. You'll have the opportunity to pet your favorite farm animals, or take a hayride around historic downtown Marietta, along the Ohio River. Many local and regional artists will be performing, including Matt First Band, the Faculty, Todd Burge, and Odd Urges.

If you have twins, triplets or other multiples in your family, the Double Take Parade in Twinsburg is a must-attend event! With over 2,000 sets, this unique event is the world's largest annual gathering of twins and takes place this year from August 6 - 8.

If it's good German food you're looking for, the Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival is full of German heritage and takes place August 19 - 21. In addition to open-fire-roasted brats, you can watch parades, visit art shows, and participate in rides and games, or you can cheer on the annual bicycle race and the Bratwurst Festival Queen.

In the heart of Cincinnati, the Macy's Music Festival takes place from July 30 - 31 and has so much R&B, jazz, hip-top, and soul music to offer. Performers will include Charlie Wilson, Maze, En Vogue, Jill Scott, and others.

The Dublin Irish Festival is one of the biggest Irish festivals in the entire country. Attendees will experience over 60 musical acts, Celtic sports, hands-on workshops, an area to research genealogy, and a 10th-century authentic Irish village. The Irish Festival will take place August 6 - 8.

Another musical celebration that will take place that weekend is the Lebanon Blues Festival on August 7. You'll get to see live performances from groups including No Saints No Saviors, Bryan Lee, Robin Lacy, Them Bones and DeZydeco. In addition you'll want to check out the Blue, BBQ, and Bumpers car show for delicious food, hot cars, and more! Admission is free to this exciting event.

The Juneteenth Cincinnati festival in Eden Park celebrates the end of American slavery and fight for freedom. You'll see a unique parade of flags of the African Diaspora, as well re-enactments of speeches from Abe Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. There will also be live musical entertainment from jazz, gospel, blues, reggae, and R&B performers. this event takes place July 19 - 20.

August 6 - 8, Zanesville infamous Y Bridge will turn into an outdoor gallery, which showcases multi-media artwork and contemporary crafts from over 50 artists. In addition to the art, the Y Bridge Arts Festival will include live entertainment, gourmet treats from local restaurants, pottery, blacksmith, fiber arts demonstrations, and a children's activity area.

Festival Latino in Columbus' Genoa Park will take place August 14 - 15 and will feature Ohio's Hispanic culture. There will be multiple stages of continuous salsa, cumbia, meringue, norte no and banda music. You can dance to the Mexican beats or explore the marketplace for Ecuadorian crafts and Mayan Jewelry.

If history is your thing, the Tall Ships festival returns to Cleveland July 7 - 11. You'll see vessels representative of maritime history from the Revolutionary War and War of 1812, Great Lakes trading Schooners, Baltimore Clippers, and so much more! The event is great for the entire family, and even offers a children's play area in addition to live entertainment and the maritime marketplace.

The Summer Moon Festival in Wapakoneta will take place July 15 - 17. Wapakoneta is the hometown of Neil Armstrong. The Festival features a moon rock hunt and a rocket building demonstration among other fun, unique activities. Participate in the moon pie eating contest, wiener dog races, festival rides, live music entertainment and more.

Celebrate Dayton's aviation heritage at the Vectren Dayton Air Show July 17 - 18. Watch as the United States Air Force Thunderbirds display skill, power, and precision in their F-16 Fighting Falcons. You can also watch world-class aerobatic champions, military jet demonstrations, and other entertainment for the entire family!

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Remember to call 513-422-1907 for Security Camera Systems in Middletown, Cincinnati, or the Dayton, Ohio areas.