August & September are Hot, Hot, Hot in Sidney, Ohio
With the summer travel season in full swing, Sidney is the place to be for paddling, pedaling, living history, and unique dining experiences.
Sidney’s Paddles, Pedals, & Pints is a can’t-miss for those who enjoy the outdoors and malted beverages. This August 13th event will feature a Cycle Adventure, Kayak Adventure, and Craft Beer and Soda tastings. The paddle adventure includes a 90-minute guided float on the Great Miami River. Participants can bring their kayaks and gear or rent them. A choice of four morning and afternoon tour times are available. Those looking for a bicycle adventure will meet at Sidney’s beautiful Tawawa Park for a scenic ride beginning at 9:30 a.m. The pints adventure involves a craft beer and craft soda tasting to round out the day. All involved adventurers will receive a commemorative T-shirt and cup. If interested you have to act fast. Registration for this unique Paddle/Pedal Adventure closes soon!
September 17 and 18 return the Civil War Living History Weekend and Reenactment to Sidney. This Bi-Annual Civil War Living History Weekend will feature Union and Confederate reenactment soldiers, battle scenes, and military and civilian encampments staged in Sidney’s beautiful, 220-acre Tawawa Park. Scheduled hour-long major battles will be presented along with Union/Confederate skirmishes sporadically each day. Cannon and rifle fire will add to the realism and drama of these experiences. Also planned for the weekend is a series of living history educational programs that will feature first-person accounts of life during the Civil War era. Period-specific Catholic and Protestant church services are also planned for Sunday morning.
The Lake Loramie Fall Festival kicks off this year on September 16th and runs through the 18th at the Lake Loramie State Park. Always a family favorite, this year’s Fall Festival offers arts & crafts, live entertainment, a mountain man encampment, games for the kids, great food & cold drinks. The antique power show will feature a sawmill, tractors, barrel push and gas engines. New to the festival this year is the Barhorst Family Belgium horses and admission is free.
Those seeking a unique dining experience are sure to enjoy the Open Air Dinner on September 29th. The Ross Covered Bridge will serve as the host location for this extraordinary evening. A beautifully prepared farm-to-table dinner accompanied by great music and conversation will make this a memorable dining experience for all in attendance.
Those looking for a little less structure to the weekend will find a whole host of outdoor recreation ideas on the Sidney Visitors Bureau website. The weekend getaway page is sure to entice those seeking a nearby option “to get away from it all”, relax, unwind, and recharge.
While in Sidney might we suggest lunch at an iconic diner, The Spot. First established in 1907 as a lunch wagon operated by Spot Miller, today The Spot is an art deco-style diner loved by locals for its fresh-ground hamburgers, crispy onion rings, thick malts, and homemade pies. Dine in or order carryout and picnic like a pro across the street in the shade of the old-growth oak trees on the Shelby County Courthouse lawn.
Family-owned Italian pizza shop Amelio’s Pizzeria is serving up years of family heritage and Italian culture. Husband and wife Rob and Toni Thorne named the restaurant after Toni’s great-grandfather, Giuseppe Amelio Cecere, who came to America from Italy in 1920 and opened a pizza shop in his garage.
Yet another dinner option is The Bridge Restaurant, serving upscale eats like steak and seafood prepared fresh in-house daily, or Tavolo, offering modern Italian fare. Before calling it a night, be sure to check out what’s on tap at Murphy’s Craftbar + Kitchen. This trendy bistro boasts 48 taps featuring a wide selection of Ohio brews and craft cocktails.
Come see why Sidney is hot, hot, hot, not only in August and September but year-round. Sidney Ohio. A spirit we share.
