Welcome to the adventures of OhioTraveler.com’s
TOUR GUIDE TO FUN!
This week’s adventure is compliments of the
Medina County Visitors Bureau
in Medina, Ohio
I helped promote Medina County at the Visitors Bureau helping guests find information on what to do in the County.
The first day I arrived in Medina County I got to go to the Main Street Medina First Friday event. The theme for the evening was ‘Summer Splash’. I got my picture taken and then sat in the Medina County Visitors Bureau window to help promote the evening event.
Wow. I didn’t know Medina celebrates Christmas year-round at Castle Noel! This is America’s largest indoor year-round Christmas entertainment attraction.
I snuck on a couple of the vehicles at Mapleside. The four wheeler, fork lift which was a lot of fun. Then Bill let me drive the tractor. It was big, but lots of fun. I love Mapleside. If I come back they have a giant slide and pumpkin fest in the fall. They also have wonderful Concerts over the Valley each Friday night in July and August. Great music and food overlooking the apple orchard.
Then there was the giant jump pillow, an instant favorite. Next to the jump pillow are swings, a slide, and a ship to climb on. I had a lot of fun here.
Now this was fun, a tractor tire mountain also at Mapleside. I had a good time on this. They are really hard to climb when you are my size. But I would love to go back and do it all again.
Chill Ice Cream Shop on Medina’s Square. I had a scoop of Elderberry, boy was it good.
I got to stop at Ormandy Train & Toy Store. Wow does he have a lot of trains, track, model building’s to go with the trains. And lots of other neat stuff. He even has trains running in his windows. They have a great collection of old toys and trains.
Just a relaxing time on Public Square in Medina. Checking out the Gazebo, meeting my new friend Ben, and sitting on the park bench watching people. If I would of had time, Friday nights in June and July the Medina Community Band plays here on the Square. Free to all, just bring a lawn chair or a blanket to relax. The Square also hosts Art shows, Crafts, jazz concerts, Arts Week and Farmers Markets. Just to name a few.
We stopped at the Medina County Park District’s Wolf Creek Environmental Center. It has class rooms where they can hold educational classes. They even have some critters here. I got to see this toad while I was there and look at things under the microscope.
They have a library room at the Center with all kinds of books on nature, animals and plants.
Dan also showed me some of the parks in Medina County. Both City and County Parks. They have fishing, hiking trails, bike trails, sports parks, kids parks and dog parks. The County Parks also offer all kinds of programs thoughout the year. Many have pavilions and other facilities for weddings, family reunions and other events.
Creek Bend Ranch also has a barn that is available for wedding and corporate events. When there is not a corporate event the night of Buckin Ohio, Charis Thorsell, Shawn’s sister and her band will often play following the rodeo.
This is the bull trained by Shawn Thorsell that won the 2018 Award. He just looks mean – the bull, not Shawn.
Buckin Ohio also has great food during the rodeos. They, of course, have good Barbecue, also pork tenderloin sandwiches, tater tots, lemonade, and ice cream.
Along with the food Buckin Ohio also has several small shops selling shirts, sweat shirts, hats and other western products. Each Rodeo has a different theme.
Dan let me drive part of the time as I was going around Medina County. See OhioTraveler.com, other people trust my driving skills.
The main business at Creek Bend Farm is raising bulls for the National Bull Riding Circuit. One of their bulls was a Grand Champion last year. Buckin Ohio which is what their rodeos are called are great family fun events. For the kids they hold an Ice Cream eating contest, Pony Stick races and Muttin Bustin’. Get there early to sign up. They take a break half way through the bull riding and have a barrel racing contest, with music following the rodeo. This year new is their shark tank. You can pay to get in the shark tank in the middle of the arena with the bulls right up next to you.
Dan treated me to lunch. What a swell guy! That’s that Medina County hospitality for you.
My next stop while traveling across Medina County was at Ohio Station Outlets. I got to go on their train and it was fun. The train takes you all around the Outlet. Up and down the aisles and even out along I-71. You got a chance to see all the stores and wave to people as you went by them. On the train ride, the engineer even let me sit up front like I was driving the train. I think he knew I could not drive but he let me sit there.
I stopped at the Log Cabin Shop. It is a neat store. They sell all kinds of things for early American reenactors. They have kits to build black powder rifles, patterns for period clothes and many other items for reenactors. Also hundreds of books new and used. They have lots of books on early American life stories and educational. The used books cover everything from history, gardening, novels and so much more. The Log Cabin Shop has a great museum of early American weapons, even a fireplace with all the items pioneers would have used to cook meals.
The last stop was at High Voltage an indoor and weather permitting outdoor karting. They offer individual riding and groups. They have video games and drinks. Also in Brunswick is Scene 75, they have karting, mini golf, arcade games, laser tag. Dan told me why the two of you completed in go karts at the OTA conference a few years ago. He said you hit the wall one to many times and that allowed him to pass and win. Next time let’s add me to the mix and the Ohio Traveler will show you both up.
I had a great time in Medina County. They showed me lots of things and there is still more to see. I am adopting Dan and Diane. They are lots of fun and just great people. Though I am really sorry to learn that Diane is retiring in December. The Bureau, the Board and Dan & Jill are really going to miss her.
Learn more about the places and photos above at
https://www.visitmedinacounty.com/
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