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October 13, 2005
OHIO FALL COLOR UPDATE #3
AUTUMN COLORS NEAR PEAK IN NORTHEAST
Fall Color Site
EDITORS NOTE: This is the third in a series of Fall Color updates highlighting some of the best locations to enjoy Ohio's fall foliage. Updated reports are available from ODNR each Thursday through early November.
COLUMBUS, OH -- Fall Color is near peak in the northeast part of the state this weekend, but the remainder of the state may see a later-than-usual color season, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
"The Fall Color season will likely run well into November this year in southern Ohio,” said Casey Munchel, fall color specialist for the ODNR Division of Forestry. “Many facilities in northern Ohio are reporting about 45 percent color, while things have barely changed since last week in the central and southern parts of the state.”
Munchel said in many northern areas the deep purple dogwood and redbud are contrasting beautifully against the bright yellows and golds of American beech and locust. Add in the bright red sugar maples and sweetgums and you have the Fall Color palette so familiar to native Ohioans.
The Forest Heritage Festival at the Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds in Dover will present one way to see fall color and learn about the history of Ohio’s forestry industry at the same time. Activities begin at 9 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and run until 5 p.m. each day. They include lumberjack demonstrations, forestry displays and a variety of food concessions. All proceeds will benefit Akron's Children's Hospital.
Special fall color hikes are also scheduled this weekend for the following: Shawnee State Park in Scioto County (9 a.m. Saturday), Lake Hope State Park in Vinton County (10 a.m. Saturday), Hocking Hills State Park in Hocking County (1 p.m. Saturday), Sycamore State Park in Montgomery County (1 p.m. Sunday) and Beaver Creek State Park in Columbiana County (1 p.m. Sunday).
Beaver Creek will also host a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. until noon on Sunday, just prior to the Canal Walk. Maumee Bay State Park in Lucas County will be the site of a Spooky Carnival of Fun on Saturday and Sunday, while Stonelick State Park in Clermont County will sponsor a Craft Daze from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Mary Jane Thurston State Park in Wood County will host a Fall Color tour of Turkeyfoot Creek from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, and Burr Oak State Park in Morgan County will sponsor a motorcycle caravan on scenic park roads on Saturday. Quail Hollow State Park in Stark County will hold its annual Bird Seed Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
To help Ohioans and out-of-state visitors make the most of this popular outdoor season, weekly updates are available from the best Fall Color viewing locations across the state by calling 1-800-BUCKEYE. Users can also find Fall Color information on the Internet at ohiodnr.com and at discoverohio.com .
Ohio's 74 state parks, 20 state forests and 130 state nature preserves provide excellent locations to sample the fall foliage. Here are the most current reports from selected locations:
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