COLUMBUS, OH - Staffers at Lake Hope State
Park, Zaleski State Forest and the Zaleski Civilian Conservation Corps Camp in Vinton
County are rolling out the welcome mat for the fifth annual Rural Ohio
Appalachia Revisited (R.O.A.R.) Day, according to the Ohio Department of
Natural Resources (ODNR).
This year's R.O.A.R. Day is set for 10
a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 28. Events are planned for the dining lodge
and nature center at the state park, the sawmill and office areas at the nearby
state forest and the Hope School Interpretive Center which is located on park
grounds. R.O.A.R. Day is coordinated by a dozen Vinton County cultural and
civic groups, which seek to spotlight the natural beauty and cultural heritage
of southeast Ohio.
"Vinton County and its surrounding
region are among the most culturally and historically rich areas of Ohio,"
said Rod Garey, Lake Hope State Park manager. "R.O.A.R. helps us celebrate
that richness and show residents and visitors a quality of life found only in
Appalachia."
As many as 1,500 visitors from all over
Ohio and surrounding states are expected to participate in R.O.A.R. Day
activities. A traditional Appalachian buffet will be served at the Lake Hope
State Park Dining Lodge from noon to 3 p.m. with mountain musicians providing
live entertainment.
Works by local artisans and craftsmen will
be on display and for sale at the lodge. Hand-woven baskets, quilts,
woodcarvings, gourds, cornhusk dolls, dulcimers, woven wheat figures and
homemade soap are among the items that will be available. A jack-o-lantern
carving contest, trick or treat and Appalachian games will provide fun for all
ages at the Lake Hope Nature Center. Nature center guests can snack on
sassafras tea, parched corn and hot cider throughout the day.
At nearby Hope Schoolhouse, storytellers
will recite favorite tales handed down by generations of Vinton County
residents, including the story of the Moonville Ghost and histories of the
region's iron smelting industry. An Appalachian jelly maker, a wood carver and
a basket weaver will also be on hand.
Logging and milling as it was done a
century ago with steam engines and draft horses will be demonstrated at the
Zaleski State Forest sawmill. Demonstrations of blacksmithing, timbering with a
cross-cut saw and use of an atl-atl primitive Indian weapon will also be part
of the day's activities. Members of the Zaleski Volunteer Fire Department will
serve a bean dinner and state forest staffers will provide hayrides through the
woods.
Corpsmembers from the Zaleski CCC Camp,
formerly unemployed young adults who learn marketable work skills while
completing conservation projects for Ohio, will make apple butter and apple
cider for R.O.A.R. Day. Corpsmembers will lend support for the day in other
ways by parking cars, aiding artisans with displays and assisting with nature
center activities.
R.O.A.R. has been designated an official
service project of "Make A Difference Day Ohio," which is also set
for October 28. First Lady Hope Taft is spearheading Ohio's participation in
this national day of volunteerism. Local projects mobilize volunteers to make a
difference in their home communities.
For more information regarding R.O.A.R.
Day events, contact Lake Hope State Park at (740) 596-5253.
-30-
For Further Information Contact:
Jane Beathard,
ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6860