866-301-1787
info@visitsteubenville.com

First Fridays on Fourth: July Cookout

Tomorrow, July 6th, will be the third ‘First Friday on Fourth’. It takes place on the 100 block of North Fourth Street between Market and Washington Streets, from 6pm-11pm.   Beginning with the First Friday of May, the last two have been very successful and well attended, and each month have expanded and have a different theme.

This month is ‘First Fridays on Fourth: July Cookout”  There will be a cookout competition to determine the Best Hot Dog, Best Burger, Best BBQ, Best Coleslaw, and Best Pie in Steubenville.  Participants’ culinary creation’ will be judged by a panel of local legends and winners will receive prizes and bragging rights in perpetuity.

In addition to the Cookout competition entertainment includes Safety Squad  from Columbus, Ohio  offering a double-set of funk.
Gregory Demary, from The Harmonium Players and the Fine Arts Society at Franciscan University, will be leading an original piece of comedy theater at Grand Theater for the Performing Arts.
Hightower Brewing Company will be unveiling a blueberry wheat beer.
Leonardo’s Coffeehouse & Renaissance Coffee Roasting Co. will be hosting a board game city on their second floor.
And make sure to stick around until it gets dark — for sparklers to light up the night!

Here is what’s coming back:

Food vendors, craft vendors, craft brewers, street games (including badminton and corn hole), an opening set of music from local heroes All Ends Well, art demonstrations, face painting, raffles, and street dancing.

Stores will be staying open late.

Be sure to attend for a great time once again or a first time fun experience!

Read more

2018 DEAN MARTIN HOMETOWN CELEBRATION & DEAN MARTIN FESTIVAL – CURRENT SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

2018 Dean Martin Steubenville Hometown Celebration Schedule

 

 

 

2018 Dean Martin Festival at The Spot Bar Schedule

 

PLEASE CLICK BELOW FOR UPDATED CURRENT INFORMATION:

Read more

Ohio Valley Frontier Days – June 2nd & 3rd!

The 27th annual Ohio Valley Frontier Days takes place this weekend, June 2nd and June 3rd at Historic Fort Steuben.

This family-friendly festival brings together reenactors,  crafters, musicians and history lovers to offer an experience of life over 200 years ago in frontier Ohio.

Opening ceremonies will begin at 10am on Saturday with a procession through the site followed by a flag raising and program. 

Throughout the weekend there will be presentations on the tragedy of Chief Logan, Native American traditions, 18th century military drill, and various crafts including blacksmithing, woodcarving, frontier cooking and candle making.

The Northwest Territory School of Surveying will be open to students and visitors.

Baron Friedrich von Steuben will teach the use of the musket, Frontier Dan will supervise the Tomahawk Toss, and Neighborhood Saddle Club will offer pony rides with photo opportunities (additional charge).

Each of the Fort’s eight fully furnished buildings, the archaeology dig and the First Federal Land Office will have guides stationed to tell the stories of the people and artifacts that were there.

In the Visitor Center the Ohio Valley Sons of the American Revolution will provide information on researching genealogy.

Members of “Many Nations” will teach Native American dancing and demonstrate and sell many of their crafts.

Inside the Visitor Center, traditional music by Rich & Kathy Small (Saturday) and Bill Schilling & Friends (Sunday).
Award-winning Ohio singer/songwriter Steve Free will perform on the outdoor stage on Saturday afternoon.

On Saturday evening from 6:30-8:30pm there will be a Frontier Dance on the lawn at Fort Steuben Park, under the direction of Bob Tomlinson ($5 donation requested)

Food vendors will offer a selection of treats including:
Bison Burgers, gourmet popcorn, Fish’n’Chips, Elephant Ears, hot dogs and gelato.

Ohio Valley Frontier Days will run from 10am to 6pm on Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Sunday.

General admission is $6, for youth 6-12 it is $3, and for those under 6 it is free.   A family rate is also available.  

Historic Fort Steuben is located at 120 South 3rd Street, Steubenville.

 

Read more

Looking for Someplace to Go? This may be just what you need!

Local author, Cathy Seckman, will be at BookMarx Bookstore in Downtown Steubenville, this Saturday, May 12th from 10:00am to 5:00pm to discuss and sign her new book “Ohio Day Trips”.

Cathy Hester Seckman of East Liverpool is the author ofOhio Day Trips, a comprehensive guide to the Buckeye State filled with information on hundreds of Ohio’s top spots for fun and entertainment.  It was released by Adventure KEEN on May 1st.   Ms. Seckman is also the author of “East Liverpool” a history of her hometown put out by Arcadia Publishing in 2015.

Her indi-published novels include “Weirdo World”, a young adult time travel fantasy originally published in 2010 by Cool Well Press, Inc; “Bad Moon Rising”, a historical murder mystery;  “H20 Mysteries”, a short story collection; and “Too Many Secrets”, the story of three college friends as they navigate their lives.   She has written thousands of newspaper articles, hundreds of magazine articles and more than a dozen short stories.

This new book is just in time to assist you in making plans for your spring and summer ‘getaways’.   Mark your calendar for May 12th  so not to miss this special event where you can meet Ms. Seckman and discover Ohio’s best kept secrets for fun and entertainment!

For more information please contact: Patricia Marx @ 740.282.6100 or 678.860.8479.

BookMarx is located at 181 North 4th Street, Steubenville.

 

Read more

Two wonderful events for downtown Steubenville: The Great Steubenville Eggsibition Art Display and First Friday on Fourth!

 

The Great Steubenville Eggsibition, taking place in downtown Steubenville, is now in full swing and will be continuing until April 30th.

This is the second year for the Steubenville Eggsibition Art Display.  These unique large eggs are placed at various locations throughout the city for the ‘ultimate’ Easter egg hunt. From delicate and lovely to bold and stunning, there are ‘eggs’ for everyone’s taste.  This year two new 3’ eggs and four new 18” eggs have been added for a total of 23 Steubie Art Eggs being displayed.

‘Egg-hunters’ are able to stop in to ‘headquarters’ (Drosselmeyer’s/Steubenville Popcorn Co.) and cast a vote for their favorite egg.  The voting system will be simple:  $1 = 1 vote.  The voting will go on for the duration of the festival, at the end of which the votes will be tallied and a champion egg decorator declared.  The winner of the competition will receive half of the vote money, while the rest will be put back into downtown revitalization and future events such as this.

Maps and directions will be made available for ‘Egg-hunters’.

 

First Fridays on Fourth is a brand new event for downtown Steubenville which will begin on Friday, May 4th and take place every first Friday of the month through November 2nd, from 7:00pm until 10:00pm.

First Fridays on Fourth are hosted by Therese Nelson in conjunction with the Harmonium Project. The purpose of First Fridays is to stimulate a “happening downtown” with shops open late, live music, local food, family-friendly activities and a significant spotlight on the arts and culture.

The May 4th First Friday on Fourth will focus on a local art theme.  The evening will center around pieces by local artists in all mediums on display at Leonardo’s Coffeehouse at 159 North Fourth Street.  To be included in the art show please contact the Harmonium Project prior to May 1st.

The 100 block of North Fourth Street (business district from Market to Washington Street) will be closed for the evening so the festivities may be enjoyed in the street safely.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read more

Celebrate Women’s History Month!

In recognition of Women’s History Month, Historic Fort Steuben will present an exhibit.   It will run from March 12th through the 23rd in the Visitor Center at 120 South Third Street.

In our local area the pottery industry was very important and for many families it provided an extra income for the women who were able to be employed there.    Judy Bratten, Executive Director of the Fort, is inviting visitors to share their stories of friends or relatives who worked at the Steubenville Pottery, which operated from 1879-1959, to add to the historical records.  They can either write their experiences in a book on site or send in their submissions.

As a part of the exhibit, there will be displayed a table setting of classic Steubenville Pottery as an introduction to the history of the industry. 

The exhibit will be showcasing women who have made an impact in the world.  It will also include information on women from Ohio as well as those born in Steubenville who influenced lives and culture.  Hopefully, after viewing the exhibit, visitors will seek out more information on some of these women and learn about their time and their efforts, as well as be inspired in their own lives.

The Visitor Center is open Monday-Friday, from 10am to 4pm or by appointment. 

For more information call:  740.283.1787.

 

Read more

Calling All Quilts!

The 2018 Spring Quilt Show at Fort Steuben Visitor Center will take place from April 16th through April 26th.

This will be the 11th year for this annual event which has grown steadily in popularity.  Each year new colorful and interesting quilts are put on display, giving proud quilters/owners the opportunity to share and  quilt ‘lovers’ the opportunity to enjoy the handiwork and unique beauty of these works of art!

All quilts, whether old and worn or modern and new are welcome to be included in the exhibit.   It does not matter whether you made the quilt yourself, it is an heirloom or a treasured possession.

A short history of or story about the quilt always makes the display more personal, and all are invited to supply some information concerning the quilt they are entering into the exhibit if they wish.

Forms to be completed in order to submit a quilt for the show are available at Fort Steuben Visitor Center, 120 S. 3rd Street, Steubenville, on the Fort Website at www.oldfortsteuben.com; by calling 740.283.1787 or emailing judy@oldfortsteuben.com.   Please return the completed form by March 26th.   Space is limited, so it may be advisable to get your application in as early as possible.

Quilts to be included in this event must be delivered to the Fort Visitor Center no later than Tuesday, April 10th and must be picked up by 4:00pm on Wednesday, May 2nd.

Times for the show are Monday-Friday 10:00am-4:00pm and Saturday 12:00 – 4:00pm.   Also a special program will be presented by Marlies Brandt on Saturday, April 21st (time to be announced).

Looking forward to this year’s exhibit being the best yet!

 

 

Spring Quilt Show

 

Read more

Despite the Weather – February can be Fun!

As we move into February, weary of winter and with thoughts of Spring still being a distance away, there are numerous events going on in the area to get us through.

February 3rd at the Fort Steuben Mall, the Boy Scouts of America is having their Pinewood Derby, from 8:00am to 6:00pm.  Also on February 3rd is the 2nd Annual Chili Cookoff  for Chili lovers.  It takes place at Neidengard’s Harley-Davidson, 254 Canton Rd, Wintersville, from 10:30am to 2:15pm.

The 3rd Annual Hank Kuzma Community Day also takes place on February 3rd from 1:30-6:00pm at Finnegan Fieldhouse, Franciscan University of Steubenville.

On February 8th Trinity Health System is sponsoring their annual Heartland, with lab testing and various organizations distributing information and doing testing as well, including blood pressure, diabetes and more.  Heartland will run from 6am until Noon and is held at the Fort Steuben Mall.

February 11th you can find all your Valentine’s Day needs at the St. Vincent Valentine Crafts Extravaganza taking place at Blessed Sacrament Church 852 Main Street Wintersville, from Noon to 3:00pm.    Missa Cantata Quinquagesima Sunday hosted by Extraordinary Form Servers of Franciscan University of Steubenville also takes place February 11th, from 7:00 – 8:15pm at Christ the King Chapel, Franciscan University.

On February 12th from 7:30-9:00pm, Franciscan University of Steubenville is hosting ‘The Persecution of the Church in Iraq: Archbishop Bashar Warda’.  The talk will take place in the Gentile Gallery of the J.C. Williams Center at the University.

At the Schiappa Branch of the Public Library of Steubenville & Jefferson County on February 19th at 6:00pm Performer Carol Starre-Kmiecik will take you back in time as she portrays Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Hear the story of one of the most famous women in the world. As the wife of President John F. Kennedy, she brought glamour and style to the White House, but was forever changed by tragedy and death.  As Mrs. Onassis, she was one of the wealthiest women in the world, but was happiest being a mother and writer, and being left alone.

Parents get some time for yourselves on February 24th by signing your kids up for “Kids Night Out” hosted by ONE Allstars for a fun night of food, games, crafts, and movies.  Takes place from 5:30-9:30pm at Crossroads Christian Church, 110 Springdale Ave., Wintersville.

The weather may be dark and dreary in February, but there is no excuse for you to be!   Get out of the house and beat ‘Cabin Fever’….. there’s  lots of things to do!

Read more

Sights & Sounds of Christmas: Nutcracker Magic 2017 Parade Trophies Awarded

Trophies were presented today at the Steubenville Visitor Center to the winners from the Sights and Sounds of Christmas: Nutcracker Magic 2017 Parade.

There were three categories this year: Floats, Non-Floats and Grand Prize for the best overall Nutcracker Theme.   The winners were:  1st Prize Float – Boy Scouts of America- Ohio River Council; 2nd Place Float – Franciscan University; a tie for 3rd Place Float – Grand Theater and Legal Hair & Day Spa;  1st Prize Non-Float – M & M True Value Hardware; 2nd Place Non Float – Nick’s Auto Sales and Towing; and 3rd Place Non Float – Vapor Jet.  The Grand Prize award, which is a free sponsorship of a Nutcracker at the 2018 Nutcracker Village went to Historic Fort Steuben, for the entry depicting both Fort life and Nutcrackers.

Judges this year were retired judge John Mascio, Sr., retired Jefferson County commissioner, Richard Delatore and Judge Joe Corabi.

Also, the winner of the “Name the Singing Nutcracker” contest was announced.  Among the many entries that were received was  a slip of paper with a photo of a cute young boy named Sebastian, explaining that he was autistic and , like the Nutcracker, he was different but no less loveable.  All those charged with selecting a name from the many entries were moved by this and agreed it was the perfect message in keeping with the Christmas spirit.     So the “Singing Nutcracker” now has the name of ‘Sebastian, the Singing Autistic Nutcracker’.      A 2017 souvenir collectible Nutcracker was awarded to Sebastian at the Visitor Center today.  Sebastian is the son of David and Michelle Ross of Steubenville.

Thanks to all those who participated in this year’s parade.  Your efforts and enthusiasm make it not only a big success but a lot of fun!     The parade has been growing and getting better each year.  The 2017 parade was great and everyone is already looking forward to the 2018 parade.  The date for the 2018 parade will be Saturday, December 8th.    Start planning now!

 

Read more

Spring is on the way – it’s time to make some plans!

It may feel like we don’t want to leave the house right now in all this frigid cold weather, but it won’t be long before the temperatures are rising,  the birds are singing,  and everyone will be anxious to get out and about.

While waiting for better weather, it is a great time to do some planning.

Whether you are planning a group tour, a family reunion or a private ‘get-away’ the Steubenville Visitor Center can help you with your plans.

A tour of Steubenville’s ‘City of Murals’ with its 22 larger than life paintings depicting the area’s history on buildings throughout the city is a great place to start.   It is often combined with a tour of Historic Fort Steuben, the reconstructed fort originally built in 1786-1787 by the 1st American Regiment to protect government surveyors from hostile Indians as they laid out the first seven ranges of the Northwest Territory.  The fort offers the opportunity to experience frontier life first hand with knowledgeable and entertaining guides to take you through the exhibit filled buildings plus a visit to the adjacent First Federal Land Office west of the Allegheny Mountains.

Just South of Steubenville is the Village of Mt. Pleasant a picturesque Quaker village on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a National Historic Landmark District of the Underground Railroad.  It was a center for antislavery activities with five Underground Railroad Stations that still stand in the village.   The Historical Society of Mount Pleasant owns five and operates six museums in the Village, which is the home of the Quaker Meeting House. It is located in southern Jefferson County and has an annual Historic Home Tour the 1st weekend of August. 

Historic Union Cemetery is noted as one of the most beautiful in the country and is the final resting place of the grandparents of Woodrow Wilson and the family of Edwin M. Stanton, Lincoln’s Secretary of War.  Unique attractions at Union Cemetery include the Old Stone Chapel built in 1892, the Old Stone Bridge built about 1880 (which still carries traffic from the main road) and the Dog Marker, which marks the grave of John Boillin.  Boillin, a molder was blinded by an accident and a stray dog adopted him and became his seeing-eye dog.  After Boillin’s death the dog would neither eat nor drink and soon grieved itself to death.  Boilin’s fellow molders cast the metal dog at the Foundry where he worked to be placed on Mr. Boillin’s grave.

Another potential destination is The Jefferson County Historical Museum which is housed in an elegant 19th Century Steubenville mansion consisting of 19 rooms which exhibit period furniture and artifacts, including a Dean Martin Room and Vivian Snyder Genealogical Library with one of Eastern Ohio’s finest collections for family history research.  For your consideration also is Franciscan University of Steubenville boasting a beautiful campus including its Portiuncula Chapel, a reproduction of the site in Assisi, Italy and Black Sheep Vineyard, a quaint and curious family owned vineyard on a former sheep farm.

Shopping for diverse antique and unique items and gifts at local owned and operated shops is another option, including Nelson’s of Steubenville, a very large Steubenville family business manufacturing and offering a wide variety of items sold not only locally but around the world; Antique Warehouse, housing over 77 different vendors with a broad spectrum of items;  Adam’s Antiques of Steubenville offering unique and one of a kind items from the past including Dean Martin merchandise;  Historic Fort Steuben Museum Shop selling a wide variety of items from hard to find historic books to wooden old time toys, as well as Steubenville and Fort Steuben memorabilia;   Drosselmeyer’s Nutcracker Shoppe offering not only a selection of Nutcrackers from around the world, but a variety of other gift items as well;  and Bookmarx Bookstore, a charming little bookstore that either has that hard to find book you are looking for or most likely can get it, serving coffee and a place to sit and read as well!

So, while you are staying warm with your hot cup of cocoa or tea why not plan a visit (or two) to the Steubenville area this spring or summer.   And if you are looking ahead to next fall, you definitely want to plan a trip to visit Steubenville’s Nutcracker Village and Advent Market, along with Christmas Wonderland and Gift Shop!

For more information call the Visitor Center at 740.283.4935.

Read more