Surprise! In the middle of Ohio, a wildlife preserve showcases Africa’s, Asia’s and America’s most exotic animals

By Carol Chroust
For TRIP  Magazine

To realize your most imaginative dreams of experiencing African, Asian and North American wildlife, you don’t have to travel far. Almost miraculous in its presence and reality, a 10,000-acre nature and wild animal conservation center called simply “The Wilds” exists in rural southeastern Ohio. It is one of the “largest and most innovative conservation centers in the world”. Aptly named, this diverse center was created for scientific study, conservation, education, protection… and your pleasure! You can ride in an open air or closed Safari Transport vehicle and sit in complete safety just yards away from herds of rare and endangered species roaming semi-freely, a truly exhilarating experience.

The Ohio Renaissance Festival comes alive

 By CAROL CHROST
For TRIP Magazine

Renaissance Festival time is coming in late summer! Join the joviality, merriment and high spirit of 16th Century England. Surrounded by hundreds of characters in period costumes and a permanent 30-acre Renaissance village, festival-goers can experience a taste of an era when valor, honor and chivalry was the standard: The Renaissance Festival.

From the dips and rolls of roller coasters to fun food and frivolity on stage, Kings Island has it all

By RYAN CARTER
For TRIP Magazine

For more than three decades, Kings Island has been the premier entertainment destination in the Midwest for millions of families seeking the best in rides, shows, games, food and fun.
Located off I-71, 24 miles north of Cincinnati and 36 miles south of Dayton, the 364-acre family entertainment center enters its 36th season in 2008.

Hydroplane boat races return to Rocky Fork

By JEFF GILLILAND
For TRIP Magazine

One of the most popular hydroplane boat races in the country, Thunder in the Hills, will return to Rocky Fork Lake in Highland County on Sept. 13 and 14.

Country singer, former ‘Idol’ alumnus coming to Highland County’s Festival of the Bells

By BRANDY CHANDLER
For TRIP Magazine

With each year’s entertainment drawing larger crowds each July to fill the center of Hillsboro during the annual Festival of the Bells, the festival committee is setting up an entertainment schedule that will rival years past.
   Rick Williams, co-chairperson of the festival organizational committee, said country musician Chuck Wicks and “American Idol” alumnus Bucky Covington have been scheduled to perform during the July 3-5 festival this summer.
   The festival will kick off Thursday, July 3, with a Christian concert featuring Big Daddy Weave, sponsored by the Highland County Ministerial Association.

Two-day festival coming Aug. 1-2 to Clinton County

By RACHEL COLLIVER
For TRIP Magazine

Some may wonder if Ray Storer has stage fright when they see him crafting pottery with a brown bag over his head.
   Far from it.
   It’s one proven way to draw kids into the magic of his art. He’ll have a potter’s wheel and a bag ready for the seventh annual Wilmington Art & Pottery Festival Aug. 1 and 2.

Steve Triplett

Vacations are truly wonderful. Kick back, relax, breathe the air around you … you know, live a little.
   I was reminded of that when I went to see my doctor this week in Georgetown. Dr. Michael McHenry just returned from a vacation trip in Florida with his wife and daughter. He had scheduled the trip before reading my column on Sarasota and how the Cincinnati Reds may be leaving after 2009. So after reading it he decided to take in a Reds spring training game. He, too, was concerned it might be one of the Reds’ last games in Florida.

By Tom Cross
For TRIP Magazine 

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned boater interested in water skiing, cruising, fishing, or just canoeing or kayaking a gentle stream and watching wildlife along the way, Adams County offers all these and more. The waterways of Adams County include a picturesque stretch of the Ohio River, which feature three uninhabited islands, two of which are part of the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge, and Ohio Brush Creek, one of the most scenic canoeing and fishing streams in southern Ohio.

The rivers and streams of this beautiful southeastern county have some of the state’s best fishing

By Tom Cross
For TRIP Magazine

For the fisherperson, Adams County has many quality fishing opportunities from the Ohio River to Wildlife Area ponds, and one very fine and picturesque stream. Anglers can catch hybrid stripers from the river, smallmouth from Ohio Brush Creek, and trout from Adams Lake. Channel and flathead cats, white bass, sauger, black crappie, sunfish, largemouth and spotted bass are all game fish anglers will find in Adams County waters.