Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Ohio, the “Buckeye State,” hosts a variety of outdoor festivals and sporting events in the month of April, since it is the first month of the year that warm weather arrives in the state. Major Ohio cities, including Cleveland and Cincinnati, host Major League baseball games in large venues, while smaller towns host festivals indigenous to their areas. Outdoorsy types can take advantage of hiking and climbing activities at Hocking Hills, located in the central region of Ohio.
The season for “America's Favorite Pastime” usually commences on the first Sunday in April. The first game of Major League Baseball organizations throughout the United States and Canada is ceremoniously dubbed the “First Pitch;” usually, a local dignitary like the city mayor, senator, governor, or celebrity throws a pitch during the pre-game warm up session. The two Major League Baseball teams in Ohio are the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds. Both of these teams' stadiums are in their cities' downtown areas; the Indians play at Progressive Field, while the Reds host their games at the Great America Ball Park, which overlooks the Ohio River.
Founded in 1929, the annual Geauga County Maple Festival occurs at Chardon Square in Chardon, Ohio; this town is in the northeastern region of the state, approximately 45 minutes east of Cleveland. Chardon host this festival in honor of maple syrup manufacturing, a dominant industry in northeastern Ohio. One of the most heralded events of the Maple Festival is the Bathtub Race, an event where three-man teams race each other with bathtubs on wheels; two of the participants push the bathtub, while the third member sits in the tub. A “Battle of the Bands” also occurs. The event traditionally occurs on the last weekend in April.
The first annual Black Squirrel 5K Race occurs in Kent, Ohio, on the first weekend in April. This 5-mile marathon race begins and ends at Kent State University's Student Recreation and Wellness Center; the race's route goes through the Kent State campus. The Black Squirrel's starting time is 8 a.m. The race's title is named after the university's mascot. Parking and locker room facilities for race participants are within the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. Free food is available for spectators.
During the first weekend of April, Wilmington, Ohio, hosts the semi-annual Ohio Country Antique Show in the Roberts Centre. This facility is right off the U.S. Highway 68 exit on Interstate 71. The festival features antique furniture pieces, artwork, signs and clothes from vendors throughout the Buckeye State. Most pieces date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Lunch and dinner menus are available at Max and Irma's restaurant, located next to the Roberts Centre. Founded in 2005, this event is a one-day event, usually on Saturdays; the event also occurs on a Saturday in October.