The Taste of Grandview is an annual tasting event in Mid-October. There were about 15 Grandview…read morerestaurants there to sample. There was Marshall's, Cap City, the new Rancho Allegra on 33, Jeni's-of course, Noodles and so many more! I did not try everything, as I surely would have burst some buttons. But, I did get to sample the Asian salad from Noodles for $2 and the peel away shrimp from the Columbus Fish Market. Those guys were so sweet. They were selling 7 shrimp for $5, but I only wanted 2 shrimp. So I asked for 2 and asked what the price would be. They gave them to me for free! How can you beat that?! The serving sizes were true tasting sizes, and the prices matched! Because this is a family-friendly event ( or maybe because it was a Sunday in Grandview), this is a dry event, so no alcohol served anywhere. The Grandview Chamber of Commerce was selling sodas and water for $1 and Caribou Coffee was there with ice coffee and lattes! The judges (poor things) got to try EVERYTHING! I'm pretty sure they had to wheel-barreled out of the park. If I remember correctly, Smoke Shack BBQ won the best appetizer (I don't remember what that was) and the best entree: Hawaiian chicken, or maybe it was pork. Raising Canes won "The People's Choice" and Old Bag of Nails won the best dessert with their homemade bread pudding.

Super fun local companies with fun personalities... All of them! Went to all the booths and…read moreeveryone was awesome. The only input I have- the smaller new and coming (and amazing) venders need to make smaller cheaper samples of their food. For those going to try everything 8$ is high for a taste and too much food for a day of everything. Otherwise it was awesome. Little miss Ohio have out thank you samples and the weather is perfect!

R@R, like Hineygate before it, is basically a myth. There is of course a real fenced in party here…read moreduring home football games, but the meme that it is some huge wild affair of debauchery is purely imaginary. And like Hineygate, R@R is basically a place you go when you do not have a proper tailgate to go to, have visited Conrad's and the street vendors, do not want to be crushed by the crowd at the VC, and need a place to blow an hour before kickoff. It's also a place to take first-time, out-of-town friends so they can tell everyone back home that they have been to 'Hineygate' ( it's not Hineygate of course, but they don't know the difference.) What you really do here as you did with the now defunct Hineygate is stand around in a circle on hard asphalt. First though you stand in a line for five to ten minutes to buy overprice tickets and have your ID check. Then you stand in another line five to ten minutes to exchange the tickets for drinks--usually Bud Light, Fosters, or Mike Hard Lemonade. The cans are large double-deuces and if your smart you'll buy two. Then you just stand around with your circle of friends talking shop, or of old high school and college friends--everything you could do in your kitchen around a pot of Maxwell House. The bands that play here are generally good though. They'll play covers and Buckeye related new songs. Yesterday featured some serious talent and was enjoyable. Of course the bands can't help but suck up to the crowd with "O-H" cheers and "Michigan Sucks" which can be annoying--especially when it seems forced. They have screens that will show the game for those who don't have tickets and don't mind standing the 3-hours of the match. There are porta johns, food and other booths here as well. In the end, it's better to skip such places and have your own tailgate. This place is basically a pay-for block party kegger. Like the ones in college that sound more fun then they really are, which is either you are the chump waiting in line, or you are the douche yelling house privileges to cut. Another myth. Small parties are always better. But if you do come here make sure you tell your non-knowing friends what a wild time you had at 'Hineygate,' because of tradition. Myths are good, as long as you don't expect them to be real.

As far as tailgates are concerned, I think Riverwatch, still considered the pip-squeak younger…read moresibling of Hineygate, wins the blue ribbon. Riverwatch is much more generous with space, bathrooms and beer tents making one wonder why Hineygate is still voted Prom King year after year! It's really a no- brainer. Surely people will catch on soon but I'd rather they not. It is nice to walk freely around and not be overwhelmed by the b.o. of the people who haven't stopped drinking since last Saturday's game. haha. Kidding. But you get my point. They have lively entertainment week after week and is definitely a fun place to be if you aren't going to the game! Date Game Band Event Time 8/30 YSU Hair Razor TBD 9/6 OU Downplay TBD 9/13 USC Park St Patio TBD 9/20 Troy University 17th Floor TBD 9/27 Minnesota Reaganomics TBD 10/4 Wisconsin Park St Patio TBD 10/11 Purdue Introspect TBD 10/18 Michigan St Park St Patio TBD 10/25 Penn St Love Sick Radio TBD 11/8 Northwestern Park St Patio TBD 11/15 Illinois Park St Patio TBD 11/22 Michigan Lt. Dan's New Legs TBD

We rented the Clintonville Woman's Club as the venue for a retirement party where we expected about…read more150 people to attend. We also hired them to cater the event. The facility is a very nice venue for an event like a retirement party. It has plenty of parking, and the building has large windows with nice views of the outdoors. We have ordered a menu of "heavy hors d'oeuvres" along with non-alcoholic beverages. The food was delicious and the wait staff kept the serving tables well stocked during the event. This was the first event I've ever attended at the Woman's Club but it's definitely a great venue for a party. Good location, nice facility, good food.

Great place for a wedding and other events…read more I'm a member of the club so I attend their luncheons, evening dinners, and other events. 1. The club has interest groups so you can find like minded individuals who enjoy gardening, reading, pairing, photography, playing euchre, and so on. There are many retirees but there are working women too. 2. There is regularly scheduled big band/jazz music where it's encouraged to dance but listening is fine too. 3. There are annual events such as the Corn Roast, Beat Michigan breakfast, Fall Craft Bazaar and Luncheon, and Candlelight Luncheon. The catering manager is easy to work with when trying to determine how much food is needed for an event. The building can be rented for weddings, meetings, and off-site retreats.

You've got to hand it to Pickerington for trying. Apart from the questionable connection between…read morethe city of Pickerington, jazz and ribs (and the blatant rip-off of the bigger Columbus Ribfest), the annual Pickerington Jazz & Blues Ribfest was darn cool. Quaint downtown Pickerington hosted this celebration of smoked meats on August 5. In addition to several food and craft vendors, the fest boasted about half a dozen groups of folks barbecuing up ribs for sale. Surprisingly, the stand run by Open Hands Ministry seemed to be the biggest hit. Live music played on two stages throughout the day, and there was a beer garden. As in years past, the festival was a family affair. There were plenty of diversions for kids. There were animals from the Columbus Zoo and lots of games. Aside from the copious amounts of ribs, the day-long party stayed in pretty familiar small town festival territory. The festival is usually held the first week of August each year. Check it out.

This is actually in Canal Winchester now. From what I heard Pickerington wouldnt approve the Beer…read moreGarden. Honestly, nothing much has changed other than the location. You stand in horribly long lines for mediocre food at best. One thing I noticed is there is no sense of urgency to get you through the line. We stood for at least an hour with only like 15 people ahead of us (I think it was Soul Food) and my husbands pulled chicken sandwhich was all bones, fat and inedible. The only reason why we go is for the jazz that is always very good. My recommendation...eat before, go on a full stomach, and just take chairs to sit and listen to some really good eclectic jazz music.

I'm convinced I didn't get out and about, walking the streets, early enough. However, with that…read moresaid, I still found a few good buys! This was my mother's and I's first time. We happened upon a parking spot on Thurman, decided to cut the engine and walk around - it was a gorgeous day to be out and about!! The "community" feel of this event was wonderful. People from all over central Ohio were perusing the streets. After two hours, I was able to come out on top today. My purchases: A comfy lounging chair (I'm planning to start a "collection" of chairs, no particular theme); a mini cheese grater and mini Playmate cooler; and a book case. I took the chair apart, spray painted it black, and reupholstered it - very happy with the resulting look! Next comes painting the book case. I got 4 decent, durable items for under $25 - a happy camper, for sure!

Hosted by the German Village Society this event happens every May when the entire village turns…read moreinto a raging second hand store. Everyone opens up their houses. stoops, or sidewalks and the goods range from pricey furniture to comic books. People start roaming the village as early as 5:00 AM and come from as far as Indiana and Kentucky. know this for a fact since I've been asked for directions to Schmidt's by many of these folks. I've noticed that third street is usually more about furniture, housewares, and paintings while whittier street folks are usually selling clothing, old music, and appliances. Items are hit or miss on the side streets. If you live in the village and are a member of the G.V. society it costs $10 to participate and $15 for non-members. This year the event falls on May 16th. Mark your calendars and join the crowd you just might find that second hand turn table you've been fiending.

Best SAMMICHES EVER!!!!! We had never been to the Ox Roast nor had we ever had ox roast sandwiches…read moreso when my parents (John W. and Marsha W.) invited us, we knew this was the place for us to go for a nice adventure out of the house! We only went through the drive thru for the sandwiches but they were SOOOOOO good!! Lots of meat and very, very yummy! Smoked on a fire pit for a couple days to slow cook and boy, do they know how to make it so tasty and juicy! Coming from Columbus, just for these sandwiches, it was totally worth it! Only a few downsides to the whole experience was the construction on the roads heading into West Jeff and the lack of signage to tell us where to go. We were able to find the car show and based upon the amount of traffic, we were able to guess which direction to go from there. Definitely would love to go again!

The real reason (IMHO) to go to the Ox Roast Festival in West Jefferson , OH is for the delicious…read moresandwiches (round roast) that are wrapped in large sheets of foil and put in a huge trench (fire pit) of layered wood that is set afire to create beds of coals, (clam bake style), metal grating, and sand are added and the fire is continuously stoked through the night and weekend with more wood and sand layers and turned over often. Although the festival is open Saturday of Labor Day weekend with lots of activities; bicycle tour, parade, crowning of the Ox Roast Queen, and rides (open through the whole weekend), the sandwiches are not available until after 4 pm on Labor Day itself. If you have never been to the West Jefferson Ox Roast during Labor Day weekend, you owe it to yourself to go - at least for the delicious, hot, Ox Roast sandwiches. ( Next we're off to ORF - Ohio Renaissance Festival).

This was such a splendid night. Calling back the days of yesteryear and the nostalgia of our…read moreyouth. Carolers, Fudge, luminaries, Ole Saint Nic and Misses Claus. It was magical. All the lights were on and excitement filled the air. The houses prepared the stores open, and a Spirit that Christmas and the greatness of Jesus coming as a babe in full celebration. Strangers were saying 'hi' to strangers, people waving and cars being polite and stopping to lets pedestrians cross. Shoppers waiting patiently in line to get the store or to buy their purchase. Stores had little gifts or snacks to say thank you for an amazing 2024. I cannot share how great this event is and I only saw a small portion of it. It was fantastic and you should make it in your calendar for 2025. Don't let parking intimidate you. Take your time enjoy your surrounding there is plenty of parking, just drive slow you'll find it. Merry Christmas!!

We've attended Village Lights multiple times and really enjoyed it each time! We really enjoy the…read moreatmosphere of the luminaries lighting up the historic area, and even just strolling around with it lit up is fun. The main action usually happens on 3rd Street, which, as a result, gets pretty busy, but several of the other nearby streets are still festive but quieter. A lot of the residents decorate their homes, and we love seeing the fun and creative displays they come up. This year, we especially enjoyed an adorable penguin dance party and another house that decorated a tiny door for their Littles - too fun! In pre-pandemic years, we've even been randomly invited into open houses by residents we've met who had fully decorated the inside too. With the warmer (comparatively speaking) weather this year, it once again had a block party type vibe as a lot of folks were out on their patios. You can get the event map in advance from the German Village website to check out what's happening. There's usually a StriezelMarkt outside of the meeting haus, where little booths are set up as well as other activities - one year we met the Nutcracker from the ballet there, another there was a really amazing ice sculpture demonstration, and there's frequently live music in the later hours of the event. This year there were free cookies to be enjoyed. A lot of businesses stay open late, offer special deals, and/or have special activities. This year, we especially enjoyed the make your own s'mores over firepits at RE/MAX, free cocoa at Katzinger's, free photos with Santa and an elf at Cutler Real Estate, Third Street Dental was distributing goodie bags for after all the tasty sweets (toothbrush, toothpaste, etc), and Book Loft is always a favorite stop! There are also usually several groups caroling, a tree lot, and a lot of little pop-ups to check out - this year, we saw several bakeries, a farm selling gorgeous wreaths and greenery decor, and the pedal wagon was buzzing around. They also made fantastic use of Schiller Park this year - in the past, it's often been pretty dark and where the event kind of just stopped. This year, they lit it up (kudos for that, I'm sure it took a lot of work!), and offered story time with Santa at the amphitheater. It was very pretty to walk around and enjoy!

This is a very nice sculpture and garden area in the newly redeveloped Beulah Park. There's a…read morelittle pond with a paved loop, flowers and a meadow backdrop, which is currently filled with goldenrod and the like right now. The sculpture, And They're Off, was designed by Craig W. Murdick and depicts a group of horses and riders getting ready for a race. It commemorates Beulah Park's history as a racetrack since the 1920s. A neat space and sculpture!