Destination Seneca County and the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce have announced the launch date of their Slice of Seneca County Pizza and Geocaching Trail for June 17, 2023. The trail allows residents and visitors to explore Seneca County one slice at a time by supporting six different pizza eateries to redeem a Slice of Seneca County t-shirt or locating 19 pizza-related geocaches to receive a limited-edition and trackable two-piece geocaching coin. Participants can choose to complete each individual portion of the trail or both together.

Destination Seneca County has again partnered with Geocachers Anonymous, a group of geocaching enthusiasts in Northwest Ohio, to launch the Slice of Seneca County Geocaching Trail. In September of 2021, Destination Seneca County launched the first geocaching trail in Northwest Ohio that saw more than 200 geocachers travel more than 20,000 miles to complete it.

Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunt that uses a Global Positioning System (GPS) and online clues to help participants find caches, or hidden containers.

Participating locations include Smitty’s Pizza and VC Attica Cameo in Attica, Sauber’s Stumble Inn in Bascom, Domino’s Pizza, Fostoria Pizza Palace, Marco’s Pizza, and Red’s Pizza in Fostoria, Big C’s Smokehouse & Pizza in Green Springs, Left Field in New Riegel, Fat Head’s Family Restaurant in Republic, and Domino’s Pizza, Fort Ball Pizza Palace North and South, Heavenly Pizza, Jac & Do’s Pizza, Marco’s Pizza, Napoli Pizza, Reino’s Pizza & Pasta, and VC Tiffin Cameo in Tiffin.

Passports can be downloaded online and printed out by visiting www.SenecaPizzaTrail.com, or be picked up at the front desk of Hampton Inn of Tiffin starting on June 17, 2023. All passports of the Slice of Seneca County Pizza and Geocaching Trail must be turned in at the Hampton Inn of Tiffin to redeem the geocaching coin and/or t-shirt. Once completed and turned into the Hampton Inn of Tiffin, participants will receive 25% off a room stay that night (contingent on room availability).

Looking to elevate not only your golf game but also the overall experience? Then look no further! Mohawk Golf & Country Club is the premier 18-hole golf course and only private country club in the Tiffin area. Throughout its 100-year history, Mohawk has changed with the times to provide the best experience possible, but has stuck to its roots and remained constant in their commitment to providing its membership with a quality golf course, quality dining options, and excellent amenities in a relaxed, family-oriented atmosphere. Mohawk Golf & Country Club is home to PGA Professional, Stewart O’Malley, who is well versed in all things golf from course management to all aspects of the game.  

Mohawk Golf & Country Club is a spectacular Donald Ross-designed golf course which gives the golfer a feeling that is not found anywhere else near Tiffin. The 18-hole course can be enjoyed by all levels of golfers and the beautiful landscape of the course provides the perfect place to step away from the hustle of everyday life for a while and focus on yourself, allowing you to relax, take in the sights, and fuel your passion for golf while improving your game. You will be able to test your skills with their fast and smooth greens, pristine fairways, various water hazards, and strategically placed sand traps. They are proud to be the home golf course for both Tiffin University and Heidelberg University and are the gracious hosts of many outings and events throughout the year.

They not only have their top-notch course, but the 18-holes are accompanied by next level amenities and facilities. Inside the clubhouse, you will find renovated and modern locker rooms for both men and women, the 19th Hole which is a great place to grab a beverage before or after your round, and the Pro Shop. The Pro Shop is open to the public, not just members, which provides a fantastic opportunity for everyone in the community to have access to the best gear, apparel, and accessories at terrific prices.

Brands that the Pro Shop is excited to carry include, but is not limited to, Bad Birdie, Adidas, TravisMatthew, Callaway, Titleist, Cleveland Golf, Foot Joy, and many more! These brands are the hottest on the market and provide not only functional fashion for any golfer, but also comfort and style on and off the course. The best thing about the Pro Shop is that it allows anyone the ability to go in and try on the different styles and sizes that are available. If you are looking for a size, style, color, or item that is not currently carried in the Pro Shop, the Mohawk team will order it for you right to the shop! From apparel, clubs, balls, bags, and more, the Pro Shop is your destination for anything you might need and will take your game to the next level. You know what they say, look good, feel good, play good. 

Mohawk Golf & Country Club features several membership and golf lesson packages to best suit any need and budget. Their eager and knowledgeable team would love to give you a tour of the facility and are available for any questions or concerns you may have. For more information, visit mohawkgolf.com or call the Pro Shop at 419-447-5951. Mohawk Golf & Country Club is located at 4399 South State Route 231 in Tiffin and is passionate about upholding their most important principle and goal; ensuring YOU have the best day of golf possible! 

Ready for an un-fore-gettable experience? Check out Mohawk Golf & Country Club today! 

Last summer at the Ohio GeoClash & Festival in Trumbull County, Seneca County was announced as the 2023 host for this exciting event! The Ohio GeoClash & Festival is an annual event put on by the Ohio Geocaching Association in partnership with local communities throughout the state. The Ohio Geocaching Association is a non-profit member-led organization created for the sole purpose of promoting the game of geocaching within the State of Ohio and beyond. Their mission is to enrich the experiences of all geocachers by creating unique geocaching opportunities, events, trails and tours, and activities. They accomplish this by leveraging their core values of making the game of geocaching accessible to everyone, and promoting positive land stewardship throughout the state.

Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunt that uses a Global Positioning System (GPS) and online clues to help participants find caches, or hidden containers. Seneca County was put on the geocaching map when the first ever geocaching trail in Northwest Ohio was launched. The Seneca County Geo Trail received more than 200 completes and had more than 20,000 miles traveled by cachers to participate in the fun. Destination Seneca County and the whole community is so excited to have cachers in town to explore everything there is to do while finding the geocaches all throughout the county! 

Historically, the Ohio Geoclash & Festival draws in more than 500 geocachers into the host community throughout the week. The 2023 Ohio GeoClash & Festival will be taking place from May 31, 2023-June 4, 2023, with different activities happening each day. 

Please be aware that the increase in geocachers to the area may result in result in more geocachers than normal being spotted around the area finding geocache locations. Although geocaching is a harmless, family-friendly activity, occasionally, this may result in additional concerns of ‘suspicious’ activity from those that may not be familiar with what the geocaching game entails. 

 The full schedule is as follows: 

Wednesday, May 31, 2023 | 6pm-10pm: Check in at Carmie’s BBQ & Grill (2460 OH-231, Tiffin, OH 44883)

Founded in 1998, Carmie’s BBQ & Grill follows the tradition of their namesake Carmella Fabrizio, whose love of family, unity, and a life well-lived is their guiding star. In 2015 they added the distinct flavor of smoked BBQ to their menu along with the great burgers, salads, and entrees that they’re known for. Cachers will be able to check in for the event in the hallway where the Ohio Geocaching Association will have a table set up and get their merchandise they purchased. Destination Seneca County will put together welcome bags for those who check in. Carmie’s will be open and available for those who would like to order food and also have a full bar. 

Thursday, June 1, 2023 | 9am-11am: Event Kick-Off and Opening Ceremonies at Hedges-Boyer Park Band Shell (491 Coe St, Tiffin, OH 44883)

Learn the rules and how the competition between the different teams works! You will also have the opportunity to hear from local dignitaries, the Ohio Geocaching Association, and Destination Seneca County. Looking for swag and merchandise? You can find it here! There will be tables set up for you to pick up new coins, caches, event merchandise, and more! 

Thursday, June 1, 2023 | 10am-5pm: Teams Caching for event throughout Seneca County!

Thursday, June 1, 2023 | 6pm-8pm: Evening Gathering at The Barn at Hedges Boyer Park (491 Coe St, Tiffin, OH 44883)

The Barn is a great gathering place for large groups of people. There are picnic tables, a sink, and restroom for cachers. We will have cornhole set up, live music by Mimi Lange Johnston, local musician, and people are welcome to bring in their own food and drink! 

Friday, June 2, 2023 | 9am-11am: Event Check In and Send Off at Hedges-Boyer Park Band Shell (491 Coe St, Tiffin, OH 44883)

Friday, June 2, 2023 | 11am-5pm: Teams Caching for event throughout Seneca County! 

Friday, June 2, 2023 | 6pm-8pm: Evening Gathering at Garlo Nature Preserve/Shelter House (6777 South SR 19, Bloomville, OH 44818) 

Garlo Nature Preserve will take cachers to a different part of Seneca County! Garlo offers beautiful views of nature, walking paths, and the shelter house complete with picnic tables, electricity, charcoal grill, and vault restroom. Cachers can bring their own food and drink and we will have lawn games to enjoy! 

Saturday, June 3, 2023 | 9am-5pm: The Main Event! at Hedges-Boyer Park Band Shell (491 Coe St, Tiffin, OH 44883)

Everything will be set up all day (DSC table, merch tables, Ohio Geocaching Assoc, etc.) and this will serve as the HQ for the event. During this time, the Tiffin Art Festival will also be taking place at the park. This includes musical entertainment, food vendors, art vendors, and activities for guests. While cachers aren’t caching, it will be a nice opportunity for them to stroll through the Art Festival! 

Saturday, June 3, 2023 | 5pm-7pm: Closing Ceremonies at Hedges-Boyer Park Band Shell (491 Coe St, Tiffin, OH 44883)

After closing ceremonies, cachers are invited to explore Seneca County on their own! Check out the Community Guide to see the best places to eat, shop, and check out! 

Sunday, June 4, 2023 | 9am-11am: CITO Community Clean Up along Rock Creek Trail and Roger Young Fields (491 Coe St, Tiffin, OH 44883) 

This is part of Hedges-Boyer Park (it is the path that runs along the river and then baseball fields and greenspace) is enjoyed my residents and guests of Seneca County, especially in the warmer months! Tiffin Parks & Rec will be providing gloves and trash bags to collect trash and then having volunteers help collect sticks that may be blocking the path or be dangerous. 

Registration to join in any of the events throughout the Ohio GeoClash & Festival is not required and all are welcome! Whether you are long time geocacher or someone who doesn’t even have the app downloaded, we invite you to join in and see everything the geocaching community and Seneca County has to offer you. For more information, visit: ohgeo.org.

The East Green Summer Concert Series has selected “The Soul of Ohio” as its 2023 theme.

Six concerts presented every other Saturday evening at the Frost Kalnow Amphitheater in downtown Tiffin are featuring exclusively Ohio artists who are making an impact locally, regionally and nationally. The free concerts begin at 8 p.m.

The East Green Summer Concert Series full season is sponsored by Reineke Family Dealerships. The series was organized as a nonprofit organization to promote fine arts, the performing arts and music education while engaging the community as determined by the board of directors. The East Green park is managed in conjunction with Tiffin Parks and Recreation Department. For more information, visit www.eastgreenconcerts.com.

Liquid Crystal Project w/Dre Peace

June 17 ▪ 8 PM

The season kicks off June 17 with the East Green’s first-ever celebration of Juneteenth, the U.S. federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Following a ceremony involving community leaders, the concert will feature the Columbus soul-jazz band Liquid Crystal Project, along with vocalist Dre Peace. Dre Peace is a Dayton native who has toured in 48 states, appeared on Broadway as young Simba in “The Lion King,” and performed for two presidents, according to a news release from the East Green Summer Concert Series. From central Ohio, Liquid Crystal Project is known for a soulful sound that fuses jazz and hip hop, having released four albums and developed a loyal international following during their tours of Europe. Together LCP and Dre Peace will perform a variety of music ranging from classics from the 1970s to modern neo-soul hits.

 

 

Honey & Blue

July 1 ▪ 8 PM

Taking the East Green stage July 1 will be the Columbus band Honey and Blue. The duo performs a blend of pop and soul. Fronted by the singer/songwriter duo of Adam Darling and Stephanie Amber, Honey and Blue has a 10-year history of credits that include Good Morning Columbus, NPR radio, Columbus Jazz and Ribs Festival, Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival, Ann Arbor Summer Festival: Top Of The Park, Stonewall Pride Festival and Columbus Arts Festival. They’ve opened for Postmodern Jukebox, Bettye Lavette, Aloe Blacc and Charlie Hunter, who also served as producer of their most recent album entitled, “Bloom.”

 

  

Regina Sayles Band

July 15 ▪ 8 PM

The series continues on July 15 with Tiffin native Regina Sayles heading an allstar band in a tribute concert to local musician and Sayles’ first bandmate and co-writer Kyle Beidelschies, who passed away in November at the age of 42. The band will play classic rock, country and modern popular songs, and will feature musicians from around the region along with friends of Beidelscheis.

Sayles is based in eastern Pennsylvania, where she has built a career as a dynamic singer/songwriter and most recently, studio producer. Her sound blends pop, jazz, rock and country, and she performs more than 100 shows each year around the Northeast and Midwest. Sayles has opened for female folk pioneer Tret Fure and folk icon Ani DiFranco, and she played as a featured artist on the 2019 Melissa Etheridge Cruise. Her two recent singles “Better With Your Love” and “Rollin’ in the Hay” have earned her national attention, and she has released two full albums and anticipates an EP release in the coming year.

 

Emmaline

July 29 ▪ 8 PM

Jazz singer and songwriter Emmaline is to be on stage July 29. The release said she is one of the fastest-rising stars in the music industry. At 24 years old, she has grown from a social media star while a student at Cincinnati College and Conservatory of Music to starring in the 2023 Hollywood feature film “Sweetwater,” in which she plays 1950s nightclub singer Jeanne Staples and performs alongside legendary artists Gary Clark Jr., Keb’ Mo, Terri Lyne Carrington and Dianne Reeves.

Now based in Nashville, Emmaline is “a throwback in the best of all possible ways,” having been called the modern-day equivalent to Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Blossom Dearie. As a solo musician and leader of her own jazz band, Emmaline has opened on tour for Chaka Khan, collaborated with funk icon Bootsy Collins and headlined clubs nationwide. She was featured in Rolling Stone and American Songwriter and has accumulated more than a half-million followers on social media for her videos and EPs of original music.

 

Jared Mahone

August 12 ▪ 8 PM

Columbus-based singer-songwriter Jared Mahone and his band visit the East Green stage on Aug. 12. Known as the forerunner of the Midwest “garage soul” movement, Mahone transformed hometown open mic night into a career as a nationally touring independent musician. His songs and storytelling create a sense of intimacy and meaning. His upbringing in a touring family band fed his musical appetite with the writing of Bill Withers, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon and Sting, and resulted in his own brand of original pop art. Mahone was recognized in 2013 as the Verizon Indie Icon, appeared as a featured musical guest on Katie Couric’s ABC talk show and was named Best Male Artist in the 2014 International Acoustic Music Awards. In spite of his national notoriety, the release said he dismisses fame-chasing in favor of a troubadour-style career meeting new supporters one handshake at a time.

Da Land Brass Band

August 26 ▪ 8 PM

The season closes on Aug. 26 with Da Land Brass Band, Cleveland’s modern brass band collective known for their energy and ability to “get the party started.” Formed in 2016, Da Land features a modern take on New Orleans street bands with a high-energy funk sound, and the band is bridging the gap between musical tradition and and a vision for the future. Boasting original tunes, funky adaptations of classic songs and true roots New Orleans music, Da Land members dedicate much of their time to educational outreach programs that teach children the joy of performance and showmanship through practical improvisation and live music master classes. The band is made up of some of Cleveland’s best jazz musicians, including alumni of Heidelberg University.

While you will no longer feel the rumbling of an approaching train for passenger pick up, you can still enjoy the beautiful architecture and restored space that is the Tiffin Train Depot. The Tiffin Train Depot was built in 1862 and served as one of six passengers depots throughout the Tiffin area.

Seneca County experienced a real estate boom as a result from the rail lines running through the county. While the Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad changed ownership over the many decades, in 1892 the railroad went under the control of of the Big Four Railroads (Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Louis). The Big Four operated the Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad along with the bustling depot until the railroad began failing to make a profit. In 1938, services between Berwick and Sandusky, which included Tiffin, were ended. 

After the depot was no longer serving as a passenger pick up, it became part of the Fort Ball-Railroad Area Historic District that is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. While a CSX rail line still carries dozens of freight trains past the old depot each day, the end of passenger service left the sturdy brick structure to be used for other purposes. For a time after the passenger trains left, the building was used to store coal by the Fisher Coal Supply Co. The structure fell into despair after it was no longer used after 1938 for passengers and even more so that by the time the 1960s hit, the building was largely abandoned and was serving as a storage space.  

In 2002, the Train Depot saw hope for a new life when Larry Breidenbach purchased the property and began restoring it to save a piece of the neighborhood’s transportation history. Since then, he has poured countless hours and dollars in restoring what was once the heart of Tiffin. The Tiffin Train Depot now adorns two Ohio Historical Markers, one for the depot itself and the other for the Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad alongside a Tiffin Historic Trust Preservation Award. 

Larry’s passion for bringing the once ornate structure back to life began with painting, a new roof, and cleaning up the space. In addition to that, the windows were replaced allowing for beautiful natural light to cascade into the building, evergreen trees donated by the City of Tiffin landscape the grounds, and an eight foot waterfall that flows down rocks into a pond in the front of the depot was added.  

You may not be boarding a train any longer when you step on the depot grounds, but you will feel transported to a space of beauty, peace, and gathering. The Tiffin Train depot now serves as the perfect place to host special events and group gatherings such as weddings, parties, showers and more. The gorgeous and well kept landscaping serves as the perfect backdrop for photos of every occasion. The Tiffin Train Depot is located at 65 North Monroe Street in Tiffin, OH and can be reserved by messaging the official Facebook page! 

It’s time to go to the trains, well the train depot that is. Start admiring and exploring this hidden gem that awaits you in Seneca County! 

Press Release Courtesy of Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market, Seneca County Common Ground – 

The Tiffin Seneca Farmers market is back for the 2023 season at the new location on Madison Street. We offer fresh, locally grown produce and products every Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm. We accept multiple forms of payment including SNAP, Produce Perks, SFMNP, WIC, and credit card. Don’t miss the opportunity to be a sponsor of a great community event. Watch Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market Social media for more details!

Every week our vendors will provide fresh and sustainable produce that has been grown right here in Seneca county and surrounding areas. When shopping at the market customers support local farmers while enjoying the freshest, most flavorful produce around. The growers offer an array of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and even flowers. Try something new, liven up meals, and support local agriculture at the same time. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables can provide the body with the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and strong. Check out our selection of colorful berries and leafy greens.

Discover the unique flavors of Seneca county with our incredible selection of artisanal foods. Sample a wide variety of local honey flavors, perfect for everything from sweetening morning coffee to drizzling on favorite dishes. Savor the sweetness of our delicious homemade jams and jellies, perfect for spreading on toast or using in a recipe. Enjoy freshly baked breads, delicious cookies, and other baked goods made locally.

Join us for some lively, family-friendly entertainment at the Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market. Special activities for kids will be offered weekly to keep the young ones entertained while parents get their shopping done, including the famous “market bingo”. The third Saturday of every month shoppers will enjoy themed markets to coincide with JAM’s Monthly Market, live music, and face painting. On the third Saturday of the month shoppers will listen to local musicians as customers peruse the market. From folk to jazz, enjoy a variety of genres as shoppers sample the local agricultural offerings.

When shopping at the Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market, customers are supporting both local agriculture and the community. The Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market is a true community destination. Meet with neighbors and peruse the offerings of multiple local vendors. These events would not be possible without the Support of Sutton Bank.

There is still an opportunity to be a sponsor of the Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market. If interested please contact Kirsten Kemner, Marker Manager at manager@sccommonground.org. See sponsorship packages below! 

The Downtown Tiffin community is excited to announce the return of the popular Barking Lot Party on May 18, 2023. The event will take place from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the parking lots behind the Laird Building, Croghan Colonial Bank, and City Lot 7.  The 3^rd Thursday event will feature live music, local food vendors, and activities for the entire family, including pet friendly specials and giveaways from multiple local businesses.

“Our Third Thursdays are always popular events.  On the next one, we welcome our furry friends to Downtown Tiffin,” said Mayor Dawn Iannontuono.

City Lot #7 will host food trucks, community vendors and No Eileen DJ, Paul Grover.  The lot will be closed off from parking, although all other city lots will be open for public parking.  The event is free and open to all ages.  Disclaimer: If your dog is aggressive towards other dogs, children or strangers, please do not bring them to the event. All dogs must be kept on a leash.

The 3rd Thursday series will continue throughout the summer, with events taking place each month.

3rd Thursdays are sponsored by UIS Insurance & Investments, Reineke Family Dealerships and Destination Seneca County. 

For more information about the Barking Lot Party and the 3rd Thursday series, visit www.downtowntiffin.org/events or on Facebook here.  Event chaired by Tyler Shuff. 

The remaining Third Thursday Series will consist of:

Fête de la Musique | June 15 – Originated in France, Fête de la Musique (also known as “Music Day”) is a celebration of music where people take to the streets to perform live music. Community members and their families are encouraged to walk around Downtown Tiffin and enjoy the music while shopping and supporting our local retailers and eateries from 5 to 7 pm.

At 7 pm everyone is invited to the East Green Amphitheatre to enjoy more live music. The Tiffin-Seneca Public Library will be hosting a ‘make your own instrument’ workshop from 2 – 4 pm and the Tiffin Community Foundation will offer an opportunity for children to participate in making music in Cherry Alley as part of the activities for the evening.

Christmas in July | July 20 – Enjoy the sites, sounds, and smells of the holiday season in downtown Tiffin while enjoying the summer weather with our Christmas in July Third Thursday event. City Lot #7 will feature live music from Paul Grover, “No Eileen”, and Santa’s Heroic Helpers! You’ll have the chance to check out a police vehicle, fire engine, and more! It is also rumored that Buddy the Elf may be making an appearance.

Taste of Downtown Tiffin | August 18 – Enjoy specialty food items from local restaurants where tickets will be sold for $1 each. Also be sure to stay for the Thursday Night Tunes concert at the Frost-Kalnow Amphitheater.

Seneca County Young professionals’ Downtown Tiffin Pizza Party | September 21 – Bring the whole family to enjoy a taste of Tiffin and Seneca County! The event will take place throughout Downtown Tiffin. Attendees can purchase $2 tickets that can be redeemed for a pizza from any vendor. Half of each ticket sold will go toward charity. 

Halloween Trick-or-Treat | October 20 – Bring the kids for the annual downtown trick-or-treat from 4 to 6 pm. Then grab your friends for an early Halloween fun night out. Shop, grab a drink… and maybe dinner and dessert too!

The Tiffin Flea Market, sponsored by the Seneca Junior Fair Foundation, will begin its 45th year of operation at the Seneca County Fairgrounds located at 100 Hopewell Avenue in Tiffin, OH this weekend. The Tiffin Flea Market was established in 1978 and has gained the awesome recognition and reputation as being the largest show in Northwest Ohio. People come from far and near to visit this very successful flea market. Market goers can expect anywhere from 250 to 400 dealers per show and dealers can expect anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 customers to walk through the gates! 

The Tiffin Flea Market will be open on Saturdays from 9 am to 4 pm and Sundays 9 am to 3 pm during market weekends and will take place rain or shine! Explore everything the Tiffin Flea Market has to offer as you wander through the main strip of the fairgrounds and check out all the dealers inside buildings as well. The Seneca County Fairgrounds is a handicap accessible venue and features shaded areas, easy walking paths, and a bustling atmosphere full of excitement and energy that can be enjoyed by all! There is free admission and parking, great food available, and hidden treasures just waiting to be found. Make an adventure of exploring the largest flea market in Northwest Ohio, the Tiffin Flea Market! 

 2023 Market Dates: 

• April 29-30
• May 20-21
• June 10-11
• July 1-2
• August 19-20
• September 16-17
• October 7-8

Flea to Seneca County this 2023 season and explore everything that’s waiting for you! 

Join us for a unique experience at Seneca Caverns – Ohio’s Greatest Natural Underground Adventure as they kick off their 2023 season on Saturday, May 6! Their hours are from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday with the last cave tour departing at 4:00 pm. Beginning Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day they are open seven days a week from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm with the last cave tour departing at 6:00 pm. Seneca Caverns is located at 15248 East Township Road 178 right outside of Bellevue, Ohio.

Get a peek at what is under the ground that we walk on every day. Walk the natural stone steps and pathways that will lead you through seven rooms or levels. Feel the temperature cool as you progress into the cavern. The largest room is 250 feet in length. At the lowest level, 110 feet below the surface, see Ole’ Mist’ry River; the crystal-clear flowing stream which is part of the vast groundwater system underlying the surrounding region. You will be amazed as you enjoy this very unique tour!

Seneca Caverns has been retained close to its original, natural, wild state, this subterranean tour is truly a unique and educational experience you will always remember.

After the tour, try your hand at mining just like they did in frontier days at the Seneca Mining Company. This “gem” is a fully operational sluice with flowing water. Here you can pan for gemstones, minerals, crystals, arrowheads, and fossils.

Seneca Caverns may be the only cave of its kind open for public visitation. Seneca Caverns is a Registered Natural Landmark by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Seneca Caverns is open from May through October, rain or shine. Visit www.SenecaCavernsOhio.com to plan your underground adventure!

The Seneca County Museum is proud to announce the start of its third year of the Museum Speaker Series, beginning Thursday, April 27th at 7:00 pm. The free event, with donations welcome, will feature Museum Director Theresa Sullivan presenting, “Let’s Celebrate the Cronise Sisters!”

Doors open at the museum, 28 Clay St., at 6:30 pm.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of Nettie and Florence Cronise becoming the first and second female attorneys, respectively, in the State of Ohio. This milestone was achieved nearly 50 years before women were nationally given the right to vote. Furthermore, 2023 marks the 180th anniversary of Nettie’s birth and the 100th anniversary of her death, making it a fitting time to learn more about these pioneering sisters.

In 1873, the Cronise sisters broke new ground by becoming the first women admitted to the Ohio Bar. At that time, Ohio laws did not provide for the admission of women attorneys. Nettie applied to the district court on April 4th, 1873, and despite vigorous opposition, leading local attorneys, including William Harvey Gibson and George Seney, supported her application. Six months later, Florence, Nettie’s younger sister, was admitted. Together, the sisters opened the first female-owned law practice in Ohio, N. & F. Cronise.

Sullivan’s program promises to shed more light on the fascinating lives of these two trailblazing women, who defied societal norms and paved the way for generations of women lawyers to come.

For more information, please contact the Seneca County Museum at (419) 447-5955 or visit their website at www.senecacountymuseum.com.

Have you ever felt out of touch with yourself? That your mind is saying one thing, your heart another, and your body a complete opposite of both? It is time to get back in touch with all three, it is time to create homeostasis between everything that makes you who you are in the world around you. Step into yourself at the one and only SOUL Boutique. Here you will be greeted by calmness, empathy, a listening ear, and a soft place to land, no matter what your circumstances may be. SOUL Boutique was created to help the community in fueling each individual’s purpose and passion, while also creating a community of belonging all its own. SOUL: [sōl] noun – our SOUL is the sacred essence within us: our deepest purpose, our unique meaning, the guiding force behind our individual lives. Welcome to SOUL Boutique! 

SOUL offers a variety of solutions to find homeostasis in the world today through natural CBD. CBD is a safe, drug-free option for natural healing. CBD is 100% federally legal, per the 2018 Farm Bill. Our endocannabinoid system (ECS) needs balance and harmony in order to perform at it’s best and SOUL will work to provide quality products listen to customers. Like being human, no two people are the same – this can be expected for how CBD can benefit you and what you’ll need. The positive about SOUL, is YOU matter and we’re here to help.

SOUL Boutique was founded and is owned and operated by Amanda Byrd. As a Seneca County native, she is a product of the community and her village and wants to give back to those around her. Amanda strives to be a positive force within the community and the shop has always been a dream of hers. Since becoming a reality, it has proven to feed her soul in so many ways and hopes that it does the same for each person who walks through the door. SOUL Boutique is a strong supporter of community events, initiatives, and promotes the feeling of the #lovedistrict in everything they do. Looking for some encouragement or to join in on the support? Check out the Art Box located right inside SOUL’s door where you can leave and also take uplifting words of encouragement to those who open the box up.   

Using their products can ease inflammation and soreness, improve response to stress, and improve mood and motivation, just to name a few of the benefits. Product types include, but definitely are not limited to, capsules, lotions, tinctures, intimates, hair and skin care, candies and edibles, beverages, pet products, and much more! Amanda does extensive research on each and every product she puts on the shelf to make sure it is of the highest quality and supports the overall mission of SOUL Boutique. Some brands you will find at the store include: Cannuka, Wnder, Motive, Plant Puff, Charlotte’s Web, EMERA, The Breckenridge Hemp Company, and many more! 

In addition to the large line up CBD products, Amanda also stocks products that allow people to create a full experience for themselves and their loved ones. From at home manicure and pedicure kits, cold compress stress relief pillows, crystals and motivational books, to hemp made bags and more, Amanda knows that well made and products made with intention and love matter to those using them. SOUL’s most recent addition includes Happy Soul Cider, a line of CBD infused organic apple ciders. Not only is it an Ohio made brand, but it is the perfect addition to an already impressive lineup of delicious and quality products you can enjoy. 

SOUL Boutique celebrates TWO YEARS of business on April 19th, 2023 and we could not be more fortunate to have such a unique retail option right here in Seneca County. Step inside, share what you may be struggling with or what you hope to find, and let SOUL Boutique take care of the rest. SOUL is located at 181 South Washington Street in downtown Tiffin and you can find them on Facebook and Instagram or visit asoulboutique.com to learn more. Fuel your passion and your purpose at SOUL Boutique, see you soon!   

Tiffin Parks & Recreation is excited to announce that Thursday Night Tunes, sponsored by Croghan Colonial Bank,  will return for Summer 2023!  They have a full line-up of great artists who will be taking the stage every Thursday night starting in June and running through September.

Thursday Night Tunes are free and all are welcome and encouraged to attend! Grab a chair or blanket to sit on, a DORA to drink, and bring the whole family to enjoy Thursday Nights in the beautiful Downtown Tiffin. All Thursday Night Tunes will be held at the Frost-Kalnow Amphitheater East Green at 155 East Market Street in Tiffin and will begin at 7pm. Check out the full schedule below!  

June 22nd, 7 to 9pm: Bigfoot’s Brother

June 29th, 7 to 9pm: Chad Solo

July 6th, 7 to 9pm: The Tuesday Crowd

July 13th, 7 to 9pm: No Eileen

July 20th, 7 to 9pm: The Eric Sowers Band

July 27th, 7 to 9PM: Mike Risner Music

August 3rd, 7 to 9PM: Flattop Republic

August 10th, 7 to 9PM: Maria Diem

August 17th, 7 to 9PM: Band Bash

See you there!  

The Tiffin Glass Collectors Club is pleased to announce that they will host the 36th Artistry in American Glass Show and Sale. The show will take place at the Tiffin Middle School (103 Shepherd Drive, Tiffin, OH 44883) on Saturday, June 17, 2023 from 10AM to 5PM and Sunday, June 18, 2023 from 10AM to 3PM. The popular glass show has been a longstanding tradition.

Glass dealers from several states will join local and area dealers at this popular glass show that attracts collectors from all over the United States. The fine tableware and decorative ware that was produced at the Tiffin Glass factory from 1892 to 1980 will be offered for sale along with other quality glassware from fellow dealers.

Admission to the show will be $5.00. The show is in a handicapped accessible facility with free parking. Lunch and snacks are available for purchase and door prizes will be awarded throughout the show.

Visitors are also encouraged to visit the Tiffin Glass Museum & Shoppe (25 – 27 S. Washington St., Tiffin, OH 44883) where over a thousand pieces of glassware and memorabilia items from the old factory are displayed. The retail shop offers Tiffin glass and other fine glassware for sale. Extended hours of 11AM to 5PM will be observed during the weekend.

About the Tiffin Glass Museum & Shoppe

The Tiffin Glass Museum honors the heritage established by the men and women of Tiffin’s “Glass House”. Through preservation and education, the museum safe-guards glassware made by the artisans from the factory’s nearly hundred-year history. Museum preservation work includes acquiring memorabilia and historical documents from the factory’s beginnings in 1889 until its closing in 1984. Gift Shoppe features products from the original Tiffin Glass Factory where beautiful stemware, tableware and decorative ware was produced from 1889 to 1980. In addition to the large selection of Tiffin Glass, other fine glassware, collectibles, and books are offered for sale in the multi-dealer cabinets.

Come downtown for the first Third Thursday of 2023, The Artist Stroll! On April 20th from 5 to 8 pm you are invited to visit, shop, and support local makers, musicians, and artists in our community! Each stop features an artist and a unique door prize for you to enter with a chance to win that night! From steampunk jewelry makers, to folded books, or live paintings, expect to see a lot of very inspiring and incredible work.

City Lot #7 will feature No Eileen DJ, Paul Grover and the Tijuana Taco Food Truck! City Lot #5 will have High Voltage Coffee Truck! 2023 Third Thursday’s are sponsored by UIS Insurance & Investments, Reineke Family Dealerships, and Destination Seneca County.

Featured Stops: Cabin Creations Art Supplies, The Community Kitchen, Clover Club, Bailiwicks Coffee Company, The Deli Cafe at Frost Village, FroZone, Jolly’s, Kesler & Co., The Laird Arcade Brewery, Level Up, Pan Yan Bookstore, Reclaim It, Reino’s Pizza & Pasta, The Renaissance of Tiffin, Rose & Co. Mercantile, Simply Susan’s, The Social Cigar, Soul Boutique, SSG Ink, Tiffin Art Guild and Gallery, Tom Rodgers Flowers, and Washington Street Outfitters.

The remaining Third Thursday Series will consist of:

Barking Lot Party | May 18 – Enjoy a pet friendly evening  in downtown Tiffin! Take a walk through downtown for pet friendly specials at local businesses. There will be music, giveaways, and fun throughout all of downtown!

Fête de la Musique | June 15 – Originated in France, Fête de la Musique (also known as “Music Day”) is a celebration of music where people take to the streets to perform live music. Community members and their families are encouraged to walk around Downtown Tiffin and enjoy the music while shopping and supporting our local retailers and eateries from 5 to 7 pm.

At 7 pm everyone is invited to the East Green Amphitheatre to enjoy more live music. The Tiffin-Seneca Public Library will be hosting a ‘make your own instrument’ workshop from 2 – 4 pm and the Tiffin Community Foundation will offer an opportunity for children to participate in making music in Cherry Alley as part of the activities for the evening.

Christmas in July | July 20 – Enjoy the sites, sounds, and smells of the holiday season in downtown Tiffin while enjoying the summer weather with our Christmas in July Third Thursday event. City Lot #7 will feature live music from Paul Grover, “No Eileen”, and Santa’s Heroic Helpers! You’ll have the chance to check out a police vehicle, fire engine, and more! It is also rumored that Buddy the Elf may be making an appearance.

Taste of Downtown Tiffin | August 18 – Enjoy specialty food items from local restaurants where tickets will be sold for $1 each. Also be sure to stay for the Thursday Night Tunes concert at the Frost-Kalnow Amphitheater.

Seneca County Young professionals’ Downtown Tiffin Pizza Party | September 21 – Bring the whole family to enjoy a taste of Tiffin and Seneca County! The event will take place throughout Downtown Tiffin. Attendees can purchase $2 tickets that can be redeemed for a pizza from any vendor. Half of each ticket sold will go toward charity. 

Halloween Trick-or-Treat | October 20 – Bring the kids for the annual downtown trick-or-treat from 4 to 6 pm. Then grab your friends for an early Halloween fun night out. Shop, grab a drink… and maybe dinner and dessert too!

Homegrown Fun & Flavor Await You

Farmers Markets for 2023 have been announced and this year features more vendors, fresh themes, and the access to local goods that you love and rely on! Both the Fostoria Farmers Market and the Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market are excited to welcome the community for the 2023 Market Season! Continue reading to see all the market dates and mark your calendars!

Fostoria Farmers Market

Exciting news! In addition to the Saturday Fostoria Farmers’ & Artisans’ Markets, they now have three Thursday late afternoon/evening markets in 2023!

Mark your calendars and plan to join them on Main Street from North Street to Center Street and the area of East North Street to the first alley, along with The Parkette.   Check back throughout the season to see what special activities will be happening at each market!

Thursday, May 4, 4 to 8 PM, “Celebrating Moms & Kids”, sponsored by Geary Family YMCA

Saturday, May 20, 9 AM to 1 PM, “Let’s Go Gardening”, sponsored by Don Cochran, Realtor – Dye Real Estate & Land Company

Saturday, June 17, 9 AM to 1 PM, “Celebrating Dads & Kids”, sponsored by Clouse Construction Corp.

Saturday, July 15, 9 AM to 1 PM, “Good Old Summertime”, sponsored by Great Lakes ACE Hardware

Thursday, August 3, 4 to 8 PM, “Harvest Happenings”, sponsored by Mennel

Saturday, August 19, 9 AM to 1 PM, “Healthy Living”, sponsored by ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital

Thursday, September 7, 2023, 4 to 8 PM, “Seek Seneca County”, sponsored by Destination Seneca County

Saturday, September 16, 9 AM to 1 PM, “Creative Arts & Crafts”, sponsored by Fostoria Community Arts Council

For more information, including the Market Rules and Vendor Application, see www.fostoriaohio.org/fostoria-farmers-market. See what vendors are participating by following Fostoria Farmers’ Market on Facebook.

Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market

The Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market will take place on Madison Street in between South Washington and Jefferson Streets this year. Some markets feature special themes which offer even more fun for all! Sutton Bank is the proud sponsor of the Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market and is excited to bring another season full of local products. Dates and themes include:

May Markets

• Saturday, May 20, 9 AM to 1 PM – Teacher Appreciation
• Saturday, May 27, 9 AM to 1 PM – Community Garden Planting 

June Markets

• Saturday, June 3, 9 AM to 1 PM 
• Saturday, June 10, 9 AM to 1 PM 
• Saturday, June 17, 9 AM to 1 PM – Lake Life / Happy Father’s Day
• Saturday, June 24, 9 AM to 1 PM 

July Markets

• Saturday, July 1, 9 AM to 1 PM 
• Saturday, July 8, 9 AM to 1 PM 
• Saturday, July 15, 9 AM to 1 PM 
• Saturday, July 22, 9 AM to 1 PM – Christmas in July
• Saturday, July 29, 9 AM to 1 PM 

August Markets

• Saturday, August 5, 9 AM to 1 PM 
• Saturday, August 12, 9 AM to 1 PM 
• Saturday, August 19, 9 AM to 1 PM – Sunflower Market
• Saturday, August 26, 9 AM to 1 PM 

September Markets 

• Saturday, September 2, 9 AM to 1 PM 
• Saturday, September 9, 9 AM to 1 PM 
• Saturday, September 16, 9 AM to 1 PM – Heritage Festival
• Saturday, September 23, 9 AM to 1 PM 
• Saturday, September 30, 9 AM to 1 PM 

October Markets

• Saturday, October 7, 9 AM – 1 PM 
• Saturday, October 14, 9 AM to 1 PM 
• Friday, October 21 (Time TBA) / Saturday, October 22, 9 AM – 1 PM – Harry Potter
• Saturday, October 28, 9 AM to 1 PM – Trick-or-Treat

The Market will take place every Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM and will feature vendors offering local produce, hand crafted goods, and local businesses and organizations! During the third weekend of each month, JAM’s Monthly Markets, located at 145 Madison Street, will still be open and operating during the Farmers Market. You can get to them by taking Main Street to Jefferson Street. Just another opportunity to spend some quality time in downtown Tiffin and support our community! For more information about the market and to stay up to date on upcoming announcements, follow the Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe on their website at www.tiffinsenecafarmersmarket.com. If you’d like to join the market as a vendor, please email manager@sccommonground.org.

Bloomville Development Group Enhancement Committee Farmers Market

Check out the Bloomville Development Group Enhancement Committee Farmers Market to access fresh and local goods right in your own backyard! 

Come see what all of their local vendors have to offer. Happening on Sunday, May 7th and then the second Sunday of the month June – September from 11am-2pm. Located on Liberty Street and downtown Bloomville.

If you make, bake, create, or grow items and you’d like to be one of their vendors please contact bdg.enhancement@gmail.com or 419-618-2621.

Market Dates: 

• Sunday, May 7
• Sunday, June 11
• Sunday, July 9
• Sunday, August 13
• Sunday, September 10

Are you seeking creativity? Then Seek Seneca County! Whether you are looking to practice your own skill or to enjoy the works of others, Seneca County is your go to creative headquarters! With mediums of all kinds, opportunities for all skills and ages, and a community that works everyday to embrace the arts, Seneca County offers the chance to tap into those creative thoughts and bring them to life. Continue reading to check out just some of the awesome places and options for those seeking a creative outlet and experience. To see all that there is to do, browse our website to start planning your next exploration!

We are so fortunate to have a community full of life, culture, and a uniqueness all its own. Seek Creativity, Seek Seneca County!  

Hundreds of residents and visitors enjoyed the weekend exploring their own backyards for the first annual Be a Tourist in Your Own Town event. Thank you to all of our experiences and attractions for their participation and support of this event!

Spring is officially here, and it will soon be time again for movies under the stars. The Tiffin Drive-In Theater will be opening its gates for the 2023 season on Friday, March 31st, with the release of the Dungeons & Dragons by Paramount Pictures. This will mark the 74th year for the theater, which opened in June of 1949.

The theater has undergone a two-year renovation, beginning with two new drive-in screens in 2020, and a total rebuild of the theater’s concession stand and projection facility in 2021. The 50s retro style concession stand was dubbed the Moonlite Diner after the new facility opened in April of 2022.

The building also houses the movie projection system, which consists of two state-of-the-art laser projectors, including Screen 1’s unit, which is the newest, brightest, sharpest, most powerful laser cinema projector in the world.

“The movie presentation on our drive-in screens is the best in business,” said owner Michael Cole. “And before and during the show , we have a wide menu of quality foods and refreshments, served to you by a great crew of local kids whom we are very proud of.”

The theater continuously strives to improve the experience. An example this season is the addition of a new TurboChef pizza oven. It will allow the theater to offer quality made-to-order pizzas prepared onsite, and bake them in only three minutes.

“Speed is so important to us on a busy night,” Cole said. “The new combo of quality ingredients and the new oven really improves our pizza game.”

Plans are also underway to erect a new children’s playground on the property. Families will be able to bring their kids and let them run off steam before the show at dusk. The theater projects completion of the project sometime in the fall.

The Tiffin Drive-In Theater is a two-screen drive-in, with double features on each screen every show. The sound is delivered by FM radio signal, which you can tune in on your car radio or portable radio.

More information about opening weekend will be announced on the theater’s Facebook page, and on their website at www.tiffindriveintheater.com. You can purchase advance tickets on the website, or at the box office the evening of the show.

Through April and part of May, the theater will be open on Friday and Saturday only. Beginning on Memorial Day weekend, it will be open Fridays through Tuesdays. Shows through April start at 7:30 p.m.

Memorial Day weekend will also mark the season opening of the Moonlite Diner’s daytime schedule, which will feature a new daytime menu of melts and other diner favorites.

The Tiffin Flea Market, sponsored by the Seneca Junior Fair Foundation, will begin its 45th year of operation at the Seneca County Fairgrounds located at 100 Hopewell Avenue in Tiffin, OH. The Tiffin Flea Market was established in 1978 and has gained the awesome recognition and reputation as being the largest show in Northwest Ohio. People come from far and near to visit this very successful flea market. Market goers can expect anywhere from 250 to 400 dealers per show and dealers can expect anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 customers to walk through the gates! 

The Tiffin Flea Market will be open on Saturdays from 9 am to 4 pm and Sundays 9 am to 3 pm during market weekends and will take place rain or shine! Explore everything the Tiffin Flea Market has to offer as you wander through the main strip of the fairgrounds and check out all the dealers inside buildings as well. The Seneca County Fairgrounds is a handicap accessible venue and features shaded areas, easy walking paths, and a bustling atmosphere full of excitement and energy that can be enjoyed by all! There is free admission and parking, great food available, and hidden treasures just waiting to be found. Make an adventure of exploring the largest flea market in Northwest Ohio, the Tiffin Flea Market! 

 2023 Market Dates: 

• April 29-30
• May 20-21
• June 10-11
• July 1-2
• August 19-20
• September 16-17
• October 7-8

Flea to Seneca County this 2023 season and explore everything that’s waiting for you! 

Welcome to The UrbanWoody Brewery located in downtown Fostoria, OH.  A family and veteran owned and operated nano brewery that provides an exceptional and memorable experience for each person who walks through their doors.  With fanfare and swag to put a smile on any Ohio State fanatic’s face, decor and ingredients with local flair, handmade and historical elements built into the building, and not to mention fantastic tasting beer, The UrbanWoody Brewery is not something you want to take for granted.  While the name “The UrbanWoody Brewery” is a nod to Ohio State legends Urban Meyer and Woody Hayes, it is more about Ohio being home.  All are welcome with open arms and a cold glass.   

Mike and Tiffani Aurand are the proud founders and owners of The UrbanWoody Brewery and started the business venture by beginning work on their historical building in 2018 and officially opened their doors in May of 2019.  Mike first got into brewing approximately 25 years ago with an at-home brewing kit.  After many rounds of trial and error to get something that tasted good, Mike developed a real passion for the brewing process.  Mike was serving as active-duty military and at the time he got stationed in Minnesota.  During his time there he made the decision to follow his passion and attend brewery school.  While learning the craft of brewing he also completed multiple internships with local breweries in that area.  Once Mike returned to Fostoria, he and his wife Tiffani were ready to take the leap and put into practice all that Mike had learned and opened what is now The UrbanWoody Brewery. 

The UrbanWoody Brewery is located in the heart of downtown Fostoria in what is called “The Foster Block.” A huge part of the full UrbanWoody experience is getting to sip your beer in a historical building that has been transformed for modern day use.  Charles Foster, the 35th Governor of Ohio, built the building in 1882.   The brewery building features a taproom, two additional open seating spaces with another serving bar, and a space that can be used for overflow customers and that can be rented for private events.  Mike and Tiffani have worked hard to keep the beauty and the historical feel alive in the space while still making it functional and welcoming.  They chose the building specifically because they wanted The UrbanWoody Brewery to be unique.

 

You will not go anywhere else in the United States and find something that can mimic the atmosphere that Mike & Tiffani have cultivated.  The transformation of the historical building truly sparked a domino effect of revitalization in The Foster Block and for the city of Fostoria.  The Foster Block is now home to many businesses including The UrbanWoody Brewery, Java’s Enchanted Bean, and Beyond Laser Creations, just to name a few.  Each business features unique experiences and products that you can only find in Fostoria.    

While The UrbanWoody Brewery is an obvious choice and favorite for Fostoria and Seneca County residents, the brewery has become more than just a location, but a real destination.  In addition to being able to enjoy your drink inside the building, you can also head outside and enjoy the nice weather on the patio.  To be entertained and create a full experience for guests, The UrbanWoody Brewery added a stage in the greenspace across the street from their physical location.  Here, they welcome concerts, food trucks, and events like their annual Oktoberfest and their Summer COncert Series. 

The UrbanWoody Brewery is a space to connect with others, which is why they host a wide array of events from trivia nights, to live music, to paint and sips, the brewery is the foundation for connection.  In addition to beer, The UrbanWoody Brewery also serves hard seltzers and has an option for food to be delivered to you while enjoying the brewery from Fostoria’s very own, Flippin’ Jimmy’s.  Mike and Tiffani have big plans, including serving up their own wine, ahead for the brewery and know that the success they have seen is just the beginning.  The community support has been outpouring and they cannot wait to continue to give back in the work they do.  To keep up with everything The UrbanWoody Brewery has going on, follow them on their Facebook page.  To experience all that The UrbanWoody Brewery is, walk through the door, pull up a stool, and enjoy the moment. 

Shayleigh Frank of The Blade covered the story of the Sights of Seneca County Official Chip Contest and the winner, Linda Shetzer. Check out the full story below!

Full Story Here

BE A TOURIST IN YOUR OWN TOWN! Be a Tourist in Your Own Town is an initiative and event where residents of Seneca County have the opportunity to explore the experiences and attractions in their own backyards. Seneca County is a community full of life, culture, and a uniqueness all its own, and we can’t wait for participants to be immersed in the culture of their community in a whole new way and see the attractions, businesses, and more in a new light. During this weekend of March 24, 25, and 26, enjoy free admission to every museum and gallery along with several experiences throughout the county from 12 to 4 PM. Donations are accepted and encouraged.

Participants will have the opportunity to win more than $500 in prizes by completing a passport.  You can print out a copy of the official passport or pick one up at any of the experience locations. Complete 2 experiences and visit 6 of the attractions and return your passport back to an experience location to be entered to win some awesome prizes! Get your passport here.

REMINDER: If you do not print off your own passport, they can only be picked up at an Experience Location (Fostoria Iron Triangle, Hawkes Crystal Workshop, The Poignon Project, or The Ritz Theatre.) ALL completed passports must be returned to an Experience Location only to be entered into the prize drawing! 

Participating Experiences 

Experiences will begin every hour, on the hour! (12, 1, 2 & 3 PM)

Fostoria Iron Triangle Railpark, B & O Railroad Caboose | 499 S. POPLAR ST., FOSTORIA

Fostoria Iron Triangle Railpark is a 5-acre tract directly inside the three double-track mainline freight rail lines that meander through Fostoria. Open 24/7, this park provides a 360-degree viewing platform that allows one to experience the sights and sounds of the 60-plus trains that pass through Fostoria daily. In the spring of 2021, the Fostoria Rail Preservation Society added a B&O 3000 series caboose that was built from 1965 to 1966 by International Car Company in Kenton, Ohio. Enjoy a guided tour and walk through history of the caboose and the impact of the rail industry on our community throughout time.

Hawkes Crystal Workshop | 1656 N SR 53, TIFFIN

Watch a live glass cutting demonstration with Tiffin-native, Aaron Gooding, at the Hawkes Crystal workshop. Aaron is an apprentice under Master Brilliant Cutter and Designer, Aidan J. Scully, one of a few master brilliant cutters in the United States.

The Poignon Project | THE 227 E. PERRY ST., TIFFIN

Sitting in the front row of the glass blowing demonstration, you can feel the heat from the fire as the glass expands and bends to make a unique shape. It looks as though it could melt and drip onto the floor, but it never does since the highly skilled glass blower continuously turns the hot glass, fighting against gravity. Even through the protective glasses shielding your eyes from the light of the flames, you can see this amazing artwork forming before your eyes. Looking around at all the glass pieces in the shop, it’s amazing to consider that this is how they were all made.

The Ritz Theatre | 30 S. WASHINGTON ST., TIFFIN

*No tours on Friday (3/24) due to a show.* Let your worries melt away and enjoy the fabulous Ritz Theatre for an interactive tour! A historic 1928 vaudeville era movie palace renovated in 1998, the Ritz serves the Northwest Ohio region as a performing arts center hosting national headliners, touring productions, dance, comedy, family shows, community theatre, and more. Restored almost to the original condition in 1998, four original textone murals are breath taking as they adorn each side of the stage. A mammoth 1,200 lb. chandelier made of 20,000 Czechoslovakian crystals hangs impressively in the fine arts center. Learn new facts and stories about this Seneca County staple and experience it in a whole new way.

Participating Attractions

American Civil War Museum of Ohio | 217 S. WASHINGTON ST., TIFFIN

History buffs and families will learn about the Civil War and Ohio’s role in this unique educational center meant for all ages. This 10,000 sq. ft. facility offers exhibits, research library, theatre, gift shop, and 40 hands-on activities. If you’re planning a visit on a Saturday, call in advance.

Diane Kidd Gallery at Tiffin University | 195 MIAMI ST., TIFFIN

The mission of The Diane Kidd Gallery of Art is to educate, enrich lives, and enlarge the world of students, staff, and the larger community by providing a dedicated venue in which to present quality arts exhibitions and programs by talented professional, amateur, and student artists. The gallery will be featuring the Patterns in Clay exhibition by Kaname Takada and  Sumiko Takada during this weekend.

The Enchanted Moment Doll Museum & Gift Shoppe | 174 JEFFERSON ST., TIFFIN

You are invited to come tour this amazing collection of more than 3,000 dolls and other items from many nations and cultures.

Fostoria Community Arts Council Gallery | 125 S. MAIN ST., FOSTORIA

The Fostoria Community Arts Council Gallery showcases the work local and area artists. 

Foster’s Museum on Main | 105 N. MAIN ST., FOSTORIA

This museum houses a permanent collection of items that belonged to Fostoria’s namesake native, Ohio Governor Charles Foster, and his family.

Fostoria Area Historical Museum | 123 W. NORTH ST., FOSTORIA

The Fostoria Area Historical Society Museum contains many items of interest from Fostoria’s past, including an extensive collection of items from John B. Rogers Producing Company, America’s largest producer of amateur theatricals; many items that belonged to Governor Charles Foster, Fostoria’s most important citizen; a classroom display containing many items from the former Whittier School; a Victorian life exhibit and a 1918 Allen Motor Car, manufactured in Fostoria on the site now occupied by the Fostoria Post Office.

Fostoria Glass Heritage Gallery | 109 N. MAIN ST., FOSTORIA

The Fostoria, Ohio Glass Association’s Glass Heritage Gallery is dedicated to preserving and illustrating the history of Fostoria, Ohio glass. Fostoria had 13 different plants at various times during the period of 1887-1921. Most of the 1,000 pieces of glass in the Gallery are on loan from over 100 collectors. Each glass case has signage designating the manufacturer and the name or number of the pattern

Hawkes Crystal Store | 207 S. WASHINGTON ST., TIFFIN

Whether you’re looking for a memorable anniversary gift or a Christmas ornament to commemorate the past year, you can find a beautiful piece of etched glass among the rich history at Hawkes Crystal, a custom glass shop that specializes in making limited edition, American Brilliant cut glass pieces. You will also have the opportunity to view a live glass cutting demonstration by Tiffin-native, Aaron Gooding, at Hawkes Crystal’s workshop as one of the participating experiences. Combine this attraction with the experience to get the full picture of Hawkes Crystal coming to life. 

Lake Erie & Western Depot | 128 W. NORTH ST., FOSTORIA

This 1880’s LE&W (Lake Erie & Western) depot is one of Fostoria’s historic railroad buildings still in existence. The Fostoria Rail Preservation Society (FRPS) is the current owner of this passenger depot. Railroad historic items are on display for the public to view.

Seneca County Museum  | 28 CLAY ST., TIFFIN

*Not open on Saturday (3/25) due to presenting at the Ohio History Alliance Annual Meeting.* Your window to Seneca County’s history is framed and ready for viewing at the Italianate-style 1853 home of Tiffin’s first millionaire, Rezin Shawhan. Experience the elegant drawing room with original furnishings and elaborate architectural details. The parlor, with its original wallpaper, marble fireplace, and chandelier, showcases early means of musical entertainment. The remainder of the first floor has been renovated to enhance displays of glassware, primitive kitchen items and military uniforms, weapons, and memorabilia. The library and research center offers material on wide range of topics and the new gift shop features historically themed items and books by local artisans and authors.

Stemtown Historical Society Museum | 111 E. MORGAN ST., GREEN SPRINGS

Featuring books, postcards, photographs, Seneca Indian collections, WWl & WWll memorabilia, old copies of “Green Springs Echo,” video-taped interviews of residents, and local historical memorabilia are available for you to browse and view. See the stories of Green Springs come to life!  

Tiffin Art Guild & Gallery | 130 S. WASHINGTON ST, TIFFIN

TAG is Tiffin’s premier artist’s organization, which features an outstanding gallery and gift shop.

Tiffin Glass Museum & Shoppe | 25 – 27 S. WASHINGTON ST., TIFFIN

The Tiffin Glass Museum honors the heritage established by the men and women of Tiffin’s “Glass House”. Through preservation and education, the museum safeguards glassware made by the artisans from the factory’s nearly hundred-year history. Museum preservation work includes acquiring memorabilia and historical documents from the factory’s beginnings in 1889 until its closing in 1984. Gift Shoppe features products from the original Tiffin Glass Factory where beautiful stemware, tableware and decorative ware was produced from 1889 to 1980.

Wesley Memorial Art Gallery | 1200 VAN BUREN ST., FOSTORIA

The gallery, a member of the Fostoria Community Arts Council, is located in the narthex of Wesley United Methodist Church and features unique art for your viewing pleasure. 

We hope that being a tourist in your own town opens your eyes to everything Seneca County has to offer and excites you about the past, present, and future of our community. Thank you for participating and for supporting our local destination, businesses, and more!

Destination Seneca County has announced that Seneca County had a record high in lodging tax collections in 2022, surpassing the previous record set in 2019 by 5.2%. The lodging tax collection for 2022 was $160,854.72 compared to the previous high of $152,951.62.

Lodging taxes are charged to travelers when they book accommodations in hotels and motels throughout the county. These taxes serve as the funding source for Destination Seneca County, with the money being used to promote the community.

“Our team is thrilled to see the consistent growth of lodging tax dollars in our community, with four of the last five quarters exceeding previous record highs in terms of lodging collections. I have always been a strong believer that it takes everyone working together to create the environment that makes others want to live, work, play, and visit here. The numbers speak for themselves and we’re looking forward to working with our partners to continue the growth that we saw last year,” said Executive Director Bryce Riggs.

“Seneca County is home to so many opportunities and experiences, this positive trend is just one indicator of the great things that are happening in our community and a promising sign for the future,” said Seneca County Commission President Anthony Paradiso.

The Renaissance of Tiffin will be hosting Tiffin’s first Spirits of Ohio tasting on February 4th from 3 to 5 PM.  

Guests will have an opportunity to sample different spirits from four Ohio distilleries:  Western Reserve Distillers (Lakewood), Cleveland Whiskey, Iron Vault Distillery (Galion), and Everwild Spirits (Sandusky).   Representatives from each distillery will be present to share information about their distillery and types of spirits.

Tickets are available to anyone 21 years of age or older at https://www.eventbrite.com/d/oh–tiffin/spirits-of-ohio/. The $40 ticket includes tasting of all spirits provided and an entrance to win raffle prizes.  Single tastings will also be available for $5 “a la carte” samples.

If you’re looking for a hidden gem nestled in downtown Tiffin, look no further than the Tiffin Glass Museum and Shoppe, that will be celebrating their 25th anniversary this year! The museum and shoppe, located at 25-27 S. Washington Street, is set to reopen their doors for 2023 on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, and will be open Wednesdays through Sundays from 12 PM to 4 PM. 

New this year will be four additional cases that will include stemware, 1970’s glass, and special glassware that will be rotated throughout the course of the year. The shoppe will also be featuring monthly specials with the first special being 10% off candle holders in the month of February. The museum and shoppe will have a ribbon cutting on Thursday, November 2, to celebrate their anniversary, but will also be planning special events throughout the year that you are invited to take part in! 

The Tiffin Glass Museum opened in November of 1998 and now displays more than 1000 pieces of Tiffin Glass. The exhibit presents examples of the glassware produced at the Tiffin factory from its beginning in 1889 through 1980. Visitors come from across the world to see the glassware, and in the past year, they had more than 1,400 visitors from 32 states and six foreign countries.

The Tiffin Glass Museum honors the heritage of the original workers in Tiffin’s Glass House. With preservation and education, they focus on maintaining a collection of historic glassware from the factory’s almost one hundred year history. The museum focuses on preservation work, including acquiring glass, historical documents, and memorabilia from the Tiffin Glass Company and all its iterations. 

In July 1888, A.J. Beatty & Sons glass factory in Steubenville announced it would be relocating to Tiffin. The city of Tiffin offered five years of natural gas, $35,000 in cash, and land valued at $15,000. In September 1888, construction of a three-furnace glass factory at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Vine Street began. Production continued until January 1, 1892, when A.J. Beatty & Sons merged with the United States Glass Company and the Tiffin factory became one of nineteen factories under the U.S. Glass name.  

Check Out These Other Glass Destinations to Visit

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The Tiffin factory—Factory R—was destroyed by a fire barely two years later, and the factory was rebuilt. After changing hands a few times, the factory shut down on May 1, 1980. 

Volunteer Paul Coffman said the museum is definitely a “can’t miss” spot in the community due to the variety of pieces made. 

“The variety of glass made comes from all genres, with a concentration in stemware,” he said. “People don’t realize how big the factory was.”

The glass factory peaked in the 1920s, Coffman said, in terms of production. 

“900 employees were making about 100,000 handblown pieces a week,” he said. 

To identify a piece of Tiffin Glass, one can find various paper labels that were used intermittently through the 1970s, along with an acid stamp. 

Volunteer Nancy Coffman said that when people get through to the end of the tour, they realize the draw of the museum. 

“It’s a hidden gem in our community,” she said. 

 Paul Coffman said the key to telling the story of Tiffin Glass was focusing on the people. 

“The hidden gems are the stories of the people who made them,” he said. 

In addition to the museum, the gift shoppe features products from the original glass factory, along with other glass collections, collectibles, and books available for purchase. Donations of glassware, time, and memorabilia are welcome. They also greatly appreciate monetary donations. Building is handicapped accessible with parking in the rear. Group tours are also available.

For more information, call 419-448-0200, visit their website or Facebook page.

Arlington Acres has announced that they have been selected as a 2023 ­­winner of The Knot Best of Weddings and 2023 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards®, both accolades representing the highest-and most-rated wedding professionals as reviewed by real couples, their families and wedding guests on The Knot and Wedding Wire.

To determine the winners, The Knot & Wedding Wire analyzed millions of its user reviews across various vendor categories—planners, venues, musicians, florists, photographers, caterers and more—to find the highest-rated vendors of the year. These winners represent the best of the best wedding professionals that engaged couples should consider booking for their own unique weddings.

Wedding professionals who win The Knot Best of Weddings WeddingWire Couple’s Choice Awards are members of WeddingPro, a leading B2B wedding brand. As the largest marketplace and community for wedding professionals, WeddingPro connects businesses with more than 20 million unique monthly visitors who are planning weddings on The Knot and WeddingWire, as well as with hundreds of thousands of pros in the industry.

Arlington Acres is a charming, historic bank barn set on a working modern farm just outside of Tiffin, Ohio. The farm grows corn, soybeans, wheat, pumpkins, and sunflowers. The old barn offers a timeless space full of beautiful, hand cut barn beams, and romantic lighting that can be set up for a ceremony or a reception.

Brand NEW in 2023 is the white pavilion attached to the barn that is bright and modern, perfectly combining sleek white lines to the old-world charm of the original barn. Arlington Acres can accommodate weddings with guests up to 250. The lower level of the barn is full of modern amenities needed to prepare for your special day, including our modern bridal suite, groom room, bathrooms, and catering prep space. Outside of the barn there is a lush, spacious lawn next to an old silo. The silo and the barn are the perfect backdrop for a ceremony, yard games or a reception on the lawn. Find Arlington Acres online at www.arlingtonacresoh.com and follow along on social media: Facebook.com/arlingtonacresoh and @arlingtonacresoh on Instagram, Tik Tok and Pinterest.

For more information about The Knot Best of Weddings and this year’s winners, please visit https://www.theknot.com/vendors/best-of-weddings. To learn more about the Couples’ Choice Awards®, visit www.weddingwire.com/couples-choice-awards.

Looking for something that is good for your soul, local businesses, and the community? Look no further than JAM’s Monthly Markets! JAM’s Monthly Markets is a nonprofit business with a mission to do good things and is open one weekend a month. Located in the beautiful downtown Tiffin, OH, JAM’s goal is to give local small businesses, makers, artists and non-profit organizations an opportunity to showcase their passions, talents and causes, while also providing the community with a unique shopping experience. 

Every month you can walk through the doors of JAM’s Monthly Markets and find something unique. Enjoy consistent vendors to always get your favorites and staple items, while also experiencing something new and fun from vendors each month as they match the theme of that month’s market. In addition to the standard monthly market hours, JAM’s is proud to host three large vendor events throughout the year. These large vendor events allow shoppers to meet the people behind the products they love and feature more than 100 vendors along with food and drinks and other fun activities for all to enjoy! JAM’s Monthly Markets is located at 145 Madison Street, across from Calvert High School. 

Mark your calendars for JAM’s Monthly Markets and see the full lineup below! 

Traditional Market Hours: 

• Thursday, January 19: 4  pm-7 pm
• Friday, January 20: 12 pm-7 pm
• Saturday, January 21-10 am-4 pm
• Sunday, January 22: 11 am-3 pm

Schedule of Events:

 January 19, 2023-January 21, 2023: JAM’s Birthday Market

 February 16, 2023-February 19, 2023: JAM’s Spread the Love & Luck and Galentines Celebration Market 

March 16, 2023-March 19, 2023: JAM’s St. Patrick’s Day & Easter Market

April 22, 2023-April 23, 2023: JAM’s Spring Vendor Marker | Large Vendor Event, Hours and More Details TBA! 

May 18, 2023-May 21, 2023: JAM’s Bloom into Spring & Teacher Appreciation Market

June 15, 2023-June 18, 2023: JAM’s June Market

July 20, 2023-July 23, 2023: JAM’s Carnival of Summer Fun Market

August 17, 2023-August 20, 2023: JAM’s Sunflower Market 

September 16, 2023-September 17, 2023: JAM’s Heritage Vintage Market | Large Vendor Event, Hours and More Details TBA! 

October 19, 2023-October 22, 2023: JAM’s Harry Potter & Halloween Market 

November 11, 2023: The Holiday Extravaganza | Large Vendor Event, Hours and More Details TBA! 

December 14, 2023-December 17, 2023: JAM’s Christmas Market 

JAM’s is more than just a great shopping experience, but also home to Tea Time Tiffin’s Vintage Tea Room and fun events and classes such as upcycling projects, a Galentine’s Day event, and more! Keep up with everything JAM’s Monthly Markets has to offer by following them on Facebook and see their events on the Community Calendar! 

Seeking the perfect place to say “I do?” Seek Seneca County! Seneca County has a wide range of venue choices for every unique couple’s ideal wedding. Seneca County also offers a variety of accommodations, from modest to lavish to fit every taste. You are sure to discover the perfect location for your wedding day among the many wedding venues available. With both indoor and outdoor event options, you can be sure that there is a location for you and your partner at any time of the year. Seneca County is a special place, and we want your day to be too!

Need help determining where your guests are going to stay? Seneca County has every option for your guest’s stay, from hotels and inns to Airbnb’s and Vrbo’s. Our hospitality options ensure that your guests have a comfortable, convenient, and accommodating place to stay for your special day. Take a look at where everyone can rest their head after a day of celebration. In addition, many locations also offer bridal parties a place to stay and hang out pre-ceremony and a private area to prepare for the big moment. Interested in hosting a bridal shower or other get togethers in relation to the wedding? Here in Seneca County, we offer charming and lovely locations for you to hold a beautiful shower, rehearsal dinner, or after party. 

Planning a Wedding can be very stressful for future brides. To lessen the strain of wedding preparation, Camden Falls will be hosting their 16th annual Wedding Showcase on Sunday, January 15, beginning at 12:00 P.M. Enjoy an afternoon featuring florists, bakers, wedding planners, DJs, photographers and more! Admission is open to anyone for $5. 

Your happily ever after begins in Seneca County! 

Destination Seneca County has announced that the winner of the first annual Sights of Seneca County Official Chip Contest is Linda Shetzer with Seneca Sweet BBQ (Smokey Sweet Mesquite) being the official flavor. Seventeen submissions were received, and the contest had more than 800 votes to select the bag design and flavor to represent the official chip of Seneca County.

After working as an educator for 30 years, Linda Shetzer stepped out of the classroom and into her home studio. Linda loved teaching at St. Wendelin in Fostoria for more than twenty years and, in recent years, has enjoyed teaching in Toledo. She decided to pursue a new career as an artist in 2022 and she works with various media including watercolor, acrylic, texture paste, and more. Linda is happy to be able to share her passion by creating and selling her original artwork, prints, and cards.

Shetzer states, “I painted places of interest where visitors and community members can take a taste of what the county has to offer. From great food, shopping, entertainment, education, and home-town feel, Seneca County has it all! This design depicts just a sample of what the county has to offer. When you take a bite of Seneca County, you always want to come back for more.”

The chip contest was made possible through the partnerships of Destination Seneca County, Ballreich’s Potato Chips, Tiffin Municipal Arts Commission, and the Fostoria Community Arts Council. Shetzer will receive a $500 cash reward sponsored by the Tiffin Municipal Arts Commission and the Fostoria Community Arts Council for having her design selected. The Sights of Seneca County Official Chip Contest chips will be available for sale at participating locations and online. A portion of the proceeds from purchased bags will go back to the Tiffin Municipal Arts Commission and the Fostoria Community Arts Council to support the arts in the Seneca County community.

Dating back to the 1840s in Europe, the tradition of afternoon tea was started as a way to fill the gap between two large meals usually had by Europeans during the day. It started with taking a pot of tea and some light treats to hold off being too hungry before dinner and then turned into a social occasion between friends and invited guests. As the tradition moved West into the United States, it was adapted to the cultural norms of the developing colonies. Once mimicking the customs of the aristocracy overseas, the United States has put its own spin and definition to modern day “Afternoon Tea”, while keeping many of the traditions and rituals alive and well. 

One main benefit of a Tea Party is the power of connection and being present that comes with it. The chaos and distractions that accompany us most of our days were not as present around the time of origination of afternoon tea and the development of “Tea PArties” that followed. Imagine being able to get back to a simpler time, enjoy a beverage and some treats, all while being able to connect with those who have joined you for the experience. You can adorn a fancy hat and gloves if you wish, but following along with the history, etiquette, and being in the moment is the brand new kind of Par-TEA that is sweeping across Seneca County. 

Say hello to Tea Time Tiffin! Tea Time Tiffin was started by Tabitha Kirsch and she is using her passion for history alongside her vintage tea set collection to spread the joy of “tea time.” Tabitha has been collecting tea sets and vintage china for years. She started having Tea Time in her home with friends and family and it got popular among her social circle and something that was sought after and looked forward to. Eventually someone asked to use some of her tea set items at a bridal shower while also being approached to host and lead a public tea party at a wedding venue for guests to attend. After seeing the success of both of those ventures, Tea Time Tiffin was born and on its way to becoming an experience that can be enjoyed by anyone! 

You can experience Tea Time Tiffin in a few different ways. The first is through a public tea party, which features different themes and unique locations. You purchase a ticket and are joined by others who are just as excited as you are to share in the experience of the tea party. Some examples of upcoming public tea parties include an Alice Wonderland Tea Party, a Downton Abbey Tea Party, a World War II Tea Time Experience, a Golden Girls Tea Party, and special holiday tea parties like Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, just to name a few! You can see a full list of upcoming events here. If you are looking to throw your own party, you can also rent everything you will need to throw a beautiful tea party and even book Tabitha for private events where she will guide guests in an etiquette lesson and make sure your special occasion is exactly what you are looking for! Check out available packages and book your rental here.  

The newest way you can experience Tea Time Tiffin is by visiting the Vintage Tea Room, located inside JAM’s Monthly Markets! The historical practice of sitting down for Tea Time was an elegant way to just be in the moment. The Vintage Tea Room will send you back in time so you can experience the same luxury anytime during a JAM’s Monthly Markets weekend, every 3rd weekend of the month throughout the year. A few things that make this Vintage Tea Room unique and different when compared to others include the featuring of tea blends from local Tiffin businesses, the use of fine china from the 1960s or earlier to honor the authentic vintage aspect of the Tea Room, the teaching of an etiquette lesson, and the sitting down for tea with Tabitha and other guests making it a true social occasion! Reservations are encouraged and can be made here, but walk ins are also welcome! 

Take advantage of this wonderful new experience and understand why the tradition of Tea Time has stood the test of time. Grab some friends and meet some new ones, it’s time to Par-TEA! Learn more at teatimetiffin.com and follow them on social media, @teatimetiffin!