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! 

Press Release Courtesy Of Nancy Rubenstein —

The Annual Tiffin-Seneca Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day Community Celebration is returning to an in-person event on January 16, 2023 starting at 7:00 p.m. at Faith United Methodist Church Sanctuary, 75 N. Sandusky Street, Tiffin. Virtual streaming access will also be available on the Faith United Methodist Church Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/TiffinFaithUMC .

Nadia Lewis, the keynote speaker, is known for her presentations at MLK events. She serves on the President’s Cabinet at Tiffin University and is Vice President for Human Resources and the Center for InterculTUral Excellence at the local university. A native of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, she received her BA in International Business at the University of Cincinnati and a Master’s of Science in organizational Leadership from University of Colorado Global Campus. She has served as a Human Resources business partner to a number of industries and is a certified facilitator in Bridges out of Poverty, Fierce Conversations, the Color Code and CQ (Cultural Intelligence). In addition to her extensive professional human resources activities, Lewis, a Maumee resident, has served on the Lucas County Mental Health Board and for NAMI as an advocate for creating opportunity and equitable access for the underrepresented population.  Lewis’ goal is to have her two sons of color grow up in a world that welcomes everyone and celebrates their differences.

Since 2000, it has been a tradition for the Tiffin-Seneca MLK Day event committee to present the Peacemaker Award to an individual or individuals who have directed their efforts toward building a better community in the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr. This year’s recipient, Reverend Aaron Gerlach, more than exemplifies that spirit. As Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Tiffin, he proposed a plan to incorporate a Community Kitchen as an extension of the historic church building.  Consequently, the Tiffin Community Kitchen is becoming a reality with widespread community support. Gerlach created a ministry for CROSSWAEH clients including Bible studies, opportunities to worship with local congregations, and providing ongoing support after their residential treatment is completed. Under his leadership Old Trinity began a ministry for immigrants detained in the Seneca County Jail by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Gerlach’s other community activities include serving as President of Seneca County Common Ground and as facilitator of Seneca County CEO, a program that develops entrepreneurial skills of high school students throughout the county.

The Mayors of Tiffin and Fostoria add to the celebration by reading the MLK Day proclamation and remarking on the significance of the national holiday. Heidelberg and Tiffin University students serve as emcees. Heidelberg student Zaria Keys is the vocalist and will lead the congregation in singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and “We Shall Overcome.” Reverend Marilyn Coney, Pastor of Faith United Methodist Church, welcomes the community to attend the free event and join in celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Sponsors of the event include the Sisters of Saint Francis, Heidelberg University, Tiffin University, Robert Huntington – Susan McCafferty Family, with in-kind support of The Advertiser-Tribune,  Seneca News Daily, and Faith United Methodist Church. 

The Tiffin Bicentennial Committee will host the final event to celebrate Tiffin’s 200^th year on Thursday, December 29. The Tiffin Bicentennial’s Year of Tiffin 200 Celebration will begin at 5PM at The Renaissance of Tiffin, 129 S. Washington St. The event will be free and is open to the public.

The event will feature a look back on the Bicentennial year with pictures and conversation about the year’s events. Complimentary Jolly’s will be provided at The Renaissance of Tiffin at the start of the event.

Attendees will gather at the National Corner, 155 E. Market St., and at 6PM 500 bags of Ballreich’s Potato Chip Bags will be dropped from a lift to attendees. The Chip Drop is in honor of the historical drop that took place on New Year’s Eve in 1999. This event is made possible from the support of The Renaissance of Tiffin, Jolly’s, Ballreich’s Snack Food Company, Clouse Construction, The City of Tiffin, and Tiffin Parks and Recreation.

The Tiffin Bicentennial Committee would like to thank the community for their support in celebrating Tiffin’s history in 2022 and into the future.

Check out The Tournament Factory, the newest sporting facility in Seneca County! It is home to baseball and softball tournaments and will transform your team’s tournament experience! In addition to tournaments, The Tournament Factory is the perfect location for team camps, practices, and clinics. This facility is committed to providing the best tournament experience possible and the best value around to fit your tournament budget. With a playing surface, concession stand, two family rooms, kids play area, and downstairs and upstairs seating, The Tournament Factory is the perfect place for your children to continue their love of baseball and softball. They put the kids first and winning second so you can rest assured that your children are getting the best experience and tools for growth in their sport. 

The Tournament Factory is hosting a youth baseball clinic this Saturday, December 17 with former dominant pitcher Tyler Wehrle of Tiffin University, who was recently drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers. Age groups are 6-8, 9-12, and 13-16 and each registered participant will receive an autographed photo! To register this event visit their website here!

There are so many different sports destinations in Seneca County and The Tournament Factory is just another opportunity to benefit and support the players throughout the county. Much like what Black Swamp does to benefit volleyball players throughout the county, The Tournament Factory is doing the same for softball and baseball. To check out and learn more about the different sport facilities in Seneca County, visit the Destination Seneca County Sports page here.

Come play in Seneca County! 

Are you seeking unique retail options? Then Seek Seneca County! The term shop ’til you drop could not be more true when you check out all the interesting and one-of-a-kind retail stores Seneca County has to offer. From books to antiques to clothing and jewelry, the list is endless of what you can find. Take a look at just some of the retail available for you to discover right here in Seneca County and see what makes Seneca County a shopping destination for all walks of life! For more options, make sure to browse our Where To Shop section to see a full list! 

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

See more retail options Here

The first-ever Kris Kringle Markt has so much going on and we want to make sure you get to experience it all! This event is put on by the Downtown Tiffin Marketing Committee and spearheaded by co-chairs Kate Wertz and Donna Gross. Thank you to everyone who has made this awesome experience for our community possible!

Visitors can enjoy the sounds of live holiday music, the aroma of German food, late-night shopping, children’s activities, and the ambiance of an old-world German Christmas. Check out the schedule of events and the offerings that will be present below. We can’t wait!

*Click on locations and businesses in blue to learn more about them and where to find the fun!* 

Press Release Courtesy of the Advertiser-Tribune –

Neil Jordan, board member for Tiffin Community Foundation, will be cutting the ribbon to open the first-ever Family Fair Lights at Seneca County Fairgrounds at 6 p.m. Friday.

The Tiffin Community Foundation Tuesday donated $1,000 in Jordan’s honor to the fundraiser as part of its “Giving Tuesday” activities this year in which nine gifts will be given to local organizations – one in honor of each board member – said Jodie Reinbolt, the foundation’s executive director.

Jordan, retired president and CEO of AgCredit, has been on the board since 2020. A graduate of The Ohio State University, Jordan began farming full time in 1971 and has been helping the foundation reach out to the local farming community, Reinbolt said.

“A huge supporter of children’s literacy through The Gase Family Fund, the foundation’s light display will feature ‘Little Blue Truck’s Christmas,’ by Alice Shertle,” she said.

It’s time to deck the halls and trim those trees, because the holiday season is upon us in Seneca County!  There is lots to do — cheer to be spread, carols to be sung, gifts to be bought, and memories to be shared. We don’t want you to miss out on any of it! 

Check out these awesome holiday events throughout Seneca County!  Are we missing something?  Help us check our list twice! To add your event, contact us!

See a full list of events happening in Seneca County on the Community Calendar! 

Check out the community calendar

Get in the holiday spirit and spread some Christmas cheer by signing up for the Tiffin Kiwanis Christmas Parade! The parade will take place on December 3, 2022 in downtown Tiffin and all are invited and encouraged to participate. The parade will begin promptly at 11am, with line up for the parade beginning at 10:30am, with all participants needing to be lined up by 10:45am. 

The parade will form at St. Joseph’s Church and move north on Washington Street, then disband at the Washington Street Bridge. Confirmation and parade position will be emailed to the contact person listed on the registration form. 

To register for the parade, please complete the official Registration Form. (If you don’t have access to technology, you may print, complete, and return the attached physical registration form)

Tiffin Kiwanis asks that only one Santa Claus be in the parade, and he will be sponsored by Tiffin Kiwanis Club.

Physical registration forms can be emailed to krintzlineka@gmail.com or sent by mail to:

Kristi Krintzline, Tiffin Kiwanis Club, 7 West Market St, Tiffin, OH 44883.

Can’t wait for this community favorite holiday tradition! 

The Tiffin Glass Museum and Shoppe was featured in The Blade’s Wanderer Series earlier this month! Shayleigh Frank, a reporter for The Blade, spent time in Tiffin at the Glass Museum and received the full tour and history from Tiffin Glass expert, Paul Coffman. The Tiffin Glass Museum and Shoppe is truly a gem in our community and shines so brightly. Check out the full story!  

Full Story Here

The Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce and Destination Seneca County in partnership with Andrew Kalnow have announced the 2022 holiday tree lighting experience to take place in Downtown Tiffin on Friday, December 2 beginning at 5:15 PM. This year, South Washington Street will be blocked off to allow for a safer and more enjoyable viewing experience for those in attendance!

The evening will start at the Seneca County Justice Center with holiday music from Beth Mattia, a reading of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”, an appearance from Santa, and the lighting of Tiffin’s Christmas Tree and the Seneca County Justice Center.

This year will also feature the return of The CommuniTree Project. The CommuniTree Project, a Chamber initiative introduced last year, looks to bring the community together for the holiday season. More than 300 ornaments will be hung on the tree that were decorated by fifth grade students from Tiffin City Schools, Calvert Catholic Schools, and Seneca East Local Schools, along with Chamber businesses. Those who have an ornament hanging on the tree are invited to attend the lighting ceremony to find their ornament hanging and to be recognized.

Once the tree lighting ceremony at the Justice Center concludes, attendees are welcome to make their way to the East Tower and National Corner to see the spaces lit up with holiday lights. Frost Parkway will also be lit up for the first time of the season during the event and attendees are invited to check out Frost Village to complete the full holiday lighting experience.

Chamber member, Tim Horton’s, will be providing free hot chocolate for attendees during the event. The conclusion of the holiday tree lighting experience will kick off the start of the first ever Kris Kringle Markt in Downtown Tiffin taking place on December 2 and 3. The festival will be an open-air holiday market highlighting German/Bavarian-inspired Christmas offerings.

Visitors can enjoy the sounds of live holiday music, the aroma of German food, late-night shopping, children’s activities, and the ambiance of an old-world German Christmas.

It is a weekend to remember and there is something to enjoy for everyone! Come kick of the holiday season with us and fellow community members, see you there!

Destination Seneca County, in partnership with the Tiffin Municipal Arts Commission (TMAC), the Fostoria Community Arts Council (FCAC), and Ballreich’s Potato Chips, announced the launch of the first annual Sights of Seneca County Official Chip Contest earlier this year. Seventeen submissions were received from the Seneca County community and voting for the Sights of Seneca County Official Chip Contest is now open.

Voting is open now until December 12, 2022. Community members will vote on their favorite design and favorite flavor. The top design choice and top flavor selection with the most votes will be combined to become the official chip of Seneca County. Community members can vote for their favorite design and flavor at www.ChipVote.com.

The winner of the Sights of Seneca County Official Chip Contest will be announced to the public the week of December 19, 2022, with all participants made aware prior to that announcement. The winner of the official chip contest will receive a $500 cash reward sponsored by the Tiffin Municipal Arts Commission and the Fostoria Community Arts Council.

The community is encouraged to share their favorite design via social media and word of mouth to help promote voting. 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 arts in the Seneca County community.

Questions regarding the contest can be directed to Marisa Stephens, mstephens@destinationsenecacounty.org, or can be answered by calling the Destination Seneca County office at 567-220-6387.

St. Francis Senior Ministries and Community Hospice Care by Stein are partnering this year for the Annual Festival of Trees Fundraiser. The event will take place on Friday, November 18 th in the Elizabeth Schaefer Auditorium, 190 St. Francis Ave., Tiffin on the St. Francis campus. Doors will open at 5:30pm and the event will begin at 6:00pm.

Tickets are $40 each and include entertainment by “The Late Show”, food stations, a cash bar and silent/live auctions. Special thanks to sponsors for the evening: Hoffmann-Gottfried-Mack Funeral Home, Loan Depot and Five Star Maintenance and Construction.

Anyone interested in purchasing tickets, making a monetary donation, or donating a decorated tree or silent auction item, may visit steinhospice.org or call 419-625-5269.

The Downtown Tiffin Marketing Committee under the Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership announced today that there will be a new holiday event – the Kris Kringle Markt on December 2 and 3. The festival will be an open-air holiday market highlighting German/Bavarian-inspired Christmas offerings. Visitors can enjoy the sounds of live holiday music, the aroma of German food, late-night shopping, children’s activities, and the ambiance of an old-world German Christmas.

Court Street will be transformed to take on the traditional German Christmas market, or Weihnachtsmarkt feels, featuring local vendors in white tents adorned with holiday lights offering fresh greens, garland and wreaths, handcrafted gifts, Christmas ornaments, and more. Downtown restaurants and bars will feature German-style food and beer selections, mulled wine (Glühwein), and specialty hot chocolate beverages. Santa will be available for pictures at Pan Yan Bookstore, and several other activities will be spread throughout downtown including strolling Christmas carolers, live ice sculpture carvings, and a parking lot dedicated to donations for the Salvation Army of Tiffin. The RTA parking lot will feature live Christmas trees for sale that are being sponsored by local businesses along with a Boot, Hat, and Mitten drive. All proceeds from tree sales will go to the Salvation Army of Tiffin. The Christmas festival will also be hosting multiple food trucks to feature German food & drinks, such as Schmidt’s Sausage Truck.

Mayor Dawn Iannantuono said, “I’m excited to see a new event in Downtown Tiffin that will appeal to families and welcome people to experience our community. This is the perfect way for us to continue our celebration of Tiffin’s bicentennial!”

The Kris Kringle Markt will be open Friday, December 2nd from 5 pm – 10 pm in conjunction with the tree lighting and Saturday, December 3rd from 10 am – 3 pm in conjunction with the holiday parade. Follow along on their social media outlets to stay up to date and learn more. Facebook @KrisKringleMarktTiffin, Instagram @kriskringlemarkttiffinoh, and TikTok @kriskringlemarkttiffinoh.

We can’t wait for this new holiday event that seems right out of a Hallmark movie to take place in our community! Mark your calendars and bring your Christmas spirit, we will see you there!

Press release courtesy of Seneca County Common Ground — 

The very last market of the year is Saturday, October 29 and will feature Halloween festivities including trick-or-treat, halloween competitions, and a costume contest. All customers and vendors are encouraged to come in costume.

 Trick-or-treat will take place from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. (while supplies last). Most of the vendors will be participating and handing out candy. The Seneca County Common Ground Board will be voting on their favorite. The winner of each category will receive a prize. The costume contest will take place at noon in front of the Market Bank tent. Awards for: Most Original, Scariest, Best Group, Funniest, Best Couple, and Overall Best.

 There will also be face painting by Ace of Face at the market this week as well. Other activities include sack races, a three legged race, spoon races, beanbag toss, fall crafts, market bingo, and voting on the favorite vendor display.

“The Farmers’ Market has been an awesome resource for me while building my face painting business, Ace of Face. It’s given me the opportunity to practice, try new designs, and meet some really amazing children who come back week after week just to get painted! I am excited to be there to end the year with the trick-or-treat event,” stated Christie Boehler, owner of Ace of Face. 

As the 2022 market season is coming to a close, the Seneca County Common Ground Board, market manager, and vendors thank the community for their support and are already thinking ahead to future markets next year. Market Manager Kirsten Ameling said, “As my second year working as a farmers market manager is coming to an end I have enjoyed another year of getting to know our vendors and customers. This year was different going weekly, and while there is always room to grow, we were proud to be able to provide the community with fresh foods weekly.”

Fall produce includes apples, beats, broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, cilantro, carrots, cauliflower, celery root, turnip, swiss chard, collards, fall squash, fall radish, fennel, kale, kalette, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, onion, parsley, potatoes, pumpkins, spinach, and sweet potatoes. You will also find fall flavored and themed cookies, fall scented candles and soaps, along with other fun fall favorites throughout the market. The farmers market would also like to thank Sutton Bank for their sponsorship and making this a successful 2022 market season.

Vendors this week include:

• Adah Glee’s Garden
• Baked by Bells
• Barb and Dick’s Produce
• Bella Cuisine
• Me and the Boys
• Raizen Girls Cookies
• Put Your Name on it 2014
• LB’s Eclectic Eats
• Riehm’s Produce Farm, LLC
• Flo’s Homemade Pies
• Clayhill Organic
• Miss Cindy’s Cookies
• Sacred Soil Farms
• Sweets on EDG
• Freeze Dried Ohio
• Countryside Acres
• Kiesel Farms
• Seeds of Hope
• Hopes Landing
• and more to join!
•  Music – Ethan Timms
• Food Truck – Not Your Mama’s Grilled Cheese

To learn more about the Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market and about the Market Bank programs, visit and subscribe at www.tiffinsenecafarmersmarket.com/. If you are interested in becoming a vendor or have questions, you may contact the Market Manager, Kirsten Ameling, at manager@sccommonground.org.

Step back in time at the Civil War Museum of Ohio. From the life-sized cannons out front to the welcoming staff as you walk through the doors, watch history come to life. The Tiffin Civil War museum is a volunteer-run museum located in Downtown Tiffin that is excited to share with you the facts and stories of the Civil War. Originally built in 1915 as a local post office, the Tiffin Civil War museum has served the community of Tiffin with a unique Civil War educational experience for over 10 years. 

 The American Civil War Museum of Ohio is a non-profit organization that strives to collect, preserve, and interpret the American Civil War and its impact on the current American society. The museum allows you to fully understand and experience the story of our nation’s greatest conflict. Inside, the museum offers eight exhibit rooms with hands-on exhibits for adults and children that are designed to enhance your experience and knowledge of the Civil War and Ohio’s role in it. 

 Each exhibit within the museum features a different aspect of the war, starting with “The Road to War”, and ending with “The War ends.” Other exhibits featured are The War Begins, Life of a Soldier, The First Modern War, Medicine, and Life at Home. Each exhibit room features readings, artifacts, and activities to help put you into the history itself. Along with the exhibit rooms, the museum provides visitors with an opportunity to visit the library, which holds hundreds of civil war themed books, as well as a theater room that displays a 20-minute documentary, “Ohio’s Role in the Civil War,” produced by the American Civil War Museum of Ohio.

The museum would not be possible without the support of the community, as well as the countless volunteers who work hard to bring the most memorable experience to its visitors. These volunteers work very hard to bring a smile to each of the faces that walk through their doors, and hope to build connections and memories that will last a lifetime. While the museum is typically self-guided, accommodations for group tours can be made on their website.

History will come alive at the Civil War Museum of Ohio. Come explore everything it has to offer and leave with a better understanding of this monumental event in our nation’s history and a greater appreciation for our beloved state of Ohio for the part it played. For more information about the museum, you can visit their website at: ACWMO.com.

Destination Seneca County received recognition for achievement in marketing and advertising at the Ohio Travel Association’s RUBY Awards presentation, held October 13, 2022, at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Sandusky, Ohio. Destination Seneca County received an award for the category of Targeted Marketing Campaign for their Seneca County Geo Trail, the only geocaching trail in Northwest Ohio. Bryce Riggs and Marisa Stephens with Destination Seneca County accepted the award. This is the first time in Destination Seneca County’s organizational history to be recognized on a state level for their efforts.

The Ohio Travel Association’s RUBY Awards recognize excellence in Ohio’s hospitality and tourism industry for efforts in advertising, marketing, and public relations. In this year’s competition, the Recognizing Uncommon Brilliance Yearly (RUBY) Awards had 183 entries. The awards, sponsored by Ohio Magazine, were presented during the Ohio Conference on Travel, the state’s largest conference for tourism industry professionals.

Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunt that uses a Global Positioning System (GPS) and online clues to help participants find caches, or hidden containers. Destination Seneca County, in partnership with Geocachers Anonymous, launched the only geocaching trail in Northwest Ohio in September of 2021. Since the launch of the trail, more than 165 geocachers have completed the trail and have traveled more than 20,800 miles to Seneca County to do so. Destination Seneca County is currently working on a new interactive geocaching trail for 2023 that will feature a new theme, caches, and locations.

Grouchy. We have all been there. You wake up on the wrong side of the bed, your kids are driving you crazy, you just got cut off in traffic, you ripped your pants while walking into work. There are so many “grouches” in our everyday lives and sometimes it just overtakes you, leaving you down right GROUCHY. But what if you could escape this black cloud above your head? What if you could escape from grouchy? Well, now you can. Meet Ralph’s Joy of Living, where you walk through the doors and the aroma of fresh brewed coffee overtakes your senses, the sight of appliances, mattresses, kitchen gadgets, wine, and more meets your eyes, and a passion for joy fills your heart.

The story begins in 1950, where Ralph and Evelyn Smothers opened Ralph’s Appliances to the residents of Tiffin and the surrounding area. Originally they sold washers and dryers and eventually added refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers, and microwaves over time. Ralph and Evelyn continued to build a very successful business and in 1985, they were joined by their son Ralph II. In 1992, Ralph II added kitchen design services and cabinetry to the business offerings. With such a robust business offering both high quality products and exceptional services, you would think that adding any more to the business would be out of the question, however; the bright future of Ralph’s was yet to come. 

Ralph II met his wife Julie on a ski trip and they were married in 1994. Julie, a native Canadian, made her living in sales for an imported wines distributor. With Julie’s passion for cooking and Ralph’s passion for kitchen design, it was only a matter of time before the idea of combining the two came to life. The business continued to thrive and in 1995 a second Ralph’s Appliances was opened in May of 1995. Here, a beautiful, fully functional kitchen designed by Ralph was installed and served as the beginning of the current concept. Julie was managing the store and saw the opportunity of doing not only cooking classes, but of bringing in better quality kitchenwares. The community responded with overwhelming support! For the next three years, Julie continued to add new kitchenware lines and fill cooking classes. Ralph and Julie’s first son, Will, was born in April 1998. Soon Will was joined by his brother Sean, born in May 2001, and their sister, Lucy born in November 2002. It became clear that the “Joy of Living” had to be moved to their hometown of Tiffin if the concept were to continue to thrive.

The Joy of Living concept has continued to be the foundation in which Ralph and Julie run the business. Ralph’s Joy of Living believes that their are so many amazing and joyful things in life, if you can just see past the “grouchies.” The whole Ralph’s Joy of Living team is there to treat each customer with care, compassion, and kindness and help them find their way to escape from their own personal grouchy. There is even an opportunity to “Gong the Grouchy” where you can literally gong out any negative feelings and the resounding noise throughout the store is just a reminder that joy is never far away when you’re here. Standing alone as the ONLY appliance retailer in the nation to have a wine and beer license, Ralph’s Joy of Living is truly unlike any other place. Experience wine tasting, delicious olive oil, the highest quality of appliances, mattresses, cabinetry services, gadgets, and more at Ralph’s Joy of Living. Most importantly, experience joy. 

You can be apart of bringing the mantra of “Escape From Grouchy” to life at the Escape From Grouchy Festival happening on Saturday, October 8, 2022 from 9am-4pm. Taking place at Ralph’s Joy of Living, located at 33 North Washington Street in Tiffin, you will experience so many reasons to be joyful. Enjoy the opportunity to win awesome prizes such as a Speed Queen Washer & Dryer Set, Heritage and Serta Mattresses, and more, visit the Zwilling Airstream trailer, see expert chef demonstrations, Gong the Grouchy at any point throughout the day, and more! The first 300 guests get a purple Grouchy Fest bag, but joy is available to all. See you there!

Destination Seneca County, in partnership with the Tiffin Municipal Arts Commission (TMAC), the Fostoria Community Arts Council (FCAC), and Ballreich’s Potato Chips, have announced the launch of the first annual Sights of Seneca County Official Chip Contest. This contest will solicit artwork that will be voted on by the community to be the artwork for the chip bag for the custom Sights of Seneca County Ballreich’s Chips.

The Sights of Seneca County Official Chip Contest is open and will accept submissions through November 1, 2022. More information about the Sights of Seneca County Official Chip Contest, chip bag templates, and the submission form can be found at www.DestinationSenecaCounty.org/ChipContest.

After submissions have been received, online voting will open to the community where the community will select their favorite chip bag design and chip flavor combination. Once voting closes, the winner will be announced, and the Sights of Seneca County Official Chip Contest Ballreich’s Chips will begin production. The winner of the Official Chip Contest will receive a $500 cash reward sponsored by the Tiffin Municipal arts Commission and the Fostoria Community Arts Council.

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 arts in the Seneca County community.

Questions regarding the contest can be directed to Marisa Stephens, mstephens@destinationsenecacounty.org, or can be answered by calling the Destination Seneca County office at 567-220-6387.

The Fostoria Rail Preservation Society will host the 20^th annual Rail Festival on September 24, 2022, in Fostoria, OH. The Rail Festival will be held at the Fostoria Junior/Senior High School (1001 Park Avenue. Fostoria, OH 44830) and at the Fostoria Elementary Gymnasium from 10am – 4pm.  There will be more than 200 tables that guests can visit during the Rail Festival that will include vendors and displays. The Rail Festival will offer train memorabilia and merchandise for sale, toy trains, a swap meet, model train displays, a photo contest, coloring pages for kids, food, and more. Golf carts will be available to take guests to and from the high school and elementary. 

In addition to vendors and displays, the Lens-Eye View Photo Contest entries will be on display along with  Romick Railway providing free rides (to those who purchase admission to the Rail Festival and children with a wristband) in the parking lot and the Seneca County Health Department will be onsite this year to give vaccines, PPE, and more!

Admission to the Rail Festival is $5 for adults and children 10 years of age and younger get in free. Parking is free for both the Fostoria Rail Festival and the Fostoria Iron Triangle Swap Meet. With your admission fee, you will receive a raffle ticket that is entered in to win a $10 gift certificate that can be used at any of the vendors at the Rail Festival. Winners will be pulled throughout the day and posted.  In previous years, the Fostoria Rail Festival has brought in more than 1,000 people to attend the event.  Of these attendees, they have represented 18 different states, hundreds of cities, and two different countries.     

In addition to attending the Rail Festival, guests can visit the Fostoria Rail Park, which includes the Iron Triangle. The Fostoria Iron Triangle Rail Park 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. At the Iron Triangle, the 1966 B&O Caboose will be open from 11am-1pm on Saturday!

For more information on the Fostoria Rail Festival and the Fostoria Rail Preservation Society, visit: www.fostoriairontriangle.com.

To honor the Tiffin’s early history, people who were descended from the pioneers who settled in Tiffin or Clinton Township by 1831 applied to the Tiffin Bicentennial Committee on First Settlers. Over 70 people have submitted applications and been approved for their families, which brought the total up to about 100 people identified.  The Committee sold turquoise commemorative t-shirts which have been worn throughout the year at various events. This free program is part of the Tiffin Bicentennial celebration and has been sponsored by the Seneca County Genealogical Society who provided seed money and donated free t-shirts to the first 25 applicants.

Original pioneer wagon will ride again!

A Pennsylvania (Conestoga) Wagon on loan from the Scipio Republic Area Historical Society will be featured in the Heritage Festival Parade, followed by many of Descendants of Tiffin’s First Settlers. It may be difficult to see as it goes by, but this battered old wagon was one of the many our pioneers used to come west in the 1820’s and 1830’s and beyond. This wagon originally used by Charles and Molly Smith Albright when they migrated from Lancaster, PA. in the winter of 1835 to Adams Township, Seneca County, Ohio with their infant son John, born that year.

John had a son Upton Albright who lived in Scipio Township. Upton Albright’s farm was sold to Wayne Powell, who was the father of Mrs. Edith Hemminger of Republic. The wagon was found after that purchase half buried in a sheep pen and Mr. Powell cleaned and restored it for use in the 1976 U.S. Bicentennial celebration and parade in Tiffin. It was afterwards donated to the Historical Society.

The wagon and its canvas is too fragile to be driven on its own, but will be hauled by Larry Cook with Gene Cook’s truck and trailer. Descendants will also ride on the trailer and walk behind it for the parade. After the parade it will be on display at the entrance of the Heritage Village until 5pm Saturday, September 17, 2022.

The Bicentennial will also feature a tent on the Courthouse Lawn celebrating the First Settlers of Tiffin before and after the parade, 9 am-3 pm. It will be a casual “Meet and Greet” where people interested in the early settlers can stop in and chat with some of the Descendants, view some pictures and memorabilia, and see if their ancestors were part of Tiffin’s early history. There will be a looping slideshow of some of the pioneers and their descendants. Enjoy a weekend full of Tiffin and Seneca County history and check out some amazing historical pieces and people that built our beloved community! 

JAM’s Monthly Markets is excited to invite everyone to the annual JAM’s Heritage Vintage Market! This large vendor market event will take place on Saturday, September 17, 2022 from 10am-4pm and Sunday, September 18, 2022, 11am-3pm. The JAM’s Heritage Vintage Market was originally inspired by the Tiffin-Seneca Heritage Festival, one of the longest running festivals that takes place in the state of Ohio. After a two year hiatus of the festival, JAM’s and the Festival Board are excited to welcome back the Tiffin-Seneca Heritage Festival to Tiffin. Now, the JAM’s Heritage Vintage Market and the Heritage Festival will happen concurrent to one another and provide more fun for all while bringing the community together for a weekend full of events and entertainment!

The JAM’s Heritage Vintage Market will feature more than 100 vendors and also include a small selection of food trucks for folks to grab a bite to eat while shopping and take a rest on the picnic tables. Vendors will be set up inside, which can be found at 145 Madison Street (across from Calvert High School), and outside in the surrounding area. In addition to providing a great shopping experience, the JAM’s Heritage Vintage Market will also offer the opportunity for shoppers to give back. There will be chances to help raise funds for local non-profits at the market so keep your eye out for how you can help! Vendors range from apparel, to home decor, to candles, to baked goods, to hand crafted art, to jewelry, and more! There is something for everyone and at a large vendor market such as this, you get the chance to meet the individuals behind the businesses you are buying from! 

It is going to be a beautiful weekend in Seneca County with something for everyone to enjoy. See the full schedule of the Tiffin-Seneca Heritage Festival and what else you can check out after JAM’s here. We’ll see you soon and happy shopping!

The year is 1969 and 13 schools gather at Hedges-Boyer Park to run in the first ever Tiffin Cross Country Carnival. With only three races, each being two miles long, the event started and ended all within a two hour time span. The large gathering of runners from across the state of Ohio was inspired by a group of runners who wanted more fierce competition outside of the normal meets, which normally featured two to three different teams. The key for them was getting the best of the best all in one place, a place where they could push each other and all compete on the same course, at the same time, in the same conditions. 

The Tiffin Cross Country Carnival has grown exponentially since its conception and has become THE race for cross country runners, coaches, and fans from all over. It has become a tradition in Seneca County and has put the city of Tiffin on the map. During what has become known as “Carnival Weekend,” the City of Tiffin will nearly double its population on race day when you count the runners and then add in the parents, coaches, and fans. More than 20,000 people are estimated to visit Seneca County during this monumental event. The Tiffin Cross Country Carnival has taken its rightful place as the second largest cross country race in THE NATION. Those who compete at Hedges-Boyer Park on the course that has been deemed “challenging and a course that is true cross country,” can be proud for crossing the finish line and competing against the best of the best. 

When you take part in The Cross Country Carnival, you are taking part in history in the making. The event has been weaved in to Seneca County’s history and will continue to be part of its future. This event is just one unique happening that makes Tiffin and Seneca County the fantastic community that it is. This weekend, the traditional second weekend in September, the Tiffin Cross Country Carnival will celebrate its 53rd year and will begin its first race at 8:30am. High schoolers, middle schoolers, all the way down to elementary aged kids will have the opportunity to participate in this legendary event. Over 8,000 runners will step up to the starting line on Saturday and when the gun goes off, the next chapter of the Tiffin Cross Country Carnival will be written. 

The adventure expands far outside the course lines so make sure to check out all that Tiffin and Seneca County has to offer. Shops, restaurants, museums, farmers markets, and more await you once the finish line has been crossed. Take a look into the community behind the carnival. Good luck to all and see you on Saturday! 

More than 70 participants have signed up for the Tiffin Bicentennial Heritage Festival Parade that will take place on Saturday, September 17, 2022, beginning at 10:30 AM. The parade is organized by Destination Seneca County and is sponsored by loanDepot-Brian Bower. The parade will begin by St. Joseph Catholic Church in Downtown Tiffin and continue down South Washington St. until Riverside Drive.

The parade will feature entries such as an original Pennsylvania wagon that came from Lancaster, Pennsylvania to Seneca County in the 1830’s, marching bands from area schools and universities, dance groups, local businesses, and more.

 Those who have not signed up and who are interested can register by this Friday, September 9, 2022 at DestinationSenecaCounty.org/parade. All registrants will receive an email the week of September 12, 2022, with their line up order and further directions.

 Those who wish to not participate in the parade are invited to be a spectator and enjoy watching the different entries pass by. Before and after the parade, you can enjoy browsing the Tiffin-Seneca Farmers Market which will take place in City Lot 7 (located next to Simply Susan’s) the day of the parade from 9AM until 1PM. After the parade, you can partake in the activities that the Heritage Festival has to offer such as the German Village Block in Downtown Tiffin, Heritage Village at Hedges-Boyer Park, and other activities and vendors on Jefferson St. and Court St. To learn more about the Heritage Festival schedule, visit TiffinFestival.com.

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

Don’t forget that SNAP, SFMNP, WIC, Produce Perks, and Credit Cards are accepted at the Farmers Market. 

The Tiffin Seneca Farmers’ Market offers a  market bank program that allows shoppers from all economic backgrounds to shop at the farmers market. Whether a customer has an EBT Card or did not bring cash they will still be able to purchase goods from the vendors.

Produce Perk tokens can be used to purchase fruits and vegetables, fresh herbs, and plants producing foods. SNAP tokens can be used to purchase fruits and vegetables, herbs, food producing plants, honey, maple, meats, eggs, milk, jam, jellie, relish, and baked goods. WIC vouchers can be used to purchase fruits and vegetables, and herbs. Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers can be used to purchase fruits and vegetables, herbs, and honey. Credit card tokens can be used to purchase anything from the farmers market.

Farmers market manager, Kirsten Ameling, said “We are glad to be able to offer a program that allows everyone to have access to fresh fruits and vegetables and other goods.”

The farmers market still offers the Market Bank. The market bank allows consumers to use their EBT cards to purchase produce at the market. The farmers market offers a matching program “Produce Perks” up to $25 from what the customer spent from their EBT cards. WIC farmers market vouchers, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers, and credit card tokens are also accepted at the Tiffin Seneca Farmer’s Market.

The market bank program is a good source of extra revenue to be brought to local businesses in the Seneca County area community.

Thank you to the Sutton Bank for sponsoring the Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market.This week vendors include: Ace of Faces, Baked by Bells, Barb and Dick’s Produce, Bella Cuisine, Clay Hill Organic, Enders Maple Treats, Flo’s Homemade Pies, Freeze Dried Ohio, Hope’s Landing, Me and the Boys, Miss Cindy’s Cookies, Riehm Produce Farm, Sacred Soil Farm, Roseleaf Flowers, Seeds of Hope, Tiffin Elks Foundation, and Windy Wild Acres. Music will be performed by Mike Bryce. 

About Seneca County Common Ground

Created in 2019, Seneca County Common Ground (SCCG) is a new organization whose mission is to strengthen Seneca County’s local food system through collaboration to improve the overall health and growth of our community, and a vision of a vibrant, accessible, and sustainable local food system in Seneca County that supports the health of residents, businesses, and institutions. The board of the organization includes former Seneca County OSU Extension Agent and current Community Affairs Coordinator at City of Bowling Green Hallie Williams, Reverend Aaron Gerlach of Old Trinity Episcopal Church, local business owner and chair of the Downtown Retailers Committee Dave Spridgeon, local business leader Dale Depew, TSEP Development Coordinator Adam Gillmor, Director of Franciscan Earth Literacy Center Mimi Lange Johnston and local food vendors Kristy Buskirk of Clay Hill Farms and John Riehm of Riehm Produce Farm. SCCG oversees the operations of the Tiffin Seneca Farmers Market and supports other local food initiatives including the Tiffin Community Kitchen Project. Find out more at sccommonground.org or find Seneca County Common Ground on Facebook.

About the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

SNAP provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency. Read more at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program.

Are you visiting Seneca County and need to stay? Maybe you are traveling for work, completing the Seneca County Geo Trail or Brew Tour, just exploring a new area, part of a wedding party, have a family reunion in town, or are just looking for a staycation in your own backyard! Whatever your situation may be, we are so happy to host you in Seneca County and have plenty of amazing spaces for you to rest your head.

 Seneca County is home to many comfortable and beautiful places for you to stay the night. From your more traditional hotels, to quaint Inns, to scenic campgrounds, Seneca County really does have it all and something for everyone. We know how to stay with the times and up on the newest trends in lodging and are proud to welcome Air BnBs & VRBOs to the area to offer yet another option for visitors to choose from! Check out the awesome short term rentals that Seneca County has to offer for your next stay.

 Do you have or know of a short-term rental in Seneca County that isn’t listed? Let us know and we are happy to add it so folks can start booking with you! With these great options and more, we can’t wait to see you soon!