If you’re staying in Athens this summer, to attend classes at Ohio University or perhaps work a summer job, you’re probably wondering what’s happening? After all, this is the second consecutive pandemic summer, and while it appeared in late spring that the pandemic was significantly easing its local, state and national effects, things were still far from normal.
So will traditional Athens festivals and celebrations return to the summer schedule this year? Or will OU students staying in Athens this summer have to be content with playing video games in their air-conditioned Athens student apartment, or lounging around enjoying beers on the porch of their Athens rental house?
Unfortunately, a quick check in late May was unsuccessful in determining whether such traditional Athens events as Boogie on the Bricks, the revived Athens Criterium or the Athens Community Arts & Musical Festival were happening. The organizers of these events were probably still assessing whether they could hold them safely. Ohio Brew Week, however, had announced a severely rolled-back event, with specialty beers from around Ohio on offer throughout town, but none of the big outdoor events scheduled. Our advice – every so often check the websites for traditional summer events or check the website for the Athens County Convention & Visitors Bureau for updates.
In the meantime, even if these traditional fun celebrations and events aren’t happening doesn’t mean you’ve got to have an uneventful summer in Athens. Following are some alternatives for summer fun in the Athens area; the great thing about these suggestions is that they’re available recreation options whether “the pandemic effect” remains or not.
Options for Summer Fun, Whether Pandemic or Not
• The Ridges. Whether you’re heading “up” to The Ridges on Athens’ South Side to hike the miles of trails and dirt-and-gravel lanes or explore the old Athens Lunatic Asylum/Mental Health Center grounds, it’s easy enough to spend an educational and enjoyable few hours there. Spend some solemn moments at one of the very old cemeteries on The Ridges (with many graves that have only numbers rather than names), or take your binoculars and look at birds in this nature preserve.
• Explore the extensive trail system that winds through the wooded ridges just north of East State Street’s commercial district (aka the Far East Side). There’s plenty of cliffs and rock formations that rise above the trails, as well as groves of very old trees. Two of the trails (Trace and Finger Rock) will take you all the way to Strouds Run State Park, if you’re up for a four-mile round trip. Maybe consider leaving a car at the park, so you don’t have to walk all the way back to Athens.
• Which brings us to Strouds Run State Park. Many successive generations of OU students have enjoyed all this great state park has to offer, including the swimming beach, boat rentals (including party-sized pontoon boats), many miles of hiking trails, camping, fishing and picnicking. The park is only 15 minutes away from downtown Athens. In addition, within 45 minutes of Athens are two other great state parks that feature lakes – Burr Oak and Lake Hope. Plus Lake Logan and the entrance to the glorious Hocking Hills State Park region is just a half-hour northwest on U.S. Rt. 33.
• Take an early-evening trek to the top of Bong Hill, historically known as East Hill, in Athens, the traditional look-out spot for many generations of OU Bobcats. Perch yourself on the overlook with a friend or significant other and enjoy the view of Ohio University and Athens. Just be careful climbing up and down the hill; it can be treacherous, especially if the ground is wet and muddy.
• Check the Facebook pages of local live-music venues that have outdoor stages. Live outdoor music was expected to resume this summer at Little Fish Brewing Company on Armitage Road in west Athens, Eclipse Company Store in The Plains, Uncle Buck’s Riding Stable and Dance Barn near New Marshfield, and at Robbins Crossing in Nelsonville (concerts once a month sponsored by Stuart’s Opera House). Plus local bars that feature live music were tentatively planning to resume indoor shows this summer, now that mask mandates were being rolled back for vaccinated people.
• Check out the Athens County Fair in early August. While this isn’t for everyone, it can be a hoot to tour the livestock exhibits, try out a variety of carnival rides, and enjoy each evening’s fair entertainment.
• Rent a bike at the Athens Public Library. Well, it’s not technically a rental situation since you can borrow a bicycle for free. The library has a variety of bikes and will throw in a helmet to borrow as well. The Hockhocking Adena Bikeway is just a stone’s throw from the library, and you can take it either direction, or just skip the bike path and ride through Athens on city streets.
• Take a drive into Vinton County and check out the haunted Moonville Tunnel. It’s not really haunted, of course, unless that sort of thing floats your boat, in which case this long abandoned railroad tunnel is DEFINITELY haunted. Raccoon Creek is near the tunnel, and once was quite a popular swimming hole. It may still be.
• Find a friend or two and spend an afternoon exploring Athens County on the hundreds of miles of rural roads (township and county) that wind through this beautiful county. You can follow a ridgeline for many miles before plummeting into hollows and valleys with all manner of rural residences and interesting edifices. Keep your eyes on the road, however, since some of these roadways are very steep and twisty. Some of the potholes can ruin a car’s suspension.
Cool Yourself Off in the City Pool
• Hang out at the Athens City Pool this summer. The pool reopened in June 2021, after a year’s hiatus because of the pandemic. This modern pool is actually three different pools for different age and skill levels. It also has some great slide action.