Variety of draws for fall visitors

Brian Haytcher, Star Beacon, Ashtabula, Ohio
·2 min read

Sep. 27—Fall is here, and with it, a variety of fall attractions for area residents and tourists alike.

Stephanie Siegel, executive director of the Ashtabula County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said fall is the second-busiest season of the year for tourism, after summer.

"Harvest season has kicked off," Siegel said. "The farmers were happy to have lots of sunshine this last week."

A number of people have reached out to the ACCVB regarding fall colors in the area, she said.

"We've had tons of inquiries in regards to apple orchards, so people are looking to catch the last couple of farmers markets that are happening, and then the different gardens and ... the different orchards around the county," Siegel said.

Visitors have also expressed interest in barn quilts.

According to the ACCVB website, more than 110 buildings in the county have the painted square barn quilts on them.

Wineries are doing adult trick-or-treat trails, Siegel said.

"A lot of them are pairing their candies with the different wines," she said.

The kind of visitors who come to the area in the fall are somewhat different than visitors who come to the area in the summer.

"The families are more in school right now, so we're not seeing as many young families traveling," Siegel said. "We're seeing an older generation traveling, and really engaged and active in all the attractions that we have. ... It tends to be couples, friends' groups, older generational family groups."

Simple but unique experiences are a big draw.

"Kosicek Vineyards just did a tasting in the vineyards ... so you taste a grape off the vine, and you taste the wine, then, that that grape becomes some day," she said. "So those really unique kind of activities are attracting people."

Siegel said live music is scheduled locally.

Harvest in the Harbor will take place on Oct. 8 on Bridge Street.

"They have cooking demonstrations, they're going to have live music, they'll have goat petting, a photographer that does a fall back-drop, they're going to have a bunch of food," Siegel said.