As many of you know, I spent most of the first 40 years of my life living in a little town in Northeast Ohio called Hartford. Located right on the Pennsylvania border, that little town, or township, rather, was known for its apple orchards. As a small child, I remember elementary school field trips to the orchard (such a far walk across the road), youth group pick-your-own parties, apple festivals, trips to the nearby cider mill, and more. Through the years, many of the orchards have closed down or been sold, and last year, the last orchard went up for auction and shuttered its door. However, I’m happy to say that Hartford Orchards opened again this fall.
We stopped in at the newly reopened Hartford Orchards on Apple Festival weekend and were impressed with all they had to offer.
Fall is finally here, and along with it, comes one of my favorite weekends of the year: Apple Festival! This year, for the first time, we were privileged to share this long-standing community tradition with our grandchildren.
*Update: The 2019 Hartford Apple Festival Dates are September 20, 21, and 22, 2019.*
If you live in Northeast Ohio, you’ve probably heard of White House Fruit Farm. Located in Greenford, Ohio, just south of Canfield, it’s a family-run farm and market. We pop in from time to time to browse their impressive selection of fresh fruit and vegetables and pick up a dozen of their delicious home-made donuts.
Imagine our surprise yesterday when we drove down and found the place packed! Many men would have turned around, but Dennis is one of a kind. Either that, or he really wanted a blueberry donut.
This week is the week many of my students have looked forward to all year–the annual Ashtabula County Fair. Yesterday, I was able to take my *almost* two-year-old granddaughter for her first time. There’s so many fun things to see and do at the fair. Continue reading “Ashtabula County Fair: Celebrating 172 Years of Family Fun”
Located in Jamestown, Pennsylvania, not far from Pymatuning Lake State Park, Pymatuning Deer Park is a small family-run zoo full of fun for all ages. Over 250 animals and birds live at the park, including lions, tigers, and black bears (Oh my!). Since 1953, visitors have been flocking to Deer Park to feed and pet several varieties of deer and farm animals, as well as marvel at exotic animals from around the world. Continue reading “Pymatuning Deer Park”
Every state has its curiosities, those weird places that people are just drawn to visit. One of my favorites is the Pymatuning Lake Spillway in Linesville, PA. The spillway was created in 1934 at the upper portion of the lake and is a catch-all for thousands of carp. Visitors bring their families to see the thousands of fish thrashing in the water each day.
I spent today in a small town that’s dear to my heart: Mesopotamia, Ohio, home of the famous Ox Roast. Mespo, as it’s affectionately called, is a small town in Northeast Ohio. nestled in a bucolic setting. Approximately 3000 people live in the township, many of them Amish. The center of the town has a green at the intersections of State Routes 87 and 534, known as the “Commons.” Twenty-eight buildings surround the square–21 of which were built before the civil war. The cemetery dates from 1818; several generations of my family are buried there. Continue reading “The 45th Annual Mesopotamia Ox Roast”
Kids love animals, and a visit to the zoo is fun and educational for both children and adults. Living in northeast Ohio, we are blessed to have several within a two-hour drive, including Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Erie, and Akron. This year, we decided to become members once again. Continue reading “Zoo Membership: Discovering the Magic”
After visiting the Little Buckeye Children Museum, we walked back to the Richland Carrousel (yes, there are supposed to be two Rs). This is a beautiful carousel that is enclosed so that it can operate in any weather. Rides are only $1 per person or 6 rides for $5. If you love carousels or live close by and can come back often, 50 rides are only $35. There’s also a  cute little gift shop where you can purchase all sorts of toys and souvenirs, including many Ohio-made products.
Kairi was a little apprehensive at first, but J.R. knew what to expect.
Once the music started and the horses moved, she was hooked!
There were several birthday parties going on while we were there–it seems to be quite a popular place. We will definitely be back, Our usual drop off spot of the Cracker Barrel at exit 169 may need to change to the carousel downtown. I know J.R. won’t complain!
The Animals
As their website states, “Richland Carrousel Park opened in 1991 as the first new, hand-carved carrousel to be built and operated in the United States since the 1930’s…The Carrousel figures were carved in the style of G.A. Dentzel, one of the most revered carvers of the early 1900’s. All 52 figures were designed, carved and painted by Carrousel Works in Mansfield, Ohio. [Each] of the horses [is] hand-carved. All 52 figures were designed, carved and painted by Carrousel Works in Mansfield, Ohio. ”
There are 30 gorgeous horses on the carousel, along with 22 other animals. Children can choose from horses, bears, cats, rabbits, and more. There is even a giraffe for kids to ride.
Accessibility
The carousel is handicapped accessible and can accommodate wheelchairs. The horses in front of the chariots pivot and the chariot seat flips up so that everyone can experience this magical ride.
Photo Op
A lone stationary horse is located outside the fence, and is the perfect spot for photographs. Kairi wasn’t having any of that and kept pressing her face up to the gate, hoping for another ride. Two was not enough!
Groups
Richland Carrousel offers affordable rates for group. A two-hour birthday party package includes three reserved tables and 30 tickets to distribute. Plus, the guest of honor rides free.
They also have packages for scout groups and wedding parties.
Richland Carrousel: Before you go:
The carousel is located at 75 N. Main St., Mansfield, Ohio 44902.
Admission is $1 per person. Multiple ride tickets are available at a discount. They do not need to be used by the same person.
Summer hours are 10-5 Monday through Saturday and 11-5 on Sunday. Winter hours are 11-5 daily.
For more information, check out the Richland Carrousel website.
As many of you know, Meghan, Joe, and J.R. live about 270 miles away from us. Because of this, we occasionally meet in Mansfield or Columbus for a weekend or to “switch the kid.” Since we hadn’t seen them since Christmas and didn’t expect to see them until May, we decided to meet in Mansfield the last weekend in February.
We’d done this in the fall, visiting the Barnyard Park, a great place for fall fun, but were looking for something indoor to do with a two-year old. Family friends, Shannon and Sharon, suggested the Little Buckeye Children’s Museum.
Because Ian wanted to work on the house and Krystal was taking continuing education classes in Columbus, I picked up Kairi in Akron on our way out of town. I thought about taking Ady too, but I didn’t think I could handle a two-year-old and two one-year-olds without a double stroller (need to get one BEFORE summer!). Yes, Meghan and Dennis were going to be there, but still…
Dennis was doing a walk-through for The Ohio State University’s Health and Sciences Library, so he was already in Mansfield on Friday night. I found him a cheap room at the Travelodge for Friday night and then we moved to the Hampton Inn for Saturday night (those two rooms earned us 4000 miles on American Airlines, woohoo!). I dropped off the dogs at the vet’s at 8:00 a.m. Saturday and started south. I spent a little longer than expected at Ian’s–he fixed the sound on my computer. Actually, I think he just missed me and wanted to talk. Kairi and I finally arrived in Mansfield around 11:45 a.m. and found Papa D at the Hampton Inn.
Dennis wanted to visit the prison, and since Meghan was also running late, we decided to drive out to see it. The guided tours don’t run this time of year, so we decided to come back in the summer.
We backtracked to downtown and parked in the free municipal parking across the street from the Richland Carrousel. The Little Buckeye Children’s Museum was a short walk.
When we first walked in, the museum really didn’t look like much. There were some tables in the front on one side, a few prepackaged snacks and drinks for sale and a Mr. Potato Head table, coloring area, and Hot Wheels section on other side. Admission was $8 a person for everyone over the age of two. We were pleasantly surprised once we were past the front desk.
Once we actually went in, we were amazed at the variety of activities for little ones. The first “room” was filled with toys for the youngest ones–musical instrument, stacking and connecting toys, things to crawl over and on. Kairi loved it, and Papa had fun playing with her. There was also an area where children could dig for dinosaur “bones” and “dinosaurs” in shredded tire material. One thing that I really liked was that there were BOOKS in each section that corresponded to the topic. Other areas on the first floor included musical pipes, tree house complete with climbing wall and slide, water table, doctor’s office/baby nursery, grocery store, beauty salon, car racetrack, construction area, water table, theater, hair salon, and veterinary office.
They did have raincoats available at the water table, but Kairi didn’t want any part of them. This was her favorite part of the day until we got to the carousel.
Meghan and J.R. finally arrived. J.R. needed a nap and was a little cranky, but he eventually started to play.
Upstairs, there was a room with trains, planes, Legos, and more. There was a camping/outdoor area that was super cute, a dentist office, art area, schoolhouse, mechanic, two-room house (watch for the low ceiling on your way out!), and more.
If we lived closer, I would definitely buy a membership to the Little Buckeye Children’s Museum. It’s great for kids under 10! A family membership is only $100 for the year, and a grandparent membership is $75. This also gives you half-priced admission to 350+ children’s museums across the country. Unfortunately, the Oh, Wow! Center in Youngstown is not on the list. I did feel really guilty that we didn’t take Adelyn. Next time we’ll take all four of the grandkids!
Kairi loved shopping in the grocery store. She also enjoyed driving the different vehicles.
J.R. enjoyed watching the trains. They also had four different tables of Thomas the Tank trains and tracks for the children.One of the ways you could enter the camping area was through a small tunnel. Kairi figured out that the Little Tikes Cozy Coupe just fit.
Stay tuned for my review of the Richland Carrousel!
Note: The official name of the carousel is Richland Carrousel with two Rs. I’m also still learning how to insert photos.
One of the ways you could enter the camping area was through a small tunnel. Kairi figured out that the Little Tikes Cozy Coupe just fit.