Page 13 - AAA Magazine – Ohio Auto Club – September 2022

Photo by Carl A. Stimac
Photo by Kelsey Doherty
orchards: 1. Brant’s in Ashtabula. Its apples are amazing and so are its grilled cheese sandwiches served with apple slices. 2. Patterson’s Fruit Farm in Chesterland. Make sure you pick up its cider, some of the area’s
best. 3. Beckwith Orchards in Kent. Family-owned and operated since 1878. Not only does it sell apples and cider, but it also sells delicious pies. 4. White House Fruit Farm in Canfield. Bring your cooler. This fruit farm also
is a market and sells not only fresh produce but also the most amazing donuts. Treat yourself to one of its blueberry donuts. You can thank me later. Don’t forget to explore its gift shop and sunflower fields.
3. SAMPLE THE GRAPES
Fall sunsets over Lake Erie and miles of vineyards are what await you in the largest county in the state. With more than 30 wineries located in the county, Ashtabula is known as Ohio’s Wine Country and is home to many award-winning wineries. Whether you are a wine drinker or not, watching the harvesting of the grapes in the
fall is something to see. Some wineries even allow volunteers for those who want to immerse themselves in the experience.
4. FIND 19 COVERED BRIDGES
Rustic colors, fall foliage and backroads make the 19 covered bridge trail in Ashtabula County a perfect fall road trip. This year, you can download the Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Trail app and check
in along the trail. Each check-in gets you closer to the next prize level. Don’t forget your camera.
5. EXPERIENCE A LOCAL FESTIVAL OR MARKET
Immerse yourself in one of the local festivals. In Portage County the German Family Society volunteers host their famous Oktoberfest (Sept. 9-11). This family-friendly event features real homemade German favorites, dancers and music. The skies over Ravenna get a little more colorful as the community celebrates its annual Ravenna Balloon A-Fair (Sept. 15-18). The Perch & Pilsner Festival (Sept. 9-10) in Conneaut celebrates all things Lake Erie perch. And in Geneva, the Grape Jamboree celebrates all things grape and wine (Sept. 24-25). Make sure you stay for
the grape stomping. Some 130 exhibitors, along with entertainment, can be found on the grounds of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens during its juried Ohio Mart (Oct. 6-9). The old copper kettles are fired-up and the aroma of cooking apples can be found at the Apple Butter Festival at Century Village Museum in Burton (Oct. 8-9).
6. PICK A PUMPKIN AND GET LOST
If you want to shop for the best pumpkins around and still allow time to get lost in a cornfield maze, Dussel Farm in Brimfield or Szlay’s in Peninsula are good
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