Virgin Atlantic | Travel

Eight Ohio Events To Keep You Moving This Winter

With temperatures reaching lows of -7ºC in the winter months, Ohio offers the perfect backdrop for a romantic winter getaway. Snow blankets areas of the state in white and frequent flurries provide Ohio with its own Winter Wonderland.

This year, Ohio hopes to awaken both locals and visitors from their seasonal slumber with a number of annual Ohio events prompting people to wrap up in their warmest attire and come prepared for festival fun.

January Ohio Events

Kick start 2015 with Columbus Winter Beerfest from the 30th – 31st January. Held at the Greater Columbus Convention Centre, the event supports our four-legged friends, allowing guests to raise their glasses while also raising funds for Animal Rescue Partners. The festival promises “˜Great live music, great people and much more!’ as the centre is transformed into a beer lover’s haven. If last year’s menu is anything to go by, visitors can expect beers from Jackie O, O’fallen and Griffin Ciders. Whether you’re new to the scene or you’re a seasoned beer aficionado, the event is set to be a barrel of laughs, and all for a worthy cause.

February Ohio Events

Taking place in Medina, For The Love of Chocolate Festival is the ideal event to tempt eager chocoholics away from their winter caves. Scheduled for 7th February and just 40 minutes drive from Cleveland, chocolatiers from North East Ohio will provide visitors with a range of sweet treats. Candy Land will offer entertainment for youngsters and Oreo-stacking competitions will leave participants with a mountain of treats. Held at Medina Performing Arts Centre, the event is ideal for chocolate loving philanthropists, with all proceeds going towards The American Red Cross.

Back in Cleveland, the city is set to host its sixth Brite Winter Festival from 4pm-11pm on 21st February in Cleveland’s Ohio City Market District. The event is ideal for music lovers with 60 bands performing across eight stages – headline acts include, Maps and Atlases and Welshly Arms. Keep warm at the surrounding five indoor stages, while food trucks and beer offerings will be placed about the event, to keep you fuelled for the evening ahead.

March Ohio Events

Sip away the final days of winter and travel to the Cincinnati International Wine Festival from 5th-7th March. Founded in 1991, the event offers winnery dinners and a charity auction and luncheon. The main event is Grand Tastings in “˜The Special Tasting Room’, where guests can experience seven flavours of high-end wines. Grand Tasting tickets are available for $40 online, providing purchasers with 700 wines to choose from. A Charity Auction allows guests to purchase their beverages of choice and bid on wine cellar tours and exclusive dining experiences at Cincinnati homes.

Cleveland daredevils shouldn’t despair, an Ohio winter wouldn’t be complete without sporting events to challenge thrill seekers. First to the ring is Arnold Sports Festival from 5th – 8th March. Named after Arnold Schwarzenegger, the annual event will include live matches from up-and-coming WWE talent. Activities include “˜America’s Next Best Trainer’ and Arnold’s Kids Fitness EXPO, providing sporting fun for the whole family.

The 6th annual Indian Lake “˜Polar Plunge‘ will present Ohio’s winter finale on 21st March. Situated just under two hours from Columbus, plungers are expected to enter ice cold water and raise a minimum of $75 ($50 for students) for their cause. Observe or participate – it’s all for charity and marks an amusing, if not chilly end to the season.

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