ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Belmont County Tourism announced the cancellation of the 48th Annual Rubberneck Tour due to ongoing COVID-19 safety concerns.

The event initially scheduled for Oct. 11 was to feature the Great Western Schoolhouse and the Shaeffer Campbell covered bridge on the campus of Ohio University Eastern. The one-room schoolhouse is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.

“This event showcases the best of our county and attracts visitors from all over the tri-state area,” Barb Ballint, executive director of the tourism council, said. “It is with a heavy heart that we cancel the event for 2020 due to the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus. The health and safety of our visitors, participants and staff remains our highest priority.”

The Rubberneck Tour started at a group meeting when someone said that a “do-it-yourself” scenic drive would be a great way to promote agriculture in the area. A gentleman at the meeting said, “Folks like to drive and rubberneck at the scenery.” First starting as a tour of the local farms and homesteads, the Rubberneck Tour changes each year, also including historic landmarks and scenic byways with stops along the way.

Ballint said the pandemic has caused many event organizers to postpone, reschedule or even cancel public events. Due to regulations and advisories from governments and public health organizations banning large gatherings of people, most local events, including sporting events, concerts and conferences, have not taken place as scheduled, if at all.

“It’s been a very rough year for travel and tourism, the hardest hit industry due to the pandemic,” Ballint said, adding people do not realize what they have until it is gone. “So many people have told me that they planned on attending an event or visiting a place that was closed due to the pandemic. … Hopefully, this situation gives us a better appreciation of what we have here in Belmont County.”

For information about the happenings in the area, Ballint suggests visiting the tourism website and social media platforms or calling the tourism office at 740-695-4359.

“The staff is always happy to help those who are interested find an enjoyable experience in Belmont County.”