Spring is a wonderful time to explore Belmont County!

Don’t miss a chance to get outside and enjoy the wonder of spring — when nature comes back alive! It’s when blooming flowers, green meadows, chirping birds and sunshine fill our souls with joy. And just like those spring flowers, events will start popping up all around the county, too!

From community events to museum re-openings to wildflower walks, now is the time to embrace the change of the season and start exploring right here in our own backyard in Friendly. Beautiful. Belmont County.

On Saturday, April 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., treat yourself to some fresh air and spend the day enjoying stunning views, historical sites and Belmont County heritage while driving along our scenic back roads during the Belmont County Heritage Trail/Rubberneck Tour.

Every mile tells a story, and along this route you will discover the heritage that built Belmont County through the importance of transportation, agriculture, and the energy industries. Learn about outdoor recreation that is prevalent in our county, and the history that helped shaped us. Explore the Buckeye back roads while driving along parts of Drovers Trail Scenic Byway. Shop small and stroll along the charming streets of historic downtown Barnesville.

Sponsored by the Belmont County Tourism Council, this self-guided driving tour will feature points of interest through Belmont, Bethesda, and Barnesville areas. With its beginnings, as a tour of the local farms and homesteads in 1971, the tour changes each year. The 2023 Heritage Trail/Rubberneck Tour will feature: Belmont Classic Cars, Epworth Park, Stillwater Quaker Meeting House, Captina Conservancy, Watt Center for History & The Arts, Belmont County Victorian Mansion Museum and Historic Downtown Barnesville. This family-friendly event is free to the community and stops will include activities, demonstrations, and food trucks along the route. For more information visit, visitbelmontcounty.com.

Belmont County is home to many beautiful wildflowers, and if you have ever wondered about them, join the Friends of Captina Conservancy on April 16th at 10am for the Annual Wildflower Walk along South Fork of Captina Creek. Nature lovers are sure to see all kinds of wildflowers and birds during this self-guided hike. Wildflowers will be marked ahead of time, so you can enjoy the walk at your leisure. For more information visit, captina.org.

The Belmont County Heritage Museum, in St. Clairsville, will reopen on April 13th for the 2023 season. Located in the historic former county sheriff’s residence, next to the courthouse, the Heritage Museum celebrates and preserves the county’s history.

In addition to displays about the county’s sheriffs, each room depicts communities within our county and showcases their heritage, industries, landmarks, and important historical figures. A visit to the Heritage Museum will leave you discovering the hidden gems that Belmont County is proud to hold in our history.

Admission is free, but donations are accepted. The Heritage Museum will be open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit www.belmontcountyheritagemuseum.org or call 740-298-7020.

The National Imperial Glass Museum, in Bellaire, has re-opened for the season on April 1. Imperial was one of the largest handcrafted glass companies in America.

This museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the Imperial Glass Corp., paying tribute to its employees, educating the public, providing research opportunities, and is a “must visit” for any glass enthusiasts.

The museum has over 3,000 glassware pieces on display, and is featuring many new ones for 2023, including a beautiful Candlewick Chandelier. For more information visit www.imperialglass.org or call 740-671-3971.

So, pack up the family, explore, and make memories right here in our own backyard in Belmont County. To find out more about all the upcoming events happening in Belmont County, go to our website at visitbelmontcounty.com. Also, if you are planning an event, please send our office the information so we can add it to our website event calendar and share on our social media channels. We are your community partner, and here to help promote all the upcoming events happening in Friendly. Beautiful. Belmont County

Each month this space will be devoted to a column written by Jackee Pugh, executive director of the Belmont County Tourism Council. She will provide information about the tourism office, local attractions, upcoming events, and other local finds in Belmont County. She will share information about the travel and tourism industry and how it impacts our local economy.