October is when Belmont County really shines.

The mornings turn crisp, the hillsides glow with color, and our calendars fill with experiences that remind us why we love calling this place home. We welcome visitors with small-town warmth and send them home with big memories — proof that tourism isn’t just about trips; it’s about community pride, thriving local businesses, and the stories we tell about who we are.

This fall has been no exception. Barnesville’s signature event once again put our region on the map, showcasing giant pumpkins, packed sidewalks, and that unmistakable festival spirit volunteers have nurtured for generations. The Pumpkin Festival is more than a weekend of fun — it’s a masterclass in what a community can do when neighbors roll up their sleeves together. To every volunteer, sponsor, grower, musician, and cleanup crew member: thank you. Your time and heart are the secret ingredients that keep visitors returning year after year!

But October isn’t only about one event. It’s pumpkin patches and scenic drives. It’s Friday night football, a brisk walk on a trail, or a spontaneous stop at a museum you’ve meant to visit for years. It’s the simple joy of rediscovering your own backyard–and inviting friends and relatives to rediscover it with you. When residents explore locally, our businesses feel it, and our entire economy benefits.

That’s why I often talk about community pride as a tourism strategy. If you love a place here — your favorite restaurant, trail, shop, or fall tradition — tell someone. Post it, text it, bring a friend. From heritage preservation to downtown revitalization, partners across Belmont County are investing in projects that honor our past and create new reasons to visit. When we restore historic spaces like the Great Stone Viaduct and Black Horse Inn, activate main streets and historic districts with new shops and restaurants, or improve trail and byway access, we’re not just enhancing quality of life — we’re building a stronger visitor experience that brings repeat trips and more dollars into our community.

Belmont County boasts more scenic byways than any other county in Ohio, and each one becomes a breathtaking corridor of color in the fall. The Drovers’ Trail Scenic Byway runs 39 miles from Hendrysburg through Barnesville and on to Bellaire. Once used to move livestock eastward, it’s now lined with heritage stops and incredible views. The Historic National Road Byway, known as America’s “Main Street,” follows 28 miles of U.S. 40 through Belmont County and is dotted with diners, inns, and locally owned shops that add charm and character to any drive. And hugging the river for 26 miles, the Ohio River Scenic Byway pairs sweeping water views with lush hillsides and welcoming river towns. Peak color is expected mid to late October, but the leaves have already begun their show–perfect timing for a Sunday drive or spontaneous detour.

Beyond the roads, autumn in Belmont County is full of reasons to explore. Stop by the pumpkin patch at Ebbert Farm Market, where rows of bright orange pumpkins wait to become porch decor, plus fresh apples, homemade jams, and cider. Step back in time with Victorian cottage tours during Autumn at Epworth Park in Bethesda on Sunday Oct. 19, where storybook cottages line the charming lakeside grounds. And don’t skip a true local favorite — and the sweetest way to wrap up any fall adventure — a scoop (or two!) of Kirke’s Homemade Pumpkin Ice Cream.

As we look ahead to the holidays, I hope you’ll keep the spirit going. Shop small, dine local, and share your favorite places with out-of-town guests. Consider a museum visit or a scenic drive with family.

Tourism is a team sport, and Belmont County plays it well. To our partners and boards, elected officials, historians and curators, festival committees, small-business owners, and hospitality workers: you make this welcoming season possible. To our residents: you’re our best storytellers, and your presence makes a difference here.

Fall doesn’t last forever, but the pride it sparks can. Let’s carry this season’s energy into the months ahead, showing off our history, hospitality, and why Ohio is the Heart of it All — one visit, one recommendation, and one friendly welcome at a time.

To find out more about all upcoming events happening in Belmont County, go to our website at visitbelmontcounty.com. I invite you to fall even more in love with friendly, beautiful, Belmont County this autumn season!

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.