Fun Things To Do This Fall in Belmont County
Updated: Aug 31, 2021
Discover the beauty of fall in Belmont County! Our rolling hills filled with trees displaying the rainbow of nature’s colors welcome you to enjoy the sights and flavors of fall. From fun fall events to breathtaking nature, come see why fall is the perfect time to visit Belmont County, Ohio!
Savor the Flavors of Fall – Find everything and anything apple or pumpkin at one of Belmont County’s great bakeries such as: Tina’s Sweet Celebrations in Martins Ferry, The Fat Apple in Bridgeport, Unique Treats By Jacquie in Bellaire, and Yorkville Bakery. Don’t forget to get a scoop of pumpkin ice cream at Kirke’s Homemade Ice Cream in St. Clairsville. Local coffee shops Beeology Coffee & Bakery in Barnesville and Flatiron Coffee Co. inside Three Labs Salvage in St. Clairsville offer seasonal coffee specialties. And you’re sure to find a signature fall cocktail at one of our many great restaurants, pubs or grills.
Zion Retreat & RV Park is hosting a free Apple Cider Festival on Saturday, Oct. 2 from 8am-5pm at the Lakeside Pavilion, 73999 Reservoir Hill Rd., Flushing. There will be apple picking, apple pressing, and a hay ride. Each family will leave with a half gallon of freshly-pressed (unpasteurized) apple cider. There will be a free breakfast served to Zion guests and the public is welcome for $6. For more information call 740-968-0955.
Pick The Perfect Pumpkin – Ebbert Farm Market is a third generation family farm, located between State Route 40 and Interstate 70 near St. Clairsville, Ohio (between Exits 218 and 220). This year marks the 101st for the family business which is once again offering fall necessities such as pumpkins, gourds, and cornstalks.
Duvall’s Produce Wagon is located on SR 800 near Barnesville. Normal business hours re 6:30am-9pm for this honor system produce wagon operated by the Duvall family. See their Facebook page for hours and pricing information.
County Line U-pick, located between St. Clairsville and New Athens, is a family-owned and operated berry and pumpkin u pick patch providing families across the Ohio Valley the opportunity to harvest their own produce. They will have weekend and some weekday evening hours this fall. They will also have pumpkins and gourds already picked for those who do not wish to or cannot pick their own.
Celebrate all things pumpkin at the 57th Annual Barnesville Pumpkin Festival, Sept. 23-26. The village of Barnesville swells to accommodate as many as 100,000 people during this four-day event that includes great food and contests, a huge car show, a giant pumpkin parade, 5K run and walk, crowning of the 2021 King Pumpkin, and so much more!
Visit a Farmers Market – The Ohio Valley Farmer’s Market continues through Oct. 31. It is held on Thursday evening from 4-7 in the parking lot of the Ohio Valley Mall between Panera Bread and Chik-fil-A in St. Clairsville and on Saturday mornings from 9am-12pm in the parking lot off of Union Street in Bellaire. In addition to fresh seasonal produce and hand-crafted items, the Saturday market includes kid’s activities. Since 1979, the Ohio Valley Farmer’s Market has encouraged the growth and support of local farms and small businesses by educating consumers on the benefits and importance of supporting the market’s vendors.
The Market is hosting an Apple Festival on Thursday, Sept. 16 at the Ohio Valley Mall from 4-7pm.
Attend a Car Show – Check out the sweet vintage rides at one of three car shows in Belmont County in September. Saturday, Sept. 11 is the Belmont County Schools Staying Clean Car, Bike, and Truck Show at the Ohio Valley Mall parking lot. Registration begins at 10 a.m. and the show is from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Judging will take place at 1:30 p.m. There will be music, food vendors, and a 50/50 drawing. Registration is $10 per vehicle. Registration is free for all student Drug Free Club members. Trophies will be awarded in multiple categories by independent judges. Two trophies will be awarded by the students in the club. Dash plaques will be given to the first 250 registrants. Free t-shirts will be given to the first 150 Student Drug Free Club Members. All proceeds benefit the Belmont County High Schools Drug Free Clubs to continue expanding this drug use prevention program to the grade schools.
An antique car show sponsored, by Belmont Classic Cars, takes place Sunday, Sept. 12 at the Belmont County Fair from at 10am until 3pm. The 172nd Annual Belmont County Fair kicks off Sept. 6 and runs through Sept. 12 at the Belmont County Fairgrounds, 45420 Roscoe Rd., St. Clairsville. It will also feature rides, food, family entertainment, live music, tractor and truck pulls, a rodeo, drag racing, livestock and horticultural displays.
The Barnesville Pumpkin Festival Antique and Classic Car Show takes places on Sunday, Sept. 26 at the Barnesville High School campus. One of the largest car shows in the area, this show pulls in hundreds of vehicles from Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. If you like cars, you won’t want to miss this popular event. Registration is from 9am until 1pm on Sunday, September 26, with the show running until approximately 4pm. Registration fee is $15 on the day of the show and pre-registration is $10. Dash plaques and small pumpkin trophies will be given to the first 300 cars registered. The awards will be to the top 75 overall entries and also a “Best of Show” trophy. A special “Jackie Huntsman Memorial Trophy” will be given by his family. Judging will be done by the Car Show Committee at approximately 4:30pm. Free shuttle bus service to and from the downtown festival area will be provided all day.
Take a Fall Hike – Take in the beautiful fall foliage at Zion Retreat & RV Park, Barkcamp State Park, Dysart Woods, Raven Rocks, Piedmont Lake, and the county’s newest trail – Rock River Refuge. This 2.5 mile trail features beautiful sandstone cliff faces, mature forest, and ravines and gorges. A grand opening for the trail will be Saturday, Sept. 18 from 1-4 pm. There will be a brief ribbon cutting, a guided hike, and a post-hike celebration with food and drink. Rock River Refuge is located approximately two miles south of Temperanceville, in southwest Belmont County. Traveling south from Temperanceville on State Route 379, turn right on McLaughlin Road (also known as Burkhart Road). You will see the trailhead signs and parking area on your left approximately .6 miles from there. For more information e-mail contact@captina.org.
Zion Retreat & RV Park in Flushing recently expanded the scenic nature trail surrounding the lake and now connecting directly to the RV park. It is dog friendly and open to the public from dawn to dusk. Barkcamp State Park offers five different hiking trails varying in length and difficulty from easy to moderate, as well as an 8 mile multi-use trail. Dysart Woods, located near Belmont, has a 1.7 mile loop trail that features a great forest setting and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and trail running. Raven Rocks, located near Beallsville is a a nature lover’s paradise with a little-known waterfall and hiking area. Privately owned and operated, it is a true hidden gem in Belmont County. A portion of the Buckeye Trail is located at Piedmont Lake. Click here for more information about hiking in Belmont County.
Belmont County’s communities each have their own beautiful parks with paved and/or gravel walking trails and picnic areas to enjoy a great fall weather day outdoors.
Attend a Concert – Skyflight Productions in Barnesville is again offering a variety of concerts this fall at the Albert S. George Youth Center in Barnesville Memorial Park. Doors open at 7:30pm and refreshments are available for purchase. Upcoming shows include: The Rachel Brooke Band (Sept. 2); The Young Fables (Sept. 21); Vivian Leva & Riley Calcagro (Oct. 1); GoldenOak (Oct. 24) and June Star (Nov. 18).
The Pennyroyal Opera House in Fairview is a bluegrass music venue presenting top name bluegrass acts from around the USA and Canada. All shows are presented on Fridays. Located in a historic opera house in Fairview, Ohio along interstate I-70 at exit 198, it is a not for profit organization set up by The Pennyroyal Reunion committee. Bluegrass shows were started in late summer of 1995. The fall schedule kicks off on September 17th with Fast Track at 7pm. The kitchen opens at 5pm. Admission is $15, cash only. No advance ticket sales. The schedule of performers and more info can be found on their website.
Run a Race – Two big races in Belmont County in September include the Barnesville Pumpkin Festival 5K and the Barkcamp Race. The 40th Annual Corner Pharmacy Pumpkin Festival 5K Run/Walk will be Saturday, Sept. 25. This race features over 200 awards including the coveted, ceramic-fired pumpkin trophies and medallions, a huge smorgasbord of food, door prizes, and a free kid’s fun run. The race is part of the Barnesville Grand Prix Racing Series that consists of four races. Online registration is available at www.RunSignUp.com The Barkcamp Race offers trail ultra, trail full marathon and half marathon trail race, half marathon, 10K and 5K road race at Barkcamp State Park on Saturday, Oct. 2. Camping at Barkcamp and nearby lodging facilities are available. Visit their website for race and registration information.
Do Some “Rubbernecking” – The Belmont County Tourism Council sponsors this annual, free, drive-it-yourself tour. This year’s Belmont County Rubberneck Tour takes place Sunday, Oct. 10 from noon-6pm. Some of the stops this year will be the Great Western Schoolhouse, Shaeffer Campbell Covered Bridge (both on the campus of Ohio University Eastern), Alderman Airport, the Carnes Center, and the Capstone Event Center. Each stop will feature activities such as dulcimer playing, wool spinning, and more. There will be food and beverages available on the tour.
Scare Yourself Silly – Fall is the perfect time to attend one of the many haunted trails and houses in Belmont County. Fear Field Haunt is located at 71320 Center St., St Clairsville, OH. It is open every Friday and Saturday from 8-11pm in September and October. The Haunted Factory is located at 2200 Union St., Bellaire. Located in the old Rodefer Glass Factory, it is open Friday and Saturday in October. The Bellaire House Afterlife Research Center is an afterlife and paranormal research center, located at 1699 Belmont St. in Bellaire. It known to be one of the most haunted houses in the United States. The Haunting at LAYC is a haunted trail located at 65900 Girl Scout Rd., St. Clairsville. 2021 dates to be announced.
For more ideas for places to go, shop, eat, drink, stay, and play this fall in Belmont County, visit our website and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Youtube.
