Hunting, shopping, wine and cheese
It seems like an odd combination—hunting, shopping, wineries and cheese, but in Coshocton County it’s pretty natural. This county is known throughout the country for its high quantity and quality of deer, typically ranking in the top three, and often number one, in terms of deer kills in the state. Last season, they secured the number one position, and this year they just might do it again.
Coshocton is blessed to have the largest amount of public hunting and fishing land in Ohio, making it a popular hunting destination year-round. But this rural community is also proud of the ‘softer’ side of its other signature attractions such as Historic Roscoe Village, the horse-drawn canal boat, Unusual Junction and the Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum.
“Visitors tell us they enjoy the slower pace, safety and affordability of our community,” said Belinda Williamson, director of the Coshocton Convention and Visitors Bureau. “They often remark at how their holiday shopping is much more relaxed, less expensive and joyful when shopping here at shops such as those in Historic Roscoe Village and at Unusual Junction. We don’t have what the big cities have in terms of the large numbers of stores, but we also don’t have all the traffic, congestion and stress. Most of the shops in Coshocton are owned and operated by local folks and they offer items you can’t find everywhere else.”
Coshocton has also become known for its wine and cheese and is home to four popular wineries—Raven’s Glenn Winery, Shawnee Springs, Heritage Vineyard and Rainbow Hills Winery—and Pearl Valley Cheese, an award-winning cheese factory specializing in Swiss and Colby cheeses. “We have many guests who spend several days in Coshocton visiting the wineries, shops and taking tours,” said Williamson. “We are fortunate to be right between Amish Country and Longaberger Baskets, so visitors often use Coshocton as a hub—taking day trips to each of those areas.”
Just a few events coming up in Coshocton this winter include the Christmas Candlelightings the first three Saturdays of December in Historic Roscoe Village, The Marvel of this Night Festival Concert on Dec. 6, and the Sweetheart Big Band Dance on Feb. 13, at the Lake Park Pavilion. Find getaway packages and details about upcoming events on Coshocton’s brand new web site www.VisitCoshocton.com.
So whether you are a hunter or a shopper, this winter just might be the perfect time to get away to Coshocton County. You could bag a big buck or fill your holiday shopping bags with unique treasures from east central Ohio.
