Don't miss events along the Back Roads and Beaches

Event season is upon us again and as is typical along the Back Roads and Beaches, a full calendar awaits athletes, wine enthusiasts, families and bike tourists. Check it out:

Events to Compete/Participate/Ride

Oberlin Splash-n-Dash Triathlon
Philips Gym, Oberlin College
Saturday, May 15
500 yard swim, 20k bike, 5k run
Registration forms available at the front desk of Philips Gym. Cost is $20 per person, $45 for a team of three

Oberlin Midnight Bike Ride & Pancake Breakfast
Friday, May 14, 2010
Tappan Square 11:59pm
Helmets and lights highly recommended!
Midnight ride is a leisurely bike ride through the streets of Oberlin. The ride starts on Tappan Square and ends at the Oberlin Inn with a free pancake breakfast to all participants.

Culinary/Wine

Wine Tasting and Scoring/Live music
May 8, 2010, 4pm
Vermilion Valley Vineyards
11005 Gore Orphanage Rd.
Henrietta Township, OH 44889
Wine tasting and scoring with Professor and winemaker David Benzing. Six wines will be sampled and scored using a 20-point scale with each criteria fully explained beforehand. All the scored wines will be white varieties made from grapes grown the the Vermilion Valley experiental vineyard located less than half a mile from the winery. Cost is $10. Beginning at 6pm: enjoy live music by Around Acoustic Trio. Open Sat 10am–10pm.

Second Saturday Supper
May 8, 5pm–8pm
Paper Moon Vineyards
2008 SR 60
Vermilion, OH 44089
Texas-style barbeque dinner by Rotuno's of Elyria. Meal includes 1/2 barbeque chicken, cheesy potatoes, close slaw and corn bread. $12.99. Tickets can be purchased by phone at (440) 967-2500 or online here.

Live music at Vermilion Valley Vineyards
Vermilion Valley Vineyards
11005 Gore Orphanage Rd., Henrietta Township, OH 44889
Friday, May 14
Live music by The Croonerz beginning at 6pm.

Lorenzo’s Rigatoni Dinner at Matus Winery
Friday, May 14, 5:30pm


Pancake Breakfast along the Lake
Sunday, May 16, 2010
103rd O.V.I. Museum
5501 East Lake Rd, Sheffield Lake, OH 44054
All you can eat pancake breakfast and free tours of Civil War Museum.


Festivals/Family

The Big Parade & Festival
Oberlin, Saturday May 8, 2010
Tappan Square
Created and organized by Oberlin College students as a way to celebrate art, springtime, the community and fun! The parade is followed by festivities in Tappan Square. You never know what kind of floats will appear at The Big Parade!


Arts/History/Underground Railroad

Freedom’s Friends History Walk
May 15, 2010, 11am–12:15pm
Oberlin Heritage Center
73 1/2 S. Professor St., Oberlin, OH 44074
Oberlin is perhaps the most important station along the whole line of the Underground Railway. It has rendered the most important services to Freedom. It is second only to Canada as an asylum for the hunted fugitive. Hear stories about Oberlin's most famous freedom seekers and people known to have helped them make their way to freedom. This tour is most likely to be enjoyed by adults and children 9 years of age and up.

Advance registration is not required for this tour, although it is appreciated. Tickets are available online and at the Museum Store in the Monroe House up until tour time. Tickets will not be available at the tour start location. This history walk will be canceled if it is raining at start time and registrants may request refunds or transfers.

This tour begins near the front steps of First Church, U.C.C. at the northwest corner of Main Street (SR 58) and Lorain Street (SR 511). 440.774.1700