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A visit to the Columbus suburb of Reynoldsburg takes you further from the city than you would think. Here, it's an old fashioned good time with all the amenities of a well-appointed stay in the city. Whether your interests lie in sports, shopping, museums or hometown festivities, you'll find it here.
Reynoldsburg's Tomato Festival is the hallmark event of the summer. Held each year in September, the festival celebrates Reynoldsburg's place in history as the "Birthplace of the tomato" and features all culinary incarnations of the fleshy red fruit, as well as tomato judging contests, a parade and lots of games, food, entertainment and fun.
The tomato was 'born' in Reynoldsburg in the 19th century with the help of local favorite son Alexander W. Livingston. Livingston developed the 'Paragon Tomato', billed as the first ever tomato bred for commercial use. His legacy lives on in the Livingston House and Museum on Graham Road, which is listed on the National Registry of Historic Homes. In addition to displaying area historical information, the house hosts musical evenings, band concerts and ice-cream socials in the summer months. The grounds of the Livingston House are worth visiting on their own. The area features a park in a serene country setting with landscaped gardens, a walkway and playground equipment.
In addition to Livingston's legacy, Reynoldsburg has a very active Scottish American Society, which celebrates the city Scottish heritage year-round. The society's main event of the year is the Reynoldsburg Tartan Day, which features pipers, Scottish highland and country dancers, Scottish games, athletic demonstrations, weaponry displays and more.
In the winter months, Reynoldsburg lights up with another big event just in time for the holidays. Christmas on the Towne in Old Reynoldsburg features children's crafts, horse drawn carriage rides and a visit from St. Nick.
For some to please your palate, the Reynoldsburg Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors an annual Taste of Reynoldsburg business expo event in the summer. Last year's event featured more than 20 restaurants serving a variety of local favorites, as well as special guests for the kids including McGruff and Crime Dog and Sparky the Fire Dog.
If you've had too much delicious food at on of these festivals, gear up for the the annual Mount Carmel Fitness Challenge on Labor Day. The event features several fitness staples, such as a half-marathon and 5k race, and also features original events, such as the In-line skate half marathon. Wheelchairs are welcome for both the 5k and half-marathon races. If participation is not your desire just get a workout cheering at the National Trail Raceway, an NHRA Championship Drag racing track that hosts such rousing events as the Pontiac Nationals and Mopar Nationals each year.
For outdoor pursuits, visitors should not miss Blacklick Woods, a spacious metro park in Reynoldsburg. The park includes a four-mile walking and biking trail, open play areas, meadows, lots of wildlife and a nature center, in addition to a 72 par golf course.
Nearby Pine Quarry Park features extensive pine woodlands, a rocky gorge once used as a limestone quarry and more walking paths. Families can get active at Kennedy Park, which features four lighted tennis courts, ten baseball diamonds, playgrounds, a skate park and bicycle path. Right next door enjoy Huber Park with its footballs fields, soccer fields and a recreation path, which runs alongside Blacklick Creek
Information provided by www.visitreynoldsburg.com .
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