TRAVEL REPORT

Akron gardens site to host wine soiree

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron will feature an evening of fine wine, food and music in the historic gardens on Friday.

“Off the Vine: An Evening Pairing of Food and Wine” will be take place from

6 to 9 p.m., and will feature an opportunity to sample more than 60 varieties of wine at stations throughout the gardens, complemented with tapas-style food from several local caterers and restaurants.

The site’s Manor House will be open for self-guided tours. Visitors also will find a pop-up wine retailer during the event, selling bottles of the sampled wine to take home.

Tickets to this 21-andolder event cost $65, and advance purchase is required. Tickets can be purchased at stanhywet.org.

Sweet corn and more on tap at Marietta festival

Sweet, sweet corn is on the menu at the Marietta Sweet Corn Festival on Friday and Saturday.

Ohio’s oldest permanent settlement celebrates the area’s rich agricultural history with activities including cornhole contests, corn-eating contests, a petting zoo, free live music and more. Proceeds from the festival go toward scholarships for Washington County high school seniors planning to seek college degrees in agriculture or related fields.

For more information about the free festival in Muskingum Park downtown, visit www.marietta sweetcorn.com. The moon and the stars in focus in Cincinnati

The oldest public observatory in the country will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first manned moon landing with two events on July 20.

The Cincinnati Observatory will host an Apollo 11 family event from 1 to 4 p.m., with moon activities and crafts, astronautfood tasting, moon rocks on display, face painting, rocket launches, special raffle prizes and safe viewing of the sun through telescopes, weather permitting. Tickets cost $15.

From 8 to 11 p.m. that evening, the observatory will host an adult celebration of the anniversary, pairing stargazing and craft beer tasting. The event also will include valet parking, talks and video experiences and viewing through the telescopes, weather permitting. Tickets cost $75 and include three beer tickets.

Space for both events is limited.

For reservations, call 513-321-5186 or visit www. cincinnatiobservatory.org.

Steve Stephens sstephens@dispatch.com