The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
New events coming to attract tourists
Ice Cream Trail is one offer coming in summer
Lorain County officials have partnered with vendors throughout the county in an attempt to encourage more people to come and visit.
“We are always trying new and creative ways to bring people into Lorain County,” said Lorain County Commissioner Matt Lundy. “It is all about creating that buzz. How can we get people talking about our county, and what do we have that sets us apart? We ask these questions because they are the same questions you ask yourself when deciding where to go and spend your time.”
Lundy said the county leaves no stone unturned when it comes to creating an attraction.
“Our county is very diverse and inviting, we just need to create a way to tap into that and draw the interest,” he said. “We need to look at everything from the attractions we have, whether it be something involving sports, food, the waterways, or all of the above. We need to see what the
latest trends are in these various categories but also how we can improve upon it and draw people to these activities.”
Lundy said the county looks at the surrounding areas to draw people in.
“We are looking at the people in Huron, Erie, Cuyahoga, and Medina counties; we look at what it takes to get them to visit Lorain County,” he said. “Different counties have different draws, but we aim to get the right combination of location and discounts that make people come to Lorain County.”
Lundy said it’s not just the out-of-county people that need to be informed of the latest draws but also those who live in the county.
“We often have to inform the people who call Lorain County home about certain events,” he said. “I often hear how someone did not know what was being offered or where they need to go. We need them to start going and telling their
friends. That is how these offers gain the buzz to bring people in.”
Lundy said one of the offers coming this summer is the Ice Cream Trail.
“Starting June 1 through Sept. 3, we will do an event that features multiple prominent ice cream shops in Lorain County,” he said. “Patrons can go to these locations and check off that they went there. Visiting all the shops on the trail will reward you with a discount on ice cream.”
Lundy said the county was also thinking about fisherman rewards.
“There will be a discount card so fishing enthusiasts can save money on some of the equipment they use most,” he said. “Rods, reels, bait, and whatever else you might need. We had Mulnar Outdoor, in Amherst, and Erie Outfitter, in Sheffield Lake agree to offer the discounts along with more locations we will announce later.”
Lundy said there will also be a King of Wings promotion.
“We will have multiple restaurants offering wings for $7 per pound starting June 21 through the end of July,” he said. “We are still working to add more restaurants but the end goal will be to have patrons eat wings and rate the best locations. This is just another way to get people talking about Lorain County and all it has to offer. The goal is to draw people in with promotions like this one and maybe they take a look at other things we have going on.”
The locations for the ice cream trail include Divine Scoops, in Avon Lake, Hastee Tastee and Hot Dog Heaven, in Amherst, Twist-n-Shake and Scoops & More, in Elyria, Sundae Funday’s, in Columbia Station, K-Cream Korner and K-Cream Parlour, in Lorain, Kriege’s It’z the Berries Frozen Custard, in Amherst, Cowhaus Creamery, in Oberlin, Cathy’s Ice Cream, in Lorain, and Dairy Grove in North Ridgeville.
For more information on events and participating shops for discounts go to visitloraincounty.com, or go to the Lorain County Visitors Bureau, 8025 N Leavitt Road in Amherst.