In Oxford, Ohio the Hike-A-Thon signals an official goodbye to summer and an enthusiastic hello to autumn. By the time this town favorite event rolls around on Saturday, Sept. 28, temperatures will have dropped from scorching summer to pleasantly mild. (At least we hope so. Ohio weather is kind of temperamental. See what we did there?) It will hopefully be Scarf Weather and therefore the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors without sweating yourself into a puddle.
Something important to know about the Hike-A-Thon is that it takes place in a specific location. You may be thinking, "Duh?" But we think this is crucial information to share, especially since a couple of the Enjoy Oxford staff (including the one writing this very blog post) have ventured onto random trails around town and wondered where in the world all the other Hike-A-Thon hikers were. While Oxford does boast an impressive 17 miles of nature trails, the Hike-A-Thon specifically takes place in the fields and trails surrounding the DeWitt Log Cabin (4824 Oxford Trenton Road). You may have known this, or we may have just saved you from a very confusing walk around a deserted trail somewhere across town.
Now that you know where to go, read on so you know what fun stuff to expect at the event!
What's a Hike-A-Thon without the hike? Choose between a 1-mile, 3-mile, or 5-mile loop around the perfectly autumnal cornfields surrounding the DeWitt Log Cabin. Or go off a little further and explore some of the more expansive nature trails that begin right behind the parking lot. Keep track of how many miles you walk and then stop by the Miami Benefits and Wellness tent; they're beginning their Week of Wellness and trying to reach a collective count of 2,000 miles for the day!
Your adventure on the trails will include tall trees, winding streams, and shy wildlife. Bring your four-legged friends along for the hike, too! (Just remember to keep them on a leash.) They'll no doubt meet some more wagging tails along the way.
There will be over thirty Hike-A-Thon partners at the event with information, interactive activities, and free goodies to pass out. Ride an e-bike at the Bike Wise tent, or get a healthy snack from Coalition for a Healthy Community. Keep the little ones busy with leaf-themed crafts at the Project Dragonfly booth and awesome fossils from the Miami Geology Museum. Animal lovers will have no shortage of furry friends to meet with horses from the Equestrian Team, dogs from Paws for a Cause Miami, birds from Audubon Miami, and more!
Pioneer Days at the DeWitt Log CabinThe line of partner tents will run along a path that leads you straight to the DeWitt Log Cabin where you and the family can enjoy the annual Pioneer Day! This event is thrown by the Oxford Museum Association (OMA) and includes hearth cooking, crafting, demonstrations, and live music. Can you believe everything is free to enjoy, too? Stop by and take a trip back to the 1800s. The event will take place from 9 AM - 2 PM.
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