Time to Start “Picking Portage”.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Central Portage County Visitor and Convention Bureau.
All opinions are my own.
There has never been a better time than right now to “Pick Portage”. That’s right! Central Portage County Visitor and Convention Bureau is asking visitors to “pick” their county this fall. Portage County farmers are bringing their harvested crops to the local farmers markets and you can’t “pick” any fresher than that. Their apple season has started and for those who prefer them right off the tree, Monroe Orchard is offering “pick-your-own” times. In a few more weeks, mid-September, Portage County’s landscape will start its annual fall transformation. The yellows, reds, and golden colors of the area’s maple trees can be spectacular. Just another reason to “Pick Portage”!
To help you discover one of Ohio’s best kept fall secrets, I have put together a “Picking Portage County Driving Tour”. This tour is just a guide to help you “pick” your way through the county. You are going to love picking your favorite apples, selecting your ears of fresh corn, deciding on which pumpkins, sampling heirloom tomatoes, buying your own bouquet of flowers, baked goods, and more. I have even included an option to “pick” out a bottle of wine.
So fill the tank, grab your cooler, your shopping bags, cash, camera, and get ready to enjoy a day or two traveling through the back roads and towns of Portage County, Ohio.
Did you know that Portage County is home to three Ohio State Parks? So there is plenty of outdoor areas to enjoy a picnic, hiking, kayaking, or even do a little fishing. And just wait till the fall colors arrive! You are going to want to bring your camera!
PLAN AHEAD
- Please note that the Haymakers Farmer’s Market is only held on Saturday mornings. If you are planning on visiting throughout the week, the market will not be available as a stop. However, we have added an optional morning (Th-Sun) stop.
- All the stops can be accomplished in one day. But we do suggest you stay overnight to allow for additional exploration. We have also included additional noteworthy stops that you might like to stop and visit. For hotels located near our starting point click here.
- If you need help planning, feel free to contact the Central Portage County VCB for assistance. Staff can help you with any questions you may have.
TIME TO GET PICKING!
Stop #1
HAYMAKERS FARMERS’ MARKET
SATURDAY’S ONLY.
ADDRESS: @ Franklin Ave. between Main St. and Summit St. under the Haymaker overpass
CONTACT: [email protected]
HOURS OF OPERATION: 9am-1pm
WEBSITE: haymakermarket.com
The market offers a wide selection of local produce, herbs, flowers, honey products, fresh baked goods, gourmet items, kettle corn, handmade soaps, and various local grown dairy and beef products. Every week a vendor list is made available.
It is best to bring cash, as many of the vendors do not take credit cards. If you only have a credit card, you can purchase market tokens at the market’s information table. During the winter months the market is held indoors.
OPTIONAL STOP (Th-Sun):
If you find yourself not being able to make the Saturday farmers market, we would like to suggest that you check out Brimfield Bread Oven. They are open Thursdays – Sunday. Brimfield Bread Oven is a European style bakery that bakes all their breads and pastries in a wood-fired oven. (They are also a vendor at the farmers market on Saturdays.)
BRIMFIELD BREAD OVEN
ADDRESS: 3956 OH-43 #2, Kent, OH 44240
TELE: (330)-474-7800
WEBSITE: brimfieldbreadoven.com
HOURS OF OPERATION: (please check their website for any changes to their schedule.)
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday: Closed
Thursday & Friday: 8am-5pm
Saturday: 9am-8pm (*pizza is 4pm-8pm only)
Sunday: 9am-4pm
Stop #2
BECKWITH ORCHARDS
ADDRESS: 1617 Lake Rockwell Road, Kent, OH 44240
TELE: (330) 673.6433
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Season opens end of July.
10 am – 5pm Everyday
Closed Thanksgiving Day | Closed for the Season at 12:00 p.m. on December 24th
WEBSITE: beckwithorchards.com
AVAILABLE: Over 20 different apple varieties are offered throughout the season. You can find out what is in season by checking their apple chart. Beckwith Orchards also have a gift shop located on the premises. There you will find delicious apple cider, jams, jellies, candles, gift items, local maple syrup, local honey, pumpkins, a bakery section, and holiday decorations. During apple season, the bakery offers a nice selection of pies.
Stop #3
BECK’S FARM AND MARKET
ADDRESS: 1199 E Garfield Rd., Aurora, OH 44202
TELE: 216-314-3415 |
WEBSITE: becksfarmandmarket.business.site
HOURS OF OPERATION: May – October (7 days a week) M-Sat 10 am – 6pm | Sunday 11am-5pm
Credit cards are accepted with minimum purchase.
AVAILABLE: Seasonal fruits and vegetables. Local honey, jams, eggs, and flowers are also available.
Stop #4
MONROE’S ORCHARD AND FARM MARKET
ADDRESS: 6313 Pioneer Trail, Hiram, OH 44234
TELE: (330) 569-7464
HOURS OF OPERATION: See website for updated hours.
WEBSITE: monroesorchard.com/
HOURS OF OPERATION: Mon-Thu: 9:00 – 6:00, Fri & Sat: 9:00 – 5:00, and Sun: 10:00 – 5:00
AVAILABLE: In addition to apples, Monroe’s grow their own Bartlett Pears, and Allstar peaches. You will also find local produce, preserves, snacks, and other local treats available to purchase.
NOTEWORTHY STOP:
This adorable drugstore is located on OH-44. It’s the perfect place to stop if you like old-fashioned root beer floats. Currently seating is available at the soda fountain, but you can take one to go. Allow time to shop the store. Besides being a working drug store, they also carry gift ideas and seasonal items.
MANTUA STATION DRUG CO.
ADDRESS: 10870 OH-44, Mantua, OH 44255
TELE: (330) 274-2209
WEBSITE: mantuastationrx.com
HOURS OF OPERATION: Mon-Fri: 9:00am – 7:00pm | Sat 9:00am – 4:00pm | Sun 10:00am – 2:00pm
NOTEWORTHY STOP:
“Pick” your favorite cupcake at Sunshine Cupcakes in Ravenna. No matter what flavor you pick, you can’t go wrong.
SUNSHINE CUPCAKES ETC
ADDRESS: 221 S. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266
TELE: 330-577-4222
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/sunshinecupcakesetc
HOURS OF OPERATION: M-F 7AM-6PM | SAT 10AM-5PM
Closed Sundays. Tuesdays they have a special on cupcakes.
Stop #5
STAHL’S FARM MARKET
ADDRESS: 4560 State Route 14, Ravenna, OH 44266
TELE: (330) 325.0640
HOURS OF OPERATION: see website
WEBSITE: stahlsfarmmarket.com
AVAILABLE: Seasonal produce. Saturdays and Sundays the orchard allows for pick-your-own apples. An apple schedule can be found here on their Facebook page.
Stop #6
MAY’S FARM
ADDRESS: 4357 Alexander Road, Randolph, OH 44201
TELE: (330) 325-7796
HOURS OF OPERATION: seasonal
Available: Meet Farmer May. His farm offers seasonal produce including sweet corn, tomatoes, pumpkins, summer squash, zucchini, green beans, and more.
Stop #7
DUSSEL FARM AND FEED STORE
ADDRESS: 1109 Old Forge Road, Brimfield, OH
TELE: (330) 673.5957
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Farm Market – Open Seasonally beginning in July.
Mon. – Fri. 9 am to 6 pm. | Sat. & Sun. 9 am to 5 pm.
WEBSITE: dusselfarm.com/
Available: Seasonal local produce including their famous corn. Beginning in late September you will also find pumpkins, a variety of squash and mums. The farm will also be opening up their fields for their annual corn maze. Details to be announced.
NOTEWORTHY STOP:
For four generations this family-owned meat market has been supplying the area with quality meats. Check their website for additional information. Special orders are accepted. To allow time to shop, please check their hours of operation.
DUMA MEATS FARM MARKET
ADDRESS: 857 Randolph Rd., Mogadore, OH 44260
TELE: (330) 628-3438
HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday-Friday: 9am-6pm
Saturday 8am-5pm | Closed Sundays
WEBSITE: dumameats.com
I would like to thank you in advance for “picking” Portage County as your next road trip. If your looking to spend more time in the area, you will find plenty of parks to explore, gallery and shopping areas, including an outlet mall, attractions and museums just a short distance from your starting point, as well as plenty of restaurants offering dine-in and take-out. There is even a Downtown Kent Public Art Tour.
Fall Festivals
If you love all things Oktoberfest, the German Family Society in Brimfield hosts a yearly Oktoberfest in September. This year the event will be taking place September 10-12, 2021. The Society puts out all the stops. Homemade German foods, a Bier Garden, German Dancers and music. A wonderful family-friendly event.
Other fall festivals include the Mantua Potato Festival (September 10-12, 2021), Round Town Music Fest (September 17, 2021), Ravenna Balloon A-Fair (September 18-19, 2021), and Main Street Kent Oktoberfest (September 25, 2021),
Grab a Bite to Eat
If you want to treat yourself to a place you won’t forget, enjoy a meal at Mike’s Place in Kent. The menu is as eclectic as the restaurant. Something for everyone.
Mike’s Place
1700 S Water St #4447, Kent, OH 44240
mikesplacerestaurant.com
Currently the State of Ohio is under a mask mandate. Area establishments are working hard to make you feel safe when visiting. You will also find that some of the markets will offer pre-order and curbside pick-ups. Feel free to reach out if we can be of any assistance in planning your next getaway.
Article and photos by: D. Rock, MyOhioFun.com
Editor’s note: Any use of the above article or images without prior permission, will be in violation of copyright laws.
***Disclosure: My Ohio Fun received article compensation from Central Portage VCB. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.***
