Story Ideas - Visit Southeast Indiana

Argosy Casino

Chateau Pomije Winery

Story Ideas

To get any of the following stories on disk or by e-mail, or for accompanying photos, contact: Debbie Smith, Dearborn County Convention, Visitor & Tourism Bureau; 800-322-8198; dsmith@visitsoutheastindiana.com

Fun and Free Activities in Dearborn County
Dearborn County Offers Spring Sampler

Fun and Free Activities in Dearborn County

The taste of traditional fair food, Indiana’s county fairs are fun for kids of all ages, and the Dearborn County 4-H & Community Fair is no exception. Scheduled for June 24-29, 2002, at the Lawrenceburg Fairgrounds in Lawrenceburg, the fair is free every day of the week and features a variety of fun activities, including rides, livestock exhibits, demolition derbies, live entertainment, food, and much more. For more information, call the Dearborn County Convention, Visitor & Tourism Bureau at 800-322-8198 or visit www.dearborncountyfair.com.

Enjoy Music on the River
Celebrate the sounds of summer...attend a free concert at Music on the River, downtown Lawrenceburg’s annual summer concert series! The weekly musical performances, sponsored by the Lawrenceburg Main Street Association, the City of Lawrenceburg and the Dearborn County Convention, Visitor & Tourism Bureau, take place every Thursday evening from 7 pm - 9 pm (EDST/Cincinnati time) on the corner of High and Walnut Streets in Lawrenceburg. The free concert series, which will run through September, highlights talented performers and showcases a variety of musical styles, from the sounds of big band and jazz to current rock-and-roll favorites and popular hits. Call the Dearborn County Convention, Visitor & Tourism Bureau at 800-322-8198 for a complete schedule of performances.

Discover why Southeast Indiana is famous for festivals
Seasonal festivals are more than an annual ritual in Southeast Indiana—they’re a way of life! From antique farm machinery to archery to traditional and holiday-themed events, you’ll be sure to find a festival that fits your interest! Plus, since the majority of our festivals are free to the public—you can go to more than just one this year! Contact the Dearborn County Convention, Visitor & Tourism Bureau at 800-322-8198 to request a Dearborn County 2002 Calendar of Events, or visit our Calendar of Events online.

Experience the thrill of powerboat racing on the river
Gear up for the ultimate in watersports racing excitement at this annual free festival on the Ohio River! In addition to two days of racing, the "A Roar of Thunder" Aurora Regatta features an air show, jet ski stunts, food, entertainment and much more. Located just 30 miles from Cincinnati, Ohio, picturesque downtown Aurora is home to historic mansions, unique architecture, and a charming park on the river where the Regatta is held. This year’s race will be held Aug. 24-25, 2002. Gentlemen, start your engines! Call the Dearborn County Convention, Visitor & Tourism Bureau at 800-322-8198 for more information or a complete schedule.

Watch artisans re-create the past at a historic festival
Step back in time at Aurora Historic Day, a festival for remembering and preserving memories of the past! The festival, which will be held Sept. 14 in the historic Ohio River town of Aurora, will feature loads of free activities, including hidden history tours, historic restoration seminars, children’s entertainment, and a judged art show hosted by the Southeastern Indiana Art Guild. Watch and learn as groups of artisans demonstrate their craft! You’ll find a mix of old and new handicrafts rich in quality and tradition, including specialties such as weaving, quilting, painting, knitting, jewelry-making, woodworking, candle-making, herb gardening, and much, much more! For more information, contact the Main Street Aurora at 812-926-1100 or the Dearborn County Convention, Visitor & Tourism Bureau at 800-322-8198.

Taste the flavor of the season at a Southeast Indiana orchard
Do you love fresh apples? Satisfy your craving for the fruit with a free tour of one of Dearborn County’s orchards! Particularly enjoyable during the fall, you’ll enjoy learning about how the apples are grown and processed, and how fresh cider and apple butter is made. Stop by in summer for an even greater selection of produce, including berries, peaches, plums and more. Okay, so the outing won’t be entirely free if you end up taking home a jar of apple butter or a bag of fresh-picked apples. But trust us—your taste buds will thank you for it! For a complete list of Dearborn County orchards, contact the Dearborn County Convention, Visitor & Tourism Bureau at 800-322-8198.

Dearborn County Convention, Visitor & Tourism Bureau
320 Walnut Street
Lawrenceburg, IN 47025
Telephone: 800-322-8198 • 812-537-0814
Fax: 812-537-0845
Website: www.VisitSoutheastIndiana.com

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Dearborn County Offers Spring Sampler
Spring is the perfect time to discover Dearborn County, Southeast Indiana’s favorite getaway destination. Nestled between scenic hills and the picturesque Ohio River, Dearborn County offers visitors a multitude of activities and attractions from which to choose. So whether you’re into the thrill of riverboat casino gaming or are just in search of some small town charm, a trip to Dearborn County is an easy way to cure even the toughest case of spring fever.

Try Your Luck, Las Vegas-style
Travelers interested in trying their luck can experience the excitement of gaming on the Ohio River. Argosy Casino and Hotel, located in Lawrenceburg, has earned the designation of the world’s most popular riverboat casino because of the large numbers of patrons it hosts each year. With more than 1,700 slot machines and a variety of table games spread over three spacious decks, it’s no wonder this floating casino has been named number four among the "World’s Top 10 Places to Strike it Rich" by cable television’s The Travel Channel.

Step Back in Time in a Historic River Town
Those in search of a quieter getaway will find the historic Ohio River town of Aurora to be just what they’re looking for. Six miles downriver from Lawrenceburg and located along the Ohio River Scenic Byway, Aurora invites visitors to step back in time with a combination of historic architecture, specialty shopping and picturesque scenery. A self-guided walking tour, available at the Dearborn County Visitors Center in Lawrenceburg, allows visitors to explore the town at their own pace. The art galleries and unique shops found in the downtown business district delight window shoppers with their unusual merchandise, and Lesko Park, a popular and scenic park located along the banks of the Ohio, is an ideal spot for reflection or an invigorating walk. Also not to be missed are two museums intricately tied to the town’s history: Hillforest, a stately 1850s Victorian mansion that has been painstakingly well-preserved, is one such gem. The other is Veraestau, a Greek Revival house museum now operated by the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana that features sweeping hilltop views of the Ohio River. Another historical point of interest is Aurora’s River View Cemetery, site of a 1781 Revolutionary War battle and two prehistoric Native American archaeological mounds.

Get Wined and Dined at an Estate Winery
A trip to Dearborn County wouldn’t be complete without a side trip to Chateau Pomije Winery, a winery and restaurant that is an attraction all in itself. Situated on nearly one hundred pastoral acres in the northern part of Dearborn County, Chateau Pomije is an estate winery, where the grapes are grown, barrel-fermented, blended and bottled on site. One of the state's largest vineyards, the winery’s selection of French American grapes includes tender European varieties such as Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. In addition to its award-winning wines, Chateau Pomije is also recognized for its dining, offering true homemade favorites including a barbecue sauce to die for.

Journey to Where the Wild Things Are
Another interesting side trip takes visitors to the inner reaches of the county, where the wooded hills and scenic roads beckon travelers with their charming natural beauty. There, on State Road 62 approximately 15 miles outside the town of Dillsboro, visitors will find the Red Wolf Sanctuary, a unique refuge and rehabilitation center housing a variety of North American predators, including wolves, bears, birds of prey, mountain lions and more. Established in 1979 on 23 acres, the sanctuary offers a home to animals that cannot be released into the wild, many of which were abandoned or injured or are otherwise unable to survive on their own. Educational tours are offered by appointment.

Regardless of where you wander in Southeast Indiana, you’re sure to find an activity or attraction to suit your interest. For a free Dearborn County visitor’s guide, call the Dearborn County Convention, Visitor & Tourism Bureau at 1-800-322-8198, visit www.dearborncvb.org, or stop by the Dearborn County Visitors Center in Lawrenceburg.

For more information on a Dearborn County Getaway,
check out the following web sites or call:
Dearborn County Visitors Center
FREE visitor’s guide, maps, calendar of events
320 Walnut Street
Lawrenceburg, IN 47025
1-800-322-8198
www.VisitSoutheastIndiana.com

Argosy Casino & Hotel
1-888-ARGOSY-7
www.argosycasinos.com

Main Street Aurora
(812) 926-1100
www.mainstreetaurora.com

Hillforest Victorian House Museum
(812) 926-0087
www.hillforest.org

Chateau Pomije Winery
1-800-791-WINE
www.cpwinery.com