ATHENS, OH, April 28th , 2010--- The younger residents of the region will have much to do at the Little Cities of Black Diamonds Council’s Appalachian Spring Festival on Saturday, May 8 at Eclipse Company Town near Athens. Among the highlights are a benefit bicycle ride, children’s games, a nature walk and May Pole celebration.

Children, along with their parents, can begin their day with one of three Tour de Forest Bicycle Rides winding through the hills of the Little Cities microregion and the Wayne National Forest. Rides depart from Eclipse at 8, 9 and 10AM The 10AM ride is recommended for younger children since it remains on the level Hock Hocking Adena Bike Path. Helmets are required. Lunch is included in registration costs. Proceeds benefit the efforts of the Little Cities of Black Diamonds Council’s effort to share the rich history of the remnant mining towns and emerging forest that surrounds them via cultural and educational programs, publications, a web site and partnerships with schools and universities.

The Festival itself will begin at noon on the grounds of the Eclipse Company Store where kids and their families can find a Children’s Station offering games and activities throughout the day staffed by students and faculty from the Ohio University College of Education. Nearby, will be the Sunday Creek Watershed Group’s hands-on “streamulator” water table that teaches children about streams and erosion. Naturalist Ann Bonner from Ohio’s Division of Forestry will lead a Tree Trek at 1:30PM to explore the arboreal wonders found along the Hock-Hocking Adena Bike Trail. For a chance at finding historical treasure, children can return to the grounds of the Company Store for a History Challenge that will be open for several hours beginning at 1:30PM. This scavenger hunt type activity offers kids a chance to explore Eclipse and “cash in” their findings at the Company Store while learning about life as a child in 1930’s Athens County and the Hocking Coal Fields. This activity is offered by the Hocking College Historical Interpretation program.

A celebration of spring wouldn’t be complete without a Dance around the May Pole. Children will have the opportunity to learn how to weave colorful ribbons around the pole through the art of dance with the guidance of students from Ohio University’s College of Education CARE program beginning at 2:15PM. In the late afternoon, kids can get in on the action of auctions held throughout the day at the Children’s Auction where they will experience and learn about auctions with auctioneer Paul Harper.

Throughout the day the Festival will offer special exhibits, live music, the works of local artists, a display of 1930’s-era artifacts, food and conversation that will delight children of all ages. Festival admission and all children’s activities excepting the benefit bicycle ride are free. To find out more contact the Little Cities of Black Diamonds Council at lcbd@ohiohills.com or toll free at 740-394-3011 or visit www.littlecitiesofblackdiamonds.org for a full schedule of events. Eclipse Company Town is located off Johnson Rd. on U. S. Rt. 33 north of Athens or State Rt. 682 in the The Plains.

Calendars/PSA’s/Briefs
An afternoon of activity for children is planned at this year’s 8th Annual Appalachian Spring Festival to be held at Eclipse Company Town in Athens County, on Saturday, May 8. Games, a May Pole Dance, environmental learning activities and a History Challenge Scavenger Hunt are among activities on tap from Noon-5PM. Admission and activities are free of charge. For more information www.littlecitiesofblackdiamonds.org or call 740-707-2306.

About Little Cities of Black Diamonds Council
The mission of the Little Cities of Black Diamonds Council is to keep alive the past stories and traditions of the Little Cities of Black Diamonds microregion, and through our history, culture and environment help enrich the future quality of life in the region. We are a membership organization with meetings of the membership and events held at various locations throughout the microregion. The Little Cities microregion is contiguous with the Hocking Valley Coalfields of Athens, Hocking, Perry and Morgan County and today’s Athens Unit of the Wayne National Forest.