GENEVA-Visitors to A Journey Through Ashtabula County won't have to worry about answering that age-old question of "what are we going to do?"

Event organizers have arranged a full slate of activities to go along with the various exhibits scheduled for the Sept. 22 and Sept. 23 at The Lodge and Conference Center at Geneva on the Lake

For starters, Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County will present a "Made In Ashtabula County" display in the lodge's Harbor Room. This display will allow county residents to catch a glimpse of products manufactured locally. The early list of exhibitors includes Plastpro, WEK Industries, A. Louis Supply, Plasticolors, General Aluminum and Continental Structural Plastics.

County museums have been invited to display historical items in the Harbor Room. This display serves two purposes: to offer visitors a glimpse at the county's history and awareness regarding attractions at the various museum sites.

The Ashtabula County Farm Bureau and the Dairy Service Unit of the Ohio State University Extension Service will team up to present an open house at the Springer Dairy Farm on Saturday, Sept. 22 from 1-4 p.m. The father-son operation is located on Footville-Richmond Road, the first farm just east of Route 46 at Ray's Corner, south of Jefferson.

John Parker, information coordinator for the Farm Bureau, said the open house is designed to serve a couple of purposes.

"We hope to inform and educate both urban residents and other farmers about what a good practical, working farm is like," he said. "We also want to demonstrate what excellent care livestock farmers give to animals."

Jeannette Petrolia, general manager of the lodge, is working on plans to provide shuttle service from the Geneva venue to the Springer farm. Information regarding the shuttle will be made available once plans are finalized.

For her part, Petrolia has scheduled several events for the Journey weekend. Tours of the lodge will be provided on a regular basis during the two days.

Inside the lodge, Petrolia's staff will be selling Ashtabula County "grown or produced" food during the two-day event. Also, Petrolia and Shari N. Wilson, environmental coordinator, have arranged a Scout Day At The Lodge for Sept. 22.

"We're inviting leaders from throughout the county to bring entire troops of Girl Scouts and/or Boy Scouts to the lodge from 9 a.m. to noon," Petrolia said. "We will be working to clean up the Park grounds, we will serve lunch and offer special contests and prizes.

Tom Cassidy, a New Lyme Township resident, has organized a Farmer's Market to be held in a tent outside of the lodge on both days. He also is arranging for displays featuring small animals and an antique steam engine.

"We hope to have many local vendors participating in our Farmer's Market," he said. "We want visitors to able to enjoy some home grown products."

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive on Sept. 23 from 1-6 p.m. in the Western Reserve Room. Individuals can donate blood every 56 days if they are at least 17, weight at least 110 and are in good general health. Those participating in the blood drive must bring an American Red Cross donor card, a driver's license or two other forms of identification. More information on the blood drive is available at www.redcrossdonor.org.

Other activities include:

Details on additional activities will be released as they become available.

Exhibitors inside the lodge will include:

Mark Winchell, executive director of the ACCVB, said his organization hopes "to provide Journey visitors with a snapshot of where tourism was in the county and where it is heading. Our goal is to offer an insight into tourism opportunities close to home. This county is amazing when it comes to our natural resources. There's Lake Erie, our rivers, Geneva on the Lake, Pymatuning Lake, wineries and more. There is a reason why tourism is growing in this area and we want to put it in the spotlight during the Journey."

Additional exhibitors will be identified as they join the Journey.