Fall into Southeastern Ohio

As someone who has lived in Southeastern Ohio her entire life, I find it amusing when others seem to think there is nothing more to us than hunting during the Fall months. In this essay, I wanted to show the diverse sides of Southeastern Ohio and to tell people how we still carry the same traditions as them, with our own unique spin. The photos follow Fall in Jackson and Vinton County through September and into early December, a broad range of time and a broad range of places with people of all ages. The purpose is not to highlight our oddness but to show our similarities. We may live far away from one another, but our traditions are what bring us together nonetheless.

A whitetail doe perks her ears at a noise while she grazes in the woods in Athens, Ohio, Oct. 18, 2023. According to the Ohio Division of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife 2022-2023 deer hunting report, over 200,000 whitetail deer were tagged during hunting season.
A whitetail doe perks her ears at a noise while she grazes in the woods in Athens, Ohio, Oct. 18, 2023. According to the Ohio Division of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife 2022-2023 deer hunting report, over 200,000 whitetail deer were tagged during hunting season.
A group of people stand and talk on Main Street during the Jackson County Apple Festival in Jackson, Ohio, Sept. 22, 2023.
A group of people stand and talk on Main Street during the Jackson County Apple Festival in Jackson, Ohio, Sept. 22, 2023.
A child throws her hands in the air during a ride at the Jackson County Apple Festival in Jackson, Ohio, Sept. 22, 2023.
A child throws her hands in the air during a ride at the Jackson County Apple Festival in Jackson, Ohio, Sept. 22, 2023.
A couple hold each other during a concert by the country band BlackHawk at the Jackson County Apple Festival in Jackson, Ohio, Sept. 22, 2023. The Apple Festival began in 1937 as a tribute to Jackson County's biggest commercial product, apples. Now, 82 years later, the Apple Festival brings in an estimated 80,000 people a year, according to the Jackson Apple Festival website.
A couple hold each other during a concert by the country band BlackHawk at the Jackson County Apple Festival in Jackson, Ohio, Sept. 22, 2023. The Apple Festival began in 1937 as a tribute to Jackson County's biggest commercial product, apples. Now, 82 years later, the Apple Festival brings in an estimated 80,000 people a year, according to the Jackson Apple Festival website.
Two people on a ride together at the Jackson County Apple Festival in Jackson, Ohio, Sept. 22, 2023.
Two people on a ride together at the Jackson County Apple Festival in Jackson, Ohio, Sept. 22, 2023.
A Jackson Northview Elementary student rides the electronic bull ride at the Jackson County Apple Festival in Jackson, Ohio, Sept. 22, 2023. The electronic bull was a new addition this year to the festival and was a hit with both adults and children.
A Jackson Northview Elementary student rides the electronic bull ride at the Jackson County Apple Festival in Jackson, Ohio, Sept. 22, 2023. The electronic bull was a new addition this year to the festival and was a hit with both adults and children.
Vinton County High School Senior Owen Hire (85) hugs Dom Eli (2) after his touchdown catch during the football game against Wellston Oct. 20, 2023.
Vinton County High School Senior Owen Hire (85) hugs Dom Eli (2) after his touchdown catch during the football game against Wellston Oct. 20, 2023.
The crowd watches a Vinton County High School Vikings football game in McArthur, Ohio, Oct. 20, 2023. The stands are always sold out during home games regardless of if the weather is clear or rainy. Fans of all ages will don the Viking colors of gray and maroon to cheer on the players.
The crowd watches a Vinton County High School Vikings football game in McArthur, Ohio, Oct. 20, 2023. The stands are always sold out during home games regardless of if the weather is clear or rainy. Fans of all ages will don the Viking colors of gray and maroon to cheer on the players.
Fireworks explode over the Vinton County High School football field in McArthur, Ohio, Oct. 20, 2023, in celebration of the team's ninth consecutive win. With their win against Wellston, the Vikings will be able to move on to the 2023 OHSAA High School Football Playoff against Gallia Academy on October 27.
Fireworks explode over the Vinton County High School football field in McArthur, Ohio, Oct. 20, 2023, in celebration of the team's ninth consecutive win. With their win against Wellston, the Vikings will be able to move on to the 2023 OHSAA High School Football Playoff against Gallia Academy on October 27.
Students and parents wait in the rain for the Vinton County football team to pass by on their way to the locker rooms after their win against Wellston Oct. 20, 2023.
Students and parents wait in the rain for the Vinton County football team to pass by on their way to the locker rooms after their win against Wellston Oct. 20, 2023.
Two kids run across a field to a corn maze at Libby's Pumpkin Patch in Albany, Ohio, Oct. 21, 2023.
Two kids run across a field to a corn maze at Libby's Pumpkin Patch in Albany, Ohio, Oct. 21, 2023.
A chicken pecks the ground underneath an old firetruck on the Lewis Farm, across the street from Libby's Pumpkin Patch. Kevin Lewis is the co-owner of Libby's and the tractor driver for the hayrides.
A chicken pecks the ground underneath an old firetruck on the Lewis Farm, across the street from Libby's Pumpkin Patch. Kevin Lewis is the co-owner of Libby's and the tractor driver for the hayrides.
Friends and families from all over Ohio and the world gather to pick pumpkins for carving and decorating at Libby's Pumpkin Patch in Albany, Ohio, Oct. 21, 2023. The pumpkin patch has been open since 2011 and has continued to expand ever since. Libby's offers more than just pumpkins; they also have a corn maze, tractor rides, and hay bales for the children to play on.
Friends and families from all over Ohio and the world gather to pick pumpkins for carving and decorating at Libby's Pumpkin Patch in Albany, Ohio, Oct. 21, 2023. The pumpkin patch has been open since 2011 and has continued to expand ever since. Libby's offers more than just pumpkins; they also have a corn maze, tractor rides, and hay bales for the children to play on.
A mother tries to console her crying son as his brother walks off after winning their potato sack race at Libby's Pumpkin Patch Oct. 21, 2023.
A mother tries to console her crying son as his brother walks off after winning their potato sack race at Libby's Pumpkin Patch Oct. 21, 2023.
Piper (left) explains to Damien (right) what her favorite part of the hayride is while Braydin (middle) listens after finishing his pumpkin ice cream Oct. 21, 2023. For Braydin, the homemade, free pumpkin ice cream, a specialty of Libby's, is his favorite part.
Piper (left) explains to Damien (right) what her favorite part of the hayride is while Braydin (middle) listens after finishing his pumpkin ice cream Oct. 21, 2023. For Braydin, the homemade, free pumpkin ice cream, a specialty of Libby's, is his favorite part.
Trick-or-treaters walk South New York Avenue in Wellston, Ohio, Oct. 31, 2023.
Trick-or-treaters walk South New York Avenue in Wellston, Ohio, Oct. 31, 2023.
A UTV parks alongside Pennsylvania Avenue in front of a Dollar General in Wellston, Ohio, Oct. 30, 2023. UTVs are a common sight on Halloween in Wellston, as parents use these vehicles to transport their children more quickly and easily.
A UTV parks alongside Pennsylvania Avenue in front of a Dollar General in Wellston, Ohio, Oct. 30, 2023. UTVs are a common sight on Halloween in Wellston, as parents use these vehicles to transport their children more quickly and easily.
Kinda Brown passes out candy to trick-or-treaters Oct. 31, 2023. Many children in Wellston use plastic bags from stores such as Walmart and Doller General to hold their candy instead of Halloween baskets or bags.
Kinda Brown passes out candy to trick-or-treaters Oct. 31, 2023. Many children in Wellston use plastic bags from stores such as Walmart and Doller General to hold their candy instead of Halloween baskets or bags.
Tim Brown and his wife, Kinda, pose for a portrait in front of their house in Wellston, Ohio, Oct. 31, 2023. All of the decorations in their house are made by them. They have gradually been growing the number of decorations ever since they moved into their house. Mr. Brown worked as an electrician for the Fort Worth Zoo in Fort Worth, Texas, until he retired four years ago. Now he uses his skills to build moving animatronics as Halloween decorations. “I probably won’t stop until I physically can’t make the decorations anymore.” The couple have made so many decorations they are running out of space in their yard to place them. “I think next year, we will decorate the neighbor’s yard as well. I want to build a horse and carriage.” The couple moved to Wellston to be closer to Kinda's mother, "I promised her (Kinda) when I retired, we could move back to her hometown, so here we are," said Mr. Brown.
Tim Brown and his wife, Kinda, pose for a portrait in front of their house in Wellston, Ohio, Oct. 31, 2023. All of the decorations in their house are made by them. They have gradually been growing the number of decorations ever since they moved into their house. Mr. Brown worked as an electrician for the Fort Worth Zoo in Fort Worth, Texas, until he retired four years ago. Now he uses his skills to build moving animatronics as Halloween decorations. “I probably won’t stop until I physically can’t make the decorations anymore.” The couple have made so many decorations they are running out of space in their yard to place them. “I think next year, we will decorate the neighbor’s yard as well. I want to build a horse and carriage.” The couple moved to Wellston to be closer to Kinda's mother, "I promised her (Kinda) when I retired, we could move back to her hometown, so here we are," said Mr. Brown.
As Fall comes to an end, people race to prepare for Christmas. Holcomb Tree Farms in Albany, Ohio, opened November 24, and by December 5, the pine trees were mostly gone. "We get a few stragglers later on in December, rushing to get a tree, but most of our customers are here as soon as we open," explained Bill Holcomb, the owner of the farm. Holcomb Tree Farm specializes in Norway Spruce pine trees, though Holcomb does want to expand to white pine in the future. "Every year I want to add 300 to 400 more trees," Holcomb said.
As Fall comes to an end, people race to prepare for Christmas. Holcomb Tree Farms in Albany, Ohio, opened November 24, and by December 5, the pine trees were mostly gone. "We get a few stragglers later on in December, rushing to get a tree, but most of our customers are here as soon as we open," explained Bill Holcomb, the owner of the farm. Holcomb Tree Farm specializes in Norway Spruce pine trees, though Holcomb does want to expand to white pine in the future. "Every year I want to add 300 to 400 more trees," Holcomb said.
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