Belmont County business featured on expanded Ohio Ice Cream Trail

COLUMBUS — To celebrate National Ice Cream Month, TourismOhio is inviting Ohioans to grab a cone, bowl or treat at one of the more than 50 stops along the newly expanded Ohio Ice Cream Trail.

“When Fran and I travel the state with our kids and grandkids, we will go out of our way for locally made ice cream because it’s something you simply won’t get anywhere else,” Gov. Mike DeWine said. “We’ve been going to Young’s Jersey Dairy near our home in Greene County since we were teenagers, and it certainly is one of our favorites, but no matter what ice cream shop you visit along the trail, it’s going to be delicious.”

Kirke’s Homemade Ice Cream of St. Clairsville, joins family-owned shops and nationally recognized chains on the Ice Cream Trail. The longtime, local business is owned and operated by Kirke and Judi Porterfield.

The trail is available online and for download at Ohio.org.

“The Ohio Ice Cream Trail is a fun and unique way to explore the state and support our communities,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Department of Development which oversees the TourismOhio office. “The Trail truly shows that we’re the heart of it all, bringing together our state’s rich agricultural heritage, culinary culture, manufacturing innovation, and support for small businesses.”

The Ohio Ice Cream Trail first launched in 2018 with 15 stops. In 2019, TourismOhio added an additional five stops from the results of a reader survey. Responding to growing popularity, the trail was expanded this year to 54 stops, and now includes Kirke’s Homemade Ice Cream in St. Clairsville.

The trail highlights the wide variety of options available to travelers wishing to indulge no matter where they are in the state. TourismOhio partnered with local and county convention and visitor bureaus to ensure all of Ohio’s geographic regions – from big cities to charming towns – were represented. Shops serving Made-in-Ohio ice cream and those with a significant, long-standing economic presence were given priority.

“Wherever your Ohio adventure leads, a scoop of Made in Ohio ice cream is the ultimate cherry on top of an unforgettable summer,” said state tourism director Sarah Wickham. “Our goal in expanding the Ohio Ice Cream Trail was to highlight the vast diversity of Ohio’s ice cream offerings. Collaborating with our local partners allowed us to have the inside scoop on the hometown favorites from across the state. So, grab a cone and let the good times (and scoops) roll. In fact, make it two scoops — you’ve earned it!”

“Kirke’s Homemade Ice Cream has always been a local favorite, and it’s great to see them included in this statewide tourism trail,” said Jackee Pugh, Belmont County Tourism executive director. “Kirke’s has been making delicious ice cream for over 30 years, and there is no better way to cool off in the summer than with an ice cream cone.”

Check out the Ohio Ice Cream Trail and other Summer in Ohio adventures at Ohio.org/Summer.

Operating within the Ohio Department of Development, TourismOhio works to showcase all Ohio has to offer as a place of adventure, a place of promise, and the place for you.

The Ohio Department of Development empowers communities to succeed by investing in Ohio’s people, places, and businesses. Learn more about our work at development.ohio.gov.