News & Updates

Public Invited to Share Input-River Town Review-Deadline 2/10/21

RISING SUN/OHIO COUNTY, IND: Ohio County Tourism is proud to have been selected as one of the communities to participate in the first round of River Town Reviews. The goal of the Ohio River Recreation Trail River Town Review Team is to provide: “Fresh eyes on enhancing outdoor recreation and tourism in river town communities.” 
 
The community input for the River Town Review was facilitated by the National Park Service as a Zoom meeting on Jan. 13, 2021. 
 
Rising Sun/Ohio County representatives included: David Hamilton and Kendal Miller, Ohio County Tourism, Inc.; Jamie Bell, Rising Sun/Ohio County Parks Dept; Lane Siekman, Economic Development; and Cliff Thies, Ohio County Historical Society.
 
Part of Rising Sun’s ongoing review is the “homework” available at this link: RS Brainstoming Priorities Homework DUE 021021 (2)
The public is invited to participate in the survey which must be completed and e-mailed to jsutton677@gmail.com
by Wed., Feb. 10, 2021. 
 
Aurora resident Jack Sutton, Co-Covenor of the Ohio River Recreation Trail and local River Town Review Rep said that the public did not have to participate  in the Zoom workshop in order to fill out the homework form. 
 
A second document includes results of the Jan. brainstorming session by all participants. Access it here: Rising Sun Brainstorming 011321 (1)
 
The results of the homework assignment should be available sometime in March 2021.
 
For more information, contact Kendal Miller at kendal@enjoyrisingsun or at (812) 438-4933, Tues.-Fri. from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 
 
 

Light Up Ohio County Winners Announced

Wow! What a Holiday Decorating Contest! Seventeen entries from across Ohio County were received in the 4th annual Light Up Ohio County Residential Holiday Decorating Contest and Light Trail!  It was a tough task for the six judges who narrowed the field down to their Top 3 Best Decorated Homes in Rising Sun/Ohio County with two Honorable Mentions. Two Neighborhood Award Winners were also selected by the judges. 

The winners are: 

Brandon & Cassie Cappel-First ($250) 
Sandy Kinzer-Second ($175) 
Aaron & Angelica Hopkins-Third ($100) 

Two Honorable Mentions ($50) went to:
Robin Jackson 
LeeAnn Wallick

To download a complete list of participants (along with some unjudged entries) click on this link: 

Light Up Ohio County Decorating Contest List 2020

The Board of Directors and staff of Ohio County Tourism wishes to thank ALL our participants for “Putting a Little Christmas” back into our hearts and Rising Sun/County! 

This event was sponsored by Ohio County Tourism. 

 

Santa's Virtual Visit at Rising Star Casino

Rising Star Casino Resort is offering Virtual Santa Visits for “kids” of all ages. 

Santa’s Hours

Fridays & Saturdays
Nov. & Dec.
2:00pm – 8:00pm
Last Sat. in Dec. is the 19th.

Sundays
Noon-6:00pm
Last Sun. in Dec. is the 20th.

Wednesday, Dec. 23
1:00pm – 7:00pm

Thursday, Dec. 24
1:00pm – 5:00pm

For more information, contact Rising Star Casino at (800) 472-6311 or log on to their website at risingstarcasino.com. Learn more about The Christmas Casino by logging on to thechristmascasino.com. 

Rising Star Casino's Ferry Begins Winter Hours -Dec. 4

Rising Star Casino Resort’s ferry will begin their winter hours starting Friday, December 4. 

Ms. Lucky Lady’s new hours will be Closed Mon., Tues.; Wed & Thurs. from 11am to 8pm; Fri. & Sat., 11am-10pm; and Sun. from 11am to 8pm. 

For more information, contact Rising Star Casino at (800) 472-6311 or log on to their website at risingstarcasino.com. 

Visitors Center accepting Santa Letters thru Dec. 17-5:00 p.m.

The Visitors Center will be collecting Santa Letters in the special red mailbox located in the Visitors Center parking lot at 217 N. High Street through Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020 at 5 pm. The box will be installed on or around Wed. November 18. 

Presented by Ohio County Tourism, form letters can downloaded through this link at SantaLetter2020A or by requesting a letter via e-mail at kendal@enjoyrisingsun.com.  Letters written on plain paper are also acceptable. 

Postage is not required for any correspondence mailed in the Visitors Center parking lot. Letters can also be mailed through the United States Postal Service (postage required) and addressed to Santa, c/o Ohio County Tourism, PO Box 112, Rising Sun, IN 47040.

All letters must have a return address and be received by Thursday, Dec. 17 at 5 pm to receive a response by Santa or one of his helpers. 

Due to COVID-19, the Visitors Center is currently CLOSED to the public until further notice to keep staff and board members safe. 

Light Up Ohio County Residential Holiday Decorating Contest

The application period for the 2020 Light Up Ohio County, IN, Residential Holiday Decorating Contest is now closed.

The judging period will be Dec. 2-3 from 6-9 pm. Dec. 4 will be used if needed. Winners will be announced on or before Dec. 6, 2020. 

First Place is $250; Second Place $175 and $100 for Third Place. $50 Honorable Mentions will be awarded at the judges’ discretion. The Griswold and Holiday Cheer Neighborhood Awards will received bragging rights. 

Presented by Ohio County Tourism. For more info, e-mail kendal@enjoyrisingsun.com. 

Due to COVID-19, the Visitors Center is currently CLOSED to the public until further notice to keep staff and board members safe.