Ripley has many dogwood trees both pink and white. They are all bursting forth with beautiful blooms at this time of year. The Ripley Tree Board has designated April 15 to May 15 as Dogwood Days in Ripley.
Owners of dogwood trees are encouraged to illuminate the base of their trees in some way either with spot lights or twinkle lights. Lighting can be done easily with solar lights. During daytime the blooms are the attraction. In the evening lights will call attention to the beautiful dogwood trees. White dogwood trees are a native Ohio tree. Ripley is proud of the grove of dogwood trees, both pink and white, on Catherine Street behind Maplewood Cemetery. We encourage you to enjoy driving by these trees.
The Ripley Tree Board is planning a Dogwood Festival for Saturday, May 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the John P. Parker Park. The Festival will be a play on words, it will be a DOGwood Festival called a Bark-Fest with activities for dogs and their owners. There will be a parade, games, a costume contest, lookalike contest. photo booth, a talent show, food booth (hot dogs) and a few vendors. The Brown County Animal Shelter will have several dogs available for adoption. The Ripley Tree Board will be selling chances on a dogwood tree. All dogs attending should be healthy, non aggressive and on a 6 ft. leash at all times. No dogs may run loose. There is plenty of grass and shade in Parker Park. There is some seating or bring your own chair. It should be a fun event. Someone suggested we not let Rabbit Hash, KY get ahead of us. That we should elect a DOG as an honorary Mayor of Ripley. We are still thinking about that. Maybe, your dog could be the honorary Mayor of Ripley. We are still in the planning stage. More information will be released as planning continues. Questions or an offer to help call: 937-392-1135.