Legendary bootlegging town hosts 43rd annual Moonshine Festival

COLUMBUS, Ohio - March 11, 2013 - PRLog -- New Straitsville, OH – Nearly 2.5 million viewers tune in every Wednesday to watch Discovery Channel’s wildly popular “Moonshiners,” making it one of cable TV’s highest-rated shows.  But this summer, as they have for more than four decades, travelers can experience moonshining culture firsthand with a visit to Ohio's Hocking Hills region.  The area’s rich history as a bootlegging capital comes alive during the annual Moonshine Festival, held this Memorial Day weekend, May 23-27 in New Straitsville in Perry County, Ohio.

The festival takes place along the town’s vintage Main Street and holds one of only a few permits in Ohio for brewing “white lightening.”  Festival goers will enjoy a variety of events and attractions, such as: the working moonshine still display; local history museum; flea market; carnival rides and games; souvenirs; talent show; cruise-in; tractor pull; and two parades, including the finale Grand Parade on Memorial Day.  Festival food vendors also give a nod to the area’s bootlegging past, dishing up everything from moonshine burgers and moonshine doggies to moonshine pie. Free entertainment takes place throughout the four-day run of the event, including a Grand Ole Opry Show on Sunday featuring Jeannie Kendall.   The festival begins at 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday and noon Sunday and Monday.

Also known as bootlegging, moonshining is the practice of producing distilled spirits, which are highly regulated and taxed, without government knowledge, review or taxation.  Moonshining originated in the United States as part of the 1791 Whiskey Rebellion.  Under President George Washington, federal taxes were imposed on whiskey, sparking a backlash among farmers and a rise in illegal distilling. Bootlegging grew further during the prohibition era, from 1920-1933, when New Straitsville "shine" was considered the "gold standard" for hooch.  The practice grew in Appalachian areas of the U.S., such as Ohio’s Hocking Hills region, because its lush forests offered exceptional hiding places for illegal still operations. NASCAR racing's earliest days are traced to moonshining, when bootleggers would soup up the cars used to haul booze so they could make a fast getaway, but often raced each other more then the law.

Located 40 miles southeast of Columbus, Ohio, Hocking Hills region offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences that make every day feel like Saturday, with plenty of Admission: FREE activities. The region boasts a wide variety of affordable lodging, from camping, cabins and cottages to hotels and inns.  In addition to hiking trails, parks and forests, the Hocking Hills is the zipline capital of the Midwest, with 50 ziplines being offered via three distinct guide services.  Unique gift and antique shops, canoeing, horseback riding, golf, spas and more add to the allure of the Hocking Hills as the perfect place to unplug. Complete traveler information is available www.1800Hocking.com or 1-800-Hocking (800-462-5464).
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