BARNESVILLE — The public is invited to join the Belmont County Tourism Council for the 49th Belmont County Heritage Trail/Rubberneck Tour from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday

The self-guided driving tour will feature stops in the western part of the county this year, including locations throughout the Belmont, Bethesda and Barnesville areas.

“Every mile tells a story, and along this route you will discover the heritage that built Belmont County through the importance of the transportation, agriculture and energy industries,” according to the tourism council. “Learn about outdoor recreation that is prevalent in our county, and the history that helped shaped us. Explore the Buckeye backroads while driving along parts of Drovers’ Trail Scenic Byway. Shop small and stroll along the charming streets of historic downtown Barnesville.”

Beginning as a tour of the local farms and homesteads in 1971, the rubberneck route changes each year. The 2023 Heritage Trail/Rubberneck Tour will feature:

Belmont Classic Cars, a family-owned shop that deals in classic vehicles, located along Belmont-Morristown Road outside Belmont;

Epworth Park, the site of Chataqua Days and home to 19th century cottages, a lake, walking trail, playground facilities and more on the western edge of Bethesda;

Stillwater Quaker Meeting House, situated near the entrance to Olney Friends School along on Sandy Ridge Road in Barnesville, the house of worship has welcomed parishoners for well over a century;

Captina Conservancy, located near the meeting house inside Olney’s Stillwater Science Center;

Watt Center for History & The Arts in downtown Barnesville near the community’s historic B&O depot;

Belmont County Victorian Mansion Museum, located along Chestnut Street in Barnesville, featuring a collection of late 19th century furnshings, period clothing and the glory days of some of one of the village’s most prominent families; and

Historic Downtown Barnesville.

This family-friendly event is free to the community, and stops along the route will include activities, demonstrations and food trucks.

For detailed information about the stops and a map of the route, go online to visitbelmontcounty.com/_files/ugd/4ada38_821638ae8bc84af4b7ea1d63f0f8a04c.pdf.