Cincinnati manufacturer features Holmes County hot spots as landing spots on game board
There are stops at the fair, Cabin Creek Golf, Farm at Walnut Creek, West Holmes High School and Lake Buckhorn, and restaurants like Der Dutchman, Amish Door and Boyd & Wurthmann.
There's even a Holmes County GO! as game pieces circle the board of Holmes County Opoly.
The game that features landing spots from Ohio's Amish Country is a spinoff of Monopoly by Milton Bradley, and one in a series of specialized board games produced by Late For the Sky Production Co., a Cincinnati-based manufacturer that has been making games since 1984.
"I think it's a fabulous idea, a great way to showcase our local businesses and the many things to see and do in our area," said Holmes County Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau Executive Director Tiffany Gerber. "Plus, it makes a great commemorative gift or souvenir for visitors to the area."
Holmes County Oply is localized version of the board game Monopoly. The game is available at Discount Drug Mart in Wooster. Michael Schenk/The Daily Record
Late for the Sky Production Co. has produced 85 city and county specialized games in Ohio alone, featuring cities like Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo, Cincinnati, Canton and Massillon, as well as smaller communities like Oberlin, Mount Vernon and others in between.
Late for the Sky Production began making specialty board games in 1984. The first was MIAMIOPOLY, based on Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Company founder and President Robin Wilson is a 1980 graduate of Miami University and her time spent there served as the inspiration for the first game while she was working on her thesis.
The title list soon spread to about 80 major U.S. colleges. Each game is a walk around a specific university and the board spaces are the campus buildings, businesses and traditions that are special to that school.
From lots like the Holmes County Fair to Lake Buckhorn and restaurants like Der Dutchman, Amish Door and Boyd & Wurthmann, Holmes County Opoly is modeled after the original game using local locations for the landing spots on the game board. Provided By Late For The Sky Production Company
"When we build our versions, we just have to stay away from that iconic look that Monopoly has," said Mike Schulte, marketing manager. "As long as we stay away from their trademarked materials within the game, we're OK."
Schulte said the company has been working with Walmart on a regional level for the past eight years, adding cities market by market. A collaboration between the leadership at Walmart and the company representatives throughout the country keep their eyes on areas that might make an interesting game board. Holmes County was part of that list, and the version was first produced in April 2022.
"We have made 2,700 city versions, sold exclusively through Walmart, Walgreens and recently Discount Drug Mart," Schulte said. "And you will start seeing our games in Meijer's starting in February."
Schulte said he and his wife have a list of places they want to see around the country because of all the research they have done for games.
"You discover so many places," he said. "There are so many unique and special places. It's pretty cool."
Late for the Sky is dedicated to working toward the manufacturing of completely earth-friendly games. The paper, boxes and gameboards are made from recycled materials.