A festival where some type of critter takes the center stage.
The Ohio Fish and Shrimp Festival takes place at Urbana’s Freshwater Farms, where there are fishery tours, games, music, vendors and food. 2026 DATESSeptember 12, 2026September 19, 2026September 26, 2026Location: Freshwater Farms of Ohio2624 US-68Urbana, OH 43078Website: https://fwfarms.com/festival/ **** This post documents my experience on September 17, 2011. Freshwater Farms … Read more
The Wild Turkey Festival offers nightly entertainment, carnival rides and games, vendors and various food booths. 2026 Date: May 7-10, 2026Location: Downtown McArthurWebsite: https://www.facebook.com/wildturkeyfestival/ ****This post documents my experience on May 7, 2011. Only a few days before going to the Vinton County Wild Turkey Festival, I was blessed with a … Read more
In Hinckley, Ohio, they celebrate the return of the buzzards at the reservation. The following Sunday is Buzzard Sunday with activities, learning and fun. 2026 DATE: March 15, 2026.Location: Cleveland Metroparks Hinckley Reservation432 Bellus RdHinckley, OH 44233Website: https://www.hinckleyohchamber.com/happenings/#buzzardday**** This post documents my experience on March 20, 2011. To the average … Read more
AUTHOR’S NOTE: There is an updated 2014 Review here – https://ohiofestivals.net/woollybear-festival-revisited/ This post documents my experience on September 26, 2010. ******************** Although Vermilion’s Woollybear Festival is similar to their June festival, Festival of the Fish… …in regards to vendors… …children’s activities… …entertainment… …and food… …the Woollybear Festival gets a lot more attention (and visitors) … Read more
This post documents my experience on September 12, 2010. Down the hill from the Marine Museum and Lighthouse… …the Lake County Perch Fest was underway in Fairport Harbor’s Lakefront Park. Consisting of a general vendor section (non fish-related products)…. …a large entertainment/dining tent… …and a children’s area… …the festival was a nice … Read more
The Rarden Whitetail Deer Festival is your back-to-school supply festival for hunters mixed with great entertainment, food and family activities. A rather unique Ohio festival worth checking out. 2025 DATE: September 5-7, 2025Location: Downtown RardenWebsite: https://www.facebook.com/RardenFestival **** This post documents my experience on September 11, 2010. East of Cincinnati, in … Read more
This post documents my experience on September 11, 2010 before it moved to the downtown location. For my 2024 experience, please go to https://ohiofestivals.net/honeyfest-lithopolis-ohio **** With a population of only 600, it’s impressive that the village of Lithopolis, just southeast of Columbus, would be able to pull off a successful honey … Read more
AUTHOR’S NOTE: I returned to this festival in 2019. You can read that experience at… https://ohiofestivals.net/perch-peach-pierogi-polka-festival/ This post documents my experience on September 4, 2010. **** Over this Labor Day weekend, if you walked through downtown Port Clinton… …past the mural… …and Wylie Walleye… …you would have found the Perch, … Read more
This post documents my experience on August 22, 2010. For my 50th festival, I was hoping to do something local, laid back, and a little different than the other festivals I’ve been attending. So I went to Lorain’s Black River Landings, where the Community Animal Task Force was putting on their 2nd … Read more