Festivals that either have food as a main theme or incorporate plenty of eating.
The Apple Butter Stirrin’ Festival takes place at Historic Roscoe Village where visitors can walk through 1800’s homes and businesses, shop among craft vendors, enjoy live entertainment and get a taste (and purchase) of some tasty apple butter. 2026 DATE: October 16-18, 2026Location: Historic Roscoe Village600 N Whitewoman StCoshocton, OH … Read more
This post documents my experience on October 16, 2010. The Ohio Smoked Meat & BBQ Festival is one of nearly 300 competitions sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society, a nonprofit organization for the promotion and enjoyment of bbq. With 43 teams and $10k in prize money, it sounded like a decent event. … Read more
The Ohio Swiss Festival is the perfect way to get more acquainted with both Swiss cheese and the town of Sugarcreek. Enjoy Polka music, rides, live entertainment, vendors, delicious grub and a great parade. 2026 DATE: October 1-3, 2026Location: Downtown SugarcreekWebsite: https://ohioswissfestival.com/ ****This post documents my experience on October 2, … Read more
New Bremen Pumpkinfest is a fall festival with music, art, pumpkin foods and plenty of giant pumpkins. 2024 DATE: September 27-28, 2024Location: Crown Pavilion2 W Plum StNew Bremen, OH 45869Website: https://newbremen.com/events-listing/pumpkinfest-2024/ **** This post documents my experience on September 25, 2010. By the time I hit my 50th festival this … Read more
Author’s Note: in 2015, the festival moved to the Warren County Fairgrounds in Lebanon to allow for expansion. I returned to the festival in 2022. You can read about that experience at https://ohiofestivals.net/country-applefest-lebanon/ This post documents my experience on September 25, 2010. **** Lebanon is another town that I need … Read more
The Germantown Pretzel Festival takes place in Veterans Memorial Park, offering carnival rides, tons of craft vendors, entertainment and various food options – including different kinds of pretzels. 2026 DATE: September 26-27, 2026Location: Veterans Memorial Park190 W Warren StGermantown, OH 45327Website: https://germantownpretzelfestival.com/ **** This post documents my experience on September … Read more
The Elyria Apple Festival is a city festival that showcases a local apple business while offering general festival food, music and games. 2026 DATE: September 18-20, 2026Location: Downtown ElyriaWebsite: https://www.elyriaapplefestival.com/ **** This post documents my experience on September 17, 2010. I think apples are one of the most underestimated fruits … 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
AUTHOR’S NOTE: I did make it back to the Mantua Potato Festival, which you can read about at… https://ohiofestivals.net/mantua-potato-festival/ **** Last year, when faced with the decision of going to the Mantua Potato Festival or the North Ridgeville Skunk Fest, I chose the latter because Mantua is a bit of a … Read more