A festival that’s either set in a particular time period or springs from some aspect of history.
This post documents my experience on June 26, 2011. The Kenton Hardware Company was once the largest iron toy manufacturer in the world……the world!. But, in 1937, the effects of the Great Depression became too much to bear. The company had already ceased making entire lines of toys while reducing the … Read more
The Dennison Railroad Festival takes place around the Railroad Depot Museum in the Historic Center Street District. During the festival, there are rides, games, live entertainment, a train exhibit and more. 2026 DATE: May 28-30, 2026Location: Historic Center Street DistrictDennison Railroad Depot Museum400 Center St.Dennison, OH 44621Website: https://www.facebook.com/DRRFestival/ ****This post … Read more
Juneteenth is a reference to June 19, 1865 when the last slaves were freed in Galveston, Texas. The celebration in Columbus includes live entertainment, activities and plenty of food and non-food vendors that celebrate the African-American culture. 2026 DATE: June 19-20, 2026Location: Genoa Park303 W Broad StColumbus, OH 43215Website: http://www.juneteenthohio.com/ … Read more
AUTHOR’S NOTE: This festival has since moved to Nelsonville where it is, mostly likely, different. If you have visited this festival recently, please feel free to describe your experience in the comments below. Thanks! This post documents my experience on May 7, 2011. **** Just north of Athens, the present-day … Read more
AUTHOR’S NOTE: I returned to the Ashville Viking Festival in 2018. You can read that experience here: https://ohiofestivals.net/9-ashville-viking-festival-april-30-2011/ This post documents my experience on April 30, 2011. ******************** When I first heard that there was a Viking Festival in Ashville, Ohio, I didn’t really know what to expect. I had … Read more
This post documents my experience on October 17, 2010. Along Rte 4, somewhere between Sandusky and Bucyrus in the midst of flat Ohio country, there’s the town of Attica. The name itself always makes me think of some futuristic colony that’s guarded by those busty sphinxes in The Neverending Story, but … Read more
I’ve returned to this festival in 2024 and you can read that experience at https://ohiofestivals.net/ohio-renaissance-festival-waynesville/**** This post documents my experience on September 25, 2010. O cometh, children, gather ’roundfor I’ve a tale to share with theeabout a fest in Waynesvillewhere there is quite a bit to see…. And there is … Read more
The Yankee Peddler Festival pulls festival goers back in time for artisan gifts, old-fashioned food and great entertainment. A nice shopping festival. 2026 DATESSeptember 12-13, 2026September 19-20, 2026September 26-27, 2026 Location: Clay’s Resort Jellystone Park12951 Patterson St NWNorth Lawrence, OH 44666Website: https://www.yankeepeddlerfestival.com/ This post documents my experience on September 12, … Read more
Referring to the Great Trail that connected the Mid Atlantic to the Great Lakes, the Great Trail Festival is a period festival with craftspeople, food, entertainment and more. 2026 DATESAugust 29-30, 2026September 5-7, 2026Location: 6331 Canton RdMalvern, OH 44644Website: https://www.greattrailfestival.com/db/Home.html **** This post documents my experience on August 29, 2010. … Read more