Now that I’ve shared what festivals you’ve read the most in 2017, I thought I would share my favorite festivals of 2017.
Out of over 40 festivals visited in and beyond Ohio, these are my top 10.
Hope you enjoy…
10.) Kent Potterfest
https://ohiofestivals.net/potterfest/
With a cute location and many creative decorative touches on this themed festival, it was sure to be a hit (I mean, who doesn’t love Harry Potter?). Unfortunately, the space couldn’t handle the crowd that flocked here (“Diagon Alley” was a nightmare and vendors were clustered together instead of being spread out). And, although many costumed fans made the festival a pleasure to see, they also made it difficult to navigate through it. All this aside, I’m glad I went. I heard, though, that it’s not returning due to copyright issues.
9.) Hessler Street Fair – Cleveland
https://ohiofestivals.net/hessler-street-fair/
This is my second visit to the Hessler Street Fair and I love the neighborhood atmosphere, the vendors and the entertainment and the vibe. Hippie-esque, family friendly and fun in a great part of Cleveland!
8.) Ohio Wizard of Oz Festival – Macedonia
https://ohiofestivals.net/ohio-wizard-of-oz-festival/
I thought they did a great job with their first year. There was plenty of memorabilia, photo ops with cast members, a great location and tons of visiting fans who came all dressed up as their favorite character. And their is definitely room to grow with more food options, story-related stations and maybe a flying monkey trombone band :-)
7.) Spoonbread Festival – Berea, Kentucky
https://ohiofestivals.net/spoonbread-festival/
Not only did this festival have a ton of vendors, but there were local organizations, plenty of entertainment, games, rides and quite a bit of spoonbread. I enjoyed this festival particularly for the vendors and for the entertainment. I also liked my first experience with spoonbread. Great with butter and a touch of sugar.
6.) Pittsburgh Irish Festival – West Homestead, Pennsylvania
https://ohiofestivals.net/pittsburgh-irish-festival/
I got myself a hotel room only a mile away from the festival grounds so that I could partake in Irish whiskey, Irish beer and the various free samples of whiskey and bourbon…which I’m sure added to my enjoyment. Add a slew of Irish vendors, Irish grub and fantastic Irish entertainment and it was the most pleasant o’evenings.
5.) “Little Green Men” Days Festival – Kelly, Kentucky
https://ohiofestivals.net/little-green-men-days-festival/
I’ve wanted to come to this festival for a few years so, when I found out they were extending it a day to coincide with the Total Solar Eclipse (along with the anniversary of the alien encounter that the festival is founded upon), I just had to go…along with my family and a bunch of Kentucky friends. It made for a nice time, a spectacular eclipse experience and a loooooong ride back as the eclipse traffic was crazy.
4.) Comfest – Columbus
https://ohiofestivals.net/comfest/
Comfest is a Columbus favorite with many stages of entertainment, some great vendors and fantastic food. It’s gotten so popular that the festival doesn’t even want people to advertise so that it doesn’t get any bigger. I really like the Comfest atmosphere and everything that it has to offer. This was my second visit to Comfest.
3.) Mountain Craft Days – Somerset, Pennsylvania
https://ohiofestivals.net/mountain-craft-days-somerset/
This is your classic fall festival where it’s cool enough for period clothes and making apple butter over an open fire. Located at the Somerset Historic Center, this festival offered plenty of demonstrations, craft vendors and decent food (although I found out that I do NOT like ham pot pie). It was fun to take it all in and interact with various living history peeps.
2.) Kentucky Bourbon Festival – Bardstown, Kentucky
https://ohiofestivals.net/kentucky-bourbon-festival/
Although I may be partial with this festival (my wife is from Bardstown and I love the town), this was a rather impressive festival. Events take place all over the area for days beforehand and during while the main festival consists of an impressive vendor area, some great food options, a large kids’ area and decent entertainment. There’s also a bourbon area where local distilleries have buildings constructed to sell their goods – it’s really nice! It doesn’t hurt that you can purchase various bourbon cocktails (or on the rocks) while you’re there.
1.) Maria Stein Country Fest
https://ohiofestivals.net/maria-stein-country-fest/
This festival took me completely by surprise! Along with vendors, a craft show, rides and fair grub, there were local organizations selling great food selections (turtle soup!) and so much entertainment: music, competitive athletic events, circus shows, and even tractor square dancing! It really was a big festival with tons of options. This is highly recommended!
I hope you have enjoyed my favorite festivals of 2017. What were your favorites? Feel free to write and let me know.