The Portage River Festival takes place at the Elmore Historical Society Depot Grounds where guests can enjoy live music and performances, a variety of local vendors, a car show and food provided by food trucks and the Elmore Historical Society.
2027 DATE: TBD
Location: Depot Grounds
353 Ottawa St
Elmore, OH 43416
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/elmoreohiohistoricalsociety/events/portage-river-festival
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The post below documents my experience on June 28, 2026.
The Portage River Festival took place on the Elmore Historical Society Depot Grounds…
…allowing guests to check out the historic depot interior…
…before shopping among vendors that ran down one side of the depot building…
…and within two pocket areas.
Vendor offerings included sports-inspired gnomes and crocheted critters…
…wooden birdhouses, feeders, patriotic decor and creations…
…balms, lotions, soap and candles…
…handmade pouches, bags, pads and more…
…an assortment of sweet and savory baked goods…
…an assortment of everything from glassware and books to toy trains and board games…
…and even a plethora of info about Ottawa County’s Park District.
Entertainment could be found on all sides with tractor pull competitions (kid version)…
…cheerleader performances…
…live music karaoke style…
…and, in the back…
…right by the car show…
…live music on an entertainment stage (High Class Riff Raff).
After all the shopping and dancing, food vendors helped satisfy cravings for fried fish…
…funnel cakes and root beer floats…
…but most guests headed here…
…where the Elmore Historical Society had a sizable menu.
I went with the roast beef sandwich and a side of coleslaw…
…which I put on the sandwich to make it even better.