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2009 Ohio Event Highlights
Throughout the year, Ohio hosts an amazing variety of fun, high-profile and quirky events.
44th Annual Winter Hike Hocking Hills State Park
Logan, Jan. 17
Enjoy winter’s
splendor on this scenic six-mile trek from
Old Man’s Cave to Ash Cave. Hike past
frozen Rose Lake and Cedar Falls, snow-covered
sandstone and shale formations,
and intriguing caves.
www.hockinghillspark.com
National City Cleveland Home & Garden Show
Cleveland, Feb. 7 - 15
America’s largest home and
garden show consists of 20 indoor acres
showcasing the latest trends in homes
and gardens. 800/600-0307; 216/529-1300 or www.homeandflower.com
Arnold Sports Festival
Columbus, March 6 - 8
The largest sports and fitness weekend in the country, the Sports Festival features 11 Olympic sports, 37 sporting events and the Arnold Expo. It's a weekend of sports and a lifetime of fitness.
www.arnoldclassic.com
Cincinnati Flower Show
Symmes Township, April 8 - 26
See hundreds of show exhibits, including container gardens, window boxes, landscaped gardens and luxuriant outdoor gardens. This floral extravaganza features speakers, judges and vendors. 513/872-5194 or
www.cincyflowershow.com
Tri-C JazzFest
Cleveland, April 23 - May 3
Combines informative, educational programs with live performances by some of the region's best jazz musicians. The festival furthers the enjoyment and understanding of jazz music.
www.cincyflowershow.com
Geauga County Maple Festival
Chardon, April 30 - May 3
Enjoy entertainment galore, including arts and crafts, midway rides, contests and Geauga County's famous maple stirs and syrup. 440/286-7275 or www.maplefestival.com
Asian Festival
Columbus, May 23 - 24
Enjoy cultural displays, world-class
entertainment, artist demonstrations,
delicious food, health and wellness
screenings and activities from 12 Asian
countries. www.asian-festival.org
Ice Cream Festival
Utica, May 23 - 25
Celebrate
America’s favorite dessert at the home
of Velvet Ice Cream, Ye Olde Mill, with
an ice cream parade, live entertainment,
ice cream eating contests and
children’s activities. 800/589-5000
or www.velveticecream.com
Columbus Arts Festival
Columbus, June 5 - 7
Central Ohio’s premier community
event has an eclectic selection of nearly
300 national and international visual
artists, craftspeople and continuous live entertainment. Check out its new location
in the Discovery District near the Columbus
Museum of Art. 614/224-2606 or www.gcac.org
Parade the Circle
Cleveland, June 13
Celebrate community arts at this multi-cultural festival, which features national and international performers, and a lively parade featuring puppets, elaborately dressed stilt-walkers and floats. 216/707-2483 or www.clevelandmuseumofart.org
Third Annual Civil Rights Game
Cincinnati, June 20
Cheer on the Cincinnati Reds as they battle the Chicago White Sox. The game is played in honor of the three recipients of Major League Baseball’s annual Beacon Awards that recognize those whose lives are emblematic of the spirit of the civil rights movement. This year’s three honorees are Bill Cosby for the Beacon of Hope, Hank Aaron for the Beacon of Life and Muhammad Ali for the Beacon of Change. 513/765-7000 or www.DiscoverOhio.com
Juneteenth Cincinnati
Cincinnati, June 20 - 21
This festival celebrates the end of
American slavery with family-friendly
events, underground railroad historical
sites, music and historical re-enactors.
www.juneteenthcincinnati.org
Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure
June 20 - 27
GOBA
is a fun-filled bike tour that features 3,000
cyclists sightseeing, camping, enjoying
food and pumping their pedals. Each year
the route features a different part of Ohio.
614/273-0811 or www.goba.com
Ingenuity Festival
Cleveland, July 10 - 12
Experience creativity and innovation with
an amazing array of art and technology
fusions, collaborations and performing arts,
visual artists and musicians. 216/589-9444
or www.ingenuitycleveland.com
Vectren Dayton Air Show
Dayton, July 18 - 19
One of the country’s premier air shows.
This event celebrates Dayton’s strong
aviation heritage and showcases worldclass
aerobatic champions, military jet
demonstrations and entertainment for the
whole family. 937/898-5901 or
www.usats.org
Ohio State Fair
Columbus, July 29 - Aug. 9
Festivities
feature free, big-name entertainment,
antique and historical exhibits and
activities, five stages of free acts, kids’
entertainment, animals, rides and more.
888/646-3976 or www.ohiostatefair.com
Dublin Irish Festival
Dublin, July 31 - Aug. 1
Festivities
feature free, big-name entertainment,
antique and historical exhibits and
activities, five stages of free acts, kids’
entertainment, animals, rides and more.
888/646-3976 or www.ohiostatefair.com
Macy’s Music Festival
Cincinnati, July 31 - Aug. 1
Hear some of the world’s finest
contemporary music in an incredible
combination of R&B, hip-hop and jazz at
this two-day concert that offers musical
variety for every taste.
www.macysmusicfestival.com or
www.qlzprod.com
Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival
Canton, July 31 - August 9
See the legends of pro football as
they are honored with activities, including
the enshrinement ceremony and the AFC–
NFC Hall of Fame Game. 330/456-8207
or www.profootballhoffestival.com
Vintage Ohio
Kirkland, Aug. 7 - 8
Ohio’s great
wineries pour samples of 150 different
wine varieties at this spectacular festival,
which also includes two stages of live
music, fireworks, a fine arts and crafts
show, a wine store and more. 800/227-6972 or www.visitvintageohio.com
Twins Day Festival
Twinsburg, Aug. 7 - 9
More than 2,000 sets of twins from
around the world register each year for
the contests, talent shows, a parade,
fireworks and other events. Activities
also include crafts and entertainment.
330/425-3652 or www.twinsdays.org
Festival Latino
Columbus, Aug. 15 - 16
Have fun
with four performance areas of music and
dance, traditional and contemporary Latin
American cuisine, and hands-on activities
for children. Stop by the community
marketplace and areas on bilingual
employment, education and wellness.
614/645-7995 or www.festivallatino.net
Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival
Bucyrus, Aug. 20 - 22
Experience open-fire-roasted
bratwurst, three parades, entertainment,
a craft show, art show, rides, games,
beer gardens, and plenty of warmth,
friendship and hospitality. 419/562-BRAT
or www.bratfest.org
Ohio Renaissance Festival
Harveysburg, Sept. 5 - Oct. 25
Visit 16th-century
England and be immersed in the sights,
sounds and tastes of the Renaissance
in this authentic 30-acre English Village.
513/897-7000 or www.renfestival.com
Marion Popcorn Festival
Marion, Sept. 10 - 12
Delight in entertainment, food, crafts, arts
and rides. Plus, don’t miss the Popcorn 100
bicycle tour, popcorn softball tournament,
Popcorn 5000 5K run, the nationally
sanctioned cornhole tournament or the
two-hour parade. 740/387-3378 or
www.mariettaohio.org
Ohio River Sternwheel Festival
Marietta, Sept. 11 - 13
In addition to displaying
sternwheel boats, this annual festival offers
live entertainment, boat races, raffles,
concessions and children’s activities.
740/373-5178 or www.mariettaohio.org
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati
Cincinnati, Sept. 19 - 20
Cincinnati is home to one of the world's largest celebrations of German heritage, second only to the mother country herself. Nearly 500,000 people gather in the heart of the city for tasty bratwursts, homemade sauerkraut and authentic German beer. www.oktoberfestzinzinnati.com/okt.aspx
Ohio Swiss Festival
Sugarcreek, Oct. 2 - 3
Experience Ohio’s Amish Country and
enjoy tons of Swiss cheese, parades,
Swiss music, food and activities,
including Swiss wrestling and stone
throwing. 888/609-7592 or www.sugarcreekohio.org
Annual Bob Evans Farm Festival
Bob Evans Farm, Rio Grande, Oct. 9 - 11
This annual celebration of
the harvest season attracts thousands
with its entertainment, traditional
arts and crafts, farm contests, food,
children’s activities and demonstrations.
800/994-3276 or www.bobevans.com
Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Festival
Jefferson, Oct. 10 - 11
With 16 bridges, Ashtabula
County is the covered bridge capital of
Ohio. This annual festival is held at the
fairgrounds and includes self-guided
bridge tours and more. You can also check out the construction and completion of the longest covered bridge in history. 440/576-3769 or www.coveredbridgefestival.org
Ohio Sauerkraut Festival
Waynesville, Oct. 10 - 11
Celebrate all things
sauerkraut. The humble cabbage is the
hero of the weekend when transformed
into traditional sauerkraut dishes and
wildly creative recipes. Enjoy exhibitors
and entertainment. 513/897-8855 or www.sauerkrautfestival.com
Circleville Pumpkin Show
Downtown Circleville, Oct. 21 - 24
Come see pumpkins in
all shapes and sizes. Previous “king
pumpkins” have tipped the scales at
more than 1,500 pounds. Also enjoy
pumpkin foods, carnival rides, parades,
contests and entertainment. 740/474-7000 or www.pumpkinshow.com
Legendary Christmas Lights at Clifton Mill
Clifton, Nov. 27 - Jan. 1
More than 3.5
million lights adorn the historic mill,
river gorge, trees and bridges. See the
animated miniature village with a train,
riverboats, a mini-parade and more.
937/767-5501 or www.cliftonmill.com
Walleye Madness at Midnight
Port Clinton, Dec. 31
Watch as a 20-foot
fiberglass walleye descends during
the countdown to the New Year. This
is a non-alcoholic event topped off
by fireworks and plenty of fun for the
whole family. 800/441-1271 or
www.walleyemadness.com