2009 Ohio Event Highlights

Throughout the year, Ohio hosts an amazing variety of fun, high-profile and quirky events.

January

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

February

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

March

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

April

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

May

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

June

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

July

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

August

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

September

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

October

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

November

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

December

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

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