Home > Press Room > Calendar of Major Events
2008 Ohio Event Highlights
Throughout the year, Ohio hosts an amazing variety of fun, high-profile and quirky events.
43nd Annual Winter Hike Hocking Hills State Park
Logan, Jan. 19
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, snowcovered
sandstone and shale formations,
and intriguing caves.
www.hockinghillspark.com
National City Cleveland Home & Garden Show
Cleveland, Feb. 2-10
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
Geauga County Maple Festival
Chardon, March 27-30
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
Tri-C JazzFest
Cleveland, April 17-27
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.tricjazzfest.com/jazz.asp
Cincinnati Flower Show
Coney Island Park, April 19-27
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
Asian Festival
Columbus, May 24-25
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 24-26
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 6-8
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
Juneteenth Cincinnati
Cincinnati, June 14-15
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 14-21
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
Festival Latino
Columbus, June 20-21
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
Vectren Dayton Air Show
Dayton, July 19-20
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
Ingenuity Festival
Cleveland, July 25-27
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
Macy’s Music Festival
Cincinnati, July 25-26
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 25-August 3
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
Ohio State Fair
Columbus, July 30- August 10
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
Vintage Ohio
Kirkland, August 1 - 2
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
Dublin Irish Festival
Dublin, August 1-3
This
festival features seven stages of Irish
music, including international Celtic bands,
step dancing, food, a marketplace,
genealogy information, a wee folk area
and more. 614/792-7666, 800/245-8387 or
www.dublinirishfestival.org
Twins Day Festival
Twinsburg, August 2-3
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
Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival
Bucyrus, August 14-16
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, August 31 – October 19
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, September 4-6
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.popcornfestival.com
Ohio River Sternwheel Festival
Marietta, September 5-7
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
Ohio Swiss Festival
Sugarcreek, September 26-27
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, October 10-12
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, October 11-12
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, October 11-12
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, October 15-18
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, November 28- January 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