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2010 Ohio Event Highlights
Throughout the year, Ohio hosts an amazing variety of fun, high-profile and quirky events.
Winter Hike at Hocking Hills State Park
Logan, Jan. 16
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. (740) 385-6842 or
www.hockinghillspark.com
African Culture Fest
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal, Jan. 16 - 18
The 25th annual African Culture Fest activities reflect the diversity of African cultures. Visitors can sample authentic goods from an African marketplace, listen to skilled narrators weave their tales, watch exciting performances by some of Cincinnati's finest African drummers and dancers and visit an African Village featuring full-size huts representing several African cultures. (800) 733-2077 or www.cincymuseum.org
Central Ohio Home and Garden Show
Columbus, Feb. 27 - March 7
Enjoy spring early at this popular annual show where visitors find landscaped gardens, hands-on workshops, home gardening demonstrations and more. (614) 461-5257 or www.dispatchevents.com/home_garden.php
Arnold Sports Festival
Columbus, March 4 - 7
Come flex your muscles at the largest multi-sports festival in the country! The event annually hosts 17,000 athletes competing in 37 events and 11 Olympic sports. The three-day Arnold Fitness EXPO welcomes 650 exhibitors offering a street of shops with the latest in fitness apparel, equipment, training tools and supplements. (614) 431-2600 or www.arnoldsportsfestival.com
31st Annual Tri-C JazzFest
Cleveland, April 15 - 25
Combining informative, educational programs and live performances by some of the region's best jazz musicians, the festival furthers the enjoyment and understanding of jazz music.
www.cincyflowershow.com
21st Annual Cincinnati Flower Show
Cincinnati, April 17 - 25
See hundreds of show exhibits, including container gardens, window boxes, landscaped gardens and luxuriant outdoor gardens. This floral extravaganza features speakers, judges and venders. (513) 872-5194 or
www.cincyflowershow.com
Geauga County Maple Festival
Chardon, April 22 - 25
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 29 - 30
Enjoy cultural displays, world-class entertainment, artist demonstrations, delicious food, health and wellness screenings and activities from 12 Asian countries. www.asian-festival.org
36th Annual Ice Cream Festival
Utica, May 29 - 31
Celebrate America's favorite dessert at the home of Velvet Ice Cream, Ye Olde Mill, whith 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 4 - 6
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 location in the Discover 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, elaboratly dressed stilt-walkers and floats. 216/707-2483 or www.clevelandmuseumofart.org
Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure
Throughout southeast Ohio, June 19 - 26
GOBA is a fun-filled bike tour that features more than 3,000 cyclists from around the world sight-seeing, camping, enjoying food and pumpkin their pedals 50 miles a day on average. Each year, the route features a different part of Ohio. (614) 273-0811 or www.goba.com
Tall Ships® Cleveland
July 7 - 11
Witness the majesty of the Tall Ships® when they return to Cleveland as they once again grace the shores of Lake Erie for a sailing spectacle of historic proportions. This four-day festival includes spectacular vessels representative of maritime history from the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, Great Lakes trading schooners, Baltimore Clippers and more. Enjoy live entertainment, a children's play area, a maritime marketplace and tours of these magnificent ships. (216) 556-8637 or www.discoverohio.com
Vectren Dayton Air Show
Dayton, July 17 - 18
One of the country's premier air shows. This event celebrates Dayton's strong aviation heritage and showcases world-class aerobatic champions, military jet demonstrations and entertainment for the whole family. (937) 898-5901 or www.usats.org
157th Annual Ohio State Fair
Columbus, July 28 - Aug. 8
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 30 - 31
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
Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival
Canton, July 30 - Aug. 8
In current years, the Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival has grown into a 10-day celebration of football's finest, welcoming 700,000 visitors and capping off the event with the enshrinement of the newest members into the Hall of Fame and the legendary Hall of Fame Game. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of football and other events including a hot air balloon invitational complete with balloon rides, community parade, rib burn-off, two- and five-mile race, a fashion show with the wives of NFL players, concerts, fireworks and more. www.profootballhoffestival.com
Dublin Irish Festival
Dublin, Aug. 6 - 8
This festival features seven stages of Irish music, including international Celtic bands, plus step dancing, food, a marketplace, genealogy information, a wee-folk area and more. (614) 792-7666 or www.dublinirishfestival.org
Twins Day Festival
Twinsburg, Aug. 6 - 8
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
Ohio Renaissance Festival
Harveysburg, Sept. 4 - Oct. 24
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. 9 - 11
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 of the two-hour parade. (740) 387-3378 or www.popcornfestival.com
Ohio River Sternwheel Festival
Marietta, Sept. 10 - 12
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. 18 - 19
More than 500,000 people gather annually in downtown Cincinnati for the largest Oktoberfest celebration in the country - second only to the festivities in Germany. Enjoy the "Running of the Wieners" (dachshund races); bier gartens, the world's largest chicken dance with 48,000 participants; 87,542 mettwursts; 64,000 sauerkraut balls and 16,002 strudels. All these offerings make for one unforgettable experience! www.oktoberfestzinzinnati.com/okt.aspx
Ohio Swiss Festival
Sugarcreek, Oct. 1 - 2
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
Bob Evans Farm Festival
Rio Grande, Oct. 8 - 10
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
Ohio Sauerkraut Festival
Waynesville, Oct. 9 - 10
Celebrate all things sauerkraut! The humle cabbage is the hero of the weekend when transformed into traditional sauerkraut dishes and wildly creative recipes. Enjoy exhibitors and live entertainment. (513) 897-8855 or www.sauerkrautfestival.com
Circleville Pumpkin Show
Circleville, Oct. 20 - 23
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. 26 - 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