These 12 Harvest Festivals In Ohio Are A Great Way To Celebrate Autumn
By April Dray|Updated on September 16, 2019(Originally published September 01, 2019)
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April Dray
Author
April is the Ohio staff writer for Only in Your State. She is an Ohio native with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. With more than 10 years of writing experience and a background in news reporting for Ohio newspapers, she's published pieces in multiple print and online publications. When she's not on deadline or chasing after her toddler, she's hunting for hidden gems in Ohio or getting lost in a good book.
Out of all the amazing festivals in Ohio, the fall ones are hands-down the best. (Who else agrees?) From pumpkin everything to one-of-a-kind crafts you just can’t find anywhere else, there’s a little something for everyone during fall festival season in Ohio. The following festivals are 12 of the very best harvest festivals in Ohio, ordered by annual dates of occurrence. See if we’ve featured your favorite one:
1. Backwoods Fest (Thornville)
April Dray/Only In Your State
Set literally in the middle of the woods, this unique festival says goodbye to summer and hello to fall every year on the third weekend in September. Backwoods Fest features more than 300 craft vendors, bluegrass music, open-fire kettle cooked food and more. Admission is $9 per adult. Children 10 and under are free.
Address: 8572 High Point Road, Thornville, OH, 43076
Don't miss this delicious festival in the small town of Jackson, which typically takes place the third week of September between that Tuesday and Saturday. If you're an apple lover, you won't want to miss the caramel apples and cider at this event. (Don't forget to take home a jar or two of the heavenly apple butter during your visit!)
Malabar Farm State Park hosts this popular festival at the end of September each year. The event is free and features crafts, antique tractors, horses, food, live music, a Civil War and 18th-Century Living History Camp and even archaeological displays.
Celebrate the Sugarcreek area’s Swiss heritage (and Swiss cheese, of course) with parades, a 5K and all the authentic Swiss cuisine you can eat. The event has been taking place since 1954 and takes place on the final weekend of September.
Crafts, food, music and (of course) apple butter abound at this beloved festival in the historic village of Grand Rapids. Don't miss this year's festival on the second Sunday of October.
Address: 11900 Jeffers Road, Grand Rapids, OH, 43522
Don't miss the Bob Evan's Farm Festival, where we celebrate what’s "down on the farm," feast on local food and leave with one too many jars of apple butter. Admission is $6 per adult and $4 per child. The annual event typically takes place the second weekend of October.
This classic Ohio festival takes place during the second weekend in October in the small town of Waynesville. Don't miss this year's festival, which abounds with decadent comfort food.
Address: 10b N Main Street, Waynesville, OH, 45068
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9. Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Festival (Jefferson)
Celebrating the county's 19 covered bridges (including the longest and shortest covered bridges in America), this lovely fall festival takes place every year on the second weekend of October.
Address: Address: 25 W Jefferson Street, Jefferson, OH, 44047
10. Circleville Pumpkin Show (Circleville)
April Dray/Only In Your State
"The Greatest Free Show on Earth" in the small city of Circleville features pumpkin flavored everything. (Be sure to try the pumpkin favored burgers, waffles, chili and cheesecake.) The event takes place on the third Wednesday of October and continues through the following Saturday.
Address: 159 E Franklin Street, Circleville, OH, 43113
Celebrating all things fall, this charming festival takes place in the small town of Bainbridge on the third weekend of October. Featuring rides, games, crafts and fair food, this festival is fun for the whole family.
Address: 104 North Maple Street, Bainbridge, OH, 45612
You'll find delicious food, family entertainment and homemade and hand crafted goods at this fall festival, which the town of Camden prides itself in. (Please note: The festival dates vary from year to year, though it tends to fall on the third weekend in October. The sign pictured above is from previous years.)
Address: N Lafayette Street & Bloomfield Street, Camden, OH, 45311
How many of the best harvest festivals in Ohio have you been to? What are your favorite fall festivals in Ohio? Share your thoughts and experiences with us!
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The Best Harvest Festivals In Ohio
Nikki Rhoades|September 15, 2019
What other types of events take place in fall in Ohio?
When it comes to things to do in fall in Ohio, you’ll find no shortage of beauty and autumnal adventure. There are many places to visit in the fall months, from farms to pumpkin patches to haunted houses. In fact, as half the state is farmland, there are many incredible farms and corn mazes that are ideal for family fun. If you are exclusively seeking out fall festivals, here are a few you won’t be able to resist: the Fairfield County Covered Bridge Festival, The Great Pumpkin Fest at Mapleside Farms, and Midnight at Moonville.
What are the best family-friendly activities to do in the fall in Ohio?
Fortunately for families, there are many family-friendly fall events in Ohio. Aside from the obvious corn mazes, hay rides, and apple picking, families will find that there are several activities and fall festivals in Ohio worth visiting. Some of the very finest festivals are in small towns that tourists would typically overlook, but they’re well worth a visit. An incredible autumn activity for families is hiking, which Ohio offers in abundance at its incredible nature sites.
Which Ohio town is the best to visit in the fall?
Ohio has many incredible towns, especially if you’re craving a place with an atmosphere that’s a mixture of the Midwest (as in the case of homey, cozy places like Little Switzerland) and New England (which is emulated in places like Vermilion). Old school communities like Historic Roscoe Village and Medina Square are particularly magical to visit in the fall. Whatever you decide to do, autumn in Ohio is made awesome by the simply fact that you’re in such a cozy, laid back state.