July is the month when festival season is in full swing, and it’s easy to find lots of charming celebrations happening all around the state every weekend. Here are some festivals happening this summer that should be on your radar!
Lancaster Festival
July 17-27
Lancaster, OH
The Lancaster Festival features 10 days of music, art and family fun. Join the community to celebrate music and the arts with live concerts, daily activities for children and families, an artwalk, a 5K road race, performances at the local mall, and a two-show production by the Ohio University Lancaster Theatre.
Valley City Frog Jump Festival
July 21
Valley City, OH
You will jump for joy during the Valley City Frog Jump Festival, where frogs take to the ring to test their leg strength and leaping abilities. This festival celebrates all things frogs and amphibians with live music, games, souvenirs, food and much more. The festival is free to attend, and everyone is welcome to jump a frog (for a fee), where typically 700 frogs are entered into the contest by everyone from toddlers to retirees. Trophies are awarded to the winners.
Annie Oakley Festival
July 26-28
Greenville, OH
Celebrating Annie Oakley, a western Ohioan sharpshooter and folk heroine who starred in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West. The festival includes a shooting contest for young women, a fast draw contest, car show, old-time melodrama, competitive family fun games, and a western art show including knife throwing, whip cracking, and a variety of entertainment.
Frankfort Sunflower Festival
July 27-28
Frankfort, OH
There is something for everyone at the Frankfort Sunflower Festival, including food vendors, a car show, antique tractors, a kiddie tractor pull, games, live music, a parade, an adult tug-of-war contest, sunflower contest, photo ops, corn hole tournament and craft tent. This small town festival will have you walking away with beautiful bouquets!
Dublin Irish Festival
Aug. 2-4
Dublin, OH
The largest three-day Irish small town festival in the world is held in Dublin, Ohio! With seven stages, 60 acts and more than 800 performers, there is something for everyone. Visitors can indulge in great food (from hearty Celtic stews to traditional Irish breakfasts), browse the multiple vendor booths, and kids can play at the Pot O’ Gold Playland, which features 20 inflatables and crafts for wee ones.
All Ohio Balloon Fest
Aug. 8-10
Marysville, OH
For the past 49 years, the All Ohio Balloon Fest has featured hot air balloons in a family-friendly atmosphere. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, including live music, hot air balloon rides, helicopter rides, and a Kidz City for ages 10 and under that has a balloon artist, bounce houses, slides and an obstacle course.
Festival Latino
Aug. 10-11
Columbus, OH
This free two-day event celebrates family and community with lively music, dancing in the streets, cultural and arts workshops for children and adults, food, fashion, Latin-American cuisine, and community information tents.
Fairborn Sweet Corn Festival
Aug. 17-18
Fairborn, OH
The Fairborn Sweet Corn Festival event features handmade arts and crafts booths, food vendors, a cornhole contest and lots more. Enjoy your favorite corn dishes and summertime food favorites, including steamed cooked sweet corn, BBQ chicken, pork chop sandwiches and fresh cut watermelon.
Toledo Lighthouse Waterfront Festival
September 14 & 15
Oregon, OH
Located on an inland lake near the shores of Lake Erie, this waterfront festival offers live music, children’s activities, hands-on art and much more. Take part in the sandcastle contest on Saturday, and browse from over 50 nautically themed arts and crafts in the nautical village. Enjoy boat rides that will take you to the lighthouse (weather permitting) and boat rides around the lighthouse.
