Howdy partners! We love watching movies with famous lawmen and outlaws battling for rule in the wild, wild west. Now your family can time travel back to the Dodge City, Kansas of Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. Old West Festival is the most unique fall festival in Cincinnati — each weekend until October 14th, experience the wilds of the 1800’s American frontier in Williamsburg, OH.
Located off of I-275 in Williamsburg, is the permanent old west town where families will be entertained and educated with activities and shows for all ages. Everyone will enjoy western-themed craft shopping and old-fashioned eats and drinks throughout the town.
Last weekend, my family visited the Old West Festival, which offers a great bang (pun intended) for your buck. Tickets include unlimited live shows, comedy and stunt gunfights, kids’ activities and games, a children’s train ride, live music and parking. As we strolled through this 19th century town, period interpreters walking through the streets introduced themselves and posed for lots of photos. They also made sure we reviewed the schedule of events and directed us to many of the town’s fun activities and buildings.
First, we visited Kid’s Country for some laughs and learning. My daughter and her friend tested their skills at Lucky Levi’s Lasso by practicing to lasso pretend steer and horses. Then they took time to enjoy the countryside and be on the lookout for train robbers on the A&A Express Children’s Train. The girls also participated in the Santa Fe Slingshot, Beginner Bow and Arrow and Panning for Gold.
For a small nominal fee, the girls loved their miniature horse buggy ride and horseback rides, which also made great photo ops. Then we continued our day sipping on homemade sarsaparilla and visiting pioneer village shops (the candy shop was our favorite). My family also enjoyed a variety of live and historically accurate saloon shows with hilarious characters, music and dancers.
And of course, the Old West Festival would not be complete without a stunt/comedy reenactment gun fight by Carnivale and the Frontier Justice Rangers. The crowds oohed and ached as the actors battled for justice in this lawless land.
My family only experienced just a few of the many activities at the Old West Festival, and we plan to visit again very soon. Open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am-6 pm, get ready for more fall fun at the upcoming themed weekends including Americas Pastime, Heros (FREE admission for military, police, EMS and firefighters), Women of the West (ladies get $2 off admission) and Halloween (kids in costume 1/2 off admission). Note: Many of the vendors only take cash.
