Festival season is in full swing, and you can find lots of charming celebrations happening all around the state. Here are 9 Great Small Town Festivals Worth the Drive!
Festival of the Bells | July 6-8
Downtown Hillsboro, 45133
The Festival of the Bells in Hillsboro is a yearly celebration of the bell community with up and coming artists featured each year. Vendors, rides, a parade, food and country music are the stars of the festival. The core principle for the committee remain the same as to put on the festival with the benefit of the community in mind and to bring everyone together from near and far to the downtown area of Hillsboro to enjoy the entertainment, celebrate our community, the fellowship, and freedoms that come from the founding of our nation. The Festival of Bells is the epitome of small town festivals!
Troy Strawberry Festival | June 3-4
650 North County Road 25-A, Troy 45373
Troy is proclaimed by locals to be the strawberry capital of Ohio, and the Troy Strawberry Festival is one of the premier Midwest festivals that celebrates this berry. The festival features more than 100 arts and craft vendors, a parade, car shows, children’s events, a pie-eating contest and 60+ food vendors along the river banks of the Great Miami River.
Columbus Arts Festival | June 9-11
Downtown Riverfront, 43215
One of the most highly acclaimed arts festivals in the U.S., the Columbus Arts Festival features more than 200 artists and craftspeople displaying their works. Enjoy three stages of live entertainment, food from Columbus’ finest restaurants, interactive art exhibits, and a hands-on activity area for families with lots of fun projects for kids and their adults.
Ashville 4th of July Celebration | June 30-July 4
Ashville Park, 200 Station St E, Ashville, OH 43103
Since 1929, families have gathered to celebrate Independence Day with this Ashville tradition. The four-day party begins with a fish fry (try their gigantic fish sandwiches), and continues through the 4th of July with a parade, family entertainment, contests and lots more food. The grand finale of the festival is a spectacular firework show.
Lancaster Festival | July 20-29
17 West Wheeling Street, Lancaster, OH 43130
Featuring 10 days of music, art and family fun! The Lancaster Festival celebrates music and the arts, and features 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.
Frankfort Sunflower Festival | July 30-31
Downtown Frankfort
Held annually on Labor Day weekend, The Frankfort Sunflower Festival has something for everyone, 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 has us ready for beautiful fall bouquets, just around the corner.
Dublin Irish Festival | August 4-6
Coffman Park, 5200 Emerald Pkwy, Dublin, OH 43017
The largest three-day Irish small town festival in the world is held in Dublin, Ohio. With seven stages, 65 acts and more than 535 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.
Festival Latino | August 12-13
Genoa Park, 303 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215
This two-day Festival Latino event celebrates family and community with lively music, dancing in the streets, cultural and arts workshops for children and adults, Latin-American cuisine, and community information tents.
Fairborn Sweet Corn Festival | August 19-20
Community Park, 691 East Dayton-Yellow Springs Road, Fairborn, Ohio 45324
The Fairborn Sweet Corn Festival event features handmade arts and crafts booths, food vendors 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.
