Our ancestors looked forward to the fall harvest as a way to celebrate the bounty they pulled from the earth. These days, there are a plethora of fall events that celebrate the tradition of the harvest in Central Ohio. You’ll find fun, free events celebrating everything from a 7,000-year-old grain, to gourds, to Bavarian yodeling (really).
Each festival highlights the uniqueness of the communities they reside in. Let’s look at what kind of fun awaits us this fall in Columbus, Ohio.
First up, the Sweet Corn Festival in Millersport runs August 31st through September 3rd. This is a true fall tradition – it’s been an annual event since 1946. The Sweet Corn Festival is part county fair, with tractor pulls and square dancing, and part celebration of that versatile yellow vegetable. There’s a festival Queen and a corn husking contest, craft vendors, and a parade. The event is free, so get on over there and eat some corn muffins, corn on the cob, corn pie, corn cake, fried corn…you get the idea. You’ll feel good about spending your cash at this event because the proceeds benefit 75 local charitable organizations.
Labor Day Festival – Canal Winchester, OH – September 3-5, 2016
Attracts over 40,000 visitors annually. Beauty pageant, car show, rides, games, craft vendors, food and entertainment.
Next, we love the annual fall celebration in Hilliard. September 10 is Old Hilliardfest, an art and street fair featuring live music on three stages, including a Kid’s Fair Stage with performances geared for the littlest people in the audience. Art vendors mingle with local businesses in family friendly booths lining Main Street. A mini carnival with games and rides and a 5-k run, along with a sunflower show, and food truck vendors, make this free event a fun evening for everyone in your family.
On October 7th, Delaware plays host to the three-day Ohio Gourd Show. Admission to the show is just $4 per person, and free for kids 12 and under. Music, food and gourd workshops take up every corner of the Delaware Fairgrounds. The theme for this year is “It’s the Great Gourd, Charlie Brown.” Gourd artists come from all across the country to exhibit and compete for best in show.
September 26 through October 31 we recommend the Fall Fun Days Harvest Festival in Grove City. Hosted by Circle S Farms, you and your family can go on a hayride, pick a pumpkin, get lost in a six-acre corn maze, and enjoy a petting zoo. Stay the evening and enjoy a bonfire and live music.
But no fall celebration will be complete without a visit to the Columbus Oktoberfest September 23-25, 2016. Do German Village residents attend this event? Of course! But so does everyone else that likes a big juicy bratwurst and a good cold stein of beer to wash it down with. In it’s 51st year, this even gets bigger and better and is now housed on the state fairgrounds. You’ll enjoy food, live music and all the chicken dances you can shake your leg to. Oktoberfest is a very fun annual event with activities for even your smallest “kinder.”
Before you hit the festivals, make sure you call The Grover Group to visit an open house or three. We’re just a phone call away and look forward to celebrating the fall harvest with your and your family!
.
