COLUMBUS – The September harvest is traditionally a time of celebration and excitement in Ohio, and this year is no exception. Join this festive season at one of Ohio’s many outdoor festivals or fall outings, including the following events:
* Fall Wildflower Hike, Wahkeena Nature Preserve, Sugar Grove, Sept. 1, 8, 15. Join naturalists as they explore the interesting folklore associated with the late-blooming wildflowers of the Wahkeena meadows and marshes.
* Black Swamp Arts Festival, downtown Bowling Green, Sept. 6-8. Enjoy an array of artistic styles from watercolor to photography to glass by more than 100 artists from across the country. A variety of local and national musical entertainment will perform throughout the festival.
* Historical Weekend, downtown Put-in-Bay, Sept. 7-8. A celebration of Oliver Hazard Perry’s victory in the Battle of Lake Erie. The celebration includes military encampments with participants in authentic period clothing.
* Robert Rothschild Raspberry Festival, Robert Rothschild Berry Farm, Urbana, Sept. 8. Live entertainment, cooking demonstrations, gourmet food and a variety of farm animals.
* Gateway to Appalachia Festival, Southern State Community College South Campus, Sardinia, Sept. 13-14. Enjoy the sights, sounds, skills, entertainment, arts, crafts and children’s activities unique to the Appalachian region.
* Fall Children’s Day, Fort Ancient, Oregonia, Sept. 14. Children of all ages will enjoy an afternoon of fun with the staff at Fort Ancient. Join a doubleball game, grind corn, test your skill with a spear thrower, participate in a museum scavenger hunt and make something special to take home.
* Jackson County Apple Festival, downtown Jackson, Sept. 17-21. In its 62nd year, the Jackson County Apple Festival features mountains of apples, barrels of cider and the largest light parade in Ohio.
* Apple Butter Makin’ Festival, Sauder Village, Archbold, Sept. 19-21. This three-day event allows visitors to watch apple butter being made over an open fire and see cider being squeezed in an original 19th century wooden press.
* The Great Mohican Indian Powwow, Mohican Reservation and Campground, Sept. 20-22. Voted one of the top 100 shows in the nation, the pow-wow features food, music, artisans, crafts, a hoop dancer, dance competitions and a flute maker and players.
* Arts in the Alley Music and Arts Festival, Grove City, Sept. 21-22. The 23rd annual festival will feature more than 100 arts vendors, including fine arts, photography, crafts, quilts and youth art.
* Southeastern Ohio Renaissance Faire, Cambridge City Park, Sept. 21-22. This celebration of the 1500-1700s era includes vendors, costumed characters, children’s games and Queen Winnifred. The Southeastern Ohio Renaissance Faire is the only free fair of its kind.
* 29th Annual Johnny Appleseed Festival, Mapleside Farms, Brunswick, Sept. 21-22. Kick off the apple harvest season at the Johnny Appleseed Festival. Attendees can enjoy more than 100 homemade craft exhibits, live bands, a petting zoo, horse-drawn wagon rides through the orchards.
* Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati, Downtown Cincinnati, Sept. 21-22. The nation’s largest authentic celebration of its kind, Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati features 50 food vendors, seven stages, a children’s area and the world’s largest chicken dance and kazoo band.
* Feather and Foliage Festival, Kelleys Island State Park, Kelleys Island, Sept. 28. Experience autumn on Kelley’s Island and get some exercise as you participate in guided hikes designed to provide information about migrating birds, bird banding and local trees. Those who do not wish to hike are invited to participate in an all-day hawk watch at Glacial Grooves or visit the banding station at Long Point.
* Fall Farm Festival, Young’s Jersey Dairy, Yellow Springs, Sept. 28-29. Visitors can take wagon or pony rides, see cow milking, watch caramel apple dipping and doughnut-frying demonstrations, visit with farm animals and explore the craft fair.
* Soakum Festival, Noble County Fairgrounds, Caldwell, Sept. 28-29. A recent Ohio Historical Society Education Award winner, the Soakum Festival is a celebration of frontier life during the 1800s.
To learn more. Ohio travelers can learn everything they need to know about these September events and many more with a toll-free phone call to 1-800-BUCKEYE. Ohio attractions and events can also be found on the Internet at www.ohiotourism.com.
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