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Adult and two children on rollercoaster ride at fair
OHIOHEALTH

Summer Festivals for the Family

Flowers, foliage and fresh produce aren’t the only things cropping up as summer makes its grand entrance. Changing seasons and changing into flip-flops and shorts means gearing up for fair and festival season.

June

Basket of fresh strawberries

Newark Strawberry Festival

What: One of Newark’s best traditions celebrates one of the season’s best foods with strawberry shortcake, rides, games and entertainment.

When: June 3-5, 11am-10pm Friday and Saturday, 11am-6pm Sunday

Where: On the Square, Newark

Children sliding down big slide at fair

Commercial Point Homecoming

What: The festival famous for its “ocean perch” sandwich also has rides, games, entertainment, a car show, parade and fireworks.

When: June 8-11

Where: Commercial Point

Hot air balloon in sky

Coshocton Hot Air Balloon Festival

What: Traditional festival fare, decked out with balloon launches, rides and glows, along with a flea market and fireworks.

When: June 9-11

Where: Coshocton County Fairgrounds, Coshocton

Plate with fresh strawberries on it

Troy Strawberry Festival

What: Another central Ohio favorite festival that makes the most of the season’s freshest fruit. There’s something for everyone in the family, from the Bike Tour to the Big Wheel Race to the Diaper Derby, and more.

When: June 4 and 5, Saturday 10am-9pm, Sunday 10am-9pm

Where: Public Square, Troy

Three hot air balloons on ground

Fayette County Toast to Summer and Hot Air Balloon Glow

What: Food, music, wine and art topped off with a hot air balloon glow.

When: Saturday, June 25

Where: Fayette County Airport, Washington Court House

Crowd looking at fireworks in the night sky

Powell Festival

What: You can’t miss with food, music, and interactive games that will keep the kids on the move and having fun. They’ll be ready to settle in for fireworks to top off the night.

When: Friday, June 24.; Saturday, June 25

Where: Village Green Park, Powell


July

Crowd looking at fireworks in the night sky

Fourth of July Celebrations:

Celebrate our country’s independence by making the rounds of some of the July 4th festivals throughout central Ohio. How much ice cream, corn on the cob and hot dogs can you down?

Dates and times for different cities’ firework shows to be announced.

Closeup of front of drag race cars

Picktown Palooza

What: A four-day celebration that has something for everyone, from a 5K and kids’ fun run, car and bike show, rides and food.

When: Thursday, July 14, 5–11 p.m.; Friday, July 15, 5 p.m.–midnight; Saturday, July 16, 11am-midnight

Where: Olde Pickerington Village, Pickerington

Two children smiling at camera with their faces painted

Summer Celebration 2022

What: It’s a night of free, outdoor fun for the whole family! Inflatable obstacle course, splash slide, tethered hot air balloon rides, face painting and more. Top it all off with a movie after dark.

When: Thursday, July 21, 6-9 p.m.

Where: Thompson Park, Upper Arlington

Child eating barbecue ribs

Jazz and Rib Fest

What: Music lovers and meat lovers are sure to enjoy the Jazz and Rib Fest. The music and rib supply never ends at this three-day event! View the full music lineup and food vendors on their website.

When: July 22-24, Friday & Saturday 11am-11pm; Sunday 11am-8:30pm

Where: Bicentennial Park and Genoa Park, Scioto Mile, Columbus


August and September

Closeup of legs and feet of several Irish step dancers

Dublin Irish Festival

What: Grab a kilt, and celebrate all things Irish at one of the country’s largest Irish festivals. Get your fill of a Celtic take on music, dancing, games, sports, food and animals.

When: Friday August 5 to Sunday August 7

Where: Coffman Park, Dublin

Three hot air balloons in sky

Annual All Ohio Balloon Fest

What: Hot air balloons will dot the sky, along with sky jumpers, helicopters and planes. Balloon launches and glows, along with music, food, a 5K run, and plenty of kids’ activities will make for a great family outing all around.

When: August 11-13

Where: Union County Airport, Marysville

Group of small Greek flags

Columbus Greek Festival

What: Get away on Labor Day and experience Greece. The 46th annual festival celebrates all things Greek — in dance, food and music for everyone.

When: September 2-5; Friday and Saturday, 11am-11pm; Sunday, noon-11pm; Monday, 11-5pm

Where: The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Columbus

Closeup of a pile of zucchini

Obetz Zucchini Festival

What: Celebrate one of summer’s best-known (and grown!) vegetables all weekend long. Maybe your zucchini-growing talents can take home the grand prize. Music, rides, a parade, and Kids Day with COSI and the Cincinnati Circus make for a fun-filled weekend.

When: Friday September 2-Monday September 5, schedule TBA

Where: Village of Obetz, Obetz

Closeup of a pile of corn cobs

Millersport Corn Festival

What: Celebrate summer’s other best-known vegetable as you wrap up the summer. Get the family moving with a 5K run, then enjoy music, tractor pulls, corn-eating contests, animals and even more ear-resistible fun.

When: Wednesday August 31-Friday September 2, 5pm-11pm; Saturday September 3, 11am-11pm

Where: Millersport

Person taking food from employee in food truck

Columbus Food Truck Festival

What: How many food trucks can you visit in one day? At the Columbus Food Truck Festival, you’ll have the opportunity to try more than 60. Food trucks from all over the Midwest will be at this 9th annual festival.

When: Friday August 19, 4pm-11pm; Saturday August 20, 11am-11pm; Sunday August 21, 12pm-7pm

Where: Franklin County Fairgrounds, Hilliard

Goat in petting zoo at fair

Morrow County Fair

What: The 169th annual Morrow County Fair won’t be one you want to miss. As one of the biggest events in Morrow County, there will be a variety of things to do from their grandstand events, such as truck pulls and a demo derby, to their junior and senior schedules, which have many different shows and music.

When: August 29 to September 5, more information to come

Where: Morrow County Fair Grounds, Morrow County

How do you stay healthy during fair and festival season? Our mom on a mission shares what she found out – check out her tips!

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