In August 2018, I was crowned the queen of the Millersport Sweet Corn Festival. This festival is located about 10 miles from the town where I grew up, and I have visited the festival almost every year since I was a child.
After being crowned queen, I had the opportunity the visit other festivals all over the state of Ohio. I met all kinds of fascinating people, saw interesting places, and made friends with some amazingly kind queens. Each festival is incredibly unique in its own way, and I loved every single one that I visited! Here are 10 of my favorites:
Dalton Holidays Festival
Hannah Horsington
The Dalton Holiday Festival is held in Dalton, Ohio, every December. The festival features a grand parade, huge craft show, Amish baked goods, events such as "Turkey Bowling" and "Santa's Treasure Hunt," and lots of holiday cheer!
Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival
Hannah Horsington
The Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival, held in Bucyrus, Ohio, has been celebrated since 1968. Taking place the third full weekend of August, this festival features daily parades, contests, auctions, beautiful murals throughout the town, and German food.
Fun Fact! There is a saloon in Bucyrus that you can tour that was once visited by Al Capone.
Utica Ice Cream Festival
Hannah Horsington
The Utica-Sertoma Ice Cream Festival is held 1 mile south of Utica, Ohio, and features craft vendors, food, a car show, and local favorite: Velvet Ice Cream!
Utica is the home of the Velvet Ice Cream "Ye Olde Mill" where all the ice cream is produced. Tours of the factory run all through the festival, and you can see how the ice cream is made!
Holmes County Antique Festival
Hannah Horsington
Held in Millersburg, Ohio, the Holmes County Antique Festival will take place October 5-6, 2019. Located in the heart of Ohio Amish Country, this festival features great food, crafts, and of course antiques!
Bainbridge Fall Festival of Leaves
Hannah Horsington
The Bainbridge Fall Festival of Leaves, held in downtown Bainbridge, Ohio, aka "Leaf Country, USA," takes place the third full weekend of October. The festival includes food, rides, crafts, flea markets, and a 5K run.
Oak Harbor Apple Festival
Hannah Horsington
The Oak Harbor Apple Festival will be held October 12th and 13th in 2019. Events include the crowning of the new royalty, a grand parade, baby contest, car show, and live entertainment.
Fun fact: I met Miss Ohio at the 2018 Apple Festival!
Ashville 4th of July Celebration
Hannah Horsington
This festival is held annually before and during the 4th of July holiday. Ashville's celebration features over 2,500 pounds of fried perch, three parades, a large midway, and fireworks on the night of July 4th.
Circleville Pumpkin Show
Hannah Horsington
The Circleville Pumpkin Show, always held the third Wednesday through Saturday in October, is one of the most famous festivals in the state. Also claiming the title of Ohio's oldest festival, it features parades every day, contests for the largest pumpkins, a huge pumpkin pie, and tons of pumpkin food.
Ohio Hills Folk Festival
Hannah Horsington
Held in Quaker City, Ohio, the Ohio Hills Folk Festival (try saying that three times fast) allows for a visit to scenic southeastern Ohio. This beautiful town features a festival with a parade, entertainment, car show, duck race, an old-times country store, and fireworks during the last evening.
Fun fact: The people I encountered in Quaker City were some of the kindest, friendliest people I met during the whole year.
Millersport Sweet Corn Festival
Hannah Horsington
My home festival! Always held the Wednesday through Saturday before Labor Day in Millersport, Ohio, the festival features a corn eating contest, grand parade (featuring 17 high school bands), live entertainment, a large midway, and tons of corn!
Of course, I may be a little biased towards the Sweet Corn Festival since I grew up attending it and got to live my dream by being its queen. But, in reality, every single festival I visited was amazing and entirely worthy of your time. The time came for me to pass on my crown to a new queen, but I will be eternally grateful for the incredible experiences I had!
