Festivals aplenty taking place Labor Day weekend
Labor Day weekend is a hallmark for many area festivals and events.
Here, we’ve compiled information on some can’t-miss annual activities. The weather is supposed to be super-nice over the long holiday weekend, so it seems the perfect time to get outdoors and enjoy some of the last days of summer.
Let’s face it: Everyone deserves some sunshine, food, fun and entertainment.
Millersport Sweet Corn Festival
Compete in daily corn-eating contests at the Millersport Sweet Corn Festival, leading up to a grand championship event at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 4. Those looking to add a little exercise to all that fiber can also join a Hula-hoop contest, which precedes the Sept. 3 eating contest. Less caloric options include a corntoss contest, a garden and compact tractor tug pull and a grand parade.
Millersport Sweet Corn Festival, 2718 Blacklick Road., Millersport; 5 to 11 p.m. Sept. 2 and 3; 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sept. 4; free admission, $10 parking; 740-4673639, www.sweetcornfest.com
Obetz Zucchinifest
The Obetz Zucchinifest is known for its live entertainment, and this year is no exception. Supergroup Ezra Ray Hart will take the stage on Sept. 4, with country stars Big & Rich following on Sept. 5. Those more interested in the culinary arts can sample deep-fried zucchiniblueberry bread, a Schmidt’s cream puff with vanilla-and-zucchini-bread filling, or zucchini-flavored soft-serve ice cream with caramelized zucchini topping.
Obetz Zucchinifest, Fortress Obetz, 2015 Recreation Trail, 5 to 11 p.m. Sept. 3; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sept. 4 and 5; noon to 6
p.m. Sept. 6; free admission; 614-4911080, www.obetzzucchinifest.com
West Jefferson Ox Roast
The West Jefferson Ox Roast takes its meat seriously. Every year, 5,000 pounds of round roast are flavored with a secret blend of seasonings, wrapped in foil and roasted in a pit 140-feet-long for 12 hours before emerging to be assembled into sumptuous sandwiches. Visitors looking to build an appetite can take part in the Ox Roast Bicycle Tour, with routes ranging from 33 to 100 miles. A host of other activities are also available.
West Jefferson Ox Roast, Garrette Park, downtown West Jefferson; noon to 10 p.m. Sept. 4 and 5; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 6; free admission; www.westjeffoxroast.org.
Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival
Hop on a free shuttle from the Wellington School, 3650 Reed Road, for a ride to the annual festival, where this year 120 artists will be displaying and selling their ceramics, glass works, paintings, jewelry, photographs and more. Pick up an activity kit for the family, take in the Upper Arlington marching band and watch stilt-walkers carefully make their way through the crowds.
Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival, Northam Park, 2070 Northam Road, Upper Arlington; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 6; free admission; social distancing encouraged, masks recommended on shuttles; 614-583-5300, upperarlingtonoh.gov
Old Hilliardfest in downtown Hillia
Hilliard has a new Designated Outdoor Drinking Area (DORA), and Old
Hilliardfest will be taking advantage of it. This year’s festival will include 80 vendors, children’s games, plenty of food and a stage with live entertainment.
Old Hilliardfest, Main Street, downtown Hilliard; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 4; free admission; 844-768-2623, www.hilliardcivicassociation.org
Pickerington Lions Labor Day Parade and Fish Fry
The event has been a tradition for 73 years. After making their way through Olde Pickerington, parade participants and observers can munch on $5 fish sandwiches while listening to a combined performance by the Pickerington Central and Pickerington North High School marching bands.
Pickerington Lions Labor Day Parade
and Fish Fry, beginning at Pickerington High School Central, 300 Opportunity Way and ending at Victory Park, 100 Lockville Road, Pickerington; parade starts at 10 a.m. with the fish fry beginning at 11 a.m. Sept. 6; free; e-clubhouse.org/sites/pickeringtonoh/
Columbus Caribbean Festival
Music will be flowing all day and into the night at the Columbus Caribbean Festival, with headliners including Trinidadian musicians Shurwayne Winchester and Mr. Pearly. Enjoy Caribbean food, drinks, dance and fashion shows. On-site camping is available.
Columbus Caribbean Festival, Delaware County Fairgrounds, 236 Pennsylvania Ave., Delaware; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sept. 4 and 5; $20 a day, or $5 a day for those 17 and younger . Masks recommended. Must sign waiver acknowledging risk of contracting COVID to enter. For more information, visit www.columbuscaribbeanfestival.com
Richwood Independent Fair
Six days of entertainment at the Richwood Independent Fair include a performance by country musician Rodney Atkins, a demolition derby, a tough truck contest, a tractor pull, a strawstacking contest and a hay-wagon backing contest. Senior Day will be Sept. 2, with free admission for those 62 and older, banjo entertainment, line dancing, a session on Richwood history and yoga classes.
Richwood Independent Fair, Richwood Fairgrounds, 1 Gill St., Richwood; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Sept. 6; $7 per day (additional fee for some grandstand shows), free for ages 5 and younger; richwoodfair.com.