Guide to summer festivals in central Ohio
Festival season is underway, with myriad events lined up for late spring heading well into summer. Here is a list of gatherings guaranteed to be a good time.
May 26: Ohio Black Expo: Riverfront Culture Fest
Genoa Park, 303 W. Broad St.
More than 100 Black-owned vendors are to be represented at the expo/culture fest in addition to craft and artisan beverages, food trucks, an HBCU college fair, DJS and dancing, family activities, giveaways and live music, including performances by Urban Strings Columbus, Brand Nubian and Amerie. (ohioblackexpo.com)
June 7-9: Columbus Arts Festival
Scioto Mile Riverfront, Downtown Now in its 62nd year, the festival is to feature more than 225 visual artists, three stages of performances and dozens of food vendors. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 7; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 8; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 9. Check the website for updated information. (columbusartsfestival.org)
June 14-15: Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival
Goodale Park, 120 W. Goodale St. The Pride Festival & Resource Fair is to take place from 4 to 10 p.m. June 14 and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 15 in Goodale Park. The fest is to feature more than 200 nonprofit and corporate vendors, two performance stages (entertainment to be announced), a community wellness area, a Dj/dancing pad and more.
The Pride March begins at 10 a.m. June 15 at Broad and High streets. Check website for updates on other Pride events. (stonewallcolumbus.org/pride)
June 15-16: Juneteenth Festival
Genoa Park, 303 W. Broad St.
The 26th annual celebration honors the date June 19, 1865, when the last Confederate
community of enslaved Americans in Galveston, Texas, received word they had been freed. A host of events is to include a classic car show, performances by The Ark Band and dance-hall reggae-icon Shabba Ranks, a Father’s Day tribute and a college and career fair on both days. (juneteenthohio.com)
June 22-23: Buckeye Country Superfest
Ohio Stadium, 411 Woody Hayes Drive
Unusually high demand for tickets led to the addition of a second night for this country megaconcert, which is to be headlined by Zach Bryan, supported by Billy Strings and Turnpike Troubadours. The lineup also includes special guests Charley Crockett, Charles Wesley Godwin and Levi Turner. (buckeyecountrysuperfest.com)
July 24-Aug. 4: Ohio State Fair
Ohio Expo Center and State Fair, 717 E. 17th Ave.
In addition to food, rides, agriculture and arts, the fair offers a popular concert lineup. Set for this year are Kidz Bop on July 24; Alabama on July 25; Soul Asylum on July 26; Boyz II Men on July 27; La Zenda Nortena on July 28; Lauren Daigle on July 29; Ice Cube on July 30; comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias on July 31; Stephen Sanchez on Aug. 1; Ohio Players and Midnight Star on Aug. 2; Jamey Johnson on Aug. 3. Concert tickets, which include fair admission, can be purchased at ticketmaster.com/ohiostatefair. (ohiostatefair.com)
Aug. 2-4: Dublin Irish Festival
Coffman Park, 5600 Post Road
The 37th annual celebration of all things Irish features musicians from U.S., Canada, Ireland, Scotland, Italy and Japan performing on seven stages, as well as many other national and international entertainers, local and regional artists, dance schools and pipe and drum bands.
Attendees also can savor Irish cuisine and whiskeys and attend literary presentations, hands-on workshops and more. (dublinirishfestival.org)