Dayton, Ohio, and the surrounding Miami Valley region is home to diverse fall festivals, many of which are free, throughout the harvest season.
Peace One Day Festival
September 21 is the day designated by the United Nations for a worldwide cease-fire and focus on peace. Sponsored by the Dayton International Peace Museum, this Dayton’s Peace One Day Festival will feature a performance by Universal Dances of Peace, live music from The Steven Gregory Band and others, as well as children’s activities, speakers, vendors, and more.
When: Friday, September 21, 2007, 4pm to 9pm
Where: Courthouse Square, Third and Main Streets, Dayton
Cost: Free!
Hispanic Heritage Festival
Latin food, dancing, musical entertainment and more, celebrate the culture at Dayton’s Hispanic Heritage Festival at RiverScape MetroPark.
When: Saturday, September 22, 2007, Noon to 11pm
Where: 111 East Monument Avenue, Dayton
Cost: Free!
“Spirit of the Country Fair” Fall Festival
Spring Valley Academy hosts this family friendly fall festival with children activities, games, crafts, health screenings, and more.
When: Sunday, September 23, 2007, 11am to 7pm
Where: 1461 East Spring Valley Road, Centerville
Cost: Free!
German Heritage Days
The historic town of Fort Loramie presents the long running fall festival, German Heritage Days, featuring authentic foods and beer, live German music for entertainment, and a German costume contest on Saturday night. Buckeye fans will enjoy that the broadcast of the Ohio State Football game on Saturday during the festival.
When: Friday and Saturday, September 21 and 22, 2007; festival starts at 4pm on Friday and Noon on Saturday
Where: Canal Park, Route 66, Fort Loramie, Ohio
Cost: Free!
Ohio Gourd Show
“It’s a Gourdgeous World” is the theme for the 45th Annual Ohio Gourd Show on the Darke County Fairgrounds. This fall festival honors the beauty and functionality of gourds by offering gourd art and music, workshops, demonstrations, competitions, food, children’s activities and more.
When: Saturday and Sunday, September 29 and 30, 2007; 9am to 5pm
Where: 800 Sweitzer Street, Greenville, Ohio
Cost: $2 for admission; Parking is free
Fall Farm Pumpkin Festival
Young’s Jersey Dairy hosts their 31st annual fall festival in the artsy small town of Yellow Springs, 30 minutes from Dayton. Highlights include carnival rides, cow milking demonstrations, pumpkin painting, a petting zoo, and pony rides.
When: September 29 and 30, 11am to 6pm
Where: 6880 Route 68, Yellow Springs
Cost: Free! Rides and food cost extra.
Miami Valley South Health Center Garlic Festival
Cox Arboretum and Gardens MetroPark, situated on 189 beautiful acres in Dayton, welcomes garlic lovers to its fall festival to eat garlic food, watch cooking demonstrations, and enjoy crafts, vendors, hayrides, and children’s activities such as face painting and pumpkin painting.
When: Friday, September 28, 5 to 9pm; Saturday, September 29, 11am to 7pm; Sunday, September 30, 11am to 5pm
Where: 6733 Springboro Pike, Dayton
Cost: Free!
Oktoberfest
The Dayton Art Institute’s 36th Annual Oktoberfest will feature international food and drink, traditional German music and entertainment, children’s activities, arts and crafts, and more.
When: Saturday, October 6, Noon to 11pm; Sunday, October 7, 2007, Noon to 7pm
Where: 456 Belmonte Park North, Dayton
Cost: $5 for adults; $2 for children ages 7 to 18 ($3 and $1 if tickets are purchased in advance)
Gourds and Ghouls Festival
Dayton’s Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark hosts this family friendly fall festival. Activities catered towards children include games, pumpkin painting, mask making, ghost stories, and the chance to meet Swamp Thing. The fall festival can be held inside the Wegerzyn Center Auditorium in case of rain.
When: Saturday, October 13, 2007, 11am to 4pm
Where: 1301 East Siebenthaler Avenue, Dayton
Cost: Free!
Ohio Renaissance Festival
A 1500’s era English Village is recreated the 18th Annual Ohio Renaissance Festival. The atmosphere is authentic with strolling musicians, costumed villagers, jousting, dancers, over 130 craft shops, Renaissance period food and drink, and more.
When: Saturdays and Sundays, from September 1 through October 21, 2007, 10:30am to 6pm
Where: Renaissance Park on Route 73, Harveysburg, Ohio
Cost: $16.99 for adults; $9.99 for children ages 5 to 12; Free for children under 5; Parking costs $2 and tickets can be purchased online.
