The northeast Ohio festival season doesn't end with Labor Day. Area communities hosts a variety of scenic, fun, and exciting festivals throughout the fall. Here are some of my favorites (in no specific order):
Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Festival - Jefferson Ohio
(© istockphoto)
Ashtabula County has 17 excellent examples of original, restored, and replicas of 19th century covered bridges in a variety of constructions. All can be viewed by driving along the county's charming country roads. The Covered Bridge Festival, held in Jefferson during the second full weekend in October, features crafts, official covered bridge souvenirs, a quilt show, contests, a parade, food, and lots of fun activities.
Woolly Bear Festival
Vermilion's Woolly Bear Festival, held in mid-October each year, centers around the fuzzy caterpillar called the "Woolly Bear." Ohio folk wisdom says that if the black band across the back of these creatures is wide, there will be lots of snow during the coming winter. The free festival pay homage to the "Woolly Bears" with food, kids' activities, rides, and live entertainment.
Fall for the Circle
(courtesy of University Circle, Inc.)
"Fall for the Circle," held in mid-October each year, is University Circle's autumn celebration. Events include lots of indoor and outdoor activities in and around the museums and institutions in the area as well as live entertainment, three dozen decorated scarecrows, and lots of fun. Some activities are free; others carry a fee.
Tremont Arts and Cultural Festival
(© J. Greenburg; Courtesy of Cleveland CVB)
Held at Tremont's Lincoln Park, in the middle of September each year, the Tremont Arts and Cultural Festival features dozens of visual and performance artists and well as live entertainment, ethnic food vendors, dance, and hands-on art and educational activities for children.
Yankee Peddler - Canal Fulton
(courtesy of the Yankee Peddler Festival)
Nestled in the woods outside of Canal Fulton, about an hour's drive south of Cleveland, the Yankee Peddler Festival sets up for three weekends in September each year. The event features a wide range of arts and crafts vendors, historic re-reenactments, traditional pioneer food, and arts and crafts demonstrations. There's also live music, dance, and fun for all ages.
Geneva Grape Jamboree
(courtesy of the Geneva Grape Jamboree)
The Ashtabula County town of Geneva erupts with activities during the Geneva Grape Jamboree, held the fourth weekend in September each year. The free festival features a parade, a city-wide garage sale, all sorts of grape treats, dancing, and live entertainment.
