>> Fall festivals in and around Dayton
>> The best festivals in Dayton this weekend
>> Haunted houses, hayrides and trails
>> Get lost in a-MAZE-ing fall fun this year
ALL MONTH LONG
⚔️OHIO RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL
Guests can step back in time in a 30-acre recreated 16th Century English village. The festival features nearly 100 shows daily on 11 stages, over 135 unique arts and crafts shops, hearty food and drink fit for kings, games of skill and human-powered rides to amuse all ages.
THEMED WEEKENDS
Oct. 6-7: Highland Weekend: Celebrate Highland heritage with special events including a Haggis Eating Contest, Knobby Knees Contest and Highland Games competition. Special guest Albannach this weekend only.
Oct. 13-14: Barbarian Invasion: Rowdy contests in true barbaric fashion. Compete in the Test of Strength contest or the Turkey Leg Eating Contest.
Oct. 20-21: Romance Weekend: Mass Renewal of Vows ceremony at St. Peters Chapel, plus a men in tights contest for the gentlemen and a best bloomers contest for the ladies.
Oct. 27-28: Tricks or Treats Weekend: Kids 12 and under get free admission this weekend and can enjoy trick-or-treating throughout the village. There will be costume contests for adults and kids and pumpkin decorating.
WANT TO GO?
When: Sept. 1-Oct.29, Saturdays & Sundays plus Labor Day
Where: Ohio Renaissance Festival, 10542 E. State Route 73, Waynesville
Cost: Adults (13 and up), $23; Children (5-12), $9.50; Seniors (65 and up), $21 (ticket booth only); military/police/fire/EMS, $21 (ticket booth only); season pass, $60. Buy tickets online here.
More info: 513-897-7000 | Website | Facebook
>> It’s time to sink your teeth into this grub at the Ohio Renaissance Festival
🎃MCMONIGLE FARMS PUMPKIN FEST
Fall family fun including hayrides, corn maze, u-pick pumpkins, corn cannon, straw maze, corn boxes, fire pits, farm animals and tasty treats.
WANT TO GO?
When: Saturdays and Sundays October 6-28, 12-6 p.m.
Where: McMonigle Farm, 7441 Franklin Madison Road, Middletown
Cost: Prices range from free to $9.50 a person.
More info: 937-672-8248 | Website
WEEKEND OF OCT. 5-7
🛩️HERITAGE OF FLIGHT FESTIVAL
It’s not every day you get to see a parade of planes down Main Street. The Heritage of Flight Festival is celebrating 14 years and includes one of the biggest cruise-ins across the state. Featuring live entertainment, Classic Cruise-in, Parade of Planes, carnival rides and games, 5K Run/Walk, Horse Drawn Carriage Rides, Tethered Balloon Rides, Wing Eating Contest, Kiddie Tractor Pull and more.
WANT TO GO?
When: Oct. 5-7 — Friday, 2-11 p.m., Saturday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Main Street in New Carlisle
Cost: Free
>> PHOTOS: Heritage of Flight Festival 2017
Credit: Barbara Perenic
Credit: Barbara Perenic
🎈CHAMPAIGN COUNTY BALLOON FEST
A former tradition will be rebooted when the 2018 Champaign County Balloon Fest: A Hot Air Affair returns after a hiatus. Bring the family and enjoy music, lots of food choices from the food trucks, children’s activities and a dedicated beer garden for the adults. Don’t miss the famous “Airport” pie from the Airport Cafe. View the B-25 on display and the Grimes Flying Lab which was built in 1952. The balloons launch at 6 p.m. and return for an evening glow beginning at 7:30 p.m. This is an awesome display of light and color. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy an evening of fun at historic Grimes Field.
WANT TO GO?
When: Oct. 5-6, 4 to 9 p.m. Friday & Saturday
Where: Grimes Field, 1631 N. Main St., Urbana.
Cost: $2 adults; $1 children.
More info: 937-505-0330 | Website
>> Old tradition returns! Balloon Fest to re-launch this weekend
Credit: Jim Noelker
Credit: Jim Noelker
🍫CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL
This is the festival of dreams. Indulge in chocolate from local and regional vendors. There will even be a wide variety of chocolate and non-chocolate products plus unique craft items. National and local talent exhibitions on stage throughout the day. There will be a chocolate recipe contest. Free games and activities for kids, free entertainment all add up to a fun family activity. This festival is presented by Faith and Friends Radio.
WANT TO GO?
When: Oct. 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Event Center at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 645 Infirmary Road, Dayton.
Cost: Free admission and parking.
More info: Website
Credit: Tom Gilliam Photography for Dayton.com
Credit: Tom Gilliam Photography for Dayton.com
🎃FALL FARM PUMPKIN FESTIVAL AT YOUNG’S DAIRY
Family fun featuring an opportunity to take your picture with Humongus Gus, an 800+ pound pumpkin, taste freshly made Pumpkin Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes, take a tour of the cheesemaking facility and watch cow milking. And the latest addition — pumpkin bowling. Festival held rain or shine.
WANT TO GO?
When: Oct. 6-7, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Where: Young's Jersey Dairy, 6880 Springfield-Xenia Road, Yellow Springs
Cost: Free.
>> Pose with an 800-pound pumpkin and more family fun at Young’s this weekend
🎃PUMPKIN AND CIDER FESTIVAL
Fun for the whole family with train rides, hayrides, homemade treats and apple cider.
WANT TO GO?
When: October 6-7, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Where: Hidden Valley Fruit Farm, 5474 N. State Rt. 48, Lebanon
Cost: Free
>> Best places to pick your own pumpkins near Dayton
🛶WAGNER SUBARU OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE
Two-day outdoor adventure festival for the entire family featuring 25 outdoor activities, open to all ages and skill levels, The Princeton Tec Rock the Night Hunt for a chance to win up to $500 in gear, a Youth Adventure Zone, Outdoor School, Osprey Backcountry Zone and more.
WANT TO GO?
When: Oct. 6-7, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday & 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Where: Eastwood MetroPark, 1385 Harshman Road, Dayton
Cost: Free
More info: Website
>> Try more than 20 outdoor adventures in one spot
🍂MIAMISBURG FALL FESTIVAL
Celebrate the fall season with crafts, hayrides, entertainment, inflatables and food trucks.
WANT TO GO?
When: Oct. 6, 12:30-4:30 p.m.
Where: Riverfront Park, 3 N. Miami Ave., Miamisburg
Cost: Free
More info: Website
🔥JUNGLE JIM’S WEEKEND OF FIRE
Weekend filled with fun, food and contests and more than 50 vendors and 300 samples. There will be a fiesta-inspired twist to the 12th installment of this popular Weekend of Fire. Guests can enjoy unlimited samples of foods ranging from mild to wild in spice levels, enter the Arena of Fire to compete in spicy food challenges and sample more salsas than at previous festivals. They also can stop by the Singe Bar to create customized Bloody Marys or, a new Mexican-themed addition, margaritas.
WANT TO GO?
When: October 6-7, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday & 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Where: The Oscar Event Center at Jungle Jim's International Market, 5440 Dixie Hwy., Fairfield
Cost: Costs start at $8. In the event the festival sells out, there will be no tickets sold at the door.
More info: 513-674-6000 | Website
>> What’s new this year at Weekend of Fire?
Credit: Bill Reinke
Credit: Bill Reinke
🥔SPRING VALLEY POTATO FESTIVAL
Love spuds? Then you’ll want to head to Spring Valley this weekend for their annual celebration of potatoes. “A-Peeling Potatoes” is the theme for the 41st Annual Potato Festival according to the event’s Facebook page. The weekend will be a mash-up of potato related fun including a mashed potato eating contest. Arts & Crafts, live entertainment, 5K Tater Trot Run/Walk, carnival rides, children’s games, Kiddie Tractor Pull, pet parade and lots of food.
WANT TO GO?
When: October 6-7, Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. & Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Spring Valley
Cost: Free
More info: Website
>> What you need to know about this weekend’s Potato Festival
🎃BRADFORD PUMPKIN SHOW
This village will be taken over by pumpkins for the annual five-day celebration featuring food vendors, parades, games and rides, live entertainment. Parking available in several places around the village.
WANT TO GO?
When: October 9-13, 4-10 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 1-11 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday
Where: 115 N. Miami Ave., Bradford
Cost: Free; food and games prices vary.
More info: Website
Credit: Teesha McClam
Credit: Teesha McClam
🇩🇪 KIWANIS OKTOBERFEST ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL
This Oktoberfest celebration is in its 51st year. In addition to the arts and crafts, there is music and entertainment the entire weekend. A parade is scheduled on Saturday at 11 a.m. with an antique car covered bridge run on Sunday at noon. A 5K and 10K run will be held on Saturday morning. There will be plenty of homemade food and German food available.
WANT TO GO?
When: October 13-14, 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday & 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Peace Park, 70 E. Dayton St., West Alexandria
Cost: Free
More info: Website
Credit: JIM WITMER
Credit: JIM WITMER
🌽FALL FARM FEST AT LOST CREEK RESERVE
Annual Fall Farm Fest with corn maze and corn shooter, music, hayrides, food, games, farm animals and more.
WANT TO GO?
When: October 13-14, 12-7 p.m. Saturday & 12-5 p.m. Sunday
Where: Lost Creek Reserve, 2385 E. State Route 41, Troy
Cost: Free
More info: Website
🍎ENON APPLE BUTTER FESTIVAL
Live entertainment; enjoy the pleasant aroma of cooking apples, spices, and wood smoke at the festival where everything revolves around apple butter. No pets.
WANT TO GO?
When: October 13-14, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday & 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Where: Settler's Park, Main Street and Xenia Street, Enon
Cost: Free
More info: Website
🍂FAIRBORN FALL FESTIVAL
Featuring live bands, vendors and crafters, food, clowns, magic shows, bounce houses, face painting, carriage rides, pony rides and more. Pets are welcome, but please be sure they are leashed and you have something to clean up after them with you.
WANT TO GO?
When: October 13-14, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday & 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
Where: Twin Towers Park, 501 Yellow Springs-Fairfield Road, Fairborn.
Cost: Free
More info: Website
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
🌻YELLOW SPRINGS STREET FAIR
All-day festival featuring entertainment, street performers, fine arts and crafts, clothing, jewelry and more. Free and open to the public, and handicapped accessible. For the safety and comfort of all, animals are prohibited from Street Fair, except for service animals.
WANT TO GO?
When: Oct. 13 from 9 a.m .to 5 p.m.
Where: Downtown Yellow Springs
Cost: Free
More info: 937-776-2686 | Website
🛍️LOCAL EATS, TREATS & KEEPS FAIR
The first “local items only” fair. Join in and celebrate local vendors right here in Ohio with various foods, decorations, clothing and more.
WANT TO GO?
When: Oct. 13, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Kettering Recreation Complex, 2900 Glengarry Drive
Cost: Free
More info: www.playkettering.org
🚜IAMS HOMESTEAD PIONEER HARVEST FEST
Chili, hot dogs, apple butter and fresh corn will be among the food items. Take a tour of the Iams Homestead Museum and see all the items on display. Don’t miss touring the 1854 barn, where you will find antique tools of all kinds and other display yet to be determined. Also, visit the 1929 Trotwood Travel Trailer Display on the grounds of the Iams Homestead.
WANT TO GO?
When: October 13, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Iams Homestead Museum, 349 S. Broadway, Trotwood
Cost: Free
More info: 937-837-5387 | t-mhs.blogspot.com
Credit: HANDOUT
Credit: HANDOUT
🌭49TH OHIO SAUERKRAUT FESTIVAL
The streets come alive with more than 460 crafters and artists from all over the country; plus there’s sauerkraut served in many traditional and non-traditional ways, such as reubens, cabbage rolls, sauerkraut pizza and sauerkraut macaroni and cheese.
WANT TO GO?
When: October 13-14, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday & 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
Where: North Main Street in Waynesville
Cost: Free
More info: Website
🍂OAKWOOD FAMILY FALL FESTIVAL
Guests can enjoy an afternoon of fun games, food, hayrides along Shafor Boulevard to see Scarecrow Row, pumpkin painting and other entertainment for the whole family. Kids can dress up and join the “Costume Parade” around the park.
WANT TO GO?
When: October 14, 2 to 5 p.m.
Where: Shafor Park, Collingwood Avenue and Shafor Boulevard in Oakwood
Cost: Free
More info: Website
💀FAIRBORN HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL
The 7th annual Fairborn Halloween Festival is packed full of family fun entertainment. Rides, vendors, special entertainment and more. Visit Foy’s famous 5 and Dime store along with the Foy’s Haunted Museum. The Spooktacular Parade takes place on Friday night with the streets filled with kids and adults dressed in their best Halloween costumes. Saturday night includes more entertainment along with the Zombie Walk.
WANT TO GO?
When: Oct. 19-21 — 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, 12 to 6 p.m. Sunday
Where: Downtown Fairborn
Cost: Free
More info: Facebook
>> PHOTOS: Fairborn Halloween Festival 2017
🇩🇪 DAYTON LIEDERKRANZ-TURNER OKTOBERFEST
Dayton’s German club hosts a celebration of authentic German food, music and beverages. Music by the Steve Owen Sound.
WANT TO GO?
When: Oct. 20, 5-11 p.m.
Where: Dayton Liederkranz Turner, 1400 E. Fifth St., Dayton
Cost: $3 admission; college students and military admitted free with valid ID; club members free with membership card.
More info: Website
>> The best Oktoberfest celebrations near Dayton
🍂FALL FESTIVAL OF FUN AT THE VANDALIA REC
Join in for fall fun with the family at the Recreation Center. Enjoy the Climbing Wall, Luther’s Jungle, Gymnasium and pumpkin decorating. Take a hayride around the Sports Complex will take you to a campfire to make s’mores. Hayrides start at 6 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m.
WANT TO GO?
When: Oct. 20, 5-9 p.m.
Where: Vandalia Recreation Center, 1111 Stonequarry Road, Vandalia
Cost: $10 per family (up to five people)
More info: 937-415-2340 | Website
🌰PIONEER VILLAGE HARVEST FESTIVAL
Learn about how the pioneers would prepare their cabins and their food storage for the coming winter months. There will be demonstrations showing pioneer life and staining of clothes using the walnuts from around the Village.
What: October 20-21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday & Sunday
Where: Caesar's Creek Pioneer Village, 3999 Pioneer Village Road, Waynesville
Cost: $5 per person (bring a bag of individually wrapped treat candy and get free admission for one)
More info: Website
🍂FRANKLIN’S FALLFEST
Featuring the Great 4th Street Pumpkin Roll on Saturday, the Warren County 4-H Petting Zoo, 5K walk/run, rides, food and craft vendors, bonfire, pie eating contest, costume contest and more.
WANT TO GO?
When: October 26-27, 5:30-10 p.m. Friday & 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday
Where: 1 Benjamin Franklin Way, Franklin
Cost: Free
More info: website
Credit: Amelia Robinson
Credit: Amelia Robinson
👻HAUNTFEST ON FIFTH 2018
Now in its 33rd year, the Hauntfest features CandyGram, Isicle, DJ Edge, food trucks, a costume contest, beer trucks and more. Must be 18+ to enter; 21+ to drink.
WANT TO GO?
When: October 27, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Where: Oregon District, Fifth Street, downtown Dayton
Cost: $10 online presale; $15 at the door.
More info: Website
>> What you need to know to get ready for this year’s Hauntfest
PUMPKIN GLOW ON STODDARD AVENUE
Each year, the hill behind the Greek Orthodox Church in the historic Grafton Hills neighborhood comes alive with an extreme jack-o’-lantern display of more than 700 intricately carved pumpkins. An amazing display of over 800 unique jack-o-lanterns. A fun event for the whole family. No ticket necessary. Parking will be available at The Dayton Art Institute, Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church and throughout the Grafton Hill Neighborhood.
WANT TO GO?
When: October 30-31, 6 to 10 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday
Where: Stoddard Avenue
Cost: Free
More info: Website
>> Organizers of Stoddard Avenue Pumpkin Glow need your help
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