FESTIVAL FUN: Beer, chocolate, sauerkraut and more fall festivals in October

>> PHOTOS: Did we spot you at Dayton Art Institute Oktoberfest?

OHIO RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL

Saturdays & Sundays, Aug. 31-Oct. 27, 2019 at Ohio Renaissance Festival, 10542 E. State Route 73, Waynesville.

Guests can step back in time in a 30-acre re-created 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. Tickets range from $7.50 - $65. For more information, call 513-897-7000 or visit www.renfestival.com.

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MINSTER OKTOBERFEST

Oct. 4-6, 2019. Friday 6 p.m. to midnight. Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight. Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oktoberfest is located one block west of the intersection of SR-119 and SR-66 in Minster

Organizers say more than 80,000 people flock to the Auglaize County village each year for this festival emphasizing the community's German heritage. Music, food, and, of course, beer are the stars of the event that has been a part of Minster since 1975. However, Minster's Oktoberfest offers unique twists like beer tray relays, a jug hoist, a car show, parade and a 10k run to help clear space for all those calories. Live music, German mass and pageants will also take place. For more information, visit http://www.minsteroktoberfest.com/

SPRING VALLEY POTATO FESTIVAL

October 5-6, 2019, Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. & Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Spring Valley

Arts & Crafts, live entertainment, 5K Tater Trot Run/Walk, carnival rides, children’s games, Kiddie Tractor Pull, Pet Parade and lots of food. Free.

CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL

October 5, 2019, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 645 Infirmary Road, Dayton.

Local and regional vendors will offer a wide variety of chocolate and non-chocolate products plus unique craft items. National and local talent exhibitions on stage throughout the day. Free Parking. Free Admission. Free games and activities for kids. Free entertainment. All add up to a fun family activity. Free admission and parking. For more information, call 937-224-1619.

FALL FARM PUMPKIN FESTIVAL AT YOUNGS

October 5-6, 2019, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Young’s Jersey Dairy, 6880 Springfield-Xenia Road, Yellow Springs.

Family fun featuring an opportunity to take your picture with Humongus Gus, and 800+ pound pumpkin, taste freshly made Pumpkin Cinnamon Sugar Donut Holes, take a tour of the cheese making facility and watch cow milking. And the latest addition — pumpkin bowling. Festival held rain or shine. Free. For more information, visit www.youngsdairy.com.

WAGNER SUBARU OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE

October 5-6, 2019, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday & 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Eastwood MetroPark, 1385 Harshman Road, Dayton

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. Free. For more information, visit https://outdoorx.metroparks.com.

JUNGLE JIM’S WEEKEND OF FIRE

October 5-6, 2019, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday & 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at The Oscar Event Center at Jungle Jim’s International Market, 5440 Dixie Hwy., Fairfield

Weekend filled with fun, food and contests and more than 50 vendors and 300 samples. There will be sauces ranging from mild to wild. Costs start at $8. In the event the festival sells out, there will be no tickets sold at the door. For more information, call 513-674-6000 or visit www.junglejims.com.

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BRADFORD PUMPKIN SHOW

October 8-12, 2019, 4-10 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 1-11 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday at Bradford Pumpkin Show, 115 N. Miami Ave., Bradford

Featuring food vendors, parades, games and rides, live entertainment. Parking available in several places around the village. Free; food and games prices vary. For more information, visit www.bradfordpumpkinshow.com.

DAYTON LGBT FILM FESTIVAL

October 10-13, 2019, starts Thursday at 7 p.m. through Sunday at 8 p.m. at Neon Movies, 130 E. Fifth St., Dayton

Films range from insightful, challenging and thought-provoking pieces to hysterical and quotable material. Cost: Prices vary. For more information, visit https://daytonlgbt.com.

YELLOW SPRINGS STREET FAIR

October 12, 2019, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Downtown Yellow Springs, 101 Dayton St., Yellow Springs

All-day festival featuring entertainment, street performers, fine arts and crafts, clothing, jewelry, fair trade items, unique gifts and more. Free. For more information, call 937-776-2686 or visit www.yellowspringsohio.org.

HIDDEN VALLEY ORCHARD PUMPKIN FESTIVAL

October 12-13, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Hidden Valley Orchards, 5474 N. State Rt. 48, Lebanon

Fun for the whole family with a pumpkin celebration, grill out, children’s activities and live entertainment. Free.

OHIO SAUERKRAUT FESTIVAL

October 12-13, 2019, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday & 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at 10 B North Main St., Waynesville.

The streets come alive with more than 460 crafters & 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. Free. For more information, visit www.sauerkrautfestival.com.

ENON APPLE BUTTER FESTIVAL

October 12-13, 2019, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday & 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Settler’s Park, Main Street and Xenia Street, Enon.

Live entertainment; enjoy the pleasant aroma of cooking apples, spices, and wood smoke at the festival where everything revolves around apple butter. No pets. Free. For more information, visit www.enonhistory.com.

KIWANIS OKTOBERFEST

October 12-13, 2019, 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday & 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Peace Park, 70 E. Dayton St., West Alexandria

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 and German food available. Free. For more information, visit www.kiwanisoktoberfest.org.

OAKWOOD FAMILY FALL FESTIVAL

October 13, 2019, 2 to 5 p.m. at Shafor Park, Collingwood Avenue and Shafor Boulevard, Oakwood

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. Free. For more information, visit www.ci.oakwood.oh.us.

FAIRBORN HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL

October 18-20, 2019, 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, 12 to 6 p.m. Sunday in Downtown Fairborn

The 8th annual Fairborn Halloween Festival is packed full or family fun entertainment. The event features 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. Free.

DAYTON LIEDERKRANZ-TURNER OKTOBERFEST

October 19, 2019, 5 to 11 p.m. at Dayton Liederkranz Turner, 1400 E. Fifth St., Dayton

A celebration of authentic German food, music and beverages. Cost: $3 admission; college students & military admitted free with valid ID; Club members free with membership card. For more information, visit www.daytongermanclub.org.