20 reasons why September might be the best festival month of the year

September is full of festival fun! Mark your calendars for these festivals in Dayton or closeby.

>> Eat your way through September at these food events

OHIO RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL

Sept. 2-Oct.29, Saturdays & Sundays, Sept. 2-Oct. 29 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 12 stages, over 150 unique arts and crafts shops, food and drink, games of skill and human-powered rides to amuse all ages.

>> 5 things to love about the Renaissance Festival

DAYTON GREEK FESTIVAL

Sept. 8-10, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at Greek Orthodox Church, 500 Belmonte Park N., Dayton.

Authentic Greek food and patries, imports, jewelry, Greek Dancing, children’s activities, live Greek music, church tours, and free shuttle bus.

>> The festivals we cannot wait for

ANNUAL EGYPTIAN FESTIVAL

Sept. 8-10, 4-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at St. Mina and St. Abanoub Church, 1531 King Richard Parkway, Miamisburg.

Enjoy the exquisite flavors of Egypt, shop for Egyptian jewelry, arts & crafts; live entertainment, raffle pries, carnival rides, face painting and more.

VANDALIA SISTER CITIES OKTOBERFEST

Sept. 8-9, 6-11 p.m. Friday & 12-11 p.m. Saturday at Vandalia Recreation Center, 1111 Stonequarry Road, Vandalia.

German bands, Bratwurst and Mettwurst, German Potato Salad, pretzels, beer, arts & crafts, children’s games and more. No pets allowed.

>> 4 Oktoberfest events we can’t wait for this fall

Credit: Tom Gilliam Photography for Dayton.com

Credit: Tom Gilliam Photography for Dayton.com

ITALIAN FALL FESTA

Sept. 8-10, 6-11 p.m. Friday, 12-11 p.m. Saturday, 12-8 p.m. Sunday at Bella Villa Hall, 2625 County Line Road, Dayton. Weekend of Italian music, Italian food, and a fun game of Bocce on the spacious grounds of Bella Villa. Free admission and parking. Shuttle service from the Reynolds & Reynolds parkinglot.

SPRINGBORO OKTOBERFEST

Sept. 8-9, Opens at 5 p.m. Friday & 11 a.m. Saturday at Springboro United Church of Christ, 5 W. Mill St., Springboro.

Celebration of authentic German food, beer, wine and entertainment for the entire family.

>> Why this year’s Springboro Oktoberfest will be bigger and better than ever

BEAVERCREEK POPCORN FESTIVAL
September 9-10, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at the intersection of Dayton-Xenia and North Fairfield roads, Beavercreek.

Festival foods, continuous live entertainment, 5K popcorn run, treats, special services, creative crafts and specialties made with popcorn. Also, children’s area with games, inflatables, contests and other activities.

WAYNESVILLE SECOND SATURDAY STREET FAIRE

Sept. 9, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Waynesville, 97 S. Main St., Waynesville.

Festival includes Artists Booths where artists, crafters and authors display and sell their creations. Over 40 artisans will feature everything from woodworking to fiber arts. Local entertainers will perform in the Main Street Gazebo and other locations around town.

XENIA COMMUNITY FESTIVAL

Sept. 15-16, 4-9 p.m. Friday & 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at Shawnee Park, 591 South Park Dr., Xenia.

Paddleboats on the lake, food, vendors, a parade, free entertainment and the return of field day for kids are part of the festival.

Credit: Martin Wheeler III

Credit: Martin Wheeler III

PREBLE COUNTY PORK FESTIVAL

Sept. 16-18, 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day at Preble County Fairgrounds, 722 S. Franklin St., Eaton.

Lots of pork inspired food, over 400 arts and crafts vendors, parade, live pig displays, hands-on activities and cooking demonstrations, camel and pony rides, petting zoo and more. No pets, please.

ANNUAL WOOL GATHERING SHOW

Sept.16-17, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday & 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Young’s Jersey Dairy, 6880 Springfield-Xenia Road, Yellow Springs.

Observe sheep, llamas, alpacas, cashmere goats, Angora rabbits and other wool-bearing animals at the show. There will be shearing demonstrations, wool spinning, weaving and much more to see and learn. More than 100 vendors from several states.

HISPANIC HERITAGE FESTIVAL

Sept.16, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at RiverScape MetroPark, 111 E. Monument Ave., Dayton.

Featuring a parade, live Latin music and authentic Latin food, cultural performances and activities for the entire family.

POLISH FALL FESTIVAL

Sept.17, 3-7 p.m.; Gates open at 1 p.m. at Polish Picnic Grounds, 3690 Needmore Road, Dayton.

Featuring food & beverages, dancing, games and music, including Randy Krajewski and his polka band. No coolers, please.

ARTFEST

Sept. 17, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Beavercreek Community Park, 760 Factory Road, Beavercreek.

ArtFest is a creative festival with local artists of all genres, performers and Miami Valley food trucks. Visitors can help create ‘hands on’ art installation projects, shop for homemade items and enjoy stage and strolling performances by musicians and artists. Parking is available at Nutter Park on Factory Road with direct access to the bike path leading to the festival.

Credit: Jim Noelker

Credit: Jim Noelker

TIPP CITY MUM FESTIVAL

Sept. 22-24, 4-10 p.m. Friday, all day Saturday & Sunday at Third Street, Tipp City.

Friday night Cruise-in, Saturday the Mum Festival Parade followed by festival activities at the City Park, Sunday festival activities. Live entertainment both Saturday and Sunday.

OKTOBERFEST AT DAYTON ART INSTITUTE

Sept. 23-24, 12-11 p.m. Saturday; 12-7 p.m. Sunday at Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park North, Dayton.

Presented by Miller Lite, the community event includes artisans, unique international foods, selection of domestic, international and craft beers, family-friendly art activities, live music, a Weingarten with a variety of international wines and more. There will also be a fully covered main stage viewing area, an expanded craft beer tent with big-screen TV’s to view football, and live music on two stages throughout the weekend.

Credit: Ron Alvey

Credit: Ron Alvey

AULLWOOD APPLE FEST

Sept. 23-24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday & Sunday at Aullwood Audubon Farm, 9101 Frederick Pike, Dayton.

Featuring food, live entertainment, free children’s activities, meet farm animal friends, tractor or draft horse pulled wagon rides and more. A variety of artisans and craft exhibitors will offer soaps, jewelry, woven items, sand art, garden ornaments, etc.

HERITAGE OF FLIGHT FESTIVAL

Sept. 29-October 1, Friday, 2-11 p.m., Saturday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Main Street, New Carlisle.

Featuring the Annual Parade of Planes, and an array of events and activities on Main Street.

COUNTRY APPLEFEST

Sept. 30, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Warren County Fairgrounds, 665 N. Broadway, Lebanon.

Fairgrounds will be filled with homemade crafts, food and entertainment. On-site free parking and handicap access.

HUBER HEIGHTS FAMILY FALL FESTIVAL

Sept. 30-Oct. 1, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at Chambersburg and Brandt Pike, Huber Heights.

Featuring food, music, fall crafts, 2-day cruise-in, bands, hay rides, pony rides, bouncy house, face painting and more.

About the Author