Festivals offer fun fall options

The weather starts to cool, and pumpkin spice begins to fill the air as fall finally arrives. Individuals are ready for all the festivities this time of the year brings. Two such events are the Wheat Ridge Old Thyme Herb & Harvest Festival and the Bob Evans Farm Festival, where you’re sure to have good food, handmade crafts, entertainment and much more. 

Wheat Ridge Old Thyme Herb & Harvest Festival 

The 14th annual Wheat Ridge Old Thyme Herb & Harvest Festival, scheduled 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. this Friday through Sunday at 817 Tater Ridge Road in West Union, Ohio, is one of the quintessential events of the fall season. There are aisles upon aisles of vendors selling antiques, decor, clothing, food and other items. Along with the vendors, the festival hosts live entertainment and a host of kid-friendly activities, such as a petting zoo and a giant pumpkin cannon. 

SSU adjunct professor Bo Wampler, who has attended the festival in the past, said that it takes priority over all the rest.

“I love going to all of the seasonal festivals,” Wampler said. “ I would definitely say that this is the perfect fall festival for anyone looking to get out and do something fun.”

When asked about the food, Wampler was eager to relay the details.

“The food is amazing!” he said. “That’s one of the main reasons I continue to go. One of my personal favorites is the Amish Bakery tent, which has some of the most delicious, fresh pretzels you can find.”

Along with the Amish Bakery, there are so many other vendor, so even the pickiest of eaters can find something that they love. 

Bob Evans Farm Festival

Farmer and restaurateur Bob Evans and his successors have been celebrating American farmers everywhere with an annual farm festival at the original Bob Evans Farm in Rio Grande, Ohio, since 1971. Like all good festivals, the Bob Evans Farm Festival has great local food and entertainment and even offers camping. As Bob Evans is now a major restaurant chain, they’re no strangers to good food. Festival attendees can enjoy farm-fresh breakfasts, lunches and dinners nearby at the original Bob Evans restaurant that started it all.   

Guests can also enjoy live entertainment. This year’s 51st festival includes Cooper Alan, an up-and-coming country star who rocketed toward fame during the pandemic via Instagram and Tiktok. Also performing this year will be Girl Named Tom, an American folk trio of siblings from Ohio who won in the singing competition “The Voice” in 2021. In addition, there will be live music from gospel, country and bluegrass musicians, as well as a live performance from Taps in Motion Cloggers, who specialize in a traditional form of American folk dance.

When and Where?

• The Wheat Ridge Old Thyme Herb & Harvest Festival runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday (Oct. 7-9) at 817 Tater Ridge Road in West Union, Ohio.
• The Bob Evans Farm Festival runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 14-16 at 10854 State Route 588 in Rio Grande, Ohio.