Summer Fun in Ohio: 19 Ways to Enjoy August

Aug. 1–2: Spend a weekend shopping along the shore during the Vermilion Beach Market on Lake Erie. More than 100 vendors are set up in Sherod Park, selling everything from antiques to handcrafted jewelry and art. Plus, indulge in delicious food offerings, relax at the beachside wine bar, check out vintage VW busses on Saturday morning and more. vermilionbeachmarket.com 

Aug. 1–3: Get the family together for some summer fun while supporting a local cause at Harmar Days in downtown Marietta. Enjoy food trucks, craft vendors, art demonstrations, live music, a petting zoo, car show and much more. Proceeds go to Save Harmar Bridge, a local nonprofit organization committed to preserving this piece of Ohio history. saveharmarbridge.com

Aug. 1–3: A tradition in this city for over 35 years, the Dublin Irish Festival, promises an exciting weekend celebrating the culture of the Emerald Isle. The event features traditional Irish music with performances from over 40 artists across multiple stages, food and drink, dance and more. Whiskey tastings, workshops and shopping round out the experience. dublinirishfestival.org

Aug. 1–3: Get ready to rev your engines at Toledo JeepFest, hosted in the city that helped cement the iconic vehicle’s reputation. Thousands of Jeep fans from across the country are drawn to downtown Toledo to celebrate the brand’s legacy with an all-Jeep parade, a vehicle showcase and many more events. toledojeepfest.com

Aug. 1–3: Head to Twinsburg to celebrate the city’s annual Twins Days Festival and you’ll be seeing double. Join hundreds of twins and multiples in this celebration that includes contests, parades, a golf outing, talent show, a hot dog roast, cornhole tournament and more. twinsdays.org

Aug. 2: Grab your best canoe, kayak or paddleboard and get ready to paddle the river during the nation’s largest paddling celebration, Ohio River Paddlefest. Join over 2,000 participants as you paddle past downtown Cincinnati on the Ohio River. The festival takes place on Saturday, while Friday brings the free Outdoors for All Expo. ohioriverpaddlefest.org

Aug. 7–10: Celebrate access to the great outdoors and great beer in Marietta during the annual Rivers, Trails and Ales Festival downtown. Sample products from some of the best local breweries and enjoy outdoor activities, raffle prizes and more at this community-focused event billed as the region’s largest beer festival. rtafest.com

Aug. 6–10: Get ready for some hands-on farming fun during Farm Days at COSI. Kids can interact with real farming equipment and see how it works, watch baby chicks hatch, meet farm animals, learn about plant growth and gardening and discover where their food comes from. Admission to Farm Days is included with general admission to the museum. cosi.org

Aug. 8–9: Join Springfield native and EGOT-winning musician John Legend at the Springfield Jazz and Blues Festival. Enjoy two stages of live music featuring performances from incredible blues and jazz musicians, sample local brews from Mother Stewart’s Brewing, take part in late-night jam sessions at the State Theater and more. springfieldjazzbluesfest.com

Aug. 8–10: Wander through acres of radiant sunflower fields during the Coshocton Sunflower Festival. Celebrate the peak bloom of the bright and cheerful flower with wagon rides out to the fields, live music, food trucks, craft vendors, and a beer and wine garden. Try your hand at crafts such as tie-dye or ceramic painting, and don’t
forget to take a flower home with you. coshoctonsunflowerfestival.com

Aug. 8–10: The Salt Fork Arts & Crafts Festival, billed as Ohio’s oldest arts festival, features 100 artists showcasing painting, pottery, jewelry and more. Hosted in Cambridge City Park, the festival also brings live performances, local foods and special programming for kids. saltforkfestival.org

Aug. 14–16: A tradition in the Bratwurst Capital of America for over 50 years, the Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival draws more than 100,000 visitors to town to join in a tasty celebration of the German sausage. Enjoy fire-roasted brats, parades each evening, live music, craft shows, a stein auction and much more. bucyrusbratwurstfestival.com

Aug. 16–17: Sample cuisine from over 50 gourmet food trucks that roll into Ohio’s capital city from across the Midwest during this lively weekend event. The Columbus Food Truck Festival brings more than just great eats — it’s an all-around celebration of community with live music, local vendors and much more. columbusfoodtruckfest.com

Aug. 22–24: Aviation enthusiasts are in for an action-packed weekend at the Columbus Air Show, held at Rickenbacker International Airport. See thrilling aerial performances from dozens of individuals and groups, including the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. On the ground, attendees can enjoy family-friendly activities and a variety of aircraft displays. columbusairshow.com

Aug. 23–24: Make sure to bring some chewing gum to this spicy festival held at Cleveland’s Shaker Square. The Cleveland Garlic Festival offers everything garlic lovers crave — from fries to ice cream to beer, all prepared with a unique garlicky twist. Enjoy garlic grill-offs, shop local artisans and sample from local craft brewers. Kids will stay entertained with activities like a bouncy obstacle course, face painting and more. clevelandgarlicfestival.org

Aug. 29–31: Experience Ohio’s artistry and creative heritage firsthand at the 15th annual Made in Ohio Art & Craft Festival. Shop offerings from local makers that include jewelry designers, potters, wood carvers, glass artists, quilters and much more while immersed in the serene setting of Hale Farm & Village. madeinohiofestival.org

Aug. 29–Sept. 1: Sweeten the final days of summer with a trip to the Milan Melon Festival. Held every Labor Day weekend since 1958, this festival offers plenty of fun for the whole family. Enjoy melon-eating contests, the Big Wheelie Race and kiddie pedal-tractor pulls, as well as a grand parade, live bands, arts and crafts, and a classic car show. sites.google.com/view/milanmelonfest

Aug. 29–31: Celebrate Labor Day Weekend at Portsmouth River Days. For over 60 years, this event has brought the community together with free nightly concerts, children’s activities, games, midway rides, food trucks, a parade and more. Close out summer and the weekend with a stunning fireworks display on Sunday night. friendsofportsmouth.com

Aug. 29–Sept. 1: Celebrate German culture at Cleveland Oktoberfest. Sample local and international brews, enjoy a variety of activities, like wiener dog races and a strongman competition, and check out hourly performances that include skits, music and dancing at the largest glockenspiel in the country. clevelandoktoberfest.com