2009 Calendar of Events

Ongoing Events

Athens Farmers Market

1002 E. State Street, Athens
Called one of the best farmers markets by Audubon Magazine, the Athens Farmers Market is open every Saturday year-round and on Wednesdays during the warmer months.  Fresh vegetables and fruits, flowers, teas, breads, live music and a café’ await patrons, along with a great opportunity to see friends and neighbors.   The market is held at the Market on State mall, at the end of East State Street on the east side of Athens. www.athensfarmersmarket.org

The Dairy Barn Arts Center

8000 Dairy Lane, Athens
Once a working dairy barn as part of the Athens Asylum, the Dairy Barn Arts Center was saved by local residents and stands a vibrant center of creativity, featuring quilts, photography, beading, painting and great special events.  Known nationally for the Quilt National Show, this is another “must-see” place in Athens. Don’t miss the unique gift shop! www.dairybarn.org  (740) 592-4981.  Tuesday – Saturday, Noon – 5 pm, Sunday 1-5, and till 8pm on Thursdays.

Final Fridays in Nelsonville

Nelsonville Public Square Arts District
Held the final Friday of every month, Nelsonville’s Public Square Arts District comes alive with artist demonstrations, great sales, food, live music and a chance to view incredible works of art.  Nelsonville is located just 12 minutes north Athens on Rt. 33. www.finalfridays.net

Please Touch Exhibit

Athens County Historical Society
65 N. Court Street, Athens
Located just three blocks from OU’s College Green, the Athens County Historical Society hosts ongoing exhibits that allow patrons to actually touch history.  This is a fantastic way to learn the history of your student’s new home!  Discover over 200 years of stories in this amazing place.  Monday – Saturday, noon – 5pm.  Small admission fee. www.athenshistory.org  (740) 592-2280

August, 2009

Ohio Chile Pepper Festival

August 1st, Glouster, OH
(740) 797-3126
Chile peppers with varying degrees of heat will entice you to the Ohio Chile Pepper Festival this August.  A delightful array of tastes will have you coming back for more as you sample salsas from across Ohio and neighboring states. Enter the hot pepper eating contest, enjoy a salsa taste-off, hop on a hay ride and listen to live music! www.ohiochilepepperfestival.org

Athens County Fair

August 7–15, Athens Fairgrounds
(740) 592-1532
Don’t miss livestock exhibits, horticulture displays, a demolition derby, youth exhibits, truck and tractor pulls and top name entertainment. Children of all ages will enjoy the many rides and games that will be there also. And who can forget about the food? Whether it’s a funnel cake or cotton candy that you crave, this fair will have it all! www.athenscofair.org

Parade of the Hills

August 19-22, Nelsonville Public Square, Nelsonville, OH
(740) 753-3525
The 60th Annual Parade of the Hills Festival promises something for everyone. Whether you’re old, young, or somewhere in between, this festival is the perfect ending to the summer.  Each night features tons of entertainment on three stages, as well as the Arts on the Square, a top-notch midway, professional and local food vendors, and much, much more!  A good old-fashioned town square celebration. www.paradeofthehills.org

September, 2009

Ohio’s Friendliest Train Robbery

September 19, Hocking Valley Scenic Railway in Nelsonville, OH
(800) 967-7834
Ride our old-time train when it carries a “gold” shipment with an alert sheriff and his deputies who will attempt to protect the gold shipment and passengers from robbers (historic re-enactors).  Horses, canons, fake gold and lots of play money make this interactive event great for all ages!  Reservations recommended. www.hvsry.org

Ohio Pawpaw Festival

September 19-20, Lake Snowden in Albany, OH
(740) 698-6060
Join pawpaw fanatics from around the country at the peak of the season for a weekend filled with everything pawpaws from food, music, art, history, trees, people and much more. Smell, touch and taste this wonderful tropical-flavored fruit that has been growing in America for thousands of years and is considered Ohio’s first fruit. www.ohiopawpawfest.com

October, 2009

Jerseyville Festival

Shade Community Center, Shade, OH
(740) 590-0408
Join in the fun at this community festival celebrating the heritage of Shade, Ohio, just south of Athens on Rt. 33A.  Cornhole, hay rides, great food and cow patty bingo are just some of the down-home activities at this festival. www.athensohio.com

ART/Oberfest

October 16-18, ARTS/West, Athens
(740) 592-4315
Everyone is invited for a community celebration of local and regional visual, performing and culinary arts.  The Art/Oberfest community art days will include live and recorded music, visual art, crafts, performance art, culinary art, spoken word and other entertainers.  The festival will feature fire-dancing, youth choreographed dances, live musicians, and mosaic scarf making workshops. www.artswest.blogspot.com

Ohio Smoked Meat Festival

October 17, Nelsonville Public Square
(740) 753-3436
Ohio’s only officially-sanctioned  Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) event! The Smoke Meat Festival offers $5,000 in cash prizes with an opportunity for winners in various categories to represent the state at other KCBS contests. A variety of vendors will be selling food and drinks during the competition and the public is invited to attend and taste!  This is the best of the best in Ohio BBQ – vote for your favorite!  www.nelsonvillechamber.com

Ohio University Homecoming

October 16-18, Ohio University, Athens
Don’t miss a single minute of the festivities as OU Alums roll in to Athens for a memorable weekend in celebration of their Alma Mater.  Football, street sales, and the famous Homecoming Parade make this an event we look forward to all year round. www.ohio.edu/homecoming

Ohio University Fall Parents Weekend

October 23-25, Ohio University, Athens
After the fall quarter has gotten off to a great start, Ohio University Parents are invited back to spend a weekend of fun with their student.  Football, campus events, eating out, and shopping make for a memorable weekend with your favorite Bobcat. www.ohio.edu/parents

November, 2009

Hot Tuna All Star Jam

November 14th, Fur Peace Ranch, Pomeroy, OH
(740) 992-6228
Featuring GE Smith, Barry Mittendorf and Eric Diaz, the Hot Tuna All Stars meet up at Jorma Kaukonen’s Fur Peace Ranch in Pomeroy, just 25 minutes south of Athens on Rt. 33. www.furpeaceranch.com

Nelsonville North Pole

Weekends beginning November 24th, Nelsonville, OH
(740) 753-3436
Fasten your ice skates and glide across the outdoor skating rink at Nelson Commons Park. Warm up with a cup of hot chocolate or visit Santa’s village made especially for the little ones. Buy a ticket and climb aboard for a ride on the Santa Train or the exclusive North Pole Express Train.   Then, find the holiday’s most unique gifts on the Public Square. www.nelsonvillechamber.com

December, 2009

Holiday Bazaar at the Dairy Barn

December 4-6, Dairy Barn Arts Center, Athens
(840) 592-4981
The Dairy Barn kicks off the holiday season with its annual Holiday Bazaar. This winter event features artists and artisans from the region and is a great opportunity to find unique gifts for the holiday season. And the Gallery Shop has an assortment of beautiful handmade ornaments and other charming items. www.dairybarn.org

North Pole Express on the Hocking Valley Railroad

Saturdays in December, Hocking Valley Railroad, Nelsonville
(800) 967-7834
Riders of the North Pole Express are invited to come in their pajamas and robes for the ride. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served as the train travels to Logan. After the ride, passengers will follow the conductor to North Pole Nelsonville for a visit with Santa and free ice skating at Nelson Commons. Each child will receive a bell as a souvenir.
For more information on these events and more, visit www.athensohio.com