Fall Festivals Bring History to Life in Carroll County
Enjoy a glimpse into the past at three different festivals in Carroll County this fall. As you walk through the gates of the Great Trail Festival grounds, you are transported back to the French-Indian War era when mountain men walked through the market and folk music filled the air. During the 37th annual Great Trail Arts & Crafts Festival held August 25-26 and September 1-3, you will be able to watch artisans demonstrate their skills, such as flintknapping and candle making, and purchase their arts and crafts. Folk musicians and cloggers entertain throughout the day.
Re-enactors bring the mid-18th century to life at the Rendezvous de la Grande Trace where they have constructed an encampment. At 11 a.m. daily, the re-enactors gather to raise the flag and at 1 p.m., the re-enactors conduct a battle. On Monday, September 3, at 1 p.m., you can try your hand at tomahawk throwing and participate in the State of Ohio Tomahawk Throwing Championship. The Great Trail Festival, located at 6331 Canton Road, Malvern, is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for youth ages 10-18 and free for children under 10 when accompanied by an adult.
The Atwood Area Fall Festival is the area’s most diversified festival and lives up to its slogan, “Something for Everyone.” Held Friday through Sunday, October 5-7, at Atwood Lake Park, 9500 Lakeview Road NE, Mineral City, the event offers music, craft displays, a petting zoo, hikes and hayrides.
On Saturday, the North American Indian Center sponsors two dancing ceremonies called the Moccasin Trail Pow-Wow Gathering. On Sunday, there is Yesterday’s Classics Car Show featuring all models of cars and trucks. Open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, admission is $5 per person. To learn more, see www.atwoodfallfest.org.
Located just south of Carrollton on State Route 332, the Algonquin Mill Fall Festival features artisans demonstrating their crafts as the reconstructed pioneer village bustles with activity October 12-14. You will be able to watch a steam-driven flouring mill grind flour that you can purchase, as well as see a steam-powered sawmill and shingle mill operate.
The mill festival is a fundraiser for several local organizations that operate the food stands from cookies to chili. If you like sauerkraut, you are in luck as volunteers use approximately 8,000 pounds of cabbage to make the highly sought-after sauerkraut that can be purchased by the pint or quart.
Admission to the festival is $8 per vehicle. Exhibits are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The Algonquin Mill Complex is located at 234 Autumn Road SW, Carrollton. To learn more about it, see the website www.carrollcountyhistoricalsociety.com. The Carroll County Historical Society will have the McCook House Civil War Museum, located at 17 Public Square, Carrollton, open during the festival. Admission is $3.
The 18th annual Carroll County Antique Collector Power Show will showcase its steam-powered farm implements, and will hold tractor pulls during its three-day festival, October 19-21, at the Carroll County Fairgrounds, 106 Kensington Road NE, Carrollton. Open 8 a.m.-10 p.m., the event offers free admission and free parking. For more information, see www.ccacc.webs.com.
Carroll County is also home to some unique events that are great for day trips. On Saturday, September 29, Carrollton’s Public Square will be filled with scarecrows as part of its Scarecrows on the Square. Local businesses and organizations spend a few hours that morning decorating their scarecrows. The ‘crows will remain on display along public square until October 15. Afterwards, you can check out the antique cars and trucks at the Stockers and Streeters’ On the Bricks Car Show held noon-4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, September 29-30, in downtown Minerva.
Just a few blocks down U.S. Route 30, Minerva’s Oktoberfest celebrates October a bit early on September 29 with live music, crafters and a beer garden. Held in Municipal Park from noon-7 p.m., there are several activities planned for children. The Winona Garden Tractor Pullers will conduct garden tractor pulls. You can also learn to pan for gold from members of the Gold Prospectors Association of America.
History lovers will enjoy a candlelight tour of the McCook House Civil War Museum on Friday, November 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Located at 15 Public Square in downtown Carrollton, the candlelight tour is part of the museum’s Christmas open houses, held November 23-25 and December 1-2. The museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is by donation and is only $3 during the summer season.
These are just a few of the events planned for this fall in Carroll County. To learn more about these or other upcoming events, see www.carrollcountyohio.com.
Fall Festivals Ohio
