Canal Winchester 3-day festival continues as largest and longest-running Labor Day celebration

Anne Darling Cyphert
·3 min read

The annual Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival is Ohio's largest and longest-running Labor Day celebration. What began in 1920 as a small gathering called the Fall Festival is now a local tradition that attracts over 40,000 visitors each year.

The festival offers something for everyone. The food is always the most popular attraction. It is hard to walk through the festival without grabbing something to eat.

During the day, activities focus on the kids. There are rides, games, and even a visit from the Zoo. Every evening there are bands for the older crowd. Don't miss the car show, beer tent, and several dozen vendors.

The Canal Winchester Labor Day Weekend Festival takes place Saturday, Sept. 2; Sunday, Sept. 3, and Monday (Labor Day), Sept. 4.

The Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival’s car show is one of the area’s premier cruise-ins and a favorite of festival attendees. Registration will be held from 9 a.m. until noon on Sunday, September 3rd. The car show will begin at noon, with trophies awarded at 4 p.m. Live music will be provided throughout the event.

The entry fee is $15. There will be a 50-50 drawing and door prizes will be raffled off during the event. Awards include Top 40, Queen’s Choice, Mayor’s Choice, Judges’ Choice, Committee's Choice, Just Because, and Best of Show. All cars, motorcycles, and trucks are welcome.

For more information, contact C-Town Cruisers at ctowncruisers@aol.com.

Entertainment

Festival organizers have announced the following events in the historical area for the weekend as follows:

Saturday, Sept. 2 at the Main Stage

  • 12 p.m. - Opening Ceremonies

  • 12:30 p.m. - Canal Winchester Queens and Court Introductions

  • 1:30 p.m. - Hot Rod Lincolns

  • 5 p.m. - Long Play

  • 9 p.m. - Rayne Johnson

Sunday, Sept. 3 at the Main Stage

  • 12 p.m. - Tim Oliver Duo

  • 2:30 p.m. - Right on Main

  • 4 p.m. - Car Show Awards

  • 5:30 p.m. - Treble Catz

  • 8:30 p.m. - Silver Springs

There will be a craft show on Sept. 2 and 3 along East Waterloo Street from 12 to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. From unique jewelry pieces to handmade wood carvings, there is something for everyone at the craft show. Anyone who is Interested in joining the craft show should Contact Tonya Shaffer at mtonyasnails@yahoo.com or call 740-503-7576.

The annual parade steps off at 1 p.m. in front of Canal Winchester High School on Labor Day. Here are the fees to enter the parade: Non-Profit - No Charge; OFEA Queens - No Charge; Commercial - No Charge; and Political - $250.

Rides

One of the Festival's biggest attractions for both children and adults are the many rides and games available during the event. The Festival offers rides big and small, games of all varieties, and something that will surely satisfy all ages, providing hours of fun and excitement. Rides and games are located behind City Hall and in the Stradley Park greenspace. The rides will be open all 3 days of the festival.

Please submit news items for this column to Anne Darling Cyphert at adcnewsservice@aol.com.

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival features parade, entertainment, rides and more