From the Greek Festival to the West Jeff Ox Roast, there's much to enjoy on Labor Day
It has been a busy weekend for events in Greater Columbus, but there are still plenty of festivals to enjoy.
The best-known of the Labor Day festivals may be the Greek Festival, held at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 555 N. High St.
Like most of the other Labor Day weekend festivals, it appeared in a less-than-full-scale form last year.
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“We're really excited that we'll be able to do the full festival this year,” said John Bizios, one of the festival's organizers. “Last year, it was really scaled back. We had some unique challenges, with volunteers, and with not knowing how comfortable our visitors would be, so we scaled back in exhibitors and vendors. It was disappointing for us because we look forward to showcasing our parish and our parish home every year.”
Now in its 49th year, the festival is back in full force, with dancers from the parish performing, tours of the cathedral, vendors with merchandise from Greece, cooking demonstrations and everything that festivalgoers have come to expect.
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That, of course, includes food, from full dinners to a vast selection of pastries.
“We've spent all summer cooking and stocking our walk-in freezers with everything. It's a matter of Greek pride. We're welcoming people into our parish home. We're not going to ply them with food made by anybody else,” Bizios said.
He does have a word of advice about the food.
“We encourage people not to wait until 9 in the evening to come eat. The food lines are winding down by then. The early bird gets the baklava!”
Here's what to know before you go:
Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday
Admission: $5, or $4 for senior citizens, and free for kids younger than 12.
Parking: Available in lots and garages around the festival site. The festival organizers recommend using SpotHero.com to find and reserve a convenient parking spot.
Information: www.columbusgreekfestival.com
Information: www.sweetcornfest.com
Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival
Upper Arlington will welcome 120 artists and thousands of guests to the Upper Arlington Labor Days Arts Festival Monday at Northam Park, 2070 Northam Road, Upper Arlington.
Artists will be exhibiting and selling paintings, photographs, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, mixed-media and more.
Live music, including performances by Theo's Loose Hinges and the Deeptones, will be offered, and kids can take part in hands-on art activities. Refreshments will be available from more than a dozen food trucks.
Here's what you need to know before you go:
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday
Admission: free
Parking: Free parking is located at the Wellington School, 3650 Reed Road, and free shuttles will run from there approximately every 15 minutes.
Information: upperarlingtonoh.gov/LDAF
Obetz Zucchinifest
The Obetz Zucchinifest will spread out over four days Labor Day weekend at Fortress Obetz, 2015 Recreation Trail.
The celebration of all things zucchini, including an intriguing selection of zucchini-based foodstuffs, runs through Monday.
What to know before you go:
Hours: 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and noon to 6 p.m. Monday
Admission: including admission to all concerts, is free.
Parking: free
Information: obetzzucchinifest.com
West Jefferson Ox Roast
The West Jefferson Ox Roast returns to full-scale festival status this year, with events Saturday through Monday at Garette Park in downtown West Jefferson.
While 5,000 pounds of round roast cook in a pit, and before the serving of the sandwiches at noon on Monday, multiple events will keep guests satisfied.
Besides the daily presence of vendors, crafts, bounce houses and games, guests can take part in one of three bicycle tours, enter a cornhole tournament, take part in a Hawaiian-themed parade, and cheer on participants in a kiddie tractor pull and the Oxy Baby contest.
Those wishing to warm up their appetites for the central event can participate in watermelon, donut hole, pie- or hot dog-eating contests.
What to know before you go:
Hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday
Admission: free
Parking: near the grounds, free
Information: westjeffoxroast.org
Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival
Celebrate a centennial at the 100th annual Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival at East Waterloo and North High streets in Canal Winchester.
A parade will begin at 1 p.m. Monday.
Visitors can also enjoy rides, games, food vendors, a car show, a beauty pageant, mechanical bull rides, an ice-cream social, a beer pavilion, and the company of animals from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
What to know before you go:
Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday
Admission: free
Parking: free
Information: cwlaborday.org
Ohio Renaissance Festival
The 33rd Annual Renaissance Festival has opened for the season and runs through Monday at 10542 E. State Route 73, Waynesville.
The 33-acre complex recreates a 16th-century English village, and visitors can expect over 100 shows daily, including full armored jousts, a human combat chess match, the “high flying fools,” knightings by the queen, a “mudde” show and a “naughty bawdy pub show” for those 21 and older.
Food and drink — including turkey legs, seasoned dill pickles, shaved ice and Chain Mail Pale Ale — is amply available, as are the goods of multiple artisans.
The festival, featuring themed weekend events, will run through Oct. 30.
What to know before you go:
Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday
Tickets: $28 for adults
Parking: free
Information: www.renfestival.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Greek Festival and Upper Arlington Arts Festival among Labor Day events
