Winter isn’t exactly the first thing you think of when it comes to fairs and festivals, but there’s still plenty of fun times to be had and great food to enjoy. Here are my top five winter festivals in Ohio.
1: Buckeye Lake Winterfest
Winterfest takes place on January 29th, starting early in the morning, 7 am on the North Shore Ramp, so mark your calendars. Buckeye Lake invented this festival to bring tourists to Buckeye Lake in the off-season and features “Benny the Bass,” which predicts whether spring will come early. In addition to Benny, there are several activities around the lake, with many local businesses offering snow-themed specials. It’s a great time to get out of the house, eat some delicious street food, and take in the festival atmosphere.
2: Medina Ice Festival
The Ice Festival takes place February 18-21st, 11 am-9 pm, and anyone can join. With a speed sculpting contest, a sculpture garden featuring ice sculptures sponsored by local businesses, a fire-and-ice tower, and a tour of Medina’s square, it is perfect for getting out of the house and getting some fresh air. This festival has been going strong for twenty-eight years, and it’s always something special.
3: Ice-A-Fair
Set on Lake Erie in beautiful Vermillion, Ohio, Ice-a-Fair takes place on February 5th this year, 11 am to 6 pm. It features an icy play area, ice sculpting demos, plenty of ice sculptures lining the downtown area for shoppers, a trolley tour, plenty of Ice-a-Fair specials run from local businesses, and the Fire-And-Ice event at the end, which features a fierce battle between a chimney of ice with fire in its center in a battle for supremacy. It’s the heart of the event, and thanks to a generous donation from Shores & Islands, Ohio, it’s sure to be something fantastic this year.
4: Frozen Festival
You’ll have to hurry to catch this festival, as it takes place this weekend in Logan, Ohio. Their Frozen Festival features food and shopping, ice sculptures, carving demonstrations, and icy games for the entire family. It starts on January 15th and runs from noon to 6 pm. It’s easy to get to and is a great way to get outside and enjoy the community.
5: Burning Snowman Festival
Are none of these festivals hardcore enough for you? Then get to the Burning Snowman Festival in Port Clinton, Ohio. They burn a twenty-foot snowman to tell winter to hurry up and leave. It’s an incredible sight, accompanied by live music and lots of food and drink. It’s fun with friends, family, or even if you’re going alone. Just make sure to dress warm and keep away from open flames! It takes place on February 26, 12 to 8 pm, right around the time you’re wondering if spring will ever come.
I hope these snow-themed festivals will inspire you to get out of the house and beat cabin fever this year. They’re all loads of fun, filled with snow-themed fun times, from burning a giant snowman to admiring a garden of ice sculptures, even having a city-sanctioned snowball fight. This winter, get out there and explore your local area for similar events to find something perfect for you.
I’m going to try and attend some of these upcoming events, and if I do, I’ll write up a review! I look forward to seeing you all next time.
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