Living in Wayne County is a Reason to Celebrate

The Buckeye Book Fair has been Ohio’s biggest one-day literary event since 1987. Held in Wooster in November, the fair is designed to give the reading public of Ohio the opportunity to meet authors and purchase new autographed books. A Young Authors’ Conference is part of the event. More than $180,000 in literary grants have been distributed to schools, libraries, and other literacy programs as a result of previous Book Fairs.

This one-day event in August features community spirit and family fun. The day includes a “Citizen of the Year” award, a local high school band performance, costume contests, a baseball tournament, bingo, dunk tank, inflatables, food, drawings, and much more! 

For generations, the Dalton Holidays Festival has evoked the Christmas Spirit for visitors of all ages during the first weekend in December. Featuring the "Coolest Parade in Ohio," they showcase their own pageant, a craft show, entertainment, live music, and the finest homemade baked goods.

Held the last full weekend in July, this festival takes place in Apple Creek and features live music, a parade, tasty food, and more!

Held every October, the Beet Festival sprouted up in 2009 in Kidron when Keith Schloneger promoted the propagation of the German Lutz Beet by giving free beet seeds to his friends and neighbors from his ice cream stand. Today, the festival is held in Sonnenberg Village and features multiple categories of beet contests, music, blacksmithing, and even beet ice cream. You don't need to be a fan of red beets to come and have a good time . . . but it helps.

This is the largest single-aged softball tournament in the state of Ohio. The multi-day event opens with a parade through the City of Orrville and continues with a carnival filled with tons of rides, games, and food throughout the duration of the tournament. A thrilling firework show celebrates the 4th of July following the championship game.

The Orville Rib and Music Fest, sponsored by the Orrville Lions Club, closes out July with great musical acts, rib vendors, food and dessert vendors, a cruise-in, children’s activities, and more! It’s a very tasty way to support the community.

Held in late June as a benefit to the Paint Township Mount Eaton Fire Department, this festival features music, food, games, a raffle, fireworks, and more!

This Rittman July tradition features live music, food, and small-town family fun! Activities include a Kid's Zone, car show, lawn tractor pulls, petting zoo, Little Ms. and Mr. Sleepwalker Pageant, and much more.

The Rogues' Hollow Festival is an annual event held at the beginning of August in the Village of Doylestown. Over the multi-day event, there’s a parade, 5K run, fireworks, and live entertainment.

During the third weekend in June each year, this three-day festival takes place just west of the Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area — a 5,500-acre wetland referred to as the "Shreve Swamps” by locals for generations. The festival includes rides, games, entertainment, food, a military parade, raffle drawings, and fireworks.

In late July, Historic Downtown Wooster closes its streets for this spectacular event showcasing the very best of our restaurants! Each participating restaurant offers a bite-sized sampling of their best dishes and sides, including adult “Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA)” beverages. Live music plays in the public square, creating a fun environment for people to eat, drink, and enjoy. This event is Main Street Wooster's biggest fundraiser of the year!

Each September, the Wayne County Fair is billed as "Ohio's Foremost Agricultural Fair," with annual attendance exceeding 100,000 persons. Perennial favorites include the farm tractor pulls, demolition derby, horse and livestock shows, and produce and baking competitions. The Wayne County Junior Fair — held concurrently with the County Fair — is thought to be the largest gathering of 4-H participants in the state.

Wooster kicks off the Christmas season in late November with its Window Wonderland, a family tradition. There’s a decorating contest for storefront windows, the lighting of a Christmas tree in the public square, and, of course, the arrival of Santa.

This annual downtown Wooster Oktoberfest-style festival, organized by the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce, offers free entertainment, unique food vendors, an ever-expanding bier and winegarten, and activities for the young and young at heart.