Finally got to actually see the festival after 6 years of marching it!! The Jackson Apple Fest…read moreholds a special place in my heart as one of the biggest parades I got to march in middle and high school, and the true appreciation the community has for the bands and other groups that perform. Actually walking through the festival, I have to admit, was a little disappointing. I love fair food as much as the next person, but I was really hoping to see more booths about the community, the apples, and maybe more music considering what an important role the marching bands play in this celebration. I saw only one booth selling apples, out of dozens of booths. I didn't see anything explaining the significance of apples to the festival or Jackson. Most of the booths were the same fair foods, church advertisements, or cheap Ali Express knick knacks sold at a higher price. The rides were squeakier than my hometown county fair's, so you definitely couldn't catch me on them. I definitely didn't hate the festival, but I just wish it had more community and celebration aside from the parade. From the band/marcher side, I was sad to see after several years, they still have not invested in more covers for the wires on the ground. Even as a pedestrian, I was tripping over them, and I remember how dreaded these wires were during parade marching. I really hope they cover these to avoid accidents and just provide easier mobility. The groups that perform deserve that. In my opinion, the parade is what makes this festival. Bands compete for ratings, but they also have fun and celebrate each other. I recommend coming after 7 for the parade. There are lots of floats, lights, and fantastic musicians. That is where I really feel community.

Where are the APPLES?! The Apple Festival has slowly turned into a fair. Good luck finding a candy…read moreapple in that place! Only found 2 places at the entire event that sold candy/caramel apples. What a let down. If someone opened an apple only kiosk they would corner the market. Truly a let down. There's always the pumpkin show which never fails to disappoint.

The festival is a yearly tradition for the town. The weather was wonderful. We saw lots of booths…read moreselling items. We enjoyed looking at all the Longaberger baskets. The basket headquarters is in Dresden. There were programs and activities for each day of the festival. We found free street parking. It was fun talking to the vendors.

First Impression (***): "Uh oh!!!" We were passing through to get to Chillicothe. It was the first…read moretime we were in this part of the state. We saw the masses of people slowly increase when we realized we were driving through the heart of a festival! Actual Impression (*****): The idea of letting traffic pass through made sense... and is really cool! We would have stopped if parking sections were clearer! We saw a spray painted $4.00 parking sign and didn't trust it. The food looked great - I wish I could have had bourbon chicken delivered to my car window! The animal artist had a really cool alligator (or crocodile?) Lasting Impression (****): I would return if I happen to be that far away from home. Looked fun!

Take a journey back to the good old days. When you step inside a real old fashioned country store…read moredating back almost a century. Fresh sliced Deli meats and cheese and cold soda pop. As well as other fresh produce and dry goods.

"THE HITCHING POST" This is a work/vacation that me and…read moremy guys all look forward to each year. We all suffered a horrible loss last year just after the event. We lost one of the owners of the land we set up our big red and white tent at. We will love and miss you forever TEDDY H, you touched our lives in a very special way that none of us will ever forget my friend. We also are suffering the loss of one of our friend/family member that set up with us a few weeks ago, and as Teddy, Tommy H. will always be loved, remembered and missed. These are two men that can never be replaced in our hearts. On the brighter side we will be at our normal spot under the big red and white tent close to the road. Now the task of making us all laugh and to have a great time will be left up to Jacob ( the other owner) and his sons who are all SUPER awesome. If you have not been there you must come. The whole town of Preston KY. will welcome you. The flea market areas, the front and back yards of every home, the edge of the road are all filled with vendors selling, produce, all types of equipment, perfume, appliances, wheels & tires, guns & ammo and much more. Did I mention the carnival style food vendors but especially the at "THE HITCHING POST" the Amish food (FISH or STEAK SANDWICH and THE WORLD FAMOUS FRIED STRAWBERRY AND CREAM PIES). There is ample parking ( 10 acres at "THE HITCHING POST" where we set up).

A Nightmare for anyone disabled, handicapped, or disabled Vet, and just disappointing. Too crowded…read morefor the area, zero diversity planning, and cuckoo speakers who talk to demons and the dead??? WTH West Virginia? Do not attend this festival if you are disabled, or handicapped, or a disabeled vet. They have literally zero disability planning committee. I had wanted to go Mothman for years. I finally made it out in my scooter. The crowds will part for you on the main road--but there are just TOO many people, like 20,000 people crammed into one tiny street. In addition they have tents, vehicles, ropes, cords, overhangs, blocking every concrete ramp up onto any curb. My husband had to lift my scooter himself, with bad lungs, up anywhere I needed to get to--that's a heavy motorized disability device! In addition, if you have lupus, kidney or other issues there are no bathrooms. No restaurant, no museum, no place allows you to go if you are disabled, or handicapped. Good luck finding the one port o pot whose door doesn't close and people keep walking in on you. I wanted to hear speakers because I enjoy Cryptozoology. The Methodist Church that had the speakers, all their ramps were blocked by cars. The people running the lot had cars park in front of handicap ramps. I'm pretty sure that's illegal, but all they did was shrug their shoulders. My husband had to lift my mobile device up over curbs again, and when we went on this God-awful speaker was talking about how she likes to contact demons to talk to "Indrid Cole." I mean...WTH? This was in a Methodist Church too--people talking about contacting Demons regarding Indrid Cold, which has NOTHING to do with Mothman except in the fictionalized movie account. I understand there is a paranormal side to this, but there are those of us who like Cryptozoology and science , and I guess didn't realize this whole festival isn't about the truth but just about the crap that the Hollyweird Movie pushed together and put upon us as the truth, when it was anything but the truth. Indrid Cold has NOTHING to do with the Mothman except in the fictionalized movie. I spent a lot of money and time to plan for something that wasn't well thought out at all, and wasn't even that good to attend, and I had hoped to attend for many years now. # never again.

2 years ago my wife and I were trying to find someplace to go on our anniversary. Upon looking…read moreonline she called for me to come see what she found. The Morhman Festival. Our son was infatuated with the Mothman at that time. So, no brainier, we take our son to Point Pleasant, WV. The festival was pretty cool, LOTS of vendors selling cool Mothman/paranormal/cryptozoology stuff. They had a costume ball one night, too late for us with our son, so unfortunately we missed it. Let's not forget to mention the bands playing down on the riverfront! The only thing missing were some carnival rides. It was a pretty time.

FINALLY! I've known about the Pawpaw Fest for several years, and always managed to miss the…read moreweekend. This year, I made sure to mark it on my calendar and check it out. NOTE: single-day tickets are a bit on the higher side - $20, but a healthy portion of the proceeds goods toward the preservation of pawpaws in Ohio which is always a win-win situation. Tee shirt feen, right here! You bet I picked up a shirt (or two)! Love the cool design logo for this year's festival. Integrated Acres is a huge pawpaw farm in Athens, so I'm glad I went this year, got to taste the fruit - a cross between mango and banana. Got a big 'ol pouch of frozen pawpaw pulp to enjoy through the cold winter months - it's good to dream of tropical climates, folks! Oh, and Snoweville Creamery was at the fest selling their vanilla ice cream with pawpaw pulp on top, and let me tell you, mmmm mmm mmmmmmm!!

Just a small hop and skip from Athens sits Lake Snowden. A small lake, but notoriously known for…read moreone major event that pops up every September, Paw-paw fest! I've been going for years... mostly to stock up on paw-paw fruits. What's a paw-paw? It's Ohio's native fruit. It's actually one of the few fruits that grow in our part of North America. The fruits have particular growing environments that they need to thrive.... particularly, wet, ravine areas with shade, but still some sun. Perfect conditions for those who live in Hocking county & south.... in the north? Not so much, although some have been spotted in Clintonville area. The fruits range per the region they are cultivated, but Ohio's is typically a green avocado shaped fruit, which tastes like a mix between a very rip banana meets mango. They are related to the papaya family.... I believe. So, the festival itself is like something straight from a Mother Earth News magazine. Lots of workshops & presentations on permaculture, horticulture & pawpaws. Pretty informative stuff, if you're looking to learn. Across the grounds is a stage with locals stringing up some music. On one side of the festival you have crafters/artisans selling prints of their pawpaw masterpieces, ceramics, jewelry, glass, lawn ornaments, etc. On another side you have food vendors dishing up just regular food truck fare, and if you're lucky, some of them have paw-paw items to purchase. in between, you have vendors selling Ohio native plants, including paw-paw tree saplings and much more. Note**There are shuttles that run here, as once parking fills up in the main area, you're forced to shuttle. If you drive just a few hundred yards up the road, across from a gas station will be a large lot to park, and shuttle buses stop frequently. Going here is just easy going. Everyone's pretty laid back in true Athens county fashion. It's really easy to just sit back and get absorbed into all of it, and not to mention, Paw-paws are a delicious treat that Ohio gets to experience for a minuscule period of time. Worth a stop for all you hippie-earth-ohio-loving people.

First day is usually very hot humid and often muddy but today was ideal so we thought we would go…read more It's around 40 a person plus all your snacks. Parking is in grassy field so consider muddy days. Take real note to where u park so have prayer of finding your car. We were there when they opened and still didnt see all the shows before they closed. My fav is theater in the mud/ground. Name has changed to ground so must have been so copy write issues. Bring cash for tipping... they make it clear that is expected so bring cash. If u go to mud show ...you might get muddy. This is great place to people watch ... that's all I'm saying about that . This isn't something id go to regularly but we have been 3-4 times many years ago. It's really not changed much over the years but entertaining.

Perfect location for Ohio Ren Fair -- Lots to enjoy…read more.. Travel Tip: Highway may backup for 30 to 60 minutes at entrance. Management has not figured traffic control after all of these years Lots and lots of food choices. Excellent family adventures. Caveat: Comfortable dining, and we view this as a plus - sweaters, jacket, and sweatshirts are welcome. Several reviews refer to dry meats, and we suggest an early arrival to prevent this malady. Take care with the wee ones - lots of walking and family friendly events. Neat experience...Would we return? All in all - in a few years.

Such a great festival for the area. We try to hit it up every year when we can. Usually the end of…read moreSeptember (last weekend). It's about a two hour drive for us now but so worth it. Prepare for a great weekend of amazing Greek food (Souvlaki, Saganki, Greek coffee, Kataifi pastries, and of course Baklava), dancing (and boy do they dance!!) and finally of course a little Greek culture. Opa!!

This one day festival is set in the charming town of Mayslick, Kentucky, in between Maysville and…read moreParis, on Hwy 68 South. The festival celebrates all things Asparagus, since the climate and soil in this region of Kentucky is perfect for growing the vegetable beginning at 9:30 am and going until 10:00 in the evening. The town of Mayslick is lovely--a very old town, founded in 1788, but now, a sleepy little southern town, full of good people, a few antique shops, and home to the first consolidated negro school in Kentucky, begun in 1921 and closing in the early 1960's with integration, which has been lovingly restored over the years by the town and many of the alumni. The festival centers on the main street, which is closed to any car traffic. There are several vendors, one of my favorite being Homestead Greenhouses, an Amish greenhouse that offers heirloom varieties of tomatoes, fresh strawberries, Amish fried pies (cherry is the bomb!) and perennial selections that are a fraction of the cost you would spend at a local greenhouse. There is a very large Amish and Mennonite settlement that lies in the outskirts of Mayslick. Another favorite is Sunflower Sundries, from Mt. Olivet, from whom I've been buying soaps and whole grain mustards and elderberry jams from for YEARS. Jennifer Gleason, the proprietess of Sunflower Sundries is on the festival board and really loves to make the experience unique each and every year. Each year, there seems to be different vendors, so if you see something you want, get it or get a business card because they likely won't be back the next season! I was introduced to Cincinnati's Grateful Grahams at this festival, a totally delicious vegan graham crackers made in small batches by a gal here in Cincy, that I now have delivered in my Green Bean Delivery box each week, and I've gotten beautiful handmade pottery, hand made upcycled children's clothing from a woman in Frankfort, even tupperware. You just never know, so do bring some cash! The food vendors are fantastic--local pork and beef farms, and of course, ASPARAGUS!!! A variety of enticing offerings from grilled or fried asparagus and the "tasting room" sponsored by the festival has all things asparagus on the menu, including ice cream, soup, quiches, etc. Whatever your little veggie loving heart desires, all served up by some of the most welcoming folks I've ever met. Don't forget to hit Flat Fork Pork for their pulled pork sandwich, one of the best pork bbq's I've had in sometime. There is an annual art show, housed in a gorgeous old church in the center of town (you can't miss it!) has entries from local artists that depict Asparagus in all mediums, some works are for purchase, others not, and there is a voting booth where you can submit your choice for the festival favorite. Two bandstands and a variety of musicians performing--sometimes it's gospel, sometimes it's covers of country and rock tunes, but I've been lucky enough each year to stick around for Karly Dawn Higgins & Sarah Wood, two instructors from the Cowan Creek Mountain School of Music who are ultra talented gals playing original mountain tunes and they really make the festival even more special for me. You can take a tractor ride to the Burwall Farm where you can pick your own asparagus, meet the new baby chicks and experience an informative Q & A with the farm's owner, talk with the extension service about local asparagus, sample recipes and give your thumbs up or "nay". Remember, it's only held one day, on the 3rd Saturday of May, so make your plans for 2013!