COSHOCTON − There’s nothing to do in Coshocton.
It is a common complaint Mindy Brems, executive director of the Coshocton Visitors Bureau, hears and it’s one that leaves her and other officials scratching their heads in confusion.
Summer in particular is a time when the Coshocton County area offers many events with several free and family-friendly.
“We are a unique community in that we all work together and we have so much to offer here to the world,” said Brems.
Some of the events entice people to visit from all over as tourism is a major economic driver accounting for about 490,000 visitors and $50 million in related spending on average each year, according to statistics from the Ohio Department of Development
Here is a list of major events on tap this summer in and around Coshocton County:
Flint Festival and Knap-In
The Coshocton Flint Festival and Knap-In starts 9 a.m. daily May 22 to 24 at the Coshocton County Fairgrounds, 707 Kenilworth Ave. Admission is $5 per car.
There will be demonstrations on how to make arrowheads, spears, stone tools, bows, cordage and other items from hide and bone. There will also be jewelry makers and other artisans.
Educational demonstrations start at 10 a.m. daily. Artifact identification will be at the Bear Hollow Works booth prior to the 2:30 p.m. auction on May 25. A second event is Sept. 4 to 6.
Hot Air Balloon Festival
The Coshocton Hot Air Balloon Festival will be held from 4 to 11 p.m. daily June 4 to 6 at the Coshocton County Fairgrounds, 707 Kenilworth Ave. Admission is free.
There will be 20 balloons floating along the Coshocton countryside in competition, as weather permits. The will also be food vendors, children’s rides and activities, craft booths, musical entertainment, fireworks and Night Glow, featuring balloons firing up on the infield.
Pride Festival
The Coshocton Pride Festival will be 3 to 8 p.m. June 13 on the Coshocton Court Square, 318 Main St. Admission is free.
Event will feature multiple vendors, food trucks, performers and other activities celebrating LGBTQIA+ community and allies.
Corvettes Cruise-In
The Corvettes in Roscoe Cruise-In will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 14 throughout Roscoe Village, 600 N. Whitewoman St. Admission is free.
The Classic Glass Corvette Club of New Philadelphia hosts this annual event which features Corvette owners from across Ohio and beyond. There is music, viewing of cars and trophies as chosen by judges.
Summer Concert Series
The Our Town Coshocton Summer Concert Series will be offered at various times and dates on the Coshocton Court Square, 318 Main St. All concerts are free.
Blizzard of Oz: The Ozzy and Rhoads Tribute is an Ozzy Osbourne tribute act Is at 7:30 p.m. June 20. 7 Bridges: The Ultimate Eagles Tribute is returning after performing in the 2023 concert series, they are at 7:30 p.m. July 18. The Weeklings is a Beatles tribute band at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 15. E5C4P3 is a tribute to Journey and will perform at 3 p.m. Sept. 13.
Patrons are to bring their own seating. Local restaurants and bars will be open and selling drinks able to be taken outside via the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area.
Cy Young Days Festival
The 25th annual Cy Young Days Festival will be June 26 to 28 at Newcomerstown High School, 1 Woody Hayes Drive, Newcomerstown. General admission is free.
Special guest is R.A. Dickey, who won the National League Cy Young Award in 2012 while playing for the New York Mets. Dickey will be available for autographs and photos throughout the weekend and will participate in a special luncheon. The event will also feature vintage baseball games, parade, live entertainment and music, royalty pageants, sports card show, car show, cornhole tournament, talent show, pet show and more.
Hero Hustle 5K walk and run is $25. Registration for the car show is $10. Vendor tables for the card show are $40. Luncheon with R.A. Dickey is $25 for adults and $15 for youth age 12 and younger.
Thunder Over Holmes County
Thunder Over Holmes County is an Independence Day celebration held in Downtown Millersberg. It will be June 27 with fireworks occurring about 9:45 p.m. It will feature inflatables, touch-a-truck, children’s game and food trucks. Admission is free.
America’s Basket Festival
America’s Basket Festival will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 11 at 517 Main St., Dresden. It’s an official America 250-Ohio Homecoming and Picnic event. General admission is free.
The event will include a vendor’s row of local artisans and makers, hands-on experiences like Longaberger basket building, basket painting, a picnic lunch, live demonstrations, a basket auction, Longaberger family basket signing and family-friendly activities. Picnic lunch in a basket is $89 and includes an insulated picnic tote to keep. Vendor tables are $25. Build a basket is $69. Paint a basket is $25.
America 250 Celebrations
Various events through Coshocton will be held in connection to America 250 from July 16 to 19.
This includes performances of “The Secret Garden” and historical interpretations by GhostBox Productions at Clary Gardens, a concert by the Coshocton Community Band, the Three Rivers Car Show, free tours of Roscoe Village and the Coshocton County Courthouse, free rides on the Monticello III canal boat and more.
Rock Coshocton
The Rock Coshocton Music Festival will be July 24 to 26 at the Coshocton County Fairgrounds, 707 Kenilworth Ave. Pre-sale weekend general admission is $80 and weekend front row is $120. Single day tickets are $70 for general admission and $90 for front row.
July 24 will feature Tyler Braden, Pecos and the Rooftops, Carson Drive and the Andrew Lee Band. July 25 will include Black Stone Cherry, Them Dirty Roses, Blacktop Mojo, The Filthy Heathens and the Wheeler Mountain Woofs. July 26 will be a car show with Eli Burgett performing. There will also be vendors, food and onsite camping. Tickets are available online.
Doughty Valley Steam Show
The Doughty Valley Steam Show will be 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 23-25 at 5017 Ohio 557, in Millersburg. Admission is $5 with youth age 12 and younger free.
The 26th annual event will include a working sawmill, threshing, antique tractors, toy models, small engines, flea market, oil field engines, horse pull, tractor pull and more.
Dresden Melon Festival
The Dresden Melon Festival will be from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 1 at Dresden River Park, with parking at Tri-Valley High School. Admission is $1 until 4 p.m. and $2 after 4 p.m.
Activities include a fishing tournament, 5K and 10K race, cornhole tournament, car show, craft show and flea market, petting zoo, bounce house, kids melon eating and seed spitting contests, melon derby, live music, food and more.
Sunflower Festival
The Coshocton Sunflower Festival’s main weekend will be 2 to 7 p.m. Aug. 14, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 15 and noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 16 at the Coshocton KOA Campground, 24688 County Road 10.
Event includes food trucks, live music, craft vendors, beer and wine garden and tie-dye and ceramics painting. Attendees can walk through the fields and take pictures with sunflowers and pick some to take home. General admission is $20 with ages 3 to 11 $12, and those under age 3 free.
There will also be a special family day from noon to 6 p.m. Aug. 8 and America 250: Ohio Goes to the Fair special closing day from noon to 6 p.m. Aug. 22. Tickets those two days are $15 for general admission, $10 for ages 3 to 11 and free for those under age 3. Visit coshoctonsunflowerfestival for more information.
This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Coshocton summer event lineup proves there’s plenty to do
Reporting by Leonard L. Hayhurst, Coshocton Tribune / Coshocton Tribune
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