5 September festivals we can’t wait for

Here are five of our favorite festivals happening this month:

Ohio Renaissance Festival

Kicking off for the season on Saturday, Sept. 1, The Ohio Renaissance Festival in Waynesville will feature close to 100 shows on 15 stages, more than 150 world-class artisans, games, rides and much more.

Plus, there’s plenty of food and drink, including those famous turkey legs.

Guests can also enjoy themed weekends throughout the season, such as a Fantasy Weekend and a Time Travelers Weekend.

Regular cost of admission is $22.50; parking $3. Plan your trip at www.renfestival.com

David Shaw’s Big River Get Down

Hamilton’s signature music festival, David Shaw’s Big River Get Down, will be held at RiversEdge Amphitheater on Saturday, Sept. 8.

Tickets are $35 in advance and $42 the day of the show … if they’re still available. The show is expected to sell out.

Headlined by David Shaw and The Revivalists, the one-day Big River Get Down music festival will begin when the doors open at noon. Shaw is a local guy who graduated from Hamilton High School in 2001 and started the festival as a way to give back to his city. Proceeds from the festival will be donated toward Hamilton’s Fourth of July fireworks and the RiversEdge concert series.

Other acts include Samantha Fish, Andy Frasco & the U.N., Jennifer Hartswick & Nick Cassarino Duo, Naughty Professor, Brandon “Taz” Niederaur and Doc Robinson.

Doors open at noon and the music starts at 1 p.m. Visit www.bigrivergetdown.com for details.

Middletown Arts Festival

The Middletown Arts Festival will return to downtown for a fifth year on Saturday, Sept. 8, from noon to 8 p.m.

Several different genres of art — music, theater and performing arts — as well as an array of handcrafted items will be packed into one day.

The festival will kick off at noon with music from Bethel AME Gospel Choir. The festival’s live entertainment — from jazz and R&B to country and pop — will be highlighted on two stages: the Main Stage and the Governor’s Square Stage.

Also, inside the YMCA gym from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., students from the Performing Arts Academy will highlight musical selections from shows they have performed during the past year.

The event is free, but items are available for purchase from artists and food vendors. Check out www.MiddletownArtsFestival.com for more details and a complete schedule of performers.

Credit: JIM WITMER

Credit: JIM WITMER

Trenton Fall Festival

Celebrate the start of fall at the Trenton Fall Festival on Saturday, Sept. 22, from noon to 7 p.m.

Presented by Premier Health, the festival will feature free health screenings and other fun activities for the entire family. The event will be held at Trenton Community Park, 440 Dell Drive. Find out more at http://ci.trenton.oh.us.

Credit: Nick Daggy

Credit: Nick Daggy

Pyramid Hill Art Fair

This art fair will return to Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 29-30.

More than 70 artists will participate with juried art, featuring a variety of mediums, such as painting, drawing, photography, print-making, ceramics, glass, fiber, jewelry, wood-working, metal and sculptures.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Pyramid Hill is located at 1763 Hamilton-Cleves Road in Hamilton. Cost $5 per carload. Details at www.pyramidhill.org.

About the Author