CRESTLINE, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—In just a few weeks downtown Crestline will be filled with the sweet smells of cotton candy and the whirring wizzes of rides. The Crestline Harvest Festival is slated for Sept. 18 through 20 along Thoman Street, from Bucyrus Street to Lincoln Highway. More special events will be held along Seltzer Street on Saturday.
“Each year our committee puts in the time and effort to offer a fantastic festival, adding new attractions and entertainment,” said festival director Clayton Herold. “We have some exciting additions and changes this year.”
This year features roaming acts throughout the Midway. Sky Circus will perform Friday evening starting at 6 p.m. roaming around the festival. There will be three shows throughout the night including juggling, interactive sets, chair balancing, rola bola, acrobatics and more. On Saturday Glovation Circus will feature an LED robot on stilts walking around the festival starting at 6 p.m.
Changes have been made to the festival’s contests. Instead of all contests being on Saturday, they are spread out over the 3-day festival.
Starting at 6 p.m. Thursday there will be decorated pumpkin, cookie face, water balloon toss and pumpkin grab contests at the kids stage. Kids may bring a decorated pumpkin to the kids stage for their chance to win a prize. Age groups are 5-9, 10-15, and 16 and older. The pumpkin grab is a fast-paced game to play against partners.
Hula hoop, limbo and girls/boys hay bale toss will begin at 5:15 p.m. Friday at the kids stage.
Saturday contests will be located at the main stage and kick off with Crestline Cuties at 11:30 a.m., followed by best updo/most creative hair contest at noon. Pizza eating will be at 12:15 p.m., followed by adult hay bale toss and the beard/mustache/mullet contests.
Registration Forms for all contests are available at all Crestline Schools, the Crestline Public Library, Village Hall, and online at crestlineharvestfestival.org. Those interested ay also register at the festival. Limited space may be available for the eating contest.
All musical entertainment takes place on the main stage, located at the end of the bridge on Thoman Street, in front of the fire department.
Tracy Roese will kick off musical entertainment at 6 p.m. Thursday. She sings a variety of music from country tunes like Tennessee Whiskey to the husky rock of Stevie Nicks. Pioneer Performing Arts will take the stage at 8 p.m. Thursday.
Friday’s entertainment begins with Wastin’ Neon at 5 p.m., a rocking country band from northwest Ohio playing everything from Johnny Cash to Morgan Wallen. At It Again Band will take the stage at 8 p.m. playing a variety of country hits from artists like Luke Combs, Jason Aldean and more.
Attaboy will perform at 5 p.m. Saturday. The Indiana-based pop group has been together since 2004, produced multiple albums and is known for radio hits like “Never Going Back” and “Dirty Lie.”
Bernadette Kathryn and The Lonely Days Band will take the stage at 8 p.m. Known as Detroit’s Country Rebel, the band embodies the classic Nashville sound infused with Motor City rock.
Saturday’s kids stage entertainment features Taylor’s Balloon Twisting from noon to 2 pm., providing free balloons for kids. COSI Science Live returns this year and will be in the lawn next to the kids stage from noon to 3 p.m. Royal Princesses return to Spots Rolling Bean for photo opportunities and sing-a-longs from noon to 3 p.m.
The festival opens at 5 p.m. Thursday with an opening ceremony, followed by the crowning of Harvest Festival royalty at 5:15 p.m. at the main stage.
Alumni Night and Bulldog Backers will begin at 6 p.m. Friday at The Hub.
The Crestline Fire Department will offer its annual pancake breakfast at 7 a.m. Saturday at the fire station. The Back the Blue Car and Motorcycle Show will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday in the Village Hall parking lot and along Seltzer Street. At 12:30 p.m. the Crestline Swim Team Jeep Invasion will take over Seltzer Street.
The Harvest Festival 5K Color Run, presented by Lightning Nutrition, will start at 9 a.m. at Crestline High School. Registration is available on the Mid Ohio Race Management website, midohiorm.com, or at the event. Registration fee is $30 if registered by Sept. 1 with t-shirt guaranteed. Participants will have the option to run in the color run color stations or avoid the color stations. Medals will be presented to the first three finishers in each age group.
The Crestline Harvest Festival Parade will step off at 3:30 p.m. The parade begins at Kelly Park, continues on to Bucyrus Street traveling East, turning on Seltzer Street to finish.
The festival features a new ride company this year. Wristbands are $15 on Thursday, $20 on Friday and $25 on Saturday. Rides are three to five tickets each. Individual tickets are $1 per ticket, 24 tickets for $20 and 45 tickets for $35.
For more information about the festival visit Crestlineharvestfestival.org. Follow Crestline Harvest Festival on Facebook for updates and photos.