CRESTLINE, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—The smell of french fries, bourbon chicken and donut burgers will soon fill the air in downtown Crestline as the community prepares for the return of the Crestline Harvest Festival.
The three-day celebration begins Thursday, Sept. 17, and continues through Saturday, Sept. 19, bringing live music, carnival rides, contests, food vendors, a parade and plenty of activities for families.
The festival officially opens at 5 p.m. Thursday with a short ceremony on the main stage, followed at 5:15 p.m. by the crowning of the 2026 festival royalty.
Music will take center stage Thursday evening. Sorelle, a trio of sisters from Lexington, Ohio, will sing the National Anthem before performing at 6 p.m. The sisters were featured finalists on Season 23 of The Voice. Pioneer Performing Arts will follow with a performance from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Friday brings another full evening of entertainment. Anything Blue, a blues jam band from Newark, will perform from 6 to 8 p.m., followed by Direct Energy from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Direct Energy will perform classic rock covers from the 1970s and 1980s.
The midway opens at noon Friday, giving festival-goers plenty of time to enjoy food, games, rides and vendors. Sky Circus will also return for midway performances from 7 to 10 p.m.
Saturday offers a packed schedule beginning early in the morning.
The Crestline Fire Department will host its annual Pancake Breakfast beginning at 7 a.m. at the fire station, with drive-thru and carryout service available.
At 9 a.m., runners can take part in the Harvest Festival 5K Color Fun Run, presented by Avita Health System and Lightning Nutrition, starting at Crestline High School. The Back The Blue Car and Motorcycle Show also begins at 9 a.m. along Seltzer Street and in the Village Hall parking lot.
Families will find plenty to do throughout the day. Kids Corner will feature free balloon art from Taylor’s Twisting from noon to 2 p.m., along with a free kids crafting table hosted by the Harvest Festival Committee. At Spots Rolling Bean, Princess Merida- and Princess Belle-inspired characters will be available for photos and sing-alongs from noon to 3 p.m.
The annual parade steps off at 3:30 p.m. from Kelly Park and travels east on Bucyrus Street. This year’s Grand Marshal will be a group of Crestline veterans, honoring the nation’s 250th birthday.
The Saturday schedule also includes a Jeep Invasion hosted by the Swim Team at 12:30 p.m. and the return of Glovation Circus, which will perform along the midway from 7 to 10 p.m.
Live music wraps up the festival Saturday with 10 Talents, an indie pop-rock band from Michigan and Northwest Ohio, performing from 5 to 7 p.m. Kaitlyn Schmit and Friends will follow from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. The pop, rock, soul and funk group features a three-piece horn section and performs music spanning multiple decades.
Festival-goers can also browse the craft show, which opens at 11 a.m. Saturday in a tent near First United Methodist Church. A separate tent in the same area will provide shade, tables and chairs for visitors.
The festival’s contests have been spread across all three days this year. Thursday’s Kids Stage contests include decorated pumpkin, pumpkin grab and kids pizza eating. Friday features the adult hay bale toss at 5:15 p.m. Saturday brings a full slate of Kids Stage contests, including Crestline Cutie, limbo, hula hoop, water balloon toss, cookie face and hay bale toss competitions. Main Stage contests include the Beard/Mustache/Mullet contest and adult pizza eating competition.
“We have a new ride company this year that we hope everyone enjoys,” said Clayton Herold, committee chairman.
Ride tickets are $1.50 each, or 24 for $20. All-day wristbands are available each day for $20.
For Herold and the festival committee, the event is about more than entertainment. It is a reflection of the community’s continued support.
“Our festival relies on the support of our wonderful business owners and community members. This year we have raised the most funds since 2012,” Herold said. “We sincerely want to thank everyone for their support.”
For additional information, visit CrestlineHarvestFestival.org or follow the Crestline Harvest Festival on Facebook for updates and photos.