Annual Harvest Festival shows off heart of Berlin
Danny and Anna Coger of Tallmadge enjoyed some fine dining, traveling to Berlin Harvest Festival to partake in the rib cook-off that took place Saturday, Sept. 10 in Berlin.
On Friday night, Sept. 9, a fireworks display lit up the sky in Berlin, where thousands of people gathered to watch a show that topped off day one of the Berlin Harvest Festival activities.
Before anyone could even catch their breath, day two brought the taste of ribs, more live music and a grand parade.
“I say all the time we live in an amazing community,” said Doug Burgess, president of the Berlin Main Street Merchants. “Small (Eli Hochstetler) told me a long time ago that Berlin was just different, and every fall we experience that community support and giving during this weekend. I am not slamming any other places, but this area is just different in a great way.”
Burgess said it is not uncommon to see someone come to the raffle table at the event and just donate money without even purchasing tickets, such is the atmosphere surrounding downtown Berlin during this event.
“People just want to help each other out any way they can,” Burgess said.
According to Hochstetler, this event began more than a decade ago when the merchants wanted to create an event to give thanks for the harvest, both literally and figuratively. He said thanking God for the harvest was central to the event, and everyone bought into the concept and jumped on board.
“This event is who we are, what we are and why we are,” Hochstetler said. “People who come here from Akron and Cleveland say when they cross the Holmes County line, things change and feel different. There’s no place in the world with the culture and the atmosphere we have here.”
Between the auction, which raised $17,000 with a handful of items on the auction block, and the raffle, which is always well-supported, the event raised a lot of money that will be split between the Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center and the family of Nevin Mishler, who is currently facing mounting medical bills while dealing with cancer.
“That auction was the biggest thing we have ever had in raising funds,” Burgess said. “The raffle went great, and our T-shirt sales have been incredible. We’re doing all sorts of cool things, and the traffic both on the road and on the sidewalks has been nonstop, so it’s been a huge success.”
Burgess said the Friday night fireworks show, which was funded by Steve and Ruth Schlabach, owners of Shiyah Market, was hugely attended.
However, the biggest spectacle in the event has become the rib cook-off, which featured 10 rib vendors from all over Ohio. They provided the taste and aroma of the event, all vying for the Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice awards.
The five judges for the rib cook-off gathered in Berlin Methodist Church on the square, where they had the pleasure of doing a blind taste-test. According to Burgess, the committee had people purchase ribs from each vendor without the vendors knowing they would be for the purpose of judging. The judges then placed numerical values on the ribs for taste, tenderness, aroma and other categories. The judges don’t know which ribs belong to which vendor.
“We tally up the scores and get a winner in the fairest of fashions,” Burgess said. “It’s been an event that has grown in popularity, and it brings in a lot of people all on its own.”
When the final rib was taste-tested, the judges deemed Rafter “C” Chuckwagon as its top choice, with longtime Berlin Harvest Festival participant and former winner Bogey’s taking second and Country Corner BBQ placing third.
The People’s Choice Best of Show honor, which allowed visitors to vote for their favorite rib vendor, went to Mojo’s.
However, the real winners were everyone who took the time to try out the various rib vendors’ best efforts.
One couple from Northern Ohio saw the festival on Facebook and new immediately they were going to be among the thousands to enjoy the event. They weren’t disappointed.
“As soon as I saw it, I put it on my calendar and made a reminder on my phone because we weren’t going to miss this,” said Anna Coger, who made the trip down from Tallmadge along with her husband Danny. “We love Amish Country and come here often, and barbecue is our favorite. The weather is beautiful, and the food is great. We couldn’t ask for a better day. After hearing about the fireworks last night, we definitely want to make a point of getting here for both days next year.”
From the bluegrass music on the stage to the great food and welcoming hospitality, it’s doubtful anyone left Berlin hungry or unhappy, which is exactly what the Berlin Main Street Merchants want to hear.