Berlin Harvest Festival bigger and better than ever
Rib vendors from near and far will line the streets of Berlin during the Sept. 8-9 Harvest Festival, competing for top prizes while delivering the goods on plenty of tangy and spicy ribs.
On Friday and Saturday, Sept. 8-9, those traveling through Berlin shouldn’t expect to get through town post-haste.
In fact, they may as well just park the car, hop out and enjoy the list of festivities that will unfold over the two days of Berlin Harvest Festival Rib Cook-off.
This annual event seems to usher in the autumn season that paints a kaleidoscope across Amish Country, and over the years Berlin Harvest Festival has developed into a huge festival for tourists and locals alike.
Participants set up along Main Street and begin Friday at noon, where professional vendors dole out ribs and other food prior to the huge fireworks display that lights up the night sky around 8:45 p.m. behind Sheiyah Market. The grand parade will traverse Main Street on Saturday starting at 6 p.m.
With the live music on the stage on the square, plenty of activities and shopping, and the raffle and auction, Berlin Harvest Festival includes everything great about Holmes County.
“We are so blessed to live in a county where people are incredibly giving and who want to create something special for everyone to enjoy,” said Doug Burgess, Berlin Main Street Merchants president. “We’ve worked hard to create something even more special this year, and our board believes this is going to be the best Harvest Festival yet.”
The fireworks display on Friday will cap off day one of the weekend. Sponsored by Sheiyah Market, the display has grown and drawn huge crowds since owners Steve and Ruth Schlabach decided to back the fireworks.
“Those fireworks have been a showstopper, and Steve and Ruth have been great ambassadors to Berlin and our county, not just with the fireworks, but in so many ways,” Burgess said.
Prior to the fireworks, there will be music on the square from noon to 7 p.m.
Day two will bring the ribs, more live music and the grand parade. The merchants even invested in speakers throughout the Main Street area to enhance the parade and live music.
With everything going on, there’s plenty to do and see, but the central focus and the reason many of the people come to visit is the rib cook-off, which will feature close to a dozen rib vendors from all over Ohio. They provide the taste and aroma of the event, all vying for the Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice awards.
“These rib vendors talk about this event all the time, how it’s one of their favorite events because of how inviting it is and how the community supports it,” Burgess said. “Our rib vendors are amazing, and we always want this event to be awesome, and they’re a big part of it.”
Burgess said the Holmes County Chamber does an incredible job lining up the grand parade.
Taylor Sigler, Holmes County Chamber community and project specialist, has invested plenty of time lining up entries and making sure the parade is as grand as it can be.
Sigler said it is rewarding to see so many people lining Main Street to take in the grand parade as they plunk down blankets and chairs roadside long.
“Our parade is a slice of Holmes County because we have participants from all over the county representing everything from businesses and organizations to schools, youth programs and more,” Sigler said. “It’s become such a community-oriented thing that people look forward to both being a part of and attending. We are excited to bring everyone together and provide something special that showcases Holmes County and its people and celebrates community.”
As for the raffle and auction, Burgess said both will be bigger and better than ever this year. The recipients will be Nehemiah, a Release Time Bible Education program that has grown quickly throughout the East Holmes School District’s elementary schools, and Pure Gift of God, which centers around providing adoptions.
“We’ve got so many wonderful organizations we could pick and many families to consider,” Burgess said. “We ended up choosing two organizations that we felt have really touched many people’s lives in special ways, and to have an opportunity to aid their causes was inspiring to all of our committee members.”
Jr. Miller of Kaufman Realty & Auction will once again host the auction while raffle tickets will be available on both days at the square, right up until the drawing on Saturday.
Some of the items up for auction include a two-night stay in Key West, a dining table with six chairs, a quilt, a Yeti cooler filled with meat, an e-bike, a hot air balloon ride, round trip bus tickets to Pinecraft, Florida and more.
“This is by far the biggest auction we’ve had yet,” Burgess said.
From the bluegrass and gospel music on the stage to the food, fireworks, grand parade and hospitality, it’s doubtful anyone will leave Berlin hungry or unhappy, which is exactly what the Berlin Main Street Merchants want to hear.