WINESBURG FALL GATHERING
“Winesburg Ohio” conjures up memories and an image of a long-ago town if one thinks of the Sherwood Anderson novel of the same name. On Saturday, September 18th, the REAL Winesburg Ohio will seem like a step back in time as the village presents its 15th Annual Winesburg Fall Gathering. This year’s festival will be combined with the Winesburg Reunion, and plenty of old-fashioned activities, food, and fun will be available throughout the village.
The Winesburg Business Association puts on the annual event. The Winesburg Reunion, held every five years since the late 1800’s, will enhance the Gathering by offering home and garden tours, historical wagon tours, a memory room at Winesburg School, youth activities, and much more. The Fall Gathering schedule of events includes plenty of music. It begins Saturday morning with the group “In Faith” singing at 9:15 at Heritage Park Bandstand in the east end of town, right beside the Zion Church fellowship hall where the church youth will be serving breakfast from 6 to 10 AM. The Johnstone Family will perform at the same time on the porch of the Grapevine House, followed by Nelson Roller and the Porch Pickers at the same location. Back at Heritage Park, Liberty Hill takes the gazebo stage at 10:30. Glenn Parks is on tap back at the Grapevine House at 11:30, the same time as the “Hubby-Back Rides” at Heritage Park. This husband-carrying contest is a lesson in the history of Winesburg, which was named after a town in Germany. The 12th-century medieval "Weinsburg" was being overtaken by enemies, and the victors granted that the women and children could leave the fortress carrying their single-most prized possession. The strong German women carried their husbands out on their backs! This event will be recreated at 11:30 am at Heritage Park, and prizes will be awarded. Ladies, come out to the festival and show us what you can do!
Following the Hubby-Back Rides will be an old-fashioned cake-walk, sponsored by the Winesburg Historical Society, where in this “musical chairs-like” event, one can take away a delicious confection if they win! Oldies group “Prism” will bring back 50’s and 60’s musical memories at the Grapevine House at 12:30. “High Country” will be singing at Heritage Park at the same time, followed by “Holmes County Bluegrass”. “Prism” is back again at the previous location at 2, and the Silent Auction begins at the same time. The live auction, from which proceeds benefit many local families in need, is held at 3:00, just prior to the Winesburg Fire Department’s chicken barbeque. Additional performers throughout the day include a clown that makes balloon animals for the little (and perhaps not-so-little) ones to enjoy. Glenn Parks will also be strolling through town singing and entertaining.
Do not forget the shopping that will be available! Not only can one visit the local shops, they can purchase just about anything from the street vendors that will be set up along US 62. Many antiques, craft items, art, and one of a kind finds will be available to take home.
And the FOOD!! Don’t miss the food! A delicious, steaming kettle of homemade ham and bean soup, a sought-after staple of the event, will be prepared beginning at 4 AM by Winesburg Postmaster Debbie Weber and her friends. Jayne Christman Warthan, a Brewster native and resident of Houston, Texas for the past 30+ years, has traveled to Ohio each year for the past 5 years to help Debbie, her childhood friend, prepare and serve the savory concoction. From the Ham and Bean soup to fry pies, hand-cranked ice cream, chicken and noodles, sandwiches, popcorn, and the Paint Township Fire Department’s famous chicken barbeque, there is something for everyone. A new vendor, “Flippin’ Eggrolls, will be set up, offering tasty, non-traditional eggrolls in such varieties as Southwest Chicken, Reuben, Philly Cheesesteak, and Chicken Teriyaki. Not your typical eggroll, there are even dessert varieties, and all are delectable!
The Winesburg Reunion will offer events on Friday night as well, with display rooms open showing details of the village most people miss. There is a Homecoming Dinner at 6PM in the Winesburg School (reservations required - call 330-418-6300), with souvenir sales and a silent auction. Entertainment will follow at 7:30 at the gazebo bandstand in Heritage Park. They will hold many events Saturday beginning early with a 5K run/walk at 8AM dubbed “The Great Grape Race”. There will be tractor displays with a Huber tractor “reunion”, museum and historical building viewings, youth activities and memory room at the school at 1:00. “Nooks and Crannies” tours start at 5:30 so visitors can see some of the hidden treasures of Winesburg, and Bingo at 6. Speaking of treasures, they will be auctioning the Winesburg Quilt at the 3:00 auction. Made by the townsfolk and helpers, this beautiful keepsake will allow the highest bidder to retain a piece of Winesburg history for generations to come! The Pine Hill Pickers will also perform at 6, and both events are at Heritage Park. On Sunday they will have a Memorial Service at Zion Church at 10:30, a luncheon beginning at noon at the church fellowship hall, and a parade at 2PM. YOU need to be at Winesburg the weekend of September 17-19, and enjoy the many Winesburg Fall Gathering and Winesburg Reunion events being presented. You’ll be glad you did!
