Signature Events

Findlay Area Signature Events

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Winter Blues Festival is a unique event that is has to be seen to believe. Attendees find themselves in a large tent on Downtown Findlay’s East. Crawford Street in the midst of winter. Filling the tent will be the sweet sounds of slide guitar and soulful blues from local and nationally recognized bands.
Guests enjoy the blues, craft beers, jambalaya, beautiful ice sculptures and a cozy atmosphere all for a good cause. Plus, because it is downtown, many of Findlay’s best local restaurants and attractions are within walking distance of the Blues Festival, making it easy to enjoy a great Downtown Findlay experience at the same time.
This annual event benefits the Center for Safe and Healthy Children, a local non-profit organization that works to minimize the trauma to children that experience abuse.

On Common Ground Easter Sand Sculpture – Week prior to and after Easter Sunday

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A favorite among locals and an event that draws people from far and wide, every Easter a sand sculpture created by artist Roger Powell draws an enormous crowd. This annual sculpture, created from 300 tons of sand, depicts a religious message, which varies from year to year.  This incredible life size work of art takes about 250 volunteer hours to complete.
Powell’s artwork can be found under the protection of an overhang at the Hancock County Fairgrounds. Children will find a special place just for them where they can play games and even play in the sand with the artist himself. This entire event is free but donations are welcome. For two weeks, the sculpture stands strong in honor of Easter and those who worked so hard to make it happen. Don’t don’t forget your camera!

Riverside Wine Festival

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Enjoy Ohio’s regional wineries at the Riverside Wine Festival. Falling in June every year, the Wine Festival is an opportunity for guests to enjoy a variety of fine, local wines, food and wine demonstrations, arts and music.  The festival also showcases restaurants and local gourmet food. Live regional music including acoustic guitar, a jazz quartet and soulful blues set the mood at this beautiful venue. This celebration of fine arts and crafts and fine wine is not one you’ll want to miss!
The Riverside Wine Festival is located at the historical Riverside Park, which creates a beautiful atmosphere, under the shade of the trees, to enjoy wine, gourmet food and music.

KidsFest at the Riverbend – July

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KidsFest features exciting themes each summer, thanks in large part to the support of Time Warner. Art and science activity buses, science experiments, demonstrations, park activities, planetariums, giant inflatables, and special appearances from the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Toledo Walleye, The Backyardigans and other kid-friendly celebrities have all been featured attractions of KidsFest.  Area non-profit organizations also set up free activities that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
The best part is kids can enjoy all of these activities and maybe even learn something for no charge. That’s right this event is FREE! Held at the Riverbend Recreational Area, this unique festival spans from one end of the park to the other.

An event that can be enjoyed from anywhere in Findlay, the Flag City BalloonFest is a colorful event for the whole family. For three days in August, the skies of Flag City USA are filled with dozens of giant colorful bubbles.
One of the most beloved moments during this premiere event in Ohio is affectionately referred to as “The Glow.” During this spectacle, the hot air balloons are inflated around dusk and ignite the sky with their gorgeous glow. The days of BalloonFest are full of fun too. Catch events like a classic car show, a motorcycle parade and show, various childrens’ activities, demonstrations, fly-overs and vendors can be found all weekend.
With much to do and take in, The Flag City BalloonFest is an event the whole family can enjoy for a day or the whole weekend.

If you’re looking to go back to the future for family fun and food, look for the Back Street Festival every August in Findlay.  The event held on Sandusky St., formerly known as Back St., fills Liberty to Hurd Street with Model T’s, horse drawn vehicles, other historical vehicles and a quilt show.  Visitors can tour the Hancock Historical Museum for free, talk to the owners of the vehicles on display and kids can play games from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Back Street Festival is part of the annual Car Tunes on Main event, and is free and open to the public.

Car enthusiasts won’t want to miss this one! Car Tunes on Main has four key activities that make it the largest Downtown Findlay event every year. The kicks off with a a community cruise, including a series of pit stops, ranging from ten to twenty different stops across Findlay. Later, the streets of Downtown Findlay fill with classic cars all the way to newly released beauties. Family activities are mixed in to the Downtown car show, with activities like corn hole, crafts, and games. The night is capped by the Rotary concert and beer garden featuring live entertainment and fun well into the night.
Whether it’s cars, friends or fun that bring you to Downtown Findlay, there is no admission charge for any of the Car Tunes on Main events. All proceeds from participants in the car show go towards United Way.