(Posted Sept. 4, 2015)
For a full slate of wholesome family activities, head out to the Shekinah Festival & Auction on Sept. 12 in Plain City.
The annual “Biggest Little Festival in Ohio” generates funding for the operation of Shekinah Christian School. The 2015 festival marks the 36th year for the event and the first time a classic car cruise-in is part of the line-up.
The festival begins (weather permitting) with hot air balloon rides at sunrise. The breakfast booth opens at 7 a.m., serving coffee, Der Dutchman doughnuts and sausage sandwiches. Exhibit booths open at 8:30 and include a kids’ zone. Visitors can purchase freshly baked breads and cookies of many kinds. A produce booth offers salsa that sells out every year no matter how many pints are made. Food booths open at 10 a.m., serving trail bologna and cheese sandwiches, homemade pizza, walking tacos and homemade ice cream. At the apple butter booth, visitors can help to stir and taste-test the product. The chicken BBQ tent opens at 10:30 a.m., selling succulent quarter- and half-chicken dinners.
Before heading into the auction tent to register for a bidding number, be sure to grab an apple dumpling or a fresh fry pie. The auction begins at 9 a.m. Items up for bid can be viewed on Facebook at “Shekinah Festival Auction.” Among the most popular and unique items are “in home” cooked meals made by members of the school community. Also up for auction are one-of-a-kind hand-made quilts set to be sold at 1 p.m.
Youngsters will enjoy a barrel train, petting zoo, horseback rides and zip-line attraction.
On Sept. 11, Shekinah will host a free concert under the tent at 7:30 p.m. John Schmid will pay tribute to greats like the man in black, Johnny Cash. Pulled pork dinners and homemade ice-cream will be sold from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. that night, with a silent auction in the tent.
Shekinah Christian School is located 10040 Lafayette-Plain City Road, three miles southwest of Plain City. Follow the signs posted at major intersections. For details, call (614) 504-3066 or send e-mail to festival@shekinahchristian.org.
