By Katelyn Sattler
Staff Writer
The Obetz Zucchinifest is this Labor Day weekend featuring national musical acts, rides, games, a car show, arts and crafts tents, lots of food, a beer garden, and, naturally, delicious zucchini baked goods.
The event will be held from Sept. 2-5 at Fortress Obetz, 2050 Recreation Trail, Obetz. Visit obetzzucchinifest.com for information. Parking and admission are free.
According to Obetz Mayor Angela Kirk, “We decided to continue to allow free parking again this year, which benefits residents and could help a family that wouldn’t be able to come otherwise.”
There will be rides and games.
“We have a new ride company because the other ride company retired. The new company told us they will be bringing more rides this year than we’ve had in the past,” said Kirk.
The city will publish a food guide on the Zucchinifest website, so residents will know what to expect ahead of time.
This year’s Zucchini Beer is the delicious new Summer Squash Hazy IPA by BrewDog USA.
The event will feature more than 60 vendors, with 22 of them being food vendors.
Kirk said there’s a parade on Sunday, Sept. 4, and “Anyone can sign up to be in the parade. We have high school bands, some businesses, some youth sports teams, and, of course, some politicians passing out their literature.”
The more than three-decade festival started small and has grown.
“When Zucchinifest first started out, it was in a downtown park with a couple of pup tents and a church that was selling fried fish and cans of ,” said Kirk. “There were no rides. It was all tents.”
The festival grew and then moved to Memorial Park and now to Fortress Obetz.
“It’s always a good time and it’s like a homecoming for us,” said Kirk. “I mean, everybody comes home for that. It’s our thing.”
Highlights include:
•On Sept 1, the pageant takes place in the Fortress Courtyard at 6:30 p.m.
•On Sept. 2, the festival runs from 5-11 p.m. A car show will be held from 6-8 p.m. Concert gates open at 6 p.m. Hott Lucy takes the stage at 7 p.m. and Great White performs at 9 p.m.
•On Sept. 3, festival hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Red Light Go takes the Courtyard stage at 3 pm. Fortress gates open at 7 p.m. The tailgate viewing party for the Ohio State vs. Notre Dame football game starts at 7:30 p.m. and Boyz II Men takes the stage at 9 p.m.
•On Sept. 4, festival hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. with a parade at 1 p.m., Billy Starrett and the Hired Guns perform on the Courtyard stage at 3 p.m. Jess Kellie Adams performs on the Courtyard stage at 5:30 p.m. Concert gates open at 6 p.m. North to Nashville at 7 p.m. and Roots & Boots take the stage at 8:30 p.m.
•Labor Day hours are noon to 6 p.m. The Cincinnati Circus is performing from noon to 5 p.m. and New Ohio Wrestling takes the stage from 1-4 p.m.
“There’s something for everyone in the musical genres the Zucchinifest brings in, from eighties rock to R&B to country,” said Kirk. “We hope everyone will come out and take a look around and enjoy all the fair food and the festivities.”
Anyone age 18 and older who wants to join the 2022 Obetz Zucchinifest Volunteer Team, email your full name and phone number to Kerri Duffy at kduffy@obetz.oh.us for a list of available volunteer positions and shifts.
