As the air turns crisp and the leaves glow in shades of red and gold, fall festival season takes over southwest Ohio. For WSU students eager for a break from classes, it is the perfect time to get off campus, explore local communities and indulge in the sights, sounds and flavors of autumn. Here is a guide to happenings in the Dayton area.
Circleville Pumpkin Show (Oct. 16-19, Circleville, OH)
Billed as “The Greatest Free Show on Earth,” the Circleville Pumpkin Show is Ohio’s largest fall festival — and one of the biggest in the United States. Each October, more than 600,000 visitors flood into Circleville, about an hour south of WSU, to celebrate all things pumpkin.
From pumpkin pie and pumpkin pizza to pumpkin chili and donuts, every food stand in town offers a pumpkin-inspired twist. The event’s biggest draw is the giant pumpkin weigh-in, where growers compete to see whose gourd takes the crown. Last year’s champion pumpkin tipped the scales at a jaw-dropping 7,647 pounds — and it was not just big, it was beautiful.
Local vendor Nancy Ford, who has sold pumpkin fudge at the show for 15 years, said it is the energy that makes the event special.
“It’s like a family reunion. Everyone’s happy, the food is amazing, and people come from all over just to be part of it," Ford said.
Among the rows of booths and food tents, one vendor stands out to Dayton locals — Bessie’s Noodles, a family-owned business from right here in Dayton. They have been serving festivalgoers for years with their signature Homemade Chicken and Noodles, made the old-fashioned way.
“If you like homemade noodles like your grandma used to make, you’ve got to stop by our booth,” said Monica Easterling, owner of Bessie’s Noodles. “We have been part of the Pumpkin Show family for a long time. People come back every year just for a cup of our homemade chicken and noodles — it is comfort food at its best.”
Beyond the food, the festival includes parades, craft booths, live entertainment and even a 14-foot-wide pumpkin pie weighing over four hundred pounds. Resident Derrick White summed it up perfectly:
“It’s small-town America at its finest — big pumpkins, big crowds, and even bigger smiles.”
If you plan to visit, go early — parking fills up fast, and the crowds grow by mid-afternoon. The drive from campus is more than worth it for a day packed with fall flavor and local tradition.
Ohio Renaissance Festival (Weekends through Oct. 27, Waynesville, OH)
Just a 30-minute drive from WSU, the Ohio Renaissance Festival offers a trip back in time to the 1500s. The 30-acre medieval village is filled with knights, jesters, artisans and vendors selling everything from hand-forged metalwork to flower crowns.
Emily Perez, WSU junior, shared her experience at the event.
“I’ve been going since freshman year. It’s like stepping into a storybook — the costumes, the food, the shows — it’s just pure fun," Perez said.
The festival runs weekends through the end of October, with themed events like “Trick or Treat Weekend” and “Time Travelers’ Weekend.” Between the jousting matches, live performances and hearty food, it is one of the most immersive fall experiences in the region.
Potato Festival (Oct. 5–6, West Milton, OH)
Celebrating one of Ohio’s most beloved crops, the Potato Festival in West Milton offers everything from curly fries and loaded baked potatoes to the surprisingly popular potato doughnuts. Festival volunteer Rick Matthews said the event captures the best of small-town Ohio.
“It’s about food, family, and community pride,” Matthews said. “We started small, but now people come from all over just to be part of it.”
Along with the food, the festival features a classic car show, live music and games for all ages — perfect for a quick weekend road trip from campus.
Why it matters
These festivals are not about food or entertainment — they are about connection. For students, they offers a chance to discover what makes this part of Ohio special, to meet locals and to see how community traditions bring people together year after year.
“Going to events like these makes you feel part of something bigger,” said Sarah Johnson, a WSU senior. “You see families, small businesses and students all celebrating together — it’s what makes fall feel real.”
So, before the season slips away, grab your hoodie, invite some friends, and take a fall adventure off campus. Whether it is a cup of homemade chicken and noodles in Circleville or a turkey leg at the Renaissance Festival, there is no better way to enjoy autumn in Ohio.
