WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, Ohio — Downtown Washington Court House is gearing up for four days of autumn festivities as the annual Scarecrow Festival kicks off Thursday, Sept. 17, running through Sunday, Sept. 20.
The community tradition features an array of carnival rides, local craft and food vendors, family-friendly entertainment, live music, and athletic events throughout the weekend.
Thursday, Sept. 17 (5 p.m. – 11 p.m.) The festival opens Thursday evening, with rides operating starting at 5 p.m. and the Beer Garden opening near the Main Stage at 6 p.m. Entertainment for the evening highlights two performances by OLDE Wrestling at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., alongside a 7:30 p.m. exhibition by Iron Tiger WCH.
Friday, Sept. 18 (12 p.m. – 11 p.m.) Festivities resume at noon following an opening ceremony performance by the Miami Trace High School Marching Band. Free youth activities, face painting, and balloon artists will be available on the courthouse lawn from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday’s music lineup on the Main Stage features Sourblood at 5 p.m., The Smokin’ Mirrors at 7 p.m., and headliner Dirty Deeds, an AC/DC tribute act, taking the stage at 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 19 (12 p.m. – 11 p.m.) Saturday’s schedule begins early with the registration and start of the United Way Scarecrow 5k/10k run/walk from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., alongside the Fayette County Farmers Market. Interactive animatronic Dinosaur Shows will run at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and 6 p.m. in the Court Street parking lot.
Live music runs throughout the afternoon and evening on the Main Stage, starting with Steven Dowd at 4 p.m., Savannah Rose at 5 p.m., and David Morris at 7:30 p.m. Platinum-selling country artist Jerrod Niemann will headline the night at 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 20 (11 a.m. – 5 p.m.) The final day opens at 11 a.m. with a Community Worship Service featuring testimonies from Ohio State University football players, including offensive lineman Carson Hinzman and linebacker Payton Pierce.
Sunday’s schedule also features a performance by Terrie’s Dance Spectrum Praise Dancers at 12 p.m., an Elvis Presley tribute show by Lundie Wright Sr. at 12:30 p.m., additional Dinosaur Shows at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., and music by Dumbfounded at 2:30 p.m. Downtown streets will host a classic car show from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., concluding with an awards ceremony.
The Washington High Senior Marching Band will deliver the festival’s closing ceremony performance at 4:30 p.m. before grounds officially close at 5 p.m. Admission to the festival and all main stage concerts is free to the public.
