The following are upcoming events in Clinton County:
Corn Festival
On Sept. 6, 7 and 8, the Clinton County Corn Festival, a celebration of the community’s agricultural roots, is a three-day-long festival of entertainment, food, crafts, and more taking place at the Clinton County Fairgrounds. Admission at the gates is $5, and a weekend pass for $10, with free parking. Anyone under the age of 12 is allowed free entry. The event will feature almost continuous live acts, tractor and horse pulls, activities in the Expo Center and Quilt Barn, 20+ local non-profit food vendors, and on Saturday night come down and enjoy The Corn Olympics.
Live Music Saturdays at TinCap featuring The Wayward J’s
On Sept. 6 from 7 to 10 p.m. at TinCap at 47 W. Sugartree St., Wilmington, the Wayward J’s duo will be playing live music of various genres.
11th-annual Corn 5k Run/Walk
Hosted by Clinton County Community Action, this all-ages event will be taking place on Sept. 7 from 7:30 to 10 a.m. at 100 Commons Lane in Wilmington. This 5k run/walk will award prizes to the top three women and men runners, to benefit the Clinton County seniors, will cost $20 if registered by Aug. 20, and $25 every day after.
First-annual Community Pickleball Tournament
Presented by Lady Cane Basketball, this community-wide event is taking place at the Wilmington High School tennis courts on Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. Brackets will be split between high school students, WCH staff and college students/adults. Registration is $45 for adults and $25 for students. Teams are limited to three per team. The event will also feature food trucks, drinks, and prizes for winners.
Friends of the Wilmington Public Library
The Friends of the Wilmington Public Library is a volunteer group that collects, stocks and rotates books that are available at the library for a monetary donation (but not for resale). The adult book room is located to the immediate left upon entering the main entrance of the library. Children and young adult books are available on a bookshelf across the room from the circulation desk. The group welcomes new members who can assist with regular activities and special events and attend meetings at 2:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of every month in the Kirk Room, located in the basement of the Wilmington Public Library. The group also has a Facebook page and group president Jim Hayslip can be contacted at (937) 556-8204 if interested in becoming involved.
Food for All Mobile Pantry
Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio is hosting an upcoming Clinton County Food for All mobile pantry for Clinton county residents in need of food on Thursday, Sept. 12. The organization is partnering with the local community and distributing food at the St. Columbkille Catholic Church, 73 N. Mulberry St. in Wilmington. Food distribution is from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. All families in need from the county are welcome to attend. Picture ID is required for registration and once a year, a current piece of mail is needed for proof of address.
Clinton County Farmers Market
The first farmers market September of 2024 will be held on Main Street near the Clinton County Courthouse between South and Walnut Street, from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Sept. 14.
2024 Electronics Recycling Event
Come bring your old electronics for recycling at the Clinton County Engineer’s Office, located at 1326 Fife Ave., Wilmington, on Sept. 14 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. You must preregister by Sept. 13 by noon to participate. For more information and a link to preregister go to Clinton County’s Solid Waste and Recycling page at co.clinton.oh.us/Recycling.
Ohio Open Doors
This statewide event in which buildings and landmark buildings open their doors to the community for tours, will allow free tours of the Clinton County History Center for community members on Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the final tour starting at 1:30 p.m. Come see the place that General James W. Denver (the man whom Denver, Colorado is named after) called home at 149 E. Locust St. in downtown Wilmington. The History Center houses the largest public collection of Quaker sculptor and painter Eli Harvey’s works, as well as many items from prehistoric to contemporary times.
Family Fall Weekend
A weekend of family fun and fellowship is happening on Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15. This event takes place at the Bible Baptist Church of Wilmington at 55 Megan Drive — featuring a petting zoo, hayrides, a volleyball tournament, pony rides, and more.
Class of 1969 Clinton-Massie High School Reunion
Clinton-Massie High School Class of 1969 will celebrate its 55th reunion on Sept. 14 at noon at Denver Williams Park in Wilmington, Shelter A. The event will be a carry-in luncheon with former students with last names starting with A-I requested to bring in a vegetable dish, former students with last names J-R asked to bring a meat or cheese dish, and former students with last names S-Z asked to bring desserts/fruit. If you’re attending, RSVP to Nan Muchmore (937-728-3311) or Susie Schwamberger (937-475-3783). Bring your favorite non-alcoholic drink. Water and silverware will be provided.
Tell Me Lies – The Fleetwood Mac Experience
Come relive the classic 70s tunes of Fleetwood Mac and some of their biggest hits with “Tell Me Lies,” a live tribute seven piece band of veteran musicians. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 14, at the historic Murphy Theatre in downtown Wilmington. You can purchase tickets at the Murphy Theatre’s website.
Elizabeth Harvey First Free Black School in Ohio Open House
The Harveysburg Historical Society will be putting on an open house at the first free Black school in Ohio on Sunday, Sept. 15 from 2 to 4 p.m., at 23 North St. in Harveysburg. This free event with free parking, a “Freedom Through Education” preview video and a chance to meet Abraham Lincoln and enjoy Emancipation Proclamation craft.
Second-annual Farm to Bottle Festival
Bringing growers, bottlers and consumers together, this second-annual festival located at the Clinton County Fairgrounds from Sept. 19-22 will feature food, drinks, and live acts. Thursday is free admission, Friday/Saturday are $15 in advance, $20 at the gate and Sunday is $10 in advance, $15 at the gate. For a full list of acts, check the website at farmtobottlefest.com.
Blanchester Blood Drive
Solvita donors have a chance to win tickets to the Ohio State vs. Michigan game. Enter the drawing by registering to donate at the Blanchester Church of Christ blood drive Thursday, Sept. 19 from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at 911 Cherry St. Schedule a blood donation with Solvita (formerly Community Blood Center) on the Donor Time app, by calling (937) 461-3220, or at www.donortime.com. Everyone who registers to donate Aug. 30 through Sept. 28 at any Solvita blood drive is automatically entered in the drawing to win two tickets to the Ohio State vs. Michigan game Nov. 30 in Columbus. Registered donors also receive the Solvita one-year anniversary t-shirt.
Voter Registration Social
The Clinton County Alliance for Compassion and Truth (A.C.T.) will host an open to the public voter registration social from 6:30-9 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 19, on the patio of Fiesta Veracruz, 37 W. Locust St., in Wilmington. Attendees can register to vote or verify their current voter registration in preparation for the Nov. 5 general election.
September Wilmington Food Truck Rally
This food truck rally, happening from 4 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 20 at 1499 Rombach Ave. in Wilmington will feature approximately a dozen food trucks (lineup subject to change). Food trucks scheduled include Mr Twisty, Our Cakery Cottage, De’Lish, Beckers SMASH-tastic Burgers and many more.
Clinton County Farmers Market
The second farmers market in September of 2024 will be held on Main Street near the Clinton County Courthouse between South and Walnut streets, from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Sept. 21. September’s farmers market will feature a “Kids Market,” which will allow kids a chance to sell their crafts or other produced items.
Silent Watch at the Veteran’s Memorial
On Saturday, Sept. 21, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., a Silent Watch will be held at the Veteran’s Memorial on Main and Walnut streets to honor veterans and raise awareness about veteran suicides. Organized by Clinton County Veteran Services, community members are invited to sign up for 20-minute shifts to stand in silent vigil. For more information or to participate, call (937) 382-3233.
Opening Day at Schappacher Farms
Located at 3068 W. State Route 73 in Wilmington, Schappacher Farms Pumpkin and Farm Market’s opening day will be Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. Come enjoy pumpkin picking, hayrides, a free corn maze, apple cider slushies, hot apple cider donuts and more.
Harveysburg Historic Fall Fest
On Saturday, Sept. 21 from noon to 4 p.m., the ninth-annual Harveysburg Historic Fall Fest will have free entertainment, parking and a tour of the first free Black school in Ohio, located at 23 North St. in Harveysburg. The event will have craft and community vendors, raffles and food starting at 11 a.m. For more information, refer to their Facebook page at: facebook.com/HarveysburgCommunityHistoricalSociety/
Schappacher Farms Food Truck Rally
This event is happening Sept. 27 from 5 to 8 p.m., and will feature food trucks from across Clinton County, including Beckers SMASH-tastic Burgers, Baker St. Culinary Solutions, Doc’s Dogs, ILLYS Fire Pizza and Hot Flash Eats. Enjoy a free corn maze and hayrides, jumbo-sized yard games, Timmy Train rides and more.
Fall Craft Fair and Pumpkin Fest
Taking place Sept. 27, 28 and 29 at Kirkwood Camp & Adventure Park at 5719 SR-73 from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, and 12 to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday (Twisted Trails opens after dark). This fall craft fair is free (with $5 for parking and admission to Twisted Trails will receive a discounted price for attending the craft fair) and will have games, food, live games, crafts and haunted evening attractions. A $20 wristband is required to enjoy all attractions at Kirkwood Camp and Adventure Park.