Several crowd favorite bands from previous editions of the Ohio Fish and Shrimp Festival will return for encore performances on the outdoor stage at the 20th OFSF on three consecutive Saturdays, Sept. 10, 17 and 24.
The festival, at Freshwater Farms of Ohio, a mile north of Urbana at 2624 N. U.S. 68, also offers festival-goers a delicious selection of food and beverages from numerous vendors, including seafood prepared by Freshwater Farms of Ohio.
The festival, which features activities for the whole family, will be open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day. Parking is free with gate admission of $5, ages 13 and up; $2 for kids ages 3-12; and free for age 2 and under. Admission provides access to the live music as well as the farm’s sturgeon petting zoo, fish and critter displays, bounce houses, games, art and craft vendors and the kids’ play zone.
Festival-goers can enjoy food and music at tables and chairs set up in front of the outdoor stage, some under tents. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome. Returning bands represent a variety of genres, including rock, country, blues, salsa, jazz, and traditional and contemporary Celtic music. (See below for the music schedule.)
“Over the years we’ve had great success in lining up top-notch musical entertainment locally and from around the region. We look forward to welcoming many of the most popular bands back this year,” said Dr. Dave Smith, president of Freshwater Farms of Ohio. “With a full schedule of activities, the festival offers affordable fun for the whole family.”
Festival features include:
-Kids’ activities: several bounce houses and slides, critter displays, including the sturgeon petting zoo, touch tanks, trout feeding by hand (bring quarters), Pirate Treasure Sand Dig, “John Darts” throwing game, and balloon animals by National Alliance for Mental Health for donation
-Art and craft vendors and local merchants
-Freshwater shrimp sales, Sept. 17, 10 a.m. until sold out, near the admission gate and farm retail store
-Craft beers, wine, margaritas and other beverages served at Charlie’s Bar
-Six- and 12-ounce pours of mead from Feisty Brood Meadery, Northfield, Ohio, served at the bar, 1 to 9 p.m. each day
-Shrimp eating contest, Sept. 17, 3 to 3:30 p.m.
-The Freshwater Farms of Ohio Farm Market
-Champaign County Farmers Market vendors, in the afternoons
Fish & Shrimp Festival Bands
Sept. 10
Hendy (classic rock, country and blues}, 1-2:30 p.m.; Eleyet and McConnell (multiple genres), 4-5:30 p.m.; Dawna (rock), 6-7:30 p.m.; and Angela Perley (alt-country, psychedelic rock and Americana), 8-10 p.m.
Sept. 17
Mill Street Blues (acoustic blues trio), 1-2:30 p.m.; Al Son Del Iya (salsa band), 4-5:30 p.m.; Fo/Mo/Deep (jazz/funk/fusion trio), 6-7:30 p.m.; Teeny Tucker (blues vocalist), 8-10 p.m.
Sept. 24
Johnny O (classic rock, ’80s, ’90s), 1-2:30 p.m.; Ladies of Longford (contemporary Celtic and traditional Irish), 4-5:30 p.m.; Dulahan (contemporary and traditional Celtic), 6-7:30 p.m.; Bastard Bearded Irishmen (blend of traditional and contemporary Celtic music, punk, gypsy and rock n’ roll), 8-10 p.m.
For more information about the Ohio Fish and Shrimp Festival, visit fwfarms.com/festival or the Ohio Fish and Shrimp Festival Facebook page.
