Belmont County is Gearing Up for an Exciting Summer Full of Events
Belmont County is gearing up for an exciting summer full of events! From annual festivals to one-of-a-kind local events – it’s officially festival season! You and your family can enjoy attending one of our 30-plus festivals that celebrate heritage, history, our communities, and of course – food! It’ll be easy to stay busy all summer in friendly, beautiful Belmont County!
The National Imperial Glass Museum Annual Convention starts on Thursday, June 8, and continues throughout the weekend in Bellaire – bringing in glass enthusiasts from all over the country. The museum is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a grand reopening and ribbon cutting on June 8 at 4 pm, followed by the annual ice cream social.
Events coming up in June include:
Flushing Heritage Days on Friday, June 9, beginning with a flag-raising ceremony at 4:30 pm. There will be music by Mindy Wilson and Haley Watson-Keffer. There will be a BBQ chicken dinner, food trucks, Jack’s Snacks (ice cream truck), and vendors. Clown Jennifer Staley will be back with her balloon animals and face paintings for the kids.
Shadyside Loop Festival, June 17-18 celebrates the heritage and history of the “loop”. It promotes community with vendors, kid’s games and rides, entertainment, a car show, etc. Proceeds from the event benefit the Shadyside Park and Recreation department, projects to beautify the Loop, and Shadyside High School scholarships.
Martin’s Ferry’s Community Day in the Park on June 17 from 12-6 is a free family event sponsored by the Ohio River Valley Elks No. 231. It includes swimming, food, caricatures, faux tattoos, bounce houses, pony rides, games, and more.
Some of the other big events to look forward to throughout the summer include:
The Beast of the East Baseball Tournament, June 29-July 2, is the largest baseball tournament in the country with over 160 teams. This tournament also offers an annual baseball showcase where participants perform for college coaches and professional baseball scouts showcasing their talent. That weekend also features several community July 4th celebrations. See our events calendar for more information.
The Barton Polka Festival, on August 6, is one the largest and oldest festival of its kind in a 60-mile radius. The event draws over two thousand people from surrounding states that come each year to feast on homemade cabbage rolls and pierogies and to listen and dance to polka bands.
Betty Zane Days in Martins Ferry is August 2-5. Sponsored by the Martins Ferry Volunteer Fire Department, this five-day event, named after the legendary local Revolutionary War heroine, celebrates the community’s rich history and takes place in the City Park, 401 S 4th St. Martins Ferry, OH 43935. The annual event features a 5k run, firefighter water battle, amusement rides and games, food and craft vendors, and nightly entertainment.
The Holloway Old Timer’s Baseball Festival is Labor Day weekend, Sept. 1 -3. The 75th annual event celebrates the history of Holloway with an emphasis on baseball. The three-day event includes food, a parade, and much more. The Holloway Old Timers Baseball Association organizes the event. The festival began as a reunion for former railroad workers who loved to play ball and has grown into an event enjoyed by residents and visitors. Celebrity players of the past have included Cy Young and Johnny Blatnik.
Labor Day weekend kicks off the 174th Belmont County Fair, which brings people together to celebrate what is distinct about life in rural America. Thousands flock to the fairground each year, for entertainment, activities, famous fair food and to see the work our youth have put into their animals, projects, and exhibits.
The Barnesville Pumpkin Festival is held at the end of September featuring all things pumpkin – including the biggest ones around! This year will celebrate their 59th festival.
Belmont County is an area rich in history and heritage, and these are just some of the events that celebrate and give our communities a strong identity. They connect our residents and keep old traditions alive by showing off what makes our communities unique and building a strong sense of community pride. To find out more about all upcoming events happening in Belmont County, go to our website at www.visitbelmontcounty.com/events.
If you are planning an event in 2023, please get in touch with us at info@visitbelmontcounty.com and we will add it to our website event calendar and share it on our social media channels. We are your community partner, and here to help promote all the upcoming events happening right here, in Friendly. Beautiful. Belmont County.
