9 Towns in Ohio with Unique Traditions

Ohio is a fascinating blend of urbanity and rurality. It is one of the most populous states, home to Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, but is perhaps better known for rustic culture courtesy of midwestern and Appalachian stereotypes. Whether suburban or rural Ohio dominates your mind, you can find unique people and customs in both domains. From skunky yuppies to moonshiners in the boonies, these nine communities celebrate the full spectrum of Ohioness. Moreover, they feature outdoor areas, great eateries, and historical landmarks so visitors can always enjoy a relaxing Ohio vacation.

Twinsburg

In the early 1800s, identical twins Moses and Aaron Wilcox came from Connecticut to buy and sell shares of a newly settled Ohio town, then called Millsville. Later, they donated land and funds for a public square and school in exchange for Millsville becoming Twinsburg. As possibly the only community in America named after and co-founded by twins, Twinsburg began welcoming out-of-town twins for the Twins Days Festival in 1976. Now the world's largest annual gathering of twins, the fraternal fest attracts thousands of twins from countries as far-flung as Japan and New Zealand. Activities include golf at the Gleneagles Golf Course, twins contests at the Perici Amphitheatre, and a "Double Take Parade" at the prescient Twinsburg Township Square. Apart from the event, Twinsburg’s Central Valley Park is a fantastic reprieve of wilderness, perfect for hiking, biking, and wildlife watching.

Vermilion

Although the groundhog has become the premier non-human forecaster, the woolly bear caterpillar allegedly wields the same power of weather prediction. Since the 1970s, Vermilion, a city of about 11,000 on Lake Erie, has harnessed that power for forecasting, fame, and riches via one of the largest one-day festivals in the state. Many thousands of people attend the Woollybear Festival each fall to see whether the caterpillar crawls toward a mild or harsh winter while floats crawl along Main Street for a legendary parade. Many more thousands attend Festival of the Fish, which is a Father's Day Weekend fish fry-turned extravaganza held in Vermilion since the 1960s.

Bucyrus

Bucyrus has been linked with bratwurst ever since German immigrants brought their links to town in the early 20th century. Bucyrus bratwurst, which differs from other wurst by containing veal and eggs, became so iconic that it inspired the Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival (then called Colonel Crawford Days) in 1967. Nearly 60 years later, the fest is still going strong with parades, concerts, and eating contests for everything from bratwurst to ice cream to watermelon to pizza to cream puffs. Such activities earned it the title “Ohio’s Eatingest Festival" and sponsorships from food suppliers like Carle’s Bratwurst and Hord Family Farms.

For those who miss out on the event, there are still many opportunities for drinking and eating in this lovely town. Gioninio’s Pizza is a local hotspot for some delicious slices, while Wrens Nest beckons party animals with a raging nightlife.

Thornville

It is not often that you see a town celebrate being "backwoods," but Thornville has been doing that for 29 years with The Backwoods Fest. Set in the true backwoods of this 1,100ish-person village, the fest honors hallmarks of hickdom, such as bluegrass music, oak furniture, deep-fried pork rinds, and bean soup cooked in cauldrons over open fires. If that is not backwoods enough, Thornville also hosts the Gathering of the Juggalos, a 24-year-old festival for rambunctious fans of the Insane Clown Posse. This is made possible by Legend Valley, an outdoor venue that can hold 20 Thornvilles and thus 20,000-plus "Juggalos."

North Ridgeville

North Ridgeville is a bustling town of 37,000 in Lorain County, Ohio. Its unique tradition, not to be confused with a comedy festival of a similar name, Skunk Fest is literally a festival for skunks. It is held in this suburb of Cleveland that stinks (not literally) for one Saturday each September. Skunk Fest draws people with pet skunks that are unlikely—or unable—to spray. In fact, the event takes place at public South Central Park and is open to anyone wanting to get up close and personal with the most stinkmatized animal. Started by a rescue organisation called Skunk Haven in 2001, Skunk Fest involves games, raffles, vendors, music, races, and a costume contest. It even crowns a skunk king, queen, prince, and princess. Apart from Skunkfest, those in North Ridgeville can have a blast at Sportsville, a golf driving range with amazing gear, technology, and vibes for a fun day out.

Logan

Logan, Ohio, has the unique distinction of hosting the last washboard factory in America. Yes, the Columbus Washboard Company manufactures the ribbed boards that washing machines almost made obsolete. It has been doing so since 1895 and still crafts them by hand, but they are bought less and less for practicality and more for novelty and musical ability. All uses are celebrated at the Logan Washboard Arts & Music Festival, which has flowed through Father's Day Weekend for over a decade. Artists who have made Logan's washboards sparkle and sing include The Sodbusters, Howling Hound Dogs, and Washboard Hank.

Ashville

Each April for more than two decades, Vikings have invaded the peaceful village of Ashville, Ohio. Of course, they are not real Vikings, and they maintain peace aside from weapon demonstrations. Their goal is to promote medieval culture via the Ashville Viking Festival. In addition to jousting, axe throwing, and other forms of medieval combat, the fest features feasts, reenactments, youth activities, and a Saxon market with such vendors as The Goblin Trader and Sons of Norway. It takes place at the Ashville Community Park, and admission is free, but Ashville Food Pantry donations are requested. Further meals can be enjoyed in Ashville at Ashbrook Grill and Jackie Ray’s Grill, known for their delicious meals and drinks.

Greenville

Greenville is the deathplace of Annie Oakley, a legendary sharpshooter in the Wild West. One can visit her grave at Brock Cemetery and learn more about her at the Garst Museum and National Annie Oakley Center. But you can pretend to be her at the Annie Oakley Festival, which runs for several days in July and comprises a Miss Annie Oakley contest, costume contest, memorial shoot, mounted shooting reenactment, fast draw competition, concert, car show, tractor pull, parade, zoo, and many other events. This year was the festival's 60th anniversary.

New Straitsville

New Straitsville is an ironic name for a village full of drunken wobbling. Thanks to an underground fire ignited by an 1884 mining dispute, abandoned mineshafts and smoke provided cover for illegal liquor production, earning New Straitsville the title of "Moonshine Capital of the World." The fire still burns and liquor still brews (now legally), and a festival honors this match made in heaven. The New Straitsville Moonshine Festival began 53 years ago and now features moonshine pie, moonshine burgers, a Little Miss Moonshine contest, and a moonshining demonstration on a working still. It is a family-friendly event, but of-age attendees can sample moonshine at the 1884 New Straitsville Moonshine Co. Visitors can wash down the drinks with a delicious pizza at the local hotspot, Little Italy Pizza.

Wrapping Up

Ohio is a marvelous mixture of suburban and rural culture. As this article shows, both cultures are unique and have traditions that are still being observed decades later. From suburban Twinsburg's Twins Days to rural Thornville's Backwoods Fest to suburban North Ridgeville's Skunk Fest to rural New Straitsville's Moonshine Festival, Ohio's singular celebrations promise excitement and intrigue. Which trend-bucking tradition will you try first in the Buckeye State?