Our Events

The Ohio Paw Paw Festival – September – Lake Snowden – Albany

SAVE THE DATE! SEPTEMBER 14 -16, 2018! Every summer for the last two decades, thousands have people gather at Lake Snowden to celebrate Ohio’s state fruit, the Paw Paw, native to the state’s southern hills. The fruit is used to make beer, ice cream, jam, and many, many other sweet, slightly tangy foods. Festival-goers can also enjoy dozens of local food trucks, live music, crafts, and many opportunities for learning and other experiences. 2018 marks the 20th year of the Paw Paw Festival! Visit the Heritage Tent during the Paw Paw Festival to learn about our efforts, or get involved with us or one of our partners! Though a large group of citizens and other groups works together to put on the Paw Paw Festival Ohio Hill Country is the nonprofit financial sponsor of the festival and a portion of the proceeds support the operations of Ohio Hill Country.

Appalachian Heritage Awards – December – Statehouse – Columbus

Each year, Ohio Hill Country Partners with Heritage Ohio to hold the Appalachian Heritage Awards at the Ohio Statehouse in downtown Columbus. Recipients of each award tell the story of their success, whether it be a historic building renovation, a community art project, a small business, a local historical society in one of Appalachian Ohio’s small towns or any of the other inspiring recipients of the Heritage Awards. To learn more about more than 100 businesses organizations and individuals honored for preserving the many interesting chapters of Ohio’s Appalachian History, go to our full page on the Heritage Awards. Find descriptions of the programs and experiences being recognized and links to full videos of the last few years’ award shows.