ATHENS COUNTY

89th Jacksonville Old Settlers Reunion Returns Labor Day Weekend

The village of Jacksonville will have its annual Old Settlers Reunion festival Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 3-7.

Featured entertainment for the weekend includes the horseshoe tournament, the festival's first 3-on-3 basketball tournament, and live music by Mitch Kirkpatrick on Saturday, July 5 at 7 p.m.

The weekend will also include a foam party for kids Saturday, Sept. 5 from 12 to 3 p.m. 

The Old Settlers Reunion Festival group on Facebook has more information.

Stuart's Opera House Hosting Red Cross Blood Drive Sept. 14

Stuart's Opera House in Nelsonville is hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive on Monday, Sept. 14.

The blood drive will be open Noon to 6 p.m. at 52 Public Square in Nelsonville.

Recently, the American Red Cross declared its second-ever National Blood Supply Crisis, meaning O-type donations are being limited to hospitals to maintain supply, potentially affecting emergency patient care in some parts of the country.

You can help address the crisis by visiting RedCrossBlood.org and entering your zip code. To register for the Stuart's Opera House Blood Drive, visit StuartsOperaHouse.org/events. 

Annual Pawpaw Festival Celebrates Appalachian Heritage Sept. 18-20

The 2026 Ohio Pawpaw Festival comes to Nelsonville Sept. 18-20 at the Snow Fork Event Center.

Pawpaws are one of America’s largest native tree fruits with a rich, creamy texture. 

The Pawpaw Festival celebrates the fruit with unique food and beverages, a full lineup of presentations and activities that cover cooking, medical use, pawpaw growing, and more topics. 

Pawpaw Festival tickets start at $20 each or $50 for a weekend pass. For more information, visit OhioPawpawFest.com.

4th Annual Happy Hollow Old Time Music Gathering Set for Sept. 24-27

Snow Fork Event Center will be the site of the fourth-annual Happy Hollow Old Time Music Gathering, taking place Sept. 24-27.

Formerly the Happy Hollow Hootenanny, the four-day event celebrates Appalachian culture through old-fashioned bluegrass jam sessions and workshops. Enjoy the sound of banjo, fiddle, acoustic sets and square dancing in a laid-back atmosphere.

Weekend passes are $30 per person ($34.51 with processing fees) while kids and teens 18 years and under get in for free. 

Snow For Event Center is located at 5685 Happy Hollow Road in Nelsonville near Buchtel. Learn more at HappyHollowOldTime.org. 

Country Artist Ashley McBryde Returns to Athens County Sept. 26

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with special snacks and drinks at the Chauncey Public Library!

Bring the whole family out to the library at 29 Converse St. in Chauncey Wednesday, Oct. 7 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. for this unique program.

Library staff will have a variety of snacks from Latin America to sample while listening to Latin American music.

For more family-friendly activities at the Chauncey Public Library, go online to Events.MyACPL.org. 

Steampunk, Bigfoot, and Halloween: Unique Train Rides with the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway

The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway is offering unique train ride experiences for all ages this fall. All rides are approximately two hours long and depart from the Railway's station at 33 W. Canal St. in Nelsonville. Visit HVSRY.org for details.

Bigfoot Spotting Express - Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2-3 (LINK)

• The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway's first-ever Bigfoot Spotting Express departs the station at 6 p.m. both evenings. Be on the lookout for Bigfoot as you enjoy a ride along the historic Buckeye Route. Perhaps Bigfoot is a train enthusiast and would like to catch a ride as well? Tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors and military, and $20 for kids ages 3-12.

Steampunk Steam Special - Saturday, Sept. 5 (LINK)

• Ride behind an authentic 1920 coal-fired steam locomotive and hear from steampunk enthusiasts. Tickets are $33 for adults, $30 for seniors/military, and $25 for kids ages 3-12. Train departs at 6 p.m.

Fall Foliage Ride - October Every Thursday through Sunday plus Nov. 1 (LINK)

• Enjoy the fall colors of the Hocking Hills region as the train travels from Nelsonville to East Logan and back. The route passes the remains of Hocking Canal Lock No. 19 and follows the Hocking River. Tickets are $22 for adults, $20 for seniors and military, and $17 for kids ages 3-12. Trains depart at 1 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on weekends.

Nelsonville Halloween Train - Saturday, Oct. 31 (LINK)

• Grab your favorite (appropriate!) Halloween costume and enjoy a Halloween train ride on Saturday, Oct. 31. The train will depart the station at 6 p.m. Tickets are $27 for adults, $25 for seniors and military, and $23 for kids ages 3-12.

Athens Farmers Market Serves as a Community Staple for 50+ Years

The Athens Farmers Market has been a weekly gathering spot for farmers and the general public for more than 50 years!

Support local food producers and artisans year-round from 9 a.m. to Noon every Saturday morning and Wednesdays April through November.

SNAP and EBT are accepted at every market through participating vendors. Learn more at AthensFarmersMarket.org.

Support Group Available For Families Grieving Loss of Pregnancy or Infant

The Athens Birth Circle hosts monthly support groups for parents and families grieving the loss of a pregnancy or infant. 

Support group meetings take place the first Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 73 Central Ave. in Athens. 

All family members including grandparents, siblings, aunts & uncles, and friends are also welcome to attend the meetings.

There’s no cost to participate. Free private support is also available - Call or text 740-808-2448 for more information.

OVMOD's Open Tech Studio Provides STEM Opportunities for Area Youth

The Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery hosts weekly Open Tech Studios for kids and teens.

Open Tech Studios help area youth explore a variety of tech projects such as robotics, programming and building. 

These sessions are available every Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m.  and the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to Noon. Sessions take place at the museum at 67 Columbus Road in Athens and are available for free with museum membership or with museum admission. 

Learn more by visiting OVMOD.org. 

Weekly Harm Reduction Clinic Provides Free Naloxone to Community

The Athens City-County Health Department hosts weekly Harm Reduction Clinics to distribute free Naloxone to the community.

Naloxone is used to help rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Anyone can stop-by the Health Department Wednesdays from 12:30 to 3 p.m. to pick-up Naloxone or free local produce from Community Food Initiatives. 

Identification is not required to attend the Harm Reduction Clinics. For more information on this program, call 740-592-4431. 

Amesville Masonic Lodge Hosts Monthly All-You-Can-Eat Breakfasts

Join the Amesville Masonic Lodge for monthly pancake breakfasts the second Saturday of each month.

Breakfasts take place at the lodge from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Enjoy fluffy pancakes served with a variety of toppings. Sausage, potatoes and other breakfast fare will be served. 

Cost is $5 per person and breakfast is all-you-can-eat. Visit AmesvilleOhio.org to learn more.