ATHENS COUNTY

SE Ohio Foodbank Recognizing Hunger Action Month

The Southeast Ohio Foodbank is raising awareness for Hunger Action Month in September.

Hunger Action Month raises awareness about hunger in local communities by highlighting the importance of volunteerism and donations. 

The foodbank invites the community to wear orange on Tuesday, Sept. 29 to show support for those facing hunger. Organizations and individuals are encouraged to share their orange attire by sharing photos via email at info@hapcap.org. 

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.

Country Artist Ashley McBryde Returns to Athens County Sept. 26

Grammy-winning country artist Ashley McBryde will perform at Ohio University in Athens on Saturday, Sept. 26.

McBryde's performance will take place inside the Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium, located at 47 E. Union St. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. with the show starting at 8. Kentucky-native and independent country artist Colton Bowlin will open the show. 

Balcony seats are $30 per person, standard floor seats are $45 and the first ten rows are $65 per seat. Visit ohio.edu/performing-arts for tickets and to learn more.

McBryde, along with fellow country artist Carly Pearce, took home the 2023 Best Country Duo/Group Performance Grammy Award for "Never Wanted To Be That Girl." She was also nominated that same year for Best Contemporary Country Album for "Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville". Later that year, she co-headlined the 2023 Black Diamond Music and Arts Festival at Hocking College in Nelsonville.

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. 

Athens Area Stand Down Helps Local Homeless Population

The annual Athens Area Stand Down will take place Friday, Oct. 2 at the Athens County Fairgrounds.

This event aims to support military veterans and individuals who are either homeless or facing homelessness by providing free resources to those in need.

Early-bird entry is availble to military veterans starting at 10 a.m. Veterans and the general public are welcome to attend from noon to 2 p.m. Free lunch and water will be provided to attendees. 

Learn more about this year's Stand Down event and see how you and your organization can get involved by visiting AthensAreaStandDown.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.

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.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Chauncey on Oct. 7

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. 

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.