NELSONVILLE, Ohio — Nelsonville’s Parade of the Hills returns for a milestone 75th annual festival next Wednesday, Aug. 13, through Saturday, Aug. 16.
The Nelsonville festival is both a homecoming and hometown celebration as well as a way to raise funds for projects that serve the community, said Ashley Godenschwager, secretary of the Parade of the Hills board.
Proceeds from the annual pie auction support the annual holiday food basket giveaways run by the city fire department and York Township. According to the festival website, Parade of the Hills also awards scholarships through its Miss Parade of the Hills Pageant and supports other local causes.
The festival is celebrating 75 years with special T-shirts that were designed by a Tri-County Career Center student, a Sock Hop dance and a grand parade float contest.
Godenschwager said that former pageant queens have been invited back to participate in the grand parade. She added that lots of external events, such as reunions, are happening as well.
The Sock Hop will take place 5–8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13 at First National Fun Park, 11 Public Square, in the parking lot behind the bank. DJ Jon Flowers will provide music for the event; 1950s attire is encouraged.
The festival’s food booth opens each day at 11 a.m., and all concessions at 1 p.m. Taste of Nelsonville vendors open at 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday and at 11 a.m. Saturday.
The festival closes each night at 11 p.m. Ride opening time differs throughout the festival.
There will be a book sale at the Nelsonville Public Library, 95 W. Washington St., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, through Friday, Aug. 15.
For more information on the festival, visit its website and view the full schedule. Find full information on parking and road closures on the city’s information blog.
Wednesday, Aug. 13
Wednesday is Athletic Day, which features kids activities for ages 2 to 18, Godenschwager said. Athletic Day fun will take place at the Polley Field Ballpark 8:30–11:30 a.m.
From 1–3 p.m., there will be a health and wellness fair and mobile health clinic at Athens County Community Cares, at 10 W. Washington St., and Fort Street.
Rides open at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
The festival’s official opening ceremonies will begin at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, with a ringing of the former Central School Bell, run by the reigning Parade of the Hills queen. The “Welcome Home” parade will then take place at 6 p.m. from Nelson School Commons to the festival’s bell tower stage.
The Little Miss Parade of the Hills coronation will take place on the main stage at 6:30 p.m.
A karaoke contest will be held at the library junction stage at 7:30 p.m. and mainstage entertainment begins at 8 p.m. with a performance by Simba Jordan.
Thursday, Aug. 14
Thursday’s Senior Day activities start at 9:30 a.m. at Stuart’s Opera House, 52 Public Square.
Rides open at 5 p.m. Thursday.
At 6 p.m., there will be a bicycle and puppet parade from Mason Law Office to the bell tower stage.
The annual charity pie auction will also take place Thursday, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Stuart’s Opera House.
At 7 p.m., there will be live gospel music at the library junction stage. There will also be a baby contest at 7 p.m. on the main stage.
Thursday night entertainment begins at 8 p.m. with Atta Boy on the main stage.
Friday, Aug. 15
Rides open at 3 p.m. Friday.
Friday night returning to the Stuart’s Opera House stage is the Ohio State Old Time Fiddlers Contest, which draws fiddlers from across the state of all ages to compete for titles and prizes. Tickets to watch the contest cost $10.
At 7 p.m. on the main stage formal judging for Miss Parade of the Hills formal occurs while GrainFed performs at the library junction stage.
Mainstage entertainment Friday night is Rock This Way, whose performance begins at 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 16
The annual Run for the Hills Race for Life 5K Walk/Run begins at 9 a.m. (sign-up begins at 8 a.m.). The awards presentation for the 5K will be at 10 a.m.
At noon, there will be a baton twirling contest on the main stage, which Godenschwager described as “underrated.”
“The kids that do that are amazing and I feel like they never get the biggest crowd, but they’re very good at what they do,” Godenschwager said.
Rides open at 1 p.m. Saturday.
The annual grand parade will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday on Poplar and Harper Streets through downtown Nelsonville.
This year’s grand parade will feature a parade float contest. The float contest theme is “what Nelsonville means to you,” Godenschwager said. Information on participating in the grand parade and others can be found on the festival’s website. First place in the grand parade wins a $150 prize and a plaque.
Former Parade of the Hills queens will ride in the grand parade, too.
Immediately after the grand parade, on the main stage there will be various presentations, including the Miss Parade of the Hills 2025 coronation.
At 8 p.m. on the library junction stage, Brandon Wolf will perform. Music on the main stage will begin at 8:30 p.m. with the Fabulous Johnson Brothers.
The 75th annual festival officially ends at 11 p.m. Saturday.
Get involved
The Parade of the Hills committee meets at 6 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at the Nelsonville Homes Community Room, 900 E. Canal St. Sign up to volunteer by messaging the Parade of the Hills on its Facebook page or fill out this form.
