Malabar Farm Hosts 43rd Annual Ohio Heritage Days Festival

LUCAS, Ohio – Celebrate the harvest season at the 43rd annual Ohio Heritage Days Festival at Malabar Farm State Park. Hosted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), this popular festival is one of Ohio’s largest free outdoor craft and living-history festivals. This family event will be held on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 28-29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Highlights of the festival include traditional crafters that feature their works in weaving, woodworking, spinning, quilting, and broom making. The event also showcases a range of 18th-century demonstrations, such as blacksmithing, musket shooting, and pioneer cooking.

Local vendors will be on hand offering a variety of foods including a wide variety of sandwiches, root beer floats, Amish meats and cheeses, bean soup, funnel cakes, and more. Additionally, Malabar’s smokehouse will be operational, and naturalists will be offering free samples every day at 1 p.m.

Other displays and events:

  • Free tours by knowledgeable volunteers of the Big House’s first floor during the festival from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • The Malabar Antique Tractor Club will display vintage Willis jeeps, antique tractors, antique engines, and farm memorabilia.
  • The Johnny Appleseed Archeologist Chapter will be in the main barn on Sunday during the festival with various Native American artifacts on display.
  • The Spirit of Friends Antique and Primitive show features crafters and antique booths around the visitor center and in the main barn on Saturday.
  • Continuing a longtime tradition, a free square dance will be held on Saturday from 7-10 p.m. in the main barn beside the Big House. Experienced and beginner dancers are welcome.
  • There is a $1 admission to the dance for those age 12 and older.

Malabar Farm was the dream of Pulitzer prize-winning author and conservationist, Louis Bromfield. During his life, Malabar Farm served as a getaway destination for many Hollywood stars of the ’40s and ’50s. Ohio accepted the deed to Malabar Farm in August 1972 to preserve the beauty and ecological value of the farm, and the property became a state park in 1976. Malabar Farm State Park is dedicated to continuing Bromfield’s farming philosophies, preserving the Big House and its artifacts, as well as providing a place for visitors to explore farm life and the beauty of nature.

Malabar Farm State Park is located at 4050 Bromfield Road, Lucas, Ohio 44843. Call 419-892-2784 for more information.

For people interested in making their visit to Heritage Days a weekend trip, contact Mohican Lodge and Conference Center, located at 1098 County Road 3006, Perrysville, Ohio 44864, at 800-282-7275 to reserve a room. Mohican State Park is located at 3116 State Route 3, Loudonville, Ohio 44842, which is near Malabar Farm State Park.