The 41st annual Logan Hills Festival takes place this weekend — Saturday, May 29; Sunday, May 30; and Monday, May 31 — at Hall Fawcett Park, 4459 County Road 153, Zanesfield.
Admission and parking are free for the festival, which kicks off at 9 a.m. Saturday.
This year’s outdoor drama, The Middle Ground, is performed at 3 p.m. Saturday, 5 p.m. Sunday and 1 p.m. Monday, featuring local actors in period costumes set along the Mad River. The drama tells the story of the struggle between white settlers and Native Americans along the Ohio Valley hills near Zanesfield.
The suggested general admission for the outdoor drama are $4 per person or $2 for children ages 5 through 10; and free for under age 5. Bleachers are provided by the Zanesfield Baseball Association. Attendees are also invited to take lawn chairs or blankets.
Logan Hills Native Woodland Gatherings take place throughout the weekend as a celebration of Native American heritage and tradition and a chance to keep the culture alive through song and dance.
The pre-1840s encampment on site also offers live talks with fur era traders in period clothing throughout the weekend and planned activities.
Activities Saturday include: 9 a.m. book sale at the Dr. Sloan Library in Zanesfield; 11 a.m. Citizen of the Year announced at shelter house; noon, grand entry for Woodland Gathering at the main ground circle; 12:30 p.m. archery competition; 1 to 4 p.m. pony rides at Marmon Valley Farms; 4 p.m., Woodland Gathering resumes and 5:30 p.m., Woodland Gathering closing ceremony; 4 to 9 p.m. hog roast meal of barbecue pork sandwiches and sides for $6 per person; 8 p.m., pre-1840 encampment and festival closed to the public.
Sunday’s activities feature a 10 a.m. church service at the encampment, all welcome; noon, grand entry for Woodland Gathering; 12:30 p.m., hawk and knife competition; 1 to 4 p.m. pony rides at Marmon Valley Farms; 2:30 p.m., lizard pull at encampment; 4:30 p.m., closing ceremony for Woodland Gathering; ; and 5 p.m., encampment closed to the public.
The festival concludes Monday with a pancake and sausage breakfast from 7:30 to 11 a.m. featuring Ron Downs Maple Syrup at the shelter house; 9 a.m., parade through Zanesfield starting at the fire department; 10 a.m., musical entertainment by Mad River Dulcimers; 11 a.m., Pickers Auction by Art Rausch and Mike Barthauer; 11:30 a.m., country luncheon sponsored by Zanesfield United Methodist Church.