After a year hiatus because of the pandemic, the Feast of the Flowering Moon returns to the area this weekend. The festival begins on Friday, May 28, and continues through Sunday, May 30th, in Downtown Chillicothe and Yoctangee Park.
Organizers say it celebrates the heritage of the area with Native American dancing and drummers performing near the bandstand in Yoctangee Park. These performances are brought to the community with assistance from the Ross-Chillicothe Convention & Visitors Bureau and G&J Pepsi.
A variety of family-friendly entertainment has been scheduled for the weekend: The RecW Main Stage welcomes the bands Six to Noon, The Wegians, and Seven Mile Bluegrass along with several other bands and acts.
Organizers say there will be carnival rides and games, kayaking or canoeing on the lake provided by Waters Edge Canoe Livery, pony rides, Southern Ohio Axe Throwing will have their mobile unit setup, and Nellie Dog Pottery & Paints will be demonstrating on the pottery wheel.
New attractions at the festival include a Jeep Show on Friday evening, a Car Show/Cruise-In on Saturday afternoon, and the Chillicothe Farmer's Market on Sunday afternoon.
Additionally, there will be a wide variety of vendors and festival food.
“The festival committee is excited to welcome the community back after canceling last year due to the pandemic,” stated Gene Betts, President of the Board. “We are continuing to build community involvement and providing more for patrons to see and do while visiting the festival. There really is something for everyone at this year's Feast of the Flowering Moon.”
Saturday will feature a Memorial Day Service at 2:45 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Park, and the Memorial Day Weekend Grand Parade will follow at 4:30 p.m. The parade will route on Walnut Street, Second Street, along Paint Street before returning to the park.
A complete schedule of events is available at www.FeastoftheFloweringMoon.org.