From family fests to holiday happenings, Cambridge and Guernsey County are home to a steady drumbeat of signature events throughout the year. Mark your calendars and plan to join us as we celebrate the region throughout the seasons.
The Living Word Outdoor Drama (Fridays, June 14 through September 27, 2024) transports audiences to Old Jerusalem (via a 400-ft. panoramic set) for a dramatic retelling of the latter years of Jesus of Nazareth. In 2024, The Living Word will celebrate its 50th anniversary season. Since its premiere performance, nearly half a million audience members have come from around the world to see this one-of-a-kind passion play. With special themes each weekend, be sure to check out Ohio’s only outdoor passion play that has spent the last 50 years going back more than 2,000 years.
Now in its 23rd year, the Deerassic Classic (slated for August 2-3, 2024) brings outdoor enthusiasts from near and far for a unique, adults-only festival fundraiser. Plenty of food and music keep the lively crowd entertained, and the big draw is exactly that: dozens of drawings, from cash to cars – all benefitting the park’s year-round youth and family nature education programming. The self-proclaimed “World’s Largest 50/50 cash drawing” has doled out over $1 million in prizes over the years.
From August 9-11, 2024, The Salt Fork Arts & Crafts Festival will once again showcase the finest artisans and craftspeople from across the United States with Appalachian Heritage exhibits, craft classes, entertainment and much more at Cambridge City Park. From chainsaw art to ceramics, festival-goers enjoy browsing locally made treasures and gifts, as well as those from top visiting artisans who return year after year.
The Paul Bunyan Show (October 4-6, 2024) has delighted visitors with feats of outdoor strength and skill since 1957. The annual show and competition takes place at the Guernsey County Fairgrounds each fall, featuring the International Lumberjack Competition, chainsaw carvers, heavy equipment demonstrations, food, crafts and more.
They don’t make holiday events more charming than Cambridge’s annual Dickens Victorian Village, when the historic downtown transforms into the Olde England of Dickens novels (Nov. 1, 2024 through Jan. 1, 2025). Stroll amidst nearly 100 scenes of lifelike figures representing classic scenes from the Victorian era, engaging the senses as you amble along a charming downtown streetscape featuring original architecture from the 1800s. A downtown courthouse light show featuring more than 66,000 lights set to music delights visitors of all ages. For all these reasons, past visitors have called Dickens Victorian Village the “Most Unique Holiday Destination in the Midwest!” Special teas and events dot the Dickens calendar each year.
Discover more amazing events in Cambridge/Guernsey County, Ohio here!