Photos courtesy of Pickerington Violet Festival
The Pickerington Violet Festival is returning after a one-year hiatus.
After 16 years of celebrating Pickerington and Violet Township’s hospitality uninterrupted, the Violet Festival was forced to close up shop for the first time. In 2014, festival organizers found themselves without a venue to hold the festival in, and the popular local attraction went on hiatus for a year.
On July 29, however, it’s back and will run through Aug. 1, powered by rejuvenated excitement in the community.
This year, the festival has moved to the Toll Gate middle and elementary schools’ campus. The new location offers more room than the festival enjoyed previously, creating the opportunity for a thoroughly reimagined layout.
“The event will work out to be bigger and better than it’s ever been,” says Chris Stein, president of the Violet Festival.
In addition to local musical acts participating each day of the festival, including the Bryon Shepherd Band and Radio Tramps, this will be the first year in which the Violet Festival will feature two nationally renowned headliners in the same year. On July 31, country music duo LoCash will take the main stage, while Aug. 1 will bring classic rock legend Kansas to Pickerington.
The presence of these enormous names in the lineup reflects a significant step forward for the Violet Festival and represents its success as an upcoming venue. More than 30,000 visitors are expected to attend over the course of the four-day celebration, making the festival the largest event in the community.
To organize something of this size, the board assembled a staff of hundreds of volunteers. The event also relies heavily on participation from local businesses, which are offering their sponsorships and giving $20,000 in resources to the organization effort.
But all the work isn’t just for a weekend of fun.
“In 2013, the festival invested more than $25,000 back into the local community,” Stein says, “including a $3,500 donation to the Pickerington Food Pantry.”
Through charitable donations, business partnerships and general exposure for the area, planners hope the festival will inspire a helpful boost in consumerism and stimulate the local economy.
Some of the businesses that will benefit a great deal from the advantages offered by the Violet Festival are the food vendors who will serve there. Normally, as many as 16 food trucks, carts and booths would dot the festival grounds. This year, organizers may choose to increase to 18-20 vendors.
The food served will be a mixture offering considerable variety. There will be Jewish, Greek and Asian dishes in addition to a wide range of fair food, including elephant ears and fried bananas.
One of the most memorable parts of the festival will take place on Saturday: the Car & Bike Show.
The show will be open for viewing with $10 admission at noon. Aug. 1 and will last through the afternoon until 4:30 p.m., when the judges will announce the awards. Commendations include plaques for the top 35 cars and top 10 bikes, along with the Best of Show award.
Other popular events include the Violet Festival Parade, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. July 31 at Pickerington High School Central before moving through town and looping back to the high school.
Runners have a chance to participate in the Diley Ridge 5K dash, a run that takes place at 9:15 a.m. Aug. 1. Children can join the fun in the Kids’ Fun Run, which is free and begins at 8:45 a.m.
“Whether it is the carnival rides, the food, the national entertainment line-up, the parade, or the car and bike show, the Pickerington Violet Festival has something for families and individuals of all ages,” Stein says.
Zach Maiorana is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at ssole@cityscenemediagroup.com.
