Bob Evans Farms Celebrates 44th Annual Farm Festival

RIO GRANDE, Ohio – Nearly 30,000 visitors from 20 states are expected to attend the 44th annual Bob Evans Farm Festival from Friday, October 10, through Sunday, October 12, in Rio Grande, Ohio. The Farm Festival features down-home entertainment, great food, homestead living displays, and more than 100 demonstrators and crafters throughout the weekend.

“There is no place better for families, adults and kids alike to enjoy a great, affordable, fun-filled weekend than at the Bob Evans Farm Festival,” said Ray McKinniss, manager of Bob Evans Farm. “For four decades, the Farm Festival has served as part of family traditions offering a weekend of arts and crafts, kids’ activities, music, entertainment and delicious food – all for a great value. We’re looking forward to 2014 being our biggest year yet.”

The event will feature popular food items, including Bob Evans new Broasted Chicken, Bob Evans sausage, bean soup and cornbread, apple dumplings, apple cider and other farm festival fare. In addition, visitors can browse the wares of more than 100 artisans who attend the event each year, and also participate in a number of contests, including team cow chip tossing, corn shelling contests, hay bale throwing and a pie eating contest. Registration for contests begins at 9 a.m., with the contests beginning at 1:30 p.m. each day.

Each day of the farm festival will feature a number of demonstrations and various entertainment, including a clogging show by Taps in Motion, bluegrass music by The Red Brush Band, dulcimer playing by Kendra Ward Bence, a choir performance by the Dale Rawlins Singers, an At the Bandstand show by Sts. Peter & Paul School, a “That Was Bob” drama by the University of Rio Grande Theater Program, Tractor Square Dancing by the Delaware County Tractor Square Dancers, a Great Lakes Timber Show, chainsaw carving by the Stihl Chainsaw Pro Carving Team, a Wild West Show by the Ohio Top Hands Drill Team. In addition, demonstrations of sheep shearing, horseshoe pitching, cow milking, Border Collie and horseshoeing will be offered.

A variety of regional and nationally-known musical acts will also perform for crowds during the festival weekend, including The Roys, the Hillbilly Gypsies and the Joe Freeman Band on Friday at the Homestead Stage with repeat performances by The Roys and the Joe Freeman Band at 7 p.m. “in the holler” (weather permitting). On Saturday, Vernon McIntyre’s Appalachian Grass, Open Rail and The Wayfarers will perform throughout the day at the Homestead Stage. On Sunday, numerous artists will also perform at the Homestead Stage, including Rachel Burge & Blue Dawning, Johnny Staats & The Delivery Boys and Adkins & Loudermilk. A “Farewell Tour” performance by legendary country music icon, Dr. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys will round out Sunday’s performances.

Country rockers Little Texas will be a highlight for the musical entertainment this year with a performance on Saturday night “in the holler” at 7:30 p.m. Known as the “hardest-working band in country music,” Little Texas earned a CMT Award and a Billboard award for their sophomore album release that included three number-one singles, including: “What Might Have Been,” “My Love,” and “God Blessed Texas.” Tickets can be purchased for $10 now at the Bob Evans Farm Homestead, at Big Buck Country 101.5, and at Thomas Do It Center. Tickets will also be available at farm festival headquarters and at the concert gate beginning at 6 p.m.

The eighth annual Rockets Over Rio fireworks display will also be held again this year on October 11 at the University of Rio Grande and in view of the Bob Evans Farms’ primitive campground. The show will begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. following a University of Rio Grande men’s soccer game against Asbury University, which begins at 7 p.m.

For more information regarding the Farm Festival, visit http://www.bobevans.com/ourfarms/bobevansfarm/annualfarmfestival.aspx.