The four-day festival is a joint fundraiser for the Kalida Lions Club and fire department, raising money to make the community safer and improve facilities like the local parks.
KALIDA, OH (WLIO) - People flocked to Kalida for the oldest festival in the state. The 152nd annual Pioneer Days has taken over several streets in Kalida. The four-day festival is a joint fundraiser for the Kalida Lions Club and fire department, raising money to make the community safer and improve facilities like the local parks.
There's dozens of different food trucks and vendors to try, and there's activities catered to any age, from an escape artist and live music to a craft show and carnival rides. There's also a car show that was added to the festival back in the 80s.
There's dozens of different food trucks and vendors to try, and there's activities catered to any age, from an escape artist and live music to a craft show and carnival rides.
"We started in 1981 in Lima, actually, then we came here in '85, working with Rick Unverferth, and he had asked us about moving here. And so, Saturday was their worst day, and now it's their best day. The original agreement was give them 50 cars, and we usually do over 300 cars," said Michael Rigsby, a co-founder of the Pioneer Days car show.
Pioneer Days comes to a close Sunday night. The Kalida High School Band performs at 1 p.m., and the largest parade in northwest Ohio starts at 1:30 p.m. To see the full schedule of events, visit their website.
