Category: Centerburg, OH

Antique Tractors Return to the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival!

WNZR’s Josiah Styer talks with Richie Litzenberg, coordinator of the antique tractor activities at the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival.

Click HERE to listen to the entire conversation, or click on the image below!

Richie shares that his family has been involved with the Old Time Farming Festival for most of his life, while he has personally served on the festival committee for the past three years. He helps organize the antique tractor display area, coordinate equipment needs and assist with the annual tractor pull.

This year’s featured tractors are Massey-Harris models, and Richie encourages anyone with antique tractors, farm equipment, pedal tractors, hit-and-miss engines, or vintage farm trucks to bring them to Memorial Park for display. He notes that exhibitors do not need to belong to a tractor club to participate. They only have a registration area by at the infield where equipment is at. Awards and plaques will be presented for outstanding displays during the weekend.

The community parade begins Saturday at 10 a.m., followed by the Antique Tractor Parade through the park at 4 p.m. The Antique Tractor Pull takes place Sunday, with registration beginning at 10 a.m. and the competition starting at 11 a.m.

Styer talks with Richie Litzenberg, coordinator of the antique tractor activities at the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival.

Richie says one of his favorite parts of the festival is reconnecting with fellow tractor enthusiasts and showcasing tractors that have often been restored and passed down through generations. His own family enjoys the hobby together, with his children already owning tractors of their own.

Reflecting on this year’s theme, “America’s 250: Keep Plowing Forward,” Richie says it is especially meaningful as a fifth-generation farm family celebrating 160 years on their family farm. He believes the theme recognizes both America’s heritage and the importance of preserving farming traditions for future generations.

Click HERE for more information about the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival!

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Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival Keeps Tradition Alive Through Contests and Games

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talks with Cora Baitz, coordinator of the Contest and Games Tent at the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival!

Click HERE or click on the picture link below to hear the full conversation!

Cora shares about her lifelong involvement with the festival and highlights the variety of traditional contests visitors can enjoy, including sack races, bubble gum blowing, nail driving, speech contests, math competitions, arm wrestling, and the annual Cookie Contest.

Cora explains how these activities have remained a part of the festival for generations, helping preserve its old-time traditions and family-friendly atmosphere. She also discusses this year’s Cookie Contest, the cash prizes available, and the excitement surrounding a hot air balloon offering tethered rides Saturday. This year’s theme, “America’s 250: Keep Plowing Forward,” reflects the festival’s focus on honoring local farming heritage while looking toward the future.

Click HERE for more info on the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival!

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Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival Pie Auction Highlights

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talks with Judy Litzenberg, coordinator of the annual Pie Auction at the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival!

Click HERE or click the picture link below to hear the full conversation!

Judy shares about her more than 20 years of involvement with the festival and explains how the Pie Auction has become one of the event’s important fundraisers, helping keep the festival free for the community. This year’s auction will feature approximately 25 homemade pies, with flavors ranging from apple and pecan to peach, along with special bonus items donated by many of the bakers.

The Pie Auction takes place Saturday at 6 p.m. on the main stage at Memorial Park, immediately following the Youth Cookie Auction at 5:30 p.m. Past auction packages have included handmade baskets, jams and jellies, quilts, Ohio State-themed gifts, and other creative surprises. Visitors interested in bidding can register for a bidding number at the Jagger Auctioneering truck before the auction begins.

Click HERE for more info on the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival!

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Glenn Goodwin Talks with WNZR About the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival!

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talks with Glenn Goodwin, President of the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival Board.

Click HERE to listen to the entire conversation, or click the image below!

Glenn shares that he has been involved with the Old Time Farming Festival for more than 20 years. He first volunteered by helping with electrical work and through his family’s longtime food stand before eventually joining the board and serving as president.

As president, Glenn helps oversee the festival’s committees, coordinates preparations, and works to ensure that every volunteer group has the support needed to make the event successful. He emphasizes that while the president may lead the organization, the festival depends on the teamwork and dedication of many volunteers.

Glenn says one of his goals is to make sure every committee member feels valued as preparations come together for another successful festival weekend. The event takes place at Memorial Park in Centerburg, located near State Routes 3, 36, and 314. Activities begin Saturday morning with the annual parade at 10 a.m., followed by the opening ceremony and the official start of the festival.

Parking is available along State Route 314, where signs and banners will direct visitors to designated lots. Shuttle service will be available throughout the weekend, and handicap parking is offered inside the park.

The festival runs until 8pm on Saturday and they’re wrapping up at 5pm on Sunday. They have entertainment on the stage, and so much more. One of the biggest updates is moving the tractor parade from Sunday to Saturday at 4 p.m., allowing visitors to enjoy the parade before exhibitors begin loading equipment for the trip home.

Saturday’s activities also include live entertainment, a performance by the local band Hard Knocks, a children’s baking competition, and the annual pie auction, which serves as the festival’s primary fundraiser. Sunday features a community church service, choir performances, antique tractor pulls, square dancing, live entertainment and the festival concludes Sunday afternoon at 5pm with awards presentations and closing activities.

Glenn discusses the wide variety of food available during the festival, featuring many local Knox County vendors. You can enjoy barbecue, Mexican food, fish, breakfast options, blooming onions, sandwiches, ice cream, and other festival favorites. Local organizations, including the Boy Scouts, will also operate food booths throughout the weekend.

Glenn wants to see younger generations connect with older generations through the shared history of farming. Conversations between children, families, and longtime farmers help preserve agricultural traditions while encouraging appreciation for the area’s rural heritage.

This year’s theme is “America’s 250: Keep Plowing Forward.” Glenn says the theme celebrates America’s 250th birthday while encouraging people to continue building a stronger future for the next generation. He believes the festival serves as a reminder of the importance of community, hard work, and preserving local agricultural history.

Click HERE for more information about the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival!

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Lynn Brady Talks with WNZR About the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival Art Contest!

WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger talks with Lynn Brady, Art Committee Chair for the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival, about this year’s Youth Art Contest.

Click HERE to listen to the entire conversation, or click the image below!

WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger talks with Lynn Brady, Art Committee Chair for the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival.

Lynn Brady shares that she has served on the festival board for about five years, although her family has been attending and helping with the festival for nearly two decades. This year, Lynn and her daughter oversee the festival’s Youth Art Contest.

The contest invites students in grades one through twelve to create artwork that is displayed throughout the festival. Entries come primarily from Centerburg-area schools, but local homeschool students also participate. Lynn says the contest is a great opportunity for young artists to showcase their creativity while becoming part of a long-standing community tradition.

Lynn Brady explains that the artwork is displayed in the shelter house nearest the intersection of Routes 3, 36, and 314 inside Memorial Park. The exhibit remains open throughout the festival weekend, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to view the students’ work.

Students typically register through Centerburg schools, local art teachers, or homeschooling groups, with artwork being submitted through the Centerburg Library. Lynn says awards include first, second, and third-place ribbons, honorable mentions, and Best of Show honors for elementary, middle school, and high school students. New for this year are special patriotic awards tied to the festival theme, “America’s 250: Keep Plowing Forward,” along with a President’s Choice Award and a Grand Marshal’s Choice Award.

Lynn Brady says one of her favorite parts of the festival is watching families enjoy activities together and seeing students proudly show their artwork to parents and grandparents. She says the excitement on the children’s faces makes the art contest especially rewarding.

As someone who enjoys history, Lynn appreciates this year’s theme, “America’s 250: Keep Plowing Forward.” She says the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary is a meaningful milestone and is glad the celebration has been incorporated into the festival and the youth art contest. Lynn encourages families to visit the art exhibit during the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival and enjoy the creativity, talent, and community spirit that students bring to the annual event.

Click HERE for more information about the Centerburg Old Time Farming Festival!

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