AUSTINBURG TOWNSHIP – More than a half a century ago, several families that lived in Austinburg Township decided they wanted a reason for the community to gather for a little bit of fun.
The Austinburg Country Days, in its 53rd year, has become a tradition that has expanded to welcome people from all over the region during the weekend of Aug. 28-30.
“Austinburg Country Days is a community event,” Austinburg Country Days President Marcy Hejduk said. “We have a group of 12 to 15 people that pull everything together just to bring the community together and give kids fun things to do in town. This has been going on for 53 years. It was started by local couples that just wanted to bring the town together. My parents were part of it. Kanda (O’Dell), who’s our treasurer, her parents were part of it. They just wanted something for people to do in town that was free for the community and give people something to do that was fun and gave their kids something to do.”
The H20 Band and Thunder Creek provided live music on Saturday night, with several out-of-town bands playing on Friday and Sunday. There were also a number of games.
“This year, we have six food trucks and 45 craft thunders,” Hejduk said. “We also have antique cars, antique tractors, and we have the rides in the back by Bortner Midway.”
The event has grown over time.
“Back a few years ago, after COVID, which hit us hard like everybody else, we were determined to make sure that it didn’t take us down,” Hejduk said. “We got a bigger group together, and we just tried to buy better prizes and get more entertainment and more things for the kids to enjoy, to draw more people here with social media and everything like that. We’ve done a good job getting it more out to the public.”
A large crowd showed up for each day of the festival.
“Between yesterday and today, there’s probably been at least 1,000 people here, maybe more,” Hejduk said. “We have a drawing tonight for the raffle. The big prizes are tomorrow night and between like 4 and 7 p.m., we’re just packed with people buying tickets, putting their tickets in the buckets to win prizes. Tomorrow will be a big day.”
“I am so proud,” Hejduk continued. “We have worked for a whole year, and so much money and effort is put into all these raffle prizes. The fire department contributes by having their beer tent. All that money goes to the fire department. It’s just so good to see people out and doing things.”
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