The 2024 celebration includes musical acts, live entertainment, food and more at the original Bob Evans Farm
RIO GRANDE– Bob Evans is proud to announce its 53rd annual Farm Festival from October 11-13, set on the original Bob Evans Farm, known as the brand’s birthplace. The 2024 Farm Festival, celebrating the farming community during the harvest season, will combine family fun, farm fresh food, live acts and more. Headlining this year’s three-day celebration is rising country star and Kentucky native, Kelsey Hart, country singer, entertainer and daughter of a multi-award-winning country artist, Tyler Reese Tritt, and American country singer, Jimmy Fortune.
“Every year, it brings great joy to our entire company to come together and give back to the farming community for this event,” said Mickey Mills, Chief Executive Officer of Bob Evans. “Our deep roots in the farming community, dating back to 1953 with the start of Bob Evans Farms, is something we never take for granted. We hope everyone can join us for our 53rd annual celebration.”
The 53rd Farm Festival will offer a weekend full of seasonal food and family friendly entertainment.
The annual celebration in Rio Grande brings a variety of delicious, farm fresh food and fall favorites for all attendees, including the famous Farm Festival Bean soup, homemade preserves, Ohio-made cheese, roasted corn on the cob, fresh-made caramel apples and more.
A crowd favorite with the history to match, Bob Evans’ famous sausage that kick-started the brand will also be available for guests to enjoy in a variety of sandwiches, or the brand’s famous sausage gravy and freshly baked buttermilk biscuits. Additionally, guests can enjoy meals all weekend long at the original Bob Evans Farmhouse Kitchen located on the property for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
At the 2024 Bob Evans Farm Festival, guests can enjoy live performances from several acts, including an up-and-coming country artist from Kentucky and the daughter of multi-award-winning country artist Travis Tritt. Kicking off the headliner acts, Tyler Reese Tritt, inspired by her father to establish herself as a noteworthy country singer and following a 2023 breakout year, will perform on Friday, October 11th at 3:30 p.m. On Saturday, October 12th, rising country sensation who has amassed over 14.6 million streams, Kelsey Hart, will be performing at 3:30 p.m. Rounding out the musical acts, American Country singer Jimmy Fortune, who performed with the legendary Statler Brothers for 21 years, will be performing on Sunday, October 13th at 3:30 p.m. Outside of the three headline acts, attendees can enjoy live music every day starting at 11:30 a.m. from renowned bluegrass, country and gospel musicians.
Attendees can also enjoy live chain saw carvings, performances from local dancers, such as Taps in Motion Cloggers, a team that perform a form of American folk dance, and activities like lumberjack challenges and horseshoe pitching. Additionally, located throughout the farm, over 60 artisans will be on-site to showcase and sell one-of-a-kind arts & crafts.
The Bob Evans Farm is located on State Route 588, just off U.S. Route 35. Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Friday, October 11 through Sunday, October 13. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance gate with either cash or credit card and are $5 for adults and free for children five and under. There will be no tickets sold in advance or online for the event. The headliner entertainment is included with the price of admission.
Farm Fest will include amusement park rides for attendees of all ages. All-day ride wristbands can be purchased for $10 for ages 13 and up, and $5 for children ages 12 and under. Individual ride tickets can also be purchased for $1 each. The Kids’ Farmyard Fun area will feature face painting, a hay bale maze, game tent, kiddie train rides and a corn pile.
Bob Evans welcomes families to camp on the farm for free from Tuesday, October 8 through Sunday, October 13 to enjoy the festival activities all weekend. Spots are available on a first come, first serve basis and no reservations are necessary.
“We’re excited to welcome everyone to the Bob Evans Farm in Rio Grande for three new musical acts, family-friendly activities, delicious food for everyone and more,” said Bob Holtcamp, President and Chief Marketing Officer for Bob Evans Restaurants. “This festival is a special time for our brand, and we can’t wait for everyone to come together and experience a weekend filled to the brim with true “Down on the Farm” activities. We can’t wait to celebrate with everyone and show them what makes our historical farm so special.”
For more information and to view the entire weekend’s schedule, visit bobevans.com/farm-festival.
