2026 Columbia Hometown Festival!
The Festival is being coordinated by The Columbia Youth Players, a non-profit non-denominational faith-based group that coordinates the Community Christmas Play, Columbia Bingo, The Spring Designer Purse Bingo, The Miss Greater Cleveland Scholarship Program, and the Mother’s Day Tea Party.
Volunteers, Sponsors, Donors, & Vendors wanted!
Questions?
Phone
(440) 263-9131
Email
ccottom@kent.edu
2026 Columbia Station Hometown Schedule
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
VENDORS SET UP 12-NOON-9 PM
Chicken Dinner, 5-7 pm
$15.00 per person
Colors posted at 4:45 by American Legion Post 572 with
National Anthem Performed by
VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS EAT FREE And Receive a Challenge coin courtesy of the Pam Coleman Family
Pavillon “A” behind the fire department
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June Thursday, 25; Friday, June 26; and Saturday, June 27, 2026
Columbia Township Park
FEATURING FIRST OHIO LIGHT ARTILLERY CO K
REENACTORS! Demonstrations throughout Homecoming
behind the VFW
5:00- 11:00 Thursday & Friday, 12:00-11:00 Saturday
Vendors, Bingo, Contests, Rides, Music, and Fireworks!
2026 Columbia Station Homecoming Ride Company-
McGinnis Amusements! The same company from the Lorain County Fair!
Fireworks on Saturday, June 27! Rain date Sunday, June 28
Coordinated by The Columbia Youth Players
Charmae Cottom, Director, 440.263.9131/ ccottom@kent.edu
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Park opens at 5:00- Vendors, Bingo, Rides, Music, & Food!
FEATURING FIRST OHIO LIGHT ARTILLERY CO K
REENACTORS! Demonstrations throughout Homecoming
behind the VFW
5:00- EVERYDAY, take a selfie and scan the QR code to submit it for the daily video loop!
6:00- National Anthem performed by
6:30-9:00- Bingo!
$20.00 to play all games or $5.00 per game
Must be 18 to play
7:00 Band: Bridge the Gap
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Friday, June 26, 2026
Park opens at 5:00- Vendors, Bingo, Rides, Music, & Food!
FEATURING FIRST OHIO LIGHT ARTILLERY CO K
REENACTORS! Demonstrations throughout Homecoming
behind the VFW
5:00- EVERYDAY, take a selfie and scan the QR code to submit it for the daily video loop!
6:00- National Anthem performed by
6:15- Baby Liberty Crowning- Cottom’s Wildlife Main Stage
(Categories: 6-18 months, 19-35 months, 3-5 year olds)
Registration must be received by Friday, June 25
$10.00 entry fee
All participants receive a crown, sash, & gift bag.
6:30-9:00- Bingo!
$20.00 to play all games or $5.00 per game
Must be 18 to play
7:00- 9:00- The Cottom Catz Band
9:00-11:00- Almost Allman Band
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Saturday, June 28, 2025
10:00-11:00- The Seaway Bolt Sponsor and Vendor Breakfast,
Columbia High School Cafeteria
12:00-1:30- Queen’s Breakfast
Columbia High School Cafeteria
Park opens at 12:00- Vendors, Bingo, Rides, Music, & Food!
FEATURING FIRST OHIO LIGHT ARTILLERY CO K
REENACTORS! Demonstrations throughout Homecoming
behind the VFW
12:00- EVERYDAY, take a selfie and scan the QR code to submit it for the daily video loop!
12:00-1:00 Kid’s Games coordinated by Girl Scout Troop 50421
2:00- Yankee Doodle Parade Line up at the Columbia Eagle’s Club
3:00- Columbia Eagle’s Club Yankee Doodle Parade!
3:00- National Anthem performed by Tracy Sabol at Parade Grandstand
4:30- National Anthem performed by Jennifer Darling-Mellott at Grandstand
4:30- Queen’s Introductions- Cottom’s Wildlife Main Stage
4:45- Parade winners announced
TROPHIES AND RIBBONS!
Parade Car Award Categories
🏆 Appearance & Design
Best Decorated Car
Best Theme Car
🚘 Vehicle Type Awards
Best Classic Car
Best Antique Car
Best Vintage Car
Best Muscle Car
Best Truck/SUV
Best Tractor
✨ Special Recognition
Judge’s Choice
🧒🎉 Kids’ Group Parade Award Categories
⭐ Creativity & Theme
Most Creative Youth Group
Best Themed Youth Entry
Best Use of Costumes
🚶♀️🚶♂️ Walking & Performance
Best Children’s Walking Group
Most Spirited Youth Group
Best Performance (dance, cheer, routine)
🎨 Decorations & Design
Best Decorated Wagon
Best Decorated Bikes/Scooters
5:00- FREE Guiness Book of World Records Oreo Stacking Contest!
ALL AGES
6:30- FREE Watermelon Eating Contest
Ages- 5-10, 11-17, 18-? Woot! Woot!
6:30-9:00-Bingo!
$20.00 to play all games or $5.00 per game
Must be 18 to play
7:00- The Diamond Project Band
10:00- Fireworks! (Rain Date: Sunday, June 28)
11:00- Park Closes
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Sunday, June 29, 2025
12:00-5:00 Clean up
A big THANKYOU to the Sponsors of the 2026 Columbia Hometown Festival Sponsors!
FIREWORK’S SPONSOR
1. Columbia VFW Post 9340
RUBY SPONSOR
1. Cottom’s Wildlife Removal Main Stage
2. Columbia Eagle’s Club
PEARL SPONSOR
1. Seaway Bolt
2. Gold Star Food Service
3. Kolar Concessions
COMMUNITY SPONSORS
Thank you to our repeat donors marked with an asterisk. We are grateful for your continued support.
1. *Karen Jeffries
2. *Lee Boise: Rural Urban Record
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CONCESSIONS
1. Artino’s Sausage Sandwiches
2. Feelin’ Good Ice Cream
3-4. Gold Star Food Service: Polish Sausage & Footlong Corndogs
5-7. Kolar Concessions: Corn Dogs, Fried cheese, French Fries, Funnel Cakes, Elephant Ears, Fried Oreos, Lemonade, Sodas
6-8. Kurtz Concessions: Steak Sandwiches, Fried Veggies, Bloomin’ Onion and Lemonade
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Vendors
1. Ava Stine Jewelry
2. Columbia Youth Players
3. Cottom’s Wildlife Removal
4. Different Branches
5. Friends of the Columbia Library
6. Joyce Factory Direct
7. Leafguard
8. Lorain County Auditor’s Office
9. Nerf Ax Game
10. Photo Opp: Barbie Box
11. Photo Opp: Wicked, Glenda & Elphaba
12. Photo Opp: Columbia Homecoming Festival
13. Seaway Bolt
14. Shear Shack
15. Universal Windows
16. Wilkovich Antiques
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