BYESVILLE, Ohio (AVC News) — Jonathan Bye Days returns to Byesville this week with four days of rides, live entertainment, food, vendors, contests, patriotic activities and community events.
The festival begins Thursday, Aug. 20, and continues through Sunday, Aug. 23. Most events will take place at Patriot Park near the intersection of South Second and Main streets.
The festival information tent will be located in the Simple Windows and Doors parking lot next to the beer garden.
Festival Schedule
Thursday, Aug. 20 — Ride Preview Night
- 5 p.m.: Ride Preview opens.
Friday, Aug. 21 — First Responder Night
Friday’s events are sponsored by J&S Tree Service.
- 4-6 p.m.: Museum open to the public.
- 4-6 p.m.: Kids and Adults Iron Challenge obstacle courses at CrossFit Iron 27:17 on Main Avenue.
- 5 p.m.: Rides open for Free Ride Friday. All rides are free, sponsored by Moore Bros Hardware and Double J Fencing.
- 5:15 p.m.: Opening ceremony with the Byesville VFW.
- 5:30 p.m.: Tracy Blaine performs Southern rock and country.
- 6 p.m.: Beer garden opens in the Simple Windows and Doors parking lot.
- 6-9 p.m.: Motorcycle, ATV and side-by-side show.
- 6-9 p.m.: First responder Touch-a-Truck event featuring fire trucks, ambulances, police vehicles and other emergency vehicles.
- 7:30-8 p.m.: Talent show. A $100 prize will be awarded in each division. Registration begins at 6 p.m. at the festival information tent.
- 8:15-10 p.m.: Non-Friction performs hits from the 1970s and 1980s.
Saturday, Aug. 22 — Veterans Day
Saturday will honor those who have served and is sponsored by Byesville VFW Post 3760.
- All day: America 250 Locomotive Train at the tracks near Glass Avenue.
- 9 a.m.-noon: Museum open.
- 9 a.m.-noon: Adults and Kids Iron Challenge obstacle courses.
- Noon: Adult donut-eating contest for ages 16 and older.
- Noon-4 p.m.: Historic and newly renovated Main Avenue Methodist Church open house.
- 1 p.m.: Rides open.
- 1 p.m.: Byesville Patriot Bed Race on Main Street.
- 1 p.m.: M&M Dance performance.
- 2 p.m.: Great American Youth Pedal Pull.
- 2:30 p.m.: E Wade performs.
- 3:45 p.m.: Carson Clouse performs traditional country music.
- 4 p.m.: Beer garden opens.
- 5 p.m.: Great American Patriot and Petriot Parade. Registration and lineup begin at 3:30 p.m.
- 6 p.m.: Great American Petriot Show.
- 7 p.m.: Guest speaker and America 250 ceremony.
- 8:30 p.m.: Nashville recording artist Josh Pantry and his band perform.
- 10 p.m.: Fireworks launched from Rasors Field.
Sunday, Aug. 23 — America 250 Patriot Day
Sunday will focus on patriotic activities celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
- All day: Patriotic selfies with an America 250 background near the Patriot Park mural.
- 9 a.m.: Byesville Patriot 5K Run/Walk.
- 9 a.m.: 8U girls softball tournament at Rasors Field.
- 11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Car show.
- Noon: Rides open.
- 1 p.m.: Pizza-eating contest at Tommy’s Pizza.
- 1-2:30 p.m.: The Cruz Ins perform hits from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.
- 3:30-5 p.m.: Music DJ.
Food And Vendors
Organizers say visitors will have several food options throughout the festival, including Dirty Tabs LLC, JC’s Concessions, Slum Dogs, Mr. Teds Thai Food and Spud Muffin.
A variety of crafts, organizations and other vendors are also scheduled to attend, including Yvonne’s Tumblers & More, Holy Fire Face Painting, Chucky’s Custom Tackle, Guernsey County Children’s Services, Craft Addict and Brittany Richardson Crafts.
Street Closures
Several Byesville streets will be closed during the festival beginning at noon Friday, Aug. 21, and are scheduled to reopen at 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23.
Closures include:
- Main Street from North Third Street to the funeral home.
- South Second Street from Main Street to Seneca Street.
- North Second Street from Main Street to High Street.
Adjoining side streets may experience temporary restrictions to Main Street during the parade.
Traffic will be detoured along High Street to Willis Street, which runs next to the school. No on-street parking will be permitted on High Street for the duration of the festival.
Byesville Patriot 5K
The Byesville Patriot 5K Run/Walk will begin at 9 a.m. Sunday as part of Jonathan Bye Days and the community’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
The event will begin at the Byesville Fire Department on Seneca Avenue and travel through downtown Byesville, past the former Byesville Elementary School, through Byesville Village Park and residential areas before looping past the Veterans Memorial in Greenwood Cemetery.
The course will then continue through the Euclid Avenue residential area before finishing on South Second Street at Patriot Park.
Race-day packet pickup begins at 7:30 a.m.
The 5K run will award the top three overall male and female finishers, along with the top three male and female finishers in the following age groups: under 14, 15-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60 and 60 and older.
The 5K walk will award the top three overall male and female finishers, with no age-group awards.
Participants who opt in will receive automatic text and email results immediately after finishing. Results will also be available on-site through race kiosks and the race website.
Race packets include a custom T-shirt featuring the official race logo, a memorial race bib and other sponsor items. Water and refreshments will be available at the finish line.
Participants registered by Aug. 14 are guaranteed a T-shirt, while additional shirts will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
The entry fee for the 5K Run/Walk is $30, with a race-day fee of $35. Entry fees are nonrefundable.
Proceeds from the race will benefit the Village of Byesville Parks Department.
For race questions, contact Race Director Roy Netting at 740-680-3057 or Jennifer Vincent at 740-584-5400.
Additional Jonathan Bye Days information and updates are available through the festival’s Facebook page.
Last Updated on August 19, 2026 by AVC News
