A staple of the fall season is the variety of markets and festivals that are held annually during this time of year, many of which are calling this year one of their best. Two locations close to the university held events this past week.
German Village Makers Market’s Apple Fest
Last Sunday, the German Village Makers Market, established in 2018, hosted their annual Apple Fest to over 10,000 people.
The GVMM gives a platform for independent business owners to set up shop eight Sundays throughout each year. Alongside independent illustrator Collin Williams, who has helped host the event for the last four years, GVMM hosts annual events such as the Apple Fest to give as big of a chance to these small businesses to get as much exposure as possible.
GVMM’s website describes themselves as “Columbus, Ohio’s favorite outdoor artisan market,” featuring more than 65 businesses that make baked goods, apparel, custom ceramics and jewelry, art and much more.
This year’s event had a raffle basket that featured products from all of the makers at the event. Shoppers had to buy from three different shops to fill out their raffle card for a chance to win. They also had a scavenger hunt that people could participate in while exploring the market. Shoppers could find up to 25 different prizes that could be redeemed for different rewards. 20 of them were pre-filled raffle cards, and the other five were $50 prizes that could be spent at the Apple Fest.
Many of the small businesses advertise primarily on social media apps like Instagram, with the official GVMM account also making a post about the event.
“Apple Fest 2026 was bigger than we ever imagined. Thank you to everyone who showed up, supported local, and spent your day with us,” read the post.
Lue’s Lemonade, a featured business by GVMM, also made a post about their successful stand during this year’s event. “A SOLD. OUT. WEEKEND. We are SO thankful for ALL of you who showed up and supported us!”
GVMM’s next event is its Village Lights, another special annual event, on Dec. 6 from 3–8 p.m.
The Circleville Pumpkin Show
Each year since 1903, excluding years during both World Wars and the COVID-19 pandemic where the show wasn’t able to be held, on the third Wednesday through Saturday in October, the city of Circleville hosts the pumpkin show, the “Greatest Free Show on Earth.”
The Circleville Pumpkin Show is approximately a 40-minute drive from the university.
At the event, small business owners and food truck vendors are able to prove themselves to the approximately 400,000 total attendees. The food stands often offer many different pumpkin flavored foods in celebration of the show. The Circleville Pumpkin Show is regarded as the biggest festival in the United States dedicated to pumpkins.
Each night of the event, different local school’s marching bands participate in the various parades held, as well as community members that own vintage cars.
A large number of fair rides are also at the event beginning Tuesday night, giving kids and teens an opportunity to enjoy the festival as well.
People can bring in pumpkins that they’ve grown to be weighed on the first day of the event. This year, Troy Van Arsdalen broke the pumpkin show record for largest pumpkin, weighing in at 2,455 lbs, dethroning the previous record, which stood for three years, by over 60 lbs.