Spectacular scenes like those of John Wayne and James Stewart movies will be retold in live action this September as the Old West Festival – a one-of-a-kind event in Ohio – rolls back into town at its permanent site just 15 minutes from I-275, east of Cincinnati. The third annual Old West Festival – running weekends September 11 to October 10 – will transform rambling acreage of beautiful country into an authentic Dodge City Wild West town dating back to 1878.

Visitors will be stepping back in history to a time when famous lawmen like Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp reigned, where gamblers such as Doc Holiday played faro and Boothill was a place you didn’t want to be at the end of the night.

The permanent old west town will be educational and fun for the entire family. Store fronts will include antique, western-themed and hand-made crafts. Period interpreters will walk the streets, posing for photos or saying howdy. Cold beer, sarsaparilla, soft drinks and food will be served in the Long Branch Saloon. Young ‘uns will be able to pan for gold; watch puppet shows; participate in a family sing-along to period music like ‘Coming Round the Mountain’; and even get sworn in as deputies, that is if they take the official oath. It they choose, they’ll travel the frontier in covered wagons, on ponies or horses; riding the 19th century steam locomotive inspired Sante Fe Deadline, or visiting the pioneer village. Historically accurate shows will include medicine shows, saloon shows, magic, storytelling and can can dancers. And a variety of bluegrass acts will be on stage throughout the day…plus square dancing and much more. There will even be authentic jaw dropping gun fight reenactments by The Big Iron Rangers daily.

Festival times and hours are Saturdays and Sundays running September 11 to October 10 from 10 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. The Festival is located at 1449 Greenbush Cobb Rd between Mt. Orab and Williamsburg, Ohio just off St. Rt. 32.

Cost is $10 general admission; $6 for children ages 6 to 12; and children under 5 are free.