WEST PORTSMOUTH, Ohio – Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the John Roger Simon Sorghum & Music Festival on September 28 and 29, 2024. This free, family-friendly event will be hosted on the picturesque Simon Farm, a historic 5th-generation French homestead nestled along Pond Creek in Scioto County.
The festival showcases Appalachian culture with a focus on traditional sorghum syrup production. Attendees will see the complete process from harvesting the cane to making the syrup, preserving a cherished local tradition.
The event also features a wide array of activities and demonstrations. Guests can explore agrarian skills such as corn shelling, apple pressing, and crafting corn husk dolls. Other demonstrations include wool spinning, blacksmithing, and plowing with draft horses.
Music lovers will enjoy a rich lineup of performances. Scheduled highlights include Joanne Springer & Tommi Robin, Eli Bedel & Sam Hibbard, and the Fancy Free Cloggers. These acts will provide a blend of authentic Appalachian music and dance.
Festival-goers can also purchase traditional country food, sorghum desserts, and freshly made apple butter. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day with free admission and parking.
For more information and the full schedule of events, visit the festival’s official website at www.sorghumfestival.org or the Arc of Appalachia’s site at www.arcofappalachia.org.
Location:
John R. Simon Farm
8721 Pond Creek-Carey’s Run Road
West Portsmouth, Ohio 45663
