LEESBURG, Ohio — The Leesburg Festival returns to downtown Leesburg for its 2026 run Aug. 7-8, with organizers promising two days of food, live music, contests and a nighttime 5K through the village.
The festival is staged each year on the first weekend of August at the Leesburg Firehouse, 200 South St., a partnership between local businesses, the Leesburg Fire Department and other community members built around what organizers describe as a village that supports each other well, according to the Leesburg Festival’s Facebook page.
Friday’s schedule opens with yard sales around the village and an 11 a.m. fish fry that runs through 9 p.m. The festival itself opens at 5 p.m., followed by the Rumble in the ‘Burg Cruise In at 6 p.m. and a 6:30 p.m. ceremony honoring state champion thrower Meri Jackson, the festival said in a post. Art show registration begins at 7 p.m., and the night winds down with a 9 p.m. Neon Block Party featuring DJ Hard Rockin’ Haynie alongside the 12th annual Glow Run, which includes a 1-mile fun run and a 9 p.m. start along with a 5-kilometer race at 10 p.m. The festival closes each night at the end of the Glow Run.
Saturday’s lineup begins at 9 a.m. with the festival’s reopening and registration for a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, followed at 11 a.m. by a bicycle, tricycle and scooter decorating contest and, at 11:30 a.m., a baby costume contest built around an America 250 theme, according to the festival. The Little Miss and Little Mr. Leesburg winners are announced at 12:30 p.m., with a Leesburg’s Got Talent showcase at 1 p.m. and a Fire Department water day at 1:30 p.m.
A cornhole tournament registers at 2 p.m., with live music from the Good News Gathering Praise Band at 3 p.m. and dessert contest registration at 4:30 p.m. The Stars and Stripes Festival Parade steps off at 5:30 p.m., followed by Jeepin’ in the ‘Burg and photos with a princess, both at 6 p.m. Art show and dessert contest winners are announced at 6:30 p.m. alongside a scholarship auction on the main stage, and the festival closes for 2026 after a 7 p.m. performance by Filo Bedoe that runs until 10 p.m.
Organizers cautioned that the schedule remains subject to change while a few remaining details are finalized, according to the festival’s Facebook page.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Leesburg Festival.
