by Sharyn Kopf

Staff Writer

The ‘Ber months — now through December — comprise my favorite time of the year. And one of the highlights of cool weather and warm flannel and hot drinks has to be the many autumn activities. Football games, craft shows and fall festivals all come together to prepare us for cozy nights at home and, ultimately, the Christmas season.

With that in mind, the Logan County Chronicle has compiled the following list for September, so you can mark your calendar and start planning now.

We’ll be back at the end of the month with October and November events.

SEPTEMBER

6th – Indian Lake Ring of Fire, 9 to 9:30 p.m. This annual spectacle circles Indian Lake with red flares for 30 minutes.

11th – BPD Tailgate Party, 4:30 to 7 p.m. This free community event will be held at the Bellefontaine High School before the Chieftains game against the Benjamin Logan Raiders. It includes food, music, games and inflatables along with a chance to meet officers from the Bellefontaine Police Department.

12th – Indian Lake Pickleball Tournament, Old Field Beach, Lakeview, starting at 8 a.m. Men, women or mixed teams of two will compete in social or 3.0+ competitive divisions. Registration deadline is tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 5. Find out more at ohiodnr.gov or contact Robin Francisco at 937-441-0654.

12th – Fall Memories Market, 10 a.m., 1484 Township Road 181. A simple, laid back country market in a reclaimed pasture field outside Bellefontaine. Includes a photo booth, boutique shopping, handmade items and baked goods. Rain or shine. More vendors are encouraged and can email [email protected] for more information.

12th – Behind the Badge Cruise-In Logan County, 2 to 5 p.m., downtown Belle Center. Registration $10 or $5 with a toy or food donation. Showcasing classic/vintage cars, street rods, trucks and bikes. Includes a silent auction, 50/50 raffle, bounce house, beer tent, food trucks and vendors along with music from DJ Chris Roberts. Proceeds benefit the Logan County Sheriff’s Office Behind the Badge Volunteers Inc.

19th and 20th – Fall in Love with Bellefontaine. Downtown activities on Saturday are a community showcase of local nonprofits and service agencies, 12-4 p.m., a chili cook-off, 4-6 p.m., downtown Bingo and the Taste of Fall Trail, which highlights seasonal offerings at downtown bars and restaurants. Sunday features games on the courthouse lawn, 12-4 p.m. The weekend culminates with the Logan County America250 Parade.

19th – Rescue: Logan County New Path Gala, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Calvary Christian School, 1673 CR 9, Bellefontaine. Based on Proverbs 24:11—“Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.” An annual fundraiser for the Logan County New Path Pregnancy Resource Center with worship and testimonies following dinner and dessert. Registration ends today (Friday), Sept. 4. Contact Jill Smith at 317-850-5317 or email [email protected].

19th – Gun & Purses Banquet, doors open at 5 p.m., dinner at 6, Logan County

Fairgrounds show barn, Bellefontaine. Presented by the Logan County Agricultural Society, a single ticket to this inaugural event—$80—buys dinner from Vic’s Country Cooking, two drink tickets, 20 raffle tickets and six big board tickets.

Other features include live entertainment from J. Rossity Duo plus games, door prizes and more. Your guest can also get dinner and two drinks for an extra $20. Proceeds will help fund improvements to the grange building at the fairgrounds. Learn more/purchase tickets at locofair.org or through the fair office. Corporate tables are available—call 937-599-4178 for details.

20th – America250 Parade, 4 p.m., Bellefontaine. Will follow the same route as the annual Christmas Parade, proceeding north on US 68 from the Logan County Fairgrounds and down Main Street.

25th to 27th – Indian Lake Fall Festival, Indian Lake State Park, 13156 SR 235N, Lakeview. Hours are 4-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. The annual event offers food, arts and crafts, and more.

New this year: grass spots for farmer’s market vendors—local produce, baked or canned goods, etc. Interested vendors are encouraged to register by Friday, Sept. 25. Contact the park office at 937-843-2717 for more information.

26th – Behind the Words: A Christian Author Event, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wake Up the World Ministries, 600 E. Brown Avenue, Bellefontaine. A chance to interact with Christian authors as they showcase and promote their books. Humble Heartbeat Publishing LP will be the featured publisher, answering your questions, from ideas to marketing and everything in between.

26th – Discovery Riders Blues at the Barn Fundraiser, 5 to 10 p.m., Linda Laine Hauck Equestrian Center, 1797 SR 47 East, Bellefontaine. Soulful music, good vibes and great company under the stars. Includes hors d’oeuvres, dinner with drinks, live and silent auctions and raffles. Contact Discovery Riders at 937-935-6545 or visit their website, discoveryriders.org, for more information.

27th – JNS Summer Sunfest: An Arts Fest Fundraiser, 12 to 5 p.m., 1200 CR 1, Bellefontaine. After being rained out in August, this first ever event is presented by Journey Nature School at their new location off Ludlow Road. The event features live music, local art vendors and food trucks. Families can explore the space, create artwork with LoCo Art and participate in a nature scavenger hunt.

Have an October/November fall event you don’t want us to miss? Please email complete details to [email protected] before Monday, Sept. 21. ■