An Ada gridiron celeration
A demonstration of how NFL footballs are produced and an exhibit from the home of professional football are among new features that have been added to the Made in Ada Football Festival, which will be held Aug. 24.
Among new highlights that promise to be fan favorites are the “Wilson Experience,” which demonstrates the process of how footballs are made and an exhibit by the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Among other highlights are pre-season football scrimmages featuring the Ada High School and Ohio Northern University football teams and marching bands, as well as a performance by the band “Nashville Crush.” In addition, raffle tickets will be sold throughout the day to win commemorative Wilson footballs.
The event begins with the Wilson Football Factory garage sale at 8 a.m. and concludes with the traditional football drop at 10 p.m. in the Ada Depot Park. It includes an array of activities throughout the day that are designed to appeal to football fans of all levels of interest.
The festival celebrates Ada’s contribution to the gridiron sport, as all footballs used in the National Football League are made in Ada’s Wilson Football Factory. The event is sponsored by the Ada Area Chamber of Commerce.
Following is a schedule of events:
· 8 a.m. to noon. Wilson Football Factory garage sale, 217 Liberty St.
· Pre-Season Kickoff Classic Scrimmage, ONU Dial-Roberson Stadium
• “Wilson Experience” museum exhibit
• 9:30 a.m. Ada High School Marching Band performs
• 10 a.m. Ada High School vs. Perry High School
• Noon. ONU Marching Band performs
• 12:30 p.m. ONU vs. Trine University
· 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Made in Ada Football Festival, Ada Depot Park
• Sale of raffle tickets for commemorative footballs and a smoker
• Watch footballs being made at the “Wilson Experience” exhibit
• Pro Football Hall of Fame exhibit
• Tailgating area featuring games and raffles
• 5 p.m. Presentation on football design and technology by Wilson engineers
• 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Nashville Crush performs
• 10 p.m. Wilson football drop
Sponsors include:
Liberty National Bank, Lewis Family McDonald’s, Quest Federal Credit Union, Century 21 Sunway Realty, Hardin County Chamber and Business Alliance, Hardin Memorial Health, Bluffton Hospital,
Kiwanis Club of Ada, Beam Suntory, Ada Area Chamber of Commerce, Pro Football Hall of fame, Village of Ada, Ohio Northern University, Wilson, Tavern 101, William H. Bass Trucking Inc., Interim Healthcare Hospice of Lima,
Ream McElroy VFW Post 9381, The Rogers Agency, The Inn at Ohio Northern University, Hanson-Neely Funeral Home, Mid-Ohio Energy Cooperative Inc., Vancrest of Ada, US Bank, Auburgey Construction Company,
Viva Maria, NASG Ohio LLC, VanDyne Law Office, Peter Previte, Attorney at Law; Jalapenos Mexican Grill, and The Mercantile on Main.
Stories Posted This Week
Saturday, August 8, 2026
Friday, August 7, 2026
- BHS Junior Class to hold Post Prom fundraiser on Sept. 13
- Aug. 23 anniversary celebration at Tri-County Family Assembly of God
- Pirate boys golf 10th at L-B Invite
- Save these dates: Four more months of America 250 events in Bluffton
- Lens turns Bluffton's NNO fireworks to neon
- Should all beavers beware of Buc-ee's logo litigation?
- Letter: As Ohio grows, conservation must become part of the conversation
- 2026 Lincoln Highway Buy Way sales August 13-15
- History you can taste: Bluffton celebrates local businesses on Aug. 8
Thursday, August 6, 2026
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
- History Day scavenger hunt with 12 clues
- Remembering the magic of Hankish sweet shop on Aug. 8
- Pirate boys golf opens with a win at Ft. Jennings, 2nd at Royal Invite
- Pirate girls golf opens season with Lincolnview Invite
- WIP Wednesday: Bluffton Scrap Artist Quilters
- July 2026 land transfers in the Bluffton school district