By Paula Pyzik Scott

Ada is throwing a big party in celebration of football--and especially footballs and football teams that are "Made in Ada." The 9th annual Made in Ada Wilson Football Festival on the evening of Saturday, August 23 will have all of the music, food and games that are essential to a great party, as well as plenty of Bulldog, Polar Bear and NFL spirit. 

Ada is the home of the Wilson Football factory which supplies balls for all levels of play up to and including the NFL and the Super Bowl. For some pre-festival activitiy, the Wilson Football Factory store will be open from noon-4:00 p.m. You can explore the new facility's lobby, which is filled with memorabilia and a Wilson gift store at 517 E. Highland Ave, Ada, Ohio.

The festival is located at Depot Park, at Main St. and Central Ave. Two live bands, eight food trucks, a beer tent, dunk tank, Wilson Airstream photo op and a Kids' Zone in the Keith's Hardware parking lot are among the attractions. Chamber director Lindsay Hollar calls this "a night packed with live music, hometown spirit, and non-stop fun." At about 10:00 p.m. there will be Ada's famous Wilson Football drop.

The Ada Rotary will be selling raffle tickets for prizes to be announced from the OhioHealth stage. You do not need to be present to win.

Entertainment includes the bands My Cousin Eddy at 5:00 p.m. and Trailer Park Ninjas at 8:00 p.m. The bands are sponsored by Middlefield Bank and Quest Federal Credit Union.

Kids’ Endzone at Keith’s Hardware
Inflatables, games, and face painting with the Ohio Northern Cheer Squad.

NEW Two endurance contests

• Made in Ada Hot Wing Challenge brought to you by Midwest BBQ, Catering & More, LLC. Only 15 brave souls will earn a spot to battle it out for wing glory, T-shirts, and prizes – not to mention bragging rights for an entire year!
• Beer Stein Hold Challenge with Old Route 69 Brewery. Steins filled with Old Route 69 beer: contestant hold steins with arm out straight. Last one standing wins. Prizes for the champion stein-holder. First 20 adults (21+) to sign up at the event.

Dunk Tank
Featuring brave members of the Ohio Northern Football Team.

Food Trucks