PHOTOS Bluffton Icon, Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce, Swiss Community Historical Society

By Marlena Ballinger

BLUFFTON__On a beautiful fall day, September 26, Bluffton exploded with things to do thanks to the Bluffton Fall Festival and other events scheduled for the same day.

New in 2026 were food trucks and inflatables on Bluffton's Main St., courtesy of the new event promoter, the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce. Other downtown activities were face painting by Folly Faces, touch-a-truck with the Bluffton Fire Department and pumpkin painting sponsored by Ellerbrock Spine and Soft Tissue.

If you had a sweet tooth, there were slices of apple pie at 1861 Wine Lounge, following the America 250 Apple Pie Baking Contest. Judges had to taste 19 slices of pie before determining the winner. Stay tuned for an article announcing the winners.

At Bluffton High School and Middle School–and the street between them–was the Bluffton, Ohio Craft Show promoted by Event Pro Connections. This is the third year that the craft show has been held in this location and season.

Heading west, were three more Fall Festival locations. Bluffton University invited families to explore the Moyer Nature Preserve and enjoy activities including building a worm compost bin, snacks and crafts.

Mennonite Home Communities hosted an antique tractor show, bake sale, fishing derby and a kiddie tractor pull. 

The Schumacher Homestead, located on Bixel Road, provided tours, food by donation, an antique bicycle display, farm animal petting zoo, horse-drawn wagon rides, period games, a straw maze and live music.

The annual festival was started 21 years ago by Mennonite Memorial Home. This year marks the first year the chamber has coordinated the event.