Discover Madison: Festivals, Culture, and Nature

Madison combines festival dates and agriculture with cultural offerings in London and landscape highlights across the county. To plan your trip, it helps to decide on the occasion first: the Madison County Fair takes place in July, the Farm Science Review is held annually, and London's cultural offerings range from classes at the Arts Center to theater performances with open captions on Wednesdays.

Festivals and Agriculture

The Madison County Fair takes place every July at a historic fairgrounds complex spanning more than 40 acres in London. The grounds include historic and modern buildings. Throughout fair week, 4-H and FFA members showcase their completed projects and compete for prizes. The fair also has a long history: the Madison County Agricultural Society held its first fair in 1853. The Fair thus brings together today's project presentations and a festival tradition dating back to the 19th century.

The London Strawberry Festival has been a local community tradition since the mid-1980s. Each food vendor offers at least one dish or product featuring strawberries; the specific food offerings may vary from year to year. The festival also includes the annual Strawberry Idol competition, which is open to singers of all ages. Strawberry offerings and the singing competition give the festival two distinct focuses.

Another agricultural event is the annual Farm Science Review. It is held at Ohio State University's 2,100-acre Molly Caren Agricultural Center near London, Ohio. At the 100-acre exhibit area, visitors can learn about all aspects of agricultural production. While the Madison County Fair features completed 4-H and FFA projects and competitions for prizes, the Farm Science Review offers insight into agricultural production. The exhibit area layout may change, so check current event information before your visit.

Culture in London

The London Arts Center offers classes in drawing, painting, sewing, and digital media for teens and adults. The subjects range from visual arts and crafts to digital media. Another cultural landmark is the First United Methodist Church in London. The church building dates from 1894 and is designed in the Akron Plan and the High Victorian Gothic style.

The London State Theater also offers a helpful point of reference when planning your schedule: Wednesday performances are presented with open captions for people with hearing impairments. If this offering is important to your choice, check the schedule for the specific performance in advance.

Landscape and Trip Planning

The Ohio to Erie Trail runs through Madison County, and its sections each offer distinctive landscapes and activities. Big Darby Creek lies along the boundary between Franklin County and Madison County and is designated a Scenic River at both the state and national levels. The two landscape highlights differ: the Trail stands out for its different sections, each with its own landscapes and activities, while the Creek is notable for its Scenic River designation and its location along the county boundary.

If you are looking for a hotel in Madison, first decide whether the July Fair, the Farm Science Review, a cultural offering in London, or a nature-related experience is the main focus of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Mt Sterling, London, Morgan County, Adams County, Hancock, Mahoning, Greene, Noble County

For the main travel overview: Ohio.