Walton’s 50th annual Old Fashion Day is set for Saturday, Sept. 9. The theme for 2023 is a “Golden Celebration” to honor the holiday’s half-century of observance.
The celebration includes a weekend full of activities, including a 5k race, mayor’s picnic, and the traditional Old Fashion Day parade and festival.
The festivities kick off on Friday, Sept. 8. Hoxworth Blood Bank will host a blood donation drive outside of El Toro on Chestnut Drive. Participating donors will receive a free food voucher for use on Old Fashion Day.
Later, Walton will host a movie night at Walton Park. Beginning approximately at dusk, Walton will show the movie “Trolls” for children and families to enjoy.
The following morning on Sept. 9, the Old Fashion Day annual celebration begins.
The day gets off to an early start with the Old Fashion Day 5k road race. Runners will take off at 8 a.m. from the Walton Firehouse at 12600 Towne Center Dr. The cost to participate is $25, and registration ends at midnight on Sept. 7. All proceeds will go towards the Larry Kid’s Foundation to support needy students in the Walton-Verona school district.
Following the road race, the Old Fashion Day parade begins its procession at 11 a.m., starting in front of the Kohls on Towne Center Drive. The day will continue with a festival on Main Street, including live music from Gen X and other bands, craft booths and games, as well as food trucks and free Kona Ice.
The night will end with a fireworks show, slated to begin at 9:30 p.m.
Lastly, the weekend will wrap up on Sunday, Sept. 10, with a mayor’s picnic from 2 to 4 p.m. at Walton Park. Attendees can munch on hamburgers and hot dogs while jamming to the music of a bluegrass band.
The Walton food pantry will be in attendance to accept donations from participants. While it is not required to donate canned goods to attend the mayor’s picnic, Walton encourages its residents to do so.
The picnic will also host the Cincinnati Beard Barons for a beard and mustache contest and a dog show and agility course contest.
The Old Fashion Day holiday celebrated in Walton dates back to 1973, established on the 175th birthday of Boone County.
Over the years, Walton residents have celebrated by decorating their windows with old-fashioned photos and heirlooms or even by dressing in period costumes for the day’s festivities – particularly the annual parade.