Burton – Autumn is the perfect time of the year to visit Burton Village. The beauty of fall is never the same from year to year as the hardwood trees explode into an amazing array of colors. Slower days and starry nights combine for a soothing season before being tucked in for a long winter.
The Burton Chamber of Commerce’s annual fall tradition of an Ox Roast and Ox-Tober Fest will be October 11 & 12 on the Village Green. The Log Cabin and Green will be the center of the weekend’s activities. Come enjoy the lush fall foliage while enjoying a delicious ox roast sandwich along with a frothy beer in the beer tent and foot stomping polka music. It will be a celebration of good food, good drink, good people and toe tapping music.
The original German Oktoberfest began with the marriage of the Crown Prince of Bavaria in 1810. Today, the folk festival observance is linked to the bounty of the harvest and the goodness of creation. The tradition of a Burton ox roast goes back nearly 60 years when the Burton Volunteer Fire Department began serving the hearty meal as a way to raise funds for new equipment. It was later passed on to the Burton Chamber of Commerce to continue the fall ritual.
The Chamber will be serving delicious roast (ox) beef sandwiches along with baked beans, coleslaw and dessert until 8 P.M., or sold out. Later in the afternoon hot dogs and brats will be added to the menu. All the work is done by an army of volunteers from Burton and the surrounding area and proceeds benefit the Burton area.
Take time to enjoy music in the beer tent. Saturday from noon to 4 Patty C & the Guys will be playing polkas. From 5 to 8 come rock & roll with the Ted Riser Band. Tap your toes Sunday from 2 to 6 with button box music from Kathy Hlad and Julie Tabaj.
The celebration begins both days at 10 A.M. The beer tent will be open until 8 P.M.
It may be fall and the maple trees are getting ready for winter, but maple syrup will be flowing in the Log Cabin in the park. Learn how pure maple syrup will be made come spring and enjoy a sweet maple treat or sit a spell in a rocker and enjoy the warmth of the fire in the huge stone fireplace.
There are a lot more things to see and do Ox-tober Fest Weekend. Each fall, the Scarecrows return to Burton Village. Business around town put up fun, not scary, creations. Kids of all ages enjoy touring town and seeing the fall handiwork. They will remain up until October 30.
Burton Village is home to an array of unique locally owned businesses. Explore the glass-blowing shop filled with unique works of art for the home, the vintage furniture store, the new funky boutique with clothing, jewelry and accessories, art in flowers at the florist, the old-fashioned hardware store or the gift and Amish rug shop. Each store is filled with items not found in a big box store or mall.
The park will be filled with craft vendors selling an assortment of items from 10 to 5.
For those who are enjoying their visit and don’t want to leave, the Red Maple Inn and Goodwin House B&B offer comfortable accommodations.
The Apple Butter Festival will be held on the grounds of the Geauga County Historical Society the same weekend. Large copper kettles are set up and fresh apple butter is being made. You can sample some fresh from the kettle on homemade bread or take a jar or two home to enjoy later.
Fall in Burton Village is a special time of the year. October 11 & 12 will have many extra things to see and do. Plan to bring the family and spend the day, or two. For more information call Tom Blair, 440-834-4949, Amy at the Log Cabin, 440-834-4204 or visit www.burtonchamberofcommerce.com.
