If ribs, live music, and small-town fireworks sound like a weekend well spent, put the Berlin Harvest Fest & Rib Cook-Off on your calendar.

The event takes place in the center of Berlin, Ohio on Friday and Saturday, September 5 and 6, 2025. There’s great food, places to sit and relax, and plenty of time to enjoy the town. It’s also a chance to see how this quintessential Amish Country community comes together for something it cares about.

What You’ll Find

The ribs are the main event. Starting at noon on Friday, vendors line Berlin's Main Street and nearby side streets. There are usually around ten rib teams, each with their own recipes and style. Some go sweet, some smoky, some with a dry rub. Everyone does things a little differently, which makes sampling part of the fun.

Alongside the ribs, you’ll find food trucks, lemonade stands, and other small local vendors. Enjoy kids activities and a crafts show as well as live music throughout the weekend.

Berlin is a walkable town, and you can cover the whole event on foot without much effort. You’re never far from a bench or place to sit and eat. The stretch from Sheiyah Market on one end to Sol’s in Berlin on the other gives you food, shops, and people-watching all in one go.

Friday Night: The Auction and Fireworks

One of the more meaningful parts of the weekend happens Friday evening. At 6:30, a benefit auction takes place on the town square. The items are a mix of useful and unique. In past years, they’ve included e-bikes, patio furniture, lawn tools, and fishing trips on Lake Erie. The auction raises money for local causes, including families in the community who could use a hand.

After the auction, around 8:45, there’s a fireworks display behind Sheiyah Market. The viewing area is open and easy to access. People bring folding chairs or stand nearby.

Saturday: More Ribs, a Parade, and Community Vibes

Saturday events begin again at 10 a.m. with all the food vendors back in place. Around 2 p.m., official judging takes place for the rib cook-off, with winners announced a couple of hours later. You can keep tasting as you go or just settle in with your favorite.

At 6 p.m., the parade steps off from Berlin Mennonite Church and moves through town. Enjoy a steady line of tractors, floats, local businesses, and kids tossing candy. If you want a spot near the curb, be sure to show up early.

Planning Your Visit

Parking is available around town, though it fills up quickly before the fireworks and parade. Plan on walking a few blocks.

Berlin Resort and Berlin Grande Hotel are both close. Some spots are within walking distance of the main events, depending on where you stay.

Whether you come for one day or both, you’re sure to enjoy some time away with plenty to eat and explore in a small town that knows how to make people feel welcome. If that sounds like your pace, go ahead and make the trip.