The Heart of Ohio organization announced that the 2026 USA Days festival will undergo significant changes, including new dates and event adjustments.
According to the announcement, a new event scheduled in Croton at the Fairgrounds on the same weekend as the usual festival would likely impact attendance. Additionally, the rides company was not available for the normal dates. To address these issues, organizers conducted a social media poll across Centerburg platforms. The majority of respondents supported moving the festival date to ensure rides would be available and eliminating Thursday night activities due to historically low attendance.
As a result, this year’s festival will take place on Friday and Saturday, June 19 and 20. The festivities will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday and continue Saturday after the parade. Organizers said there will be "some exciting new things happening along with the usual parade, entertainment, games, food, and of course, fireworks!"
Two major fundraisers are planned: one involving blanket sales and another featuring a hypnotist show in the high school auditorium with local participants. The date for this event will be announced once it is coordinated with the school calendar.
A new performance has also been added for Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the park—Olde Wrestling—which organizers described as an opportunity to "go back to the old days when the sport began," featuring slapstick comedy intended for all ages.
Further updates about additional events are expected to be released soon according to the official roster page.
