From fall festivals and fright-night fun to cancer-awareness fundraisers and farmers’ markets, the coming week packs something into nearly every day across southern Ohio. Here is what is happening, day by day.
Monday, Oct. 12
Dahlia U-Pick Flower Field Experience — 11 a.m., 3477 State Route 247, Hillsboro. Stroll a grower’s dahlia field and pick your own bouquet or snap photos during the final week of blooms this season. https://www.facebook.com/events/1119486834145884/
Monday Night Community Bike Rides — 5:30 p.m., Fifty West Brewing Company, 1 N. Paint St., Chillicothe. A free, casual weekly group ride around town led by Aaron Lynch; arrive between 5 and 5:30, and first-timers get a drink token. https://www.facebook.com/events/1997814494414419/
Fall Door Hanger Paint Night — 6 p.m., The Gathering Place, 1501 State Route 522, Wheelersburg. An evening of painting your own wooden door hanger, hosted by Brooke McNutt and Heath. https://www.facebook.com/events/2210054722899617/
Clay Pumpkin Patch hand-building workshop — 6:30 p.m., Portagree Pottery, 37 N. Paint St., Chillicothe. Shape your own clay pumpkin — no pottery experience needed — with kiln firings and a return visit to glaze it. Cost is $25 per person. https://www.facebook.com/events/962975730180075/
Lady Cavs “Blocking Out Cancer” volleyball night — Monday evening, Chillicothe High School. The Lady Cavaliers volleyball team hosts Waverly for a special night honoring cancer survivors and remembering those lost. https://facebook.com/groups/SouthernOhioBulletinBoard/permalink/3420534004803472/
Tuesday, Oct. 13
The Original Portsmouth Farmers Market — Tuesday morning, 215 Market St., Portsmouth. Local producers will have tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, onions, kale, flowers, Amish-canned goods and more. https://www.facebook.com/events/1026303703167306/
Security officers hiring event — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., The Queen Beanery Coffee House, 25675 State Route 41, Peebles. Sunstates Security will interview for full-time, part-time and flex positions across all three shifts, with pay starting at $19 an hour with weekly pay. https://www.facebook.com/events/1586853009801423/
Trivia Tuesdays at Oddfellows — 6 p.m., 526 2nd St., Portsmouth. Weekly trivia with DJ Geek Techneek; round winners earn a free round of bowling, and the night’s top team takes a $25 Oddfellows prize. https://www.facebook.com/events/2477733639358492/
Ohio River/Portsmouth Line Dancing — 7 p.m., New Boston Eagles 2271, 3200 Rhodes Ave., New Boston. Open to the public, with guided line-dance instruction mixed with social dancing. Cover is $5 for members and $10 for the general public. https://www.facebook.com/events/1512508750890816/
Wednesday, Oct. 14
Lunch & Lead with Mike Throne — noon, 45 E. Main St., Chillicothe. The chamber’s monthly luncheon series returns, with Chamber CEO Mike Throne leading conversation aimed at emerging leaders. https://www.facebook.com/events/1503319717425041/
Community Resource Event — 2 to 7 p.m., Rozelle Creek Marathon Station, 4152 Rozelle Creek Rd., Chillicothe. The Ross County Health District and Equitas host an afternoon of community resources and connections. https://www.facebook.com/events/1612764517018531/
Chillicothe Line Dance Nights — 6:30 to 9 p.m., American Legion Post 757, Chillicothe. The weekly 10-week line dance class series continues; $10 cover. https://www.facebook.com/events/24339121245745305/
Thursday, Oct. 15
Fall Festival of Leaves Queen Pageant — 7 p.m. parade and ribbon cutting, 8 p.m. pageant, The Paxton Theatre, Bainbridge. The festival crowns its queen ahead of the weekend; admission is $5, and the pageant streams live on Litter Media’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. https://facebook.com/groups/SouthernOhioBulletinBoard/permalink/3420347778155428/
Cancer awareness walk (Light the Night) — 6 p.m. registration, 6:30 p.m. walk, starting and ending at Picture This Gift Shop, 141 W. Water St., downtown Chillicothe. A one-mile evening walk downtown to celebrate survivors, remember those who have passed and support blood cancer research through Blood Cancer United. https://facebook.com/groups/SouthernOhioBulletinBoard/permalink/3419904834866389/
Horror Movie Trivia — 6:30 p.m., Old Capitol Brewing, 79 N. Paint St., Chillicothe. Bring your scary-movie knowledge and a team of up to six to compete for a $25 gift card. https://www.facebook.com/events/1700739691018401/
Music Bingo — 6:30 p.m., Fifty West Brewing Company, 1 N. Paint St., Chillicothe. Weekly music bingo hosted by Cameron Mitchell, with gift cards for the different bingos. https://www.facebook.com/events/1048352790961083/
Karaoke at The Grove of Pike County — 9 p.m., The Grove of Pike County. A night of karaoke and fun; all are welcome. https://www.facebook.com/events/1168761831678700/
Friday, Oct. 16
Fire district fish fry fundraiser — 3 to 8 p.m., 8123 State Route 135, Lynchburg. The Lynchburg Area Joint Fire and Ambulance District hosts a fish fry with dine-in and drive-thru service; adult fish dinners are $10, kids dinners are $6, and shrimp and fish-and-shrimp combos are also available. Proceeds benefit the district. (Announced by the district on its Facebook page.)
Fall Festival of Leaves begins — downtown Bainbridge. Southern Ohio’s fall festival weekend gets underway with vendors, rides, food, a car show and live entertainment, running through Sunday. https://fallfestivalofleaves.com
MTG Two Headed Giant Commander Night — 6:30 p.m., 2055 N. Bridge St., Chillicothe. A two-versus-two Commander night: three rounds, with any booster pack purchase as entry and promo cards and packs for prizes. https://www.facebook.com/events/2173550350262037/
Saturday, Oct. 17
Half Rox for Hope — first heat at 8 a.m., 600 Day Rd., Mount Orab. A partner fitness challenge hosted by Solution Based Wellness and Bully Training Center, benefiting Hope House Christian Counseling Center. https://www.facebook.com/events/1178587871195813/
Rule the Roost trail race — 8 a.m. The third annual Runfluent trail event wraps the Ohio trail series with a 7K, a 12-hour solo and a two-person relay on an all-trail loop course through fall color. Check the event page for venue and registration details. https://www.facebook.com/events/1593728055287718/
Career Tech Kids Day — 9 a.m., 895 Crouse Chapel Rd., Chillicothe. The career center opens its doors for kids to explore hands-on careers; the t-shirt guarantee deadline has passed, but registration remains open. https://www.facebook.com/events/1735517047664747/
Coffee & Chat — 10 a.m. to noon, Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library annex. The weekly Saturday-morning gathering; coffee and snacks provided, open to all ages. https://www.facebook.com/events/1565974914447729/
Holiday Bazaar — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mt. Sterling Community Center, 164 E. Main St., Mt. Sterling. Local crafters, artisans and home-based vendors with a food cafe, door prizes and a grand prize; admission and parking are free, and proceeds benefit the community center. https://www.facebook.com/events/1453369349515722/
Nature is Neat — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 7660 Cave Rd., Bainbridge. The Highlands Nature Sanctuary’s free children’s program runs Saturday afternoons through October; drop in anytime for exploration. https://www.facebook.com/events/1693828091616019/
Fall Festival of Leaves — downtown Bainbridge, all day. The festival continues Saturday with the “Opportunity Knocks” talent competition preliminaries from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Paxton Theatre and a performance by Ben Davis Jr. at 5 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/events/1598666171200928/
Fright Night: Downtown Chillicothe Adult Trick or Treat — 5 p.m., downtown Chillicothe. Grab a bucket and hit participating downtown shops for specials, treats and surprises — costumes welcome, with a costume contest at the Chillicothe Antique Emporium and $1 off beer in costume at 50 West Brewing. https://www.facebook.com/events/4230184143778719/
Hillsboro RoundTown Cruisers monthly cruise night — 5 p.m., Hillsboro. The final cruise night of the 2026 season for the monthly gathering of classic cars and cruising fans. https://www.facebook.com/events/1153623520270009/
Sunday, Oct. 18
Lift for a Cure — noon, BodyZone Elite Wellness Center, 11 Executive Center Dr., Chillicothe. A breast cancer charity powerlifting meet: lift strong, fight together. https://www.facebook.com/events/1752835799079914/
The Art of the Breath: Pranayama Workshop — 1 p.m., 32 E. Second St., Chillicothe. A guided workshop on the yogic practice of conscious breathing, in three intentional stages. https://www.facebook.com/events/1394417739565694/
“Opportunity Knocks” grand final — 4 p.m., Fall Festival of Leaves Main Stage, Bainbridge. The top 10 finalists of the festival’s talent competition perform live for a $1,000 prize, with the winner announced right after the show. https://fallfestivalofleaves.com/opportunity-knocks/
