Holes Creek Gathering

Holes Creek Gathering

For one weekend this summer, history will come to life at Holes Creek Gathering in Countryside Park • 895 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd. Dayton, OH 45459.

The two-day celebration of American History is filled with music, storytelling, military reenactments, crafts, food and hands-on demonstrations of 18th and 19th century life. Women don mop caps and long dresses, men carry long rifles, and children play games from an earlier era in an authentic and colorful historical reenactment.

The festival, which took place in Countryside Park from 1993-2002, is being brought back this year to honor the 25th anniversary of the Washington Township Recreation Center.“People who like Colonial Williamsburg or renaissance festivals tend to love "Holes Creek Gathering,"  says event coordinator Linda Madden. “Visitors get the same feeling of being immersed in the festivities and daily life of another time.” 

Holes Creek Gathering faithfully recreates the time period of 1750 through 1865. Family activities include authentic games, live theater presentations, a children’s area and hands-on activities from candle making to canoeing. Events take place amid period music featuring the banjo, mandolin, lyre and more.

At Holes Creek, history is celebrated from a number of perspectives. On-site encampments include tents and teepees where participants dress and live for the weekend as settlers, military and Native Americans. The timeline event is co-sponsored by the Centerville-Washington Township Historical Society.

Games & Sports – Participants can paddle a canoe, throw a tomahawk, shoot a bow and arrow, and enjoy games popular from the period. A period fishing derby is set for Sunday and archery and tomahawk competitions will take place.

Demonstrations - Demonstrations vary from military re-enactments to a period fashion show. A Native American demonstration area will include reed weaving, bark baskets, cooking food on rocks, and making containers out of gourds. Other areas feature early tools and handicrafts such as quilling, calligraphy and candle making.

Theater - Town Hall Theater’s Landmark Children’s Theater will perform “Meet Kirsten Larsen, An American Girl Story” at 2 and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the A-Frame shelter.

Shopping - For shoppers who love history, Holes Creek has a selection of period wares. Browse through collections of glassware, pewter, iron works, period clothing, toys, pottery, tin ware and jewelry.

Songs & Stories - Musicians Bob Ford and Sara and Maynard Johnson will sing and play tunes from the time period on the banjo, mandolin and lyre.

Children’s Activities - An authentic log cabin is the center of hands-on activities for children. Dress up clothing, toys and household implements such as old washboards are available to play with, courtesy of the Centerville-Washington Township Historical Society. The cabin also features open-hearth cooking and other activities that once were a part of everyday family life.

Links & Tags

Countryside Park

Holes Creek Gathering is taking place at Countryside Park, which is located at 895 Miamisburg Centerville Rd in Washington Township. Countryside Park - 26 acres of park land around the Washington Township Recreation Center - used extensively for outdoor programs, youth sport leagues, summer camps and the Woodland Lights program.

Washington Township Rec Plex.

Washington Township Rec Plex - Formerly the Washington Township Recreation. We offer a variety of programs included classes (Aquatic Lessons, Art, Fitness, Preschool, Sports Classes and Acting Lessons) along with Leagues and Camps.