Bob Evans Farm to Host 48th Farm Festival October 12-14

Nearly 30,000 visitors are expected to attend the 48th annual Bob Evans Farm Festival from Friday, Oct. 12, through Sunday, Oct. 14, at the Bob Evans Farm in Rio Grande, Ohio. This year's festival will offer the Eyes of Freedom military memorial, impressive live musical performances and free, on-site camping.

"Back for our 48th year, we are honored to continue the legacy of Bob Evans by welcoming families from across the country for a weekend of fun on the farm," said Sean Savage, facilities manager for Bob Evans Restaurants. "In addition to amusement park rides, farm demonstrations and traditional festival activities, we are pleased to offer a great line-up of musical performers and the powerful Eyes of Freedom military memorial."

Food
For the second year, the Bob Evans Farm Festival will include a buffet option, offering unlimited Bob Evans signature dishes for $12 for attendees ages 13 and up, and $6 for children 12 and under.

In addition to the buffet, visitors can enjoy a wide variety of food options from vendors throughout the festival including apple cider slushies, Ohio-made cheeses, bean soup and corn bread. New this year, food trucks will be available to offer another food option for visitors.

Activities and entertainment
As a long-time supporter of the U.S. military, Bob Evans is pleased to present the Eyes of Freedom military memorial. The nationally-traveling memorial honors the service and sacrifice of all who have served and are serving our nation. Life-size murals of the 23 fallen members of Columbus-based Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines, will be on display all weekend for viewing. Additionally, a Quilt of Valor will be presented to a deserving veteran from Gallia County each day at 3 p.m. Nearly 30 other Quilts of Valor and 12 Glory patriotic quilts will be on display throughout the Farm Festival as well.

Entertainment throughout the weekend will be provided by regional and nationally-known musical artists, including American Idol Finalist Bucky Covington, New Silver Eagle Band, The Rarely Herd and Larry Sparks, among others.

Back for another year, the Farm Festival will include amusement park rides for all ages. All-day ride wristbands can be purchased for $10 for adults ages 13 and up and $5 for children 12 and under. Individual ride tickets can also be purchased for $1 each. Additionally, Pepsi will be giving tethered hot air balloon rides from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Hot air balloon rides are included in the purchase of all-day ride wristbands.

Performances from lumberjacks, chainsaw carvers, an opportunity to interact with Columbus Zoo animals, and farm demonstrations, including sheep shearing by Stanley Strode, cow milking with the Laurel Valley Creamery and pig races, will also be a part of the festival. More than 100 artisans will be in attendance to showcase and sell their work during the festival. Additionally, skydivers from Team Fastrax will provide a live performance at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 13, weather permitting. The Midwest's most lovable stunt dogs from Team Zoom Border Collies will also give live demonstrations at 10:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. every day.

A Kids' Farmyard Fun area will feature face painting, a hay bale maze, game tent, kiddie train rides, and a corn pile.

Visitors can also participate in a variety of contests and can try the new Biscuit Bowl by participating in the all-you-can-eat contest at the Bob Evans Fan Tent. The Biscuit Bowl is four times the size of Bob Evans' signature biscuits. Visitors also won't want to miss the Biscuit inflatable - it is the Biggest Biscuit ever.

Bob Evans welcomes families to camp on the farm for free to enjoy all weekend activities. Potable water, Port-a-John restrooms, a dump station and 24-hour security are provided. No reservations are necessary.

"For nearly five decades, the Farm Festival has been part of family traditions offering entertainment, camping, kids' activities and delicious food - all for a great value," said Savage. "We're looking forward to this being our biggest year yet."

The Bob Evans Farm is located on State Route 588 just off U.S. Route 35. Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance gate and are $5 for adults and free for children five and under. On Friday, October 12, all school and chartered buses will receive free admission.

For more information and to view a full entertainment schedule, visit http://www.bobevans.com/aboutus/the-farm/farmfestival/.

About Bob Evans Farms, Inc.
Bob Evans Restaurants is a chain of family style restaurants founded and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, which owns and operates 490 family restaurants in 18 states, primarily in the Midwest, mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions of the United States. Bob Evans believed in treating strangers like friends and friends like family; and those principles are alive today at every Bob Evans Farms Restaurant. As a private company owned by Golden Gate Capital, Bob Evans Restaurants is focused on providing quality food and hospitality to every guest at every meal, each and every day.

For more information and restaurant locations, also visit http://www.BobEvans.com.

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