Clean-Cut Past | Ohio's Washboard Festival

Country Discoveries Magazine | May \ June 2002

Living in rural Ohio, I frequently see weather-beaten washboards at roadside flea markets and antique stores. I used to think they were symbols of the past, household tools ren­dered obsolete by modern technology. Boy, was I ever wrong!

My eyes were opened at the Interna­tional Washboard Festival, held in the quaint town of Logan, Ohio. Here the past sprang instantly to life with strolling min­strels playing rasping washboards, kazoos, trombones, banjos, hollow jugs, fiddles and spoons. One of my favorite perform­ers was Big Mama Sue, who uses an an­tique gravy whip and an eggbeater to play her washboard.

The streets were filled with every con­ceivable craft made from washboards. The aroma of delicious food filled the air, and folks toted lawn chairs, setting a casual mood. Hometown pride was apparent in abundance. See How Washboards Are Made

Logan is the home of the Columbus Washboard Company, the only washboard manufacturer in America. It still pro­duces about 80,000 washboards a year, and the company opens its doors for tours during the festival.

I was amazed to see the old metal dies and presses dating back to the company's origins in 1895, and I enjoyed watching workers assemble replicas of antique washboards. During my stay, I learned a large portion of the world still uses wash­boards. People also buy them for decora­tive purposes.

This festival is now on my list of must-attend events. I fell in love with the town's quaint atmosphere, the pride shown by Before You Visit... Logan is located in southeastern Ohio on State Highway 93, just north of where it meets U.S. High­way 33, about 18 miles southeast of Lancaster.

The 3-day International Washboard Festival is held during Father's Day weekend (June 14-16 in 2002). For more information, call 1-740/380-3828 or log on to www.columbuswashboard.com/ info.htm.

More to See...

The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway takes passengers on re­laxing 1-3/4- and 2-1/4-hour rides through the beautiful hills of southeastern Ohio. The train operates on weekends from Memorial Day weekend through the first weekend in November (May 25 through November 2, 2002). It departs from Nelsonville, about 15 miles southeast of Logan on Highway 33. For fares and other information, call 1-800/967-7834 or visit www.hvsr.com.