Military Living History Festival and Fresh Weekend Happenings Ahead

Kalida, OH · August 14, 2026

Happy Friday — with clear August skies and a packed weekend schedule across the county, there is plenty to pull you outdoors today.


The Lead

The annual Fort Fest military living history weekend kicks off today at Fort Jennings Park, bringing interactive history, military vehicles, and veteran tributes to the heart of the county. Running through Sunday, this year's festival features Camp 1812 living history demonstrations, skirmish reenactments, and special premier military displays assembled in one location for the first time. Organizers designed the weekend as both an educational experience for students and a quiet space of remembrance for local service members and first responders. While Saturday's car show was cancelled, all other scheduled festivities, food vendors, and evening ceremonies remain fully on track. Residents heading down State Route 190 will find a weekend packed with community heritage and active living history demonstrations.


Local Pulse

  • Union Bank Upgrades Digital Banking Tools Local account holders can now access expanded budgeting and self-service features following a system-wide platform update.

  • Park Foundation Advances Riverbend Landing Launch Groundwork continues on the new Ottawa River canoe access point designed to expand local paddling routes this season.


Today's Outlook

  • High 84°F · Low 69°F — Rain (54% chance of precipitation)
    • Keep an umbrella handy today as scattered afternoon showers move through the area.

What's On Around Town

  • Fort Jennings: Fort Fest Opening Day Fort Jennings Park, 12:00 PM–8:00 PM Explore vintage military vehicles, living history camps, and dusk demonstrations.

  • Lima: Nashville Night at Pangle Pavilion Pangle Pavilion (128 E Spring St), 6:00 PM–10:00 PM Enjoy live country music and local songwriting talent under the stars.

  • Ottawa: Wildlife Refuge Cart Tour Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, 11:00 AM–12:30 PM Take a relaxed Saturday morning shuttle through native wetland habitats.


Spotlight & Story

  • Kalida's Original County Courthouse
    • Before Ottawa became the county seat in 1866, Kalida held the title for more than three decades. Founded in 1834 along the Ottawa River, the town hosted the original brick courthouse until a suspicious 1864 fire shifted county records east.

Kalida Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.

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