TOLEDO, Ohio — Editor's note: The above video first aired June 3, 2023.
A grand parade, house tours, art, entertainment and so much more. A beloved festival celebrating one of Toledo's most historic neighborhoods is returning for its 51st year in June.
The 51st Annual Old West End Historic Festival is set for May 31, June 1 and June 2.
The popular festival is headlined by the 114th Anniversary King Wamba Carnival Parade, which will kick off the weekend on June 1 at 10 a.m. with Grand Marshall Jessica Crossfield and Neighborhood Champion Lawrence Stine.
The parade pays homage to the 1909 King Wamba Carnival in Toledo.
It's a tradition that features participants from across the Midwest to create a feast for the eyes with art, cars, floats, performance art and musical presentations. The grand event includes the crowning of this year's king and queen, Dan Finkel and Shelly Varelli, during a coronation ceremony on the Art Fair Stage.
A Friday Night Glow Roll for bikes and golf carts will travel throughout the Old West End starting at 9 p.m. on May 31.
Throughout the weekend, there will be an art fair, marketplace, food and beer garden, garage and yard sales, and children's activities as well as a variety of entertainment options.
Five historic Old West End homes will be showcased during this year's house tours: the Ansted/Myers/Freshour/Ashley house on Islington Street; the Huttinger-McCreary House on Parkwood Avenue and Islington Street; Glenwood Terrace on Glenwood Avenue, the Coldham-Storer-Wilcox House on Robinwood Avenue; and the Wolcott-Huston House on Winthrop Street.
House tours will be on June 1 and June 2 only, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person for the full house tour or $10 for a single house tour. Children 12 and under are free.
Presale tickets for the house tours are available through May 31 for $15, cash only, at the following locations:
- Walt Churchill’s Market, 3320 Briarfield Blvd., Maumee, 419-794-4000
- Walt Churchill’s Market, 26625 N. Dixie Highway, Perrysburg, 419-872-6900
- Erin Anne’s Ice Cream Shop, 5661 Main St., Sylvania, 419-517-8024
- Sofo’s Foods, 5400 Monroe St., Toledo, 419-882-8555
- Black Kite Coffee, 2499 Collingwood Blvd., Toledo, 419-720-5820
- Quenched & Tempered Brewery, 1210 Jackson St., Toledo, 419-490-5608
- Golden Hind Wine Bar, 915 N. Summit St., Toledo, 419-464-5646
- Brew House, 114 N. Summit St., Toledo, 567-600-7029
For more information, visit toledooldwestend.com/festival