Lancaster festival to return with changes to beverage policy
LANCASTER, Ohio (WCMH) – An annual 10-day music festival in Lancaster is set to return this year with changes to its beverage policy and a performance from a Grammy Award-winning artist.
The Lancaster Festival, founded in 1984, will return this year from July 24 to Aug. 2. The event will take place at multiple venue locations throughout downtown Lancaster, with its ticket office located at 117 W. Wheeling St.
Starting this year, festival organizers will not allow any beverages -- including water bottles -- to be brought into the concert venue at Ohio University Lancaster. The event previously allowed attendees to bring coolers with drinks, including alcohol. Event organizers said the change is thanks to “requirements by the insurance industry.”
“We understand this might be inconvenient and frustrating for some of our long-time patrons, but the decision is truly out of our hands,” said executive director Deb Connell in a statement. “Without proper insurance, we simply cannot have a festival. We postponed this change for as long as we could, but unfortunately, we are now forced to revise our policy to continue holding our festival.”
Event organizers said there will be an increased number of places to buy drinks to accommodate the change. Waters will be sold for $1 and sodas for $3. Additionally, beer, wine and premade cocktails will be available for $8. Exceptions to the new rule will be made for medical needs, such as liquid medication and baby formula. Attendees will still be able to bring in food and ice in coolers, but anything glass is prohibited.
While the full lineup of concerts has not yet been announced, festival organizers have revealed this year’s event will feature a grand finale performance on Aug. 2 from Grammy award-winning artist Colbie Caillat, singer of the hit song “Bubbly." The folk-rock band Dawes will also perform the same day.
“Anyone who watched the opening act of the 2025 Grammy’s was wowed by Dawes, and Colbie is absolutely breathtaking in concert, so we are in for a phenomenal night!” Connell said in a news release.
On July 30, the rock band Hairball will perform an homage to stars such as Van Halen, KISS, Motley Crue, Queen and Aerosmith. The Lancaster Festival Orchestra, directed by John Delvin, will open each evening.
Festival organizers said a full schedule of events and concerts will be released in coming months. There will be dozens of events throughout the 10-day festival, with some costing money and some free of charge. Tickets will go on sale May 1 and updates about the festival can be found on its website.