Peony Festival - Van Wert, Ohio
N 40° 52.171 W 084° 35.065
16T E 703563 N 4527081
The Festival is a three day event held mainly in and around Fountain Park in downtown Van Wert.
Waymark Code: WMKREC
Location: Ohio, United States
Date Posted: 05/22/2014
Views: 3
Van Wert is a special city with a special history. One chapter of this history is dedicated to a beautiful flower - the Peony. Soon after the turn-of-the-century in 1900 the Peony became known by gardeners in Van Wert and within a few years "Peony Sunday" became a popular event. Large crowds gathered in Van Wert to see the Peony blooms, usually near the first of June.
In 1932 the very first Peony Festival was held. This was an expansion of Peony Sunday and started the tradition of an annual Peony Parade. Van Wert became famous as "The Peony Center of the World", or shown on maps as "The Peony Capital of the World," during the 1930s thru the 1950s.
The Festivals continued until 1960 except for a break with the beginning of WWII through 1954. The Festival was started again in 1992. Van Wert has continued the celebration of the Peony every year since. 2014 will be the 39th Peony Festival. From: (
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The festival events include - Parade, Garden Tours, Art Show, Charity Auction, Peony Walk, Pet Show, Talent Show, Fishing Derby, Food Vendors, Car Show and many other fun things to do while in Van Wert.