Possum Fest 2026

The World's Largest Marsupial Celebration
(As Far As We Can Prove)
Not to be confused with the other World's Largest Marsupial Celebration in Cumberland, KY.

Countdown to Thanksgiving Weekend
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About the Festival Schedule Vendor Info

What Is Possum Fest

Possum Fest is Hobart's annual celebration of the First Feast of Hobart, a local story about the village's earliest settlers sharing their food with a group of wild possums. Whether the event happened exactly that way or was embellished over time, the tale became a symbol of Hobart's unusual brand of gratitude and hospitality.

The modern festival began as a Thanksgiving chili cook-off near the courthouse and evolved into a full Uptown takeover. Food vendors, neon lights, civic programming, performances, questionable fireworks, and possum-related attractions now fill the streets each year.

At the center of the festival is the Possum Mound in Hobart Civic Park, the ceremonial gathering point for events, announcements, photo ops, and the retelling of the First Feast.

Festival Quick Facts

  • Dates: Thanksgiving weekend, Thursday through Sunday
  • Location: Uptown Hobart
  • Near: The Ohio River
  • Admission: Free
  • Presented by: Village of Hobart and PAL TV

Festival Schedule

Possum Fest runs Thanksgiving weekend, Thursday through Sunday. November 26 to 29, 2026.

Thursday, Thanksgiving Day

November 26 · The First Feast

Thanksgiving Day. Opens late morning and wraps up early so folks can get home for dinner.

  • 11:00 AM Uptown opens. Marsupial Midway, Kids Zone, and Court Street food vendors open. Possum Fest check-in and Inspection Booth open.
  • 12:00 PM Chili cook-off on the Civic Green. The festival's original event.
  • 1:00 PM Big Al's Main Stage: opening remarks and local bands.
  • 2:00 PM Community groups: Garden Club, Moose Lodge, Hobart Marching Band.
  • 3:00 PM Counting Hour at the Village offices, held until 4:11 PM as it is every week. The count is taken and entered into the record.
  • 4:00 PM The First Feast retelling at the Possum Mound, Hobart Civic Park.
  • 4:30 PM The Possum Proclamation, read from Big Al's Main Stage.
  • 5:00 PM Possum Mound evening lighting. PAL-TV festival crawl begins.
  • Evening Uptown winds down for the holiday.

Friday

November 27 · The Big Day

The biggest day. Full hours, live music all afternoon, and the Possum Parade at night.

  • 10:00 AM Midway, Kids Zone, and vendors open.
  • 11:00 AM Dr. Marlowe's educational possum lecture, Kids Zone tent.
  • 12:00 PM Food vendors and the Chugweiser tent open.
  • 1:00 PM Big Al's Main Stage: live music through the afternoon.
  • 3:00 PM Possum Calling Contest, Main Stage.
  • 5:00 PM Health advisory reminder: do not feed possums more than three Zebra Cakes per day.
  • 6:00 PM WPOS-FM live on possum.fm from the Midway.
  • 7:30 PM The Possum Parade steps off from Court Street. PAL-TV live coverage.
  • 9:00 PM The Possum Crawl. After Dark Program begins.

Saturday

November 28 · Pageant and Drop

A full day of events, capped by the Possum Queen Pageant and the late-night Possum Drop.

  • 10:00 AM Midway, Kids Zone, and vendors open.
  • 12:00 PM Main Stage programming and talent showcases.
  • 2:00 PM Kids Zone crafts and performances.
  • 4:00 PM The Possum Queen Pageant, Big Al's Main Stage.
  • 6:00 PM Possum Mound lighting. WPOS-FM live on possum.fm.
  • 8:00 PM After Dark Program. Programming as posted.
  • 10:00 PM The Possum Drop. The fiberglass possum is lowered from the water tower. Fireworks.

Sunday

November 29 · Closing

Morning only. Community breakfast, a Thanksgiving service, and closing remarks. No midway.

  • 8:00 AM Community Breakfast, Civic Green.
  • 9:30 AM Thanksgiving service, led by Rev. Hiscox.
  • 11:00 AM Closing remarks from Big Al's Main Stage.
  • 12:00 PM Teardown begins, volunteers welcome. PAL-TV returns to standard crawl.

Festival Attractions

Big Al's Main Stage

Live music, civic announcements, talent showcases, and the annual Possum Proclamation.

Marsupial Midway

Rides, fair food, neon lights, and vendors who get stranger as the day progresses.

Possum Mound

The ceremonial heart of the festival. Evening lighting and photo opportunities.

Kids Zone

Crafts, activities, supervised play, and special performances.

PAL TV Live Coverage

Wave to the cameras or become part of a televised civic moment.

After Dark Program

As night settles in, Uptown Hobart takes on a surreal glow and programming becomes unpredictable.

Live on WPOS-FM

On Air

possum.fm

Possum Fest broadcasts live on WPOS-FM throughout the festival. Tune in for live coverage from the Marsupial Midway and Big Al's Main Stage. PAL-TV carries festival coverage on air.

Listen on possum.fm

Festival Map

Locate stages, vendors, park areas, and service locations at a glance.

Festival Map

Map layout may change if needed by safety officials.

Key Locations

  • Big Al's Main Stage - Civic Green, Uptown
  • Marsupial Midway - Court Street
  • Possum Mound - Hobart Civic Park
  • Kids Zone - Civic Park lawn
  • Chili Cook-off and Community Breakfast - Civic Green
  • Check-in and Inspection Booth - Court Street entrance
  • Parade Route - steps off from Court Street
  • Civic Lot parking - Court and Symmes
  • Overflow parking - Hobart High School, 400 High St

Vendors and Performers

Food trucks, craft booths, local groups, musicians, and entertainers are welcome to apply. Space is limited and tends to fill quickly.

  • Food vendors must provide health inspection verification.
  • Fireworks vendors coordinate with Big Al.
  • Community groups receive reduced booth rates.

Apply to Participate

Email the Hibernal Observance Planning Subcommittee:

[email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there real possums

Yes. Wildlife professionals supervise them. Mascots and illusions appear as well.

Is the festival family friendly

The daytime portion is family appropriate. Evenings may feel unusual or intense.

Can I bring my own possum

No personal wildlife is allowed. Service animals are permitted.

Where do I park

Street parking is available throughout Uptown Hobart. Avoid marked municipal zones.

Getting Here

Hobart is located along the Ohio River, with Uptown Hobart rising on a gradual slope above the water. Visitors can enter from multiple directions by road, with most routes converging near the civic core. The village is compact and walkable, with neighborhoods and municipal facilities accessible on foot.

By Road

Route 3 / State Street
Runs east-west through Hobart and is the primary route into town. Wayfinding signs direct visitors toward Uptown parking, the Civic Green, and festival routes.

Gallia Street and Court Street
Run north-south into the central civic district, connecting directly to Village Hall, the courthouse, and the main festival grounds.

Hocking Street
The central north-south corridor through Hobart's industrial and market district and famous Ukrainian Village. Best used for access to vendor areas, staging, and service entrances.

Canal Street
Runs north-south from the West Virginia Bridge. Provides access from Guthrie and the riverfront area.

Travel Note
The Route 3 Pit Stop has resumed operations. Fuel and limited convenience services are available. Additional stations are located in Guthrie, WV (across The Bridge) and west toward Symmes Landing and Leadville.

Parking

Civic Lot (Court and Symmes)
Free public lot. 2-hour limit from 8a to 6p.

Bandstand and Civic Green Area
Street parking available along Mulberry and Scioto.

Overflow Parking
Hobart High School, 400 High St.
Available on event nights only.