By Paula Scott

When asked, “How do you measure success for the Made in Ada Wilson Football Festival,” chamber director LIndsay Walden-Hollar laughs and says, “I get asked that a lot.” When an event is full of mostly free attractions, there are no ticket sales, no gate numbers. “It’s a success when Depot Park is busy all night long” and “when my phone blows up” with positive feedback, says Walden-Hollar.

Made in Ada Football Festival 2023 Slides

The 2023 event–the ninth annual festival celebrating Ada’s role in making some 700,000 footballs each year–was a lively tailgating party at the village’s Depot Park. Live music presented on a large stage was the festival’s main attraction. The Turning Point Band and Voodoo Lane were the appetizer and main course. Attendees enjoyed the performances from camp chairs, an array of bleacher seats and from the dance area in front of the stage.

For those with energy to burn, there was a new Kids’ Zone with games including corn hole and a mini golf challenge hosted by the Ada Rotary. Ada Brownies provided face painting. The Inn at ONU and the ONU football team ran the dunk tank. Earlier in the day, at the PPK USA Punt, Pass and Kick competition, Ohio Northern students were also a key part of competition at ONU’s Dial Roberson Stadium. “It is a real town and gown collaboration,” Walden-Hollar noted.

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Tailgating staples–food and drink–were also plentiful. The Ada Lions ran the beer tent and numerous food vendors provided all kinds of sweet and savory offerings. Walden-Hollar received positive feedback from the growing number of food trucks featured at the event.

Raffle ticket sales and drawings were handled by representatives from Century 21 Sunway Realty LLC. 

Another staple item at the Made in Ada Wilson Football Festival experience is the football drop that wraps up the evening’s activities. During the mild evening, the sky was dotted with clouds and a dramatic sunset developed. Suspended over the Depot parking lot, a 10-foot long illuminated football with “Wilson” in white script was the cherry on top.

The chamber director noted that people from all over the state call to ask about touring the Wilson football factory, but that it’s still important to expand regional awareness of Ada’s identity as a football town. In this effort she also received the assistance of Ada Area Chamber of Commerce board members and other chamber member volunteers.

Event supporters and sponsors:

• Ada Area Chamber of Commerce
• Ada Automotive
• Ada VFW
• Bluffton Hospital
• The Cask Room
• Century 21 Sunway Realty
• Charles Vandyne Law
• Hanson-Neely-Allison Funeral & Cremation Services
• Hempy Water
• HSLC Banking and Financial Services