Pymatuning Onion Festival

The Pymatuning Onion Festival returns to Linesville Beach on July 11 and 12, 2026, celebrating the agricultural heritage and waterfront beauty of Pennsylvania’s largest lake with free admission, live music, and the legendary Bloomin’ Onions that give this beloved gathering its name. Friday hours run from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with Saturday festivities continuing from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM along the shores of Pymatuning Reservoir, which sprawls across 17,088 acres along the Pennsylvania-Ohio border.

The festival offers far more than its namesake allium. Free pontoon boat rides launch from the beach, while kayaks and paddleboards await those who prefer to power their own exploration of waters that shimmer in the July sun. Archery stations and interactive activities dot the shoreline, and educational programs throughout the weekend delve into the fascinating history of the area’s onion fields and include reptile handling demonstrations that reliably captivate younger visitors. Local craft vendors set up shop along the sand, their booths filled with handmade treasures that make for meaningful souvenirs.

The surrounding Pymatuning region rewards those who extend their stay well beyond festival hours. The Linesville Spillway, sometimes called “Where the Ducks Walk on Fish,” might be the most literally-named tourist attraction in Pennsylvania, where hundreds of carp crowd a tiny spillway competing with ducks for food. The spectacle, just minutes from the festival grounds, has to be seen to be believed. Nearby, the Pennsylvania Fish Hatchery offers educational exhibits and a closer look at how the lake’s remarkable fish population is managed, with a large central tank showcasing the species that thrive in these waters.

For those seeking more adventure, the lake’s shores offer beaches, hiking trails, and some of the finest freshwater fishing in the region for walleye, crappie, black bass, and channel catfish. Maurice K. Goddard State Park lies close by, featuring the 1,680-acre Lake Wilhelm, popular with anglers and boaters looking to explore additional waters. The Pymatuning Deer Park in nearby Jamestown delights families with opportunities to feed exotic animals, while the rolling countryside to the south opens into Ohio Amish Country, where farm stands and furniture shops line country roads.

When hunger strikes beyond the festival’s food vendors, The Crooked Paddle in Linesville serves fresh fish sandwiches and comfort fare in a friendly, spacious setting with pool tables and ample parking. Mortals Key Brewing Company sits on East Lake Road near the state park, offering craft beers brewed with an artistic sensibility on the edge of Pennsylvania’s largest lake. Lil’ Bit Restaurant serves homestyle cooking in a relaxed atmosphere, while locals swear by Hank’s Frozen Custard between Meadville and Conneaut Lake, where the original equipment from the 1940s still churns out some of the region’s finest sweet treats.

The combination of midsummer warmth, expansive lake views, and genuine small-town hospitality makes the Onion Festival an ideal anchor for a longer lakeside retreat. Vacation rentals throughout the Pymatuning region offer the space and flexibility that festival weekends demand, whether you’re traveling with extended family, a group of friends, or simply seeking a waterfront escape. Book your stay on Lake.com and settle into the rhythm of lake life, where the days unfold slowly and the water always beckons.