More than 70 vendors, makers and community groups will spread across 15 downtown businesses on Sept. 12 for the fourth annual For the Love of Hilliard.

The free festival runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and works differently than a typical street fair. Instead of clustering booths in one spot, Destination Hilliard scatters activities, entertainment and vendors throughout Downtown Hilliard so visitors walk from shop to shop and restaurant to restaurant along the way.

The event grew out of the cancelled Old Hilliardfest. The Hilliard Ohio Historical Society noted in its September 2023 newsletter that the first edition drew "an exceptional volume of foot traffic" to the Historical Village.

Live music at three stages

Three acts perform from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Dr. Awkward at Hilliard's Station Park, Kismet Notes at Local Cantina and Brandi Sparks at HillGarten. The Hilliard Arts Council stage adds performances from Red School of Music, Dance Plus Ballroom, Columbus DanceArts Academy and others.

Family activities across downtown

Free kids' programming is scattered throughout the district. Traveling Acres Petting Zoo sets up at Avery Lodge. Face painting runs at the Hilliard Civic & Cultural Arts Center. Balloon twisting takes over The Shoppes by Westwood, a caricature artist draws at Hilliard Community Music School, and the Early Television Museum hosts games of skill. Coffee Connections offers a community painting station.

Early-bird activities start at 8 a.m.

Bear's Bagels, the headlining sponsor, opens activities at 8 a.m., with additional early-bird programming at select locations before the official 11 a.m. start. Other sponsors include Faith Driving School, Credit Union of Ohio, Enchanted Care Learning Center, K9 Resorts, SuperGames and Coffee Connections.

Dunk tank for a cause

At Crooked Can Brewing Company, high school athletes climb into the "Tip for a Dip" dunk tank to raise money for their teams. Hilliard Darby baseball takes the seat from 11 a.m. to noon, Hilliard Bradley girls soccer from noon to 1 p.m. and Hilliard Davidson football from 1 to 2 p.m.