HOLLOWAY, OH — The Old Timers Baseball Festival, a cherished tradition in Holloway, continues to celebrate America’s pastime during Labor Day weekend. For 77 years, the festival has brought the community together, originating in 1948 by railroad workers. This year, the Old Timers will compete against the Flushing American Legion.
Linda Nester, Treasurer of the Old Timers Club, emphasized the importance of maintaining the festival’s legacy. “We want to keep this going, we are the oldest, vintage old time baseball game in the country, continuous old time baseball game, so we don’t want to lose that streak,” she said.
The festival features games played by old-time rules, including running from third to first base and using flat bats and lemon-peeled baseballs. “That’s not a typical baseball; they are just the way they used to do it. They used to make their own balls,” Nester explained.
In addition to the baseball game, the festival includes a parade organized with the Holloway Volunteer Fire Department, a Chinese auction, games, home-cooked food, and a car, truck, and bike show with over 50 vehicles on display. Sunday will feature garden tractor pulls.
Joe Schaeffer, mayor of the Village of Holloway, highlighted the festival’s community spirit. “It’s a good family event, bring people out, and have some camaraderie in the neighborhood,” he said.
Holloway remains committed to preserving this piece of history, along with other historical elements like their train caboose, and hopes to continue the festival for years to come.