Hot Times Community Arts & Music Festival

This is a great, small to medium-sized festival. Usually held at Columbus Public Health, this year at Hamilton Park, a few blocks north. Parking was tight, but there were still a few spots on the surrounding streets, so we only walked half a block.Two stages that I saw (and heard,) a dozen food vendors, other vendors of all things, facepainting, art cars, free kids' books, friendly people. And absolutely perfect weather today. We wandered around, and back and forth, got fair food, listened to several bands, talked to vendors, and just generally relaxed. Some very cool crafts for sale if you want any, and clothing, etc. A bit of a Comfest vibe, though much less crowded.

Day #2 of Hot times 2023! Goes through Sat till 11pm. Sunday the 10th is the last day from 12pm-7pm. Awesome music, arts, tons of vendors and food. Located at Columbus Public Health grounds at 240 Parsons Avenue. Always one of my favorite Columbus festivals and this year is already one of my favorite years! Some great energy and vibes. Come check out some music, grab some food, and check out all these awesome small business vendors.

I love, love, love me the Hot Times Festival. Such a great little funky festival that offers so much in a small beautiful venue on the corner of Parsons & Main every September. I call this Comfest Junior for the Old Town and Near East neighborhood, very laid back, family oriented with music, art cars, vendors and activities for all ages and plenty of places to kick back and enjoy some tasty tunes and more.It had been a couple years since I was able to make it down due to health and this year didn't disappoint me. Plenty of easy ,free parking in back of the Columbus Health Dept. building. You can enter off Allen Ave and go to the upper deck parking off Bryden Alley. The venue for this festival is both beautiful and historic. Construction began on 240 Parsons Avenue in 1869. When completed in 1874, it became home to the Ohio State School for the Blind, initially housing more than 300 students. Between 1839 and 1901, more than 2,000 students were enrolled. After the Ohio State School for the Blind vacated the building in 1853, other agencies called 240 Parsons home, including the Ohio Department of Public Safety (1954 to 1997) and the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (1974 to 1997). In 1973, the original structure was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2001, this site became the main campus for public health services for the City of Columbus.For folks that volunteer or work Comfest in June this is sort of a homecoming and thank you party for their selfless work during that event. I could easily go on and on here about this yearly music festival and the overall good vibe I feel when I've gotten to attend and up at the top of my "Not to Miss" events in Columbus.

As a follow up to my first review, this is one really well run festival. It is staffed by a almost all volunteer team. It features great food choices, diverse music on two stages, and all kinds of great vendors. I am a huge fan of the food at this festival. They have everything from steaks sandwiches, fish fries, barbecue ribs and chicken, plus plenty of vegan choices as well,I get to a lot of different festivals around the country every year but Hot Times stands in a class all by itself and I give this event five big yelp stars.

The festival was awesome this year 2017 The food was excellant s large variety of various dishesEntertaiment was awesomeThe Four Mints were fabulous they rocked the house. The crowd was very receptive and they came to perform and that they did Great job well done and that JB with those slow jams slow moves deep voice had all the ladies out thier seats.

Anybody know how to reach the organizers - I am a vendor wanting to possibly [email protected] [email protected]

This is a nice little festival in front of the beautiful Columbus Health Department. They have three stages of music to keep you and your vibe going. Sunday is the Poetry Slam where local poets compete for prizes. You know all those really weird cars with stuff glued to them that drive around town? (e.g. Baby doll head car) Well, if you like them you are in for a treat because they have the largest showing of "art cars" in Ohio! Have fun staring at them in bemusement, and try not to get freaked out.Why three stars? Because overall, it is a relatively small festival where every booth sells jewelry and which doesn't have nearly enough food vendors.ONE BIG PERK!! Beer is affordable! Columbus Pale Ale is only $4.50 for a pint and some others are cheaper. Suck on that Comfest.

I decided to stop in on this festival again after a couple year hiatus. it definitely has gotten better over the last few years. The place has three stages that showcase local artist. I went a little too early, because the place was just starting. They had a nice drum circle going that livened up the place. The booths are mainly local artists with a focus on African Art. I really enjoyed the crazy cars with all kinds of mobile art showcased on the hood. This is a free festival so I can't complain. I wouldn't plan on spending more than an hour here unless I went during the poetry show. It is a nice festival in a different location. It looks like it is growing and improving from the earlier years. A few food carts were there as Mikey's Late Nite slice was there along with some lesser vendors.They also have a continuous stream of incense burning which can be annoying to certain people but loved by others.

It's a great festival and a great way to end the summer. The Art Cars and the Main Stage are two of the things that keep me coming back year after year. It is a great community festival for one of its size.

Music, food, vendors, folks and fun. What more could you ask for? This is always a nice chill little festival to attend. You get to see some unique items for sale, eat good food and listen to good music from local and long distance performers. Grab your lawn chair incase the seating is taken and chill with your neighbors and old friends.