Feast of the Flowering Moon History

Before the arrival of the Shawnee people, modern Chillicothe was the center of the ancient Hopewell tradition, which flourished from 200 BC until 500 AD. This culture had trade routes extending to the Rocky Mountains. They built earthen mounds for ceremonial and burial purposes throughout the Scioto and Ohio River valleys, many of which are still visible and sacred to this day.

The word Chillicothe comes from the Shawnee Cha-la-gaw-tha. The Shawnee people used this term as a name for the settlement that was home to their principal leader–as Chillicothe literally means “principal town.” Many Chillicothes were settled and later moved, including communities near Frankfort and Piqua, Ohio, as well as just north of present-day Chillicothe in Hopeton. The Shawnee and their ancestors lived and sustained themselves and their culture for thousands of years on this land prior to European contact.

Chillicothe became the center of political life in the Northwest Territory, attracting prominent politicians and later Governors of Ohio, Thomas Worthington and Edward Tiffin. In 1800, Chillicothe became the capital of the Northwest Territory and in 1802, hosted the Ohio Constitutional Convention, later becoming the first capital of Ohio at statehood in 1803.

Chillicothe remained Ohio’s capital until 1810, when it was briefly moved to Zanesville, only to return to Chillicothe two years later. In 1816, however, the capital of Ohio was moved permanently to Columbus to be closer to the geographic center of the state.

Historic, downtown Chillicothe and beautiful Yoctangee Park hosts the annual Feast of the Flowering Moon to celebrate the Native American heritage on Memorial Day weekend.

The festival was started in 1984 by the Ross-Chillicothe Convention & Visitors Bureau to help promote the city’s heritage and support “Tecumseh!” Outdoor Drama produced by The Scioto Society. In the early 1990s, festival organizers obtained their own 501(c)(3) tax exempt, non-profit status and have operated as an independent organization since. Although festival organizers continue to work closely and partner with both the Ross-Chillicothe Convention & Visitors Bureau and The Scioto Society.
The Feast of the Flowering Moon is a four-day festival that offers plenty of family-friendly entertainment for residents and visitors to Chillicothe, Ohio. The festival features Native American music and dancing, crafters and exhibits, commercial exhibits, Mountain Men Encampment with working craftsmen and demonstration, art & craft show, continuous entertainment on the main stage, carnival rides, Queen/Princess pageant and Ross County Idol contest.

In 2023, The Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks joined more than 1,100 other important places on this distinguished list. It is the first and only UNESCO site in the state of Ohio. The UNESCO designation includes eight sites spread across three cities in Ohio: Newark, Chillicothe, and Oregonia.

Milestones

1800

Chillicothe became the capital of the Northwest Territory.

1803

Chillicothe become the first capital of Ohio.

1816

The capital moved to Columbus.

1994

The Festival of the Flowering Moon started by the Ross-Chillicothe Convention & Visitors Bureau to help promote the city’s heritage and support "Tecumseh!" Outdoor Drama produced by The Scioto Society.

2023

The Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks joined more than 1,100 other important places on this distinguished list. It is the first and only UNESCO site in the state of Ohio. The UNESCO designation includes eight sites spread across three cities in Ohio: Newark, Chillicothe, and Oregonia.