Buzzing Beyond the Books: A Yellow Jacket’s Guide to Defiance County Fun

As the Yellow Jackets get ready to return to Defiance College, it’s important to remember they can buzz around more than just the campus.

Defiance County offers a lot of entertainment, activities and events for students to enjoy. 

While  there are various businesses that offer amusements such as Phoenix Theatres in Northtowne Mall, area golf courses, Putt-Putt Fun Center and others, the county offers so much more. 

Downtown Defiance

Downtown Defiance offers a variety of festivals and events throughout the year. Main Street events highlight a wide variety of interests such as the chocolate walk (typically held in April), jazz festival (in July), Witches Brew and others. 

Foodies have a lot to cheer about with the Rib Fest, which will be held Sept. 27 this year; and the Cookie Crumble on Dec. 6.  There also is the chocolate walk. 

Music lovers can get into the rhythm downtown. Besides the jazz festival, there is a battle of the bands in August and musical entertainment at the Ribfest. 

Defiance Jazz Festival- Kingsbury Park

Defiance College students are more than welcome to come out and enjoy all of these events and more.

“Defiance College being a part of the Defiance community is vital for our success,” said Kirstie Mack, executive director of the Defiance Development and Visitors Bureau (DDVB). “Having students, faculty, and staff volunteers at, attending, and in any way be part of the events is extremely encouraged. We always love seeing purple and gold attire throughout our events and within our community. We wish everyone a great school year and look forward to seeing everyone in downtown Defiance and at community events this year.”

Besides the Main Street events, organized by the DDVB, several other community organizations hold events downtown. 

The Maumee Valley Car Club holds cruise-ins downtown May-August. The Defiance Public Library System offers a multitude of activities and events such as Art in the Park in June and drawing classes, guest speakers and guest authors throughout the year. The library also holds its comic con, DefCom, at the Northtowne Mall each year. This year’s event will be Nov. 15. The Defiance County United Way holds several events to peak individuals interests including its Hot Air Balloon Festival in August, trivia night in February, Days of Caring in May and others. 

A variety of organizations such as the AMVETS, Eagles, Moose and VFW host a wide range of events for individuals to enjoy throughout the county. 

Performances

Defiance County also has several venues that bring in entertainment throughout the year. The Stroede Center for the Arts in Defiance offers a performance series each year that brings in a variety of artists. In the past year, there have been performances from a wide range of talented individuals such as classical pianist Svetlana Smolina, the United States Army Field Band and comedian Mike Brody.  The 2025-26 Performance Series will be announced shortly. 

Music in Your Parks Concert- Triangle Park

During the summer, music takes over the parks in the city thanks to the Music in the Parks series. Various genres of music are represented during the event.

As far as plays and musicals, the city offers productions by the Fort Defiance Players and Young People’s Theater Guild throughout the year. 

In Hicksville, the Huber Opera House and Civic Center has many productions taking the stage as well as entertainers. In October, “Fiddle on the Roof,” will be performed at the historic theater.  The stage is also the setting for various musical programs such as the Little Big Band (Sept. 6); American Legion Band of Fort Wayne (Sept. 20); and Senior Saints (Sept. 18) Comedian Adam Minnick will perform at the venue on Sept. 13. 

Chris Feichter, director of operations for the Huber, said Huber officials love to have college students come out to see productions or take part. 

“We welcome them for on stage, back stage, just experiences they want to have,” she stressed, adding that interested parties should contact her at the Huber. 

Outdoors

Penney Nature Center

Defiance County’s natural beauty entices many people to head out to the great outdoors for some fun, sun and adventure.

The area features a variety of parks and trails to get people moving outdoors. Each community in the county takes great pride in their beautiful park systems.

In addition to the parks, there are various wildlife and state and national park areas to explore in Defiance County.

Oxbow Lake, 5 miles outside of Defiance, offers opportunities for fishing, bird watching and hiking trails. The 435-acre is a state wildlife area.

Those who like wildlife also can check out the Penney Nature Center off of Ashpacher Road. The 78-acre site is home to wetlands, woodlands and prairie lands.

Thoreau Wildlife Reserve, at 250 acres, is located off of Haller Road. Educational walks are offered several times during the year. Nature photography classes also have taken place at the reserve.

Independence Dam State Park

A local favorite is Independence Dam State Park, which covers 591 acres. The park offers scenic river views, picnic areas, opportunities to fish and part of the towpath for the former Miami-Wabash-Eric Canal, which doubles as a hiking trail. 

Several Defiance County trails are part of larger trails such as the North County Trail and Buckeye Trail. 

The Defiance Reservoir Walk and Nature Trail uses part of the Buckeye Trail. It also has several other pathways. The Reservoir Nature Trail goes from the parking lot through a 2,500-foot wooded area before connecting to a lower pathway around the reservoir. There also is an upper pathway as well. All the walkways and trails offer visitors opportunities to enjoy nature, view different animals and get some exercise. 

Defiance Reservoir at sunrise

Hicksville also has its own trail. The Hicksville Nature Trail offers a 1.8-mile loop

off of Casebeer Miller Road for individuals to enjoy. 

Individuals who love being out on the water can head out on one of the various rivers as Defiance City features the confluence of the Maumee, Auglaize and Tiffin rivers.

A new kayak rental station has been installed at Pontiac Park for individuals to enjoy. It utilizes the Rent.Fun app, and each rental includes a life vest and paddle. 

Kayak self-serve rentals at Pontiac Park

Defiance County also is part of the Maumee River Water Trail.  The trail features scenic views from a river bank that supports a “healthy, forested corridor” to a widened floodplain where “forest cover becomes sparse” and the “historic and cultural heritage of this section is of major state and national significance.”

So come out, explore and have a great time throughout the community!