Bean Dinner Festival 2022

The festival is an 80 year old tradition being held every June in Columbus’ Westgate Park. Despite the name – we don’t sit around a table eating beans! The event is a family friendly festival remembering the history that made the Columbus west side. During the Civil War – the area now known as Westgate Park was a Civil War prison camp called “Camp Chase”. While Westgate is now a gorgeous neighborhood – it used to be a very feared place by the Confederate soldiers. The soldiers were fed a ration of beans twice a day. While we remember the nation divided during the Civil War – the Hilltop bean dinner unites people from all around Columbus in this one day of Music, a Variety of Food (including the famous beans), Arts and Craft Vendors, and an Antique Car Show.

Saturday June 25th 
10am-5pm.
455 S. Westgate Ave,
Columbus, Ohio 43204.

We are still adding food trucks that have valid green City of Columbus Food Permit stickers. Please contact Nancy Rhynard This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Thank you for all who reached out. We expect a mighty high turnout this year. People are asking for food! NO ticket sales. Our customers like their Cash or Card option best

Vendors are expect to have their food service permit in place for City Event inspector prior to event opening. We are also attempting to not duplicate food items in effort to help YOU have a successful event. We expect 5 thousand to 8 thousand people and have walk ins from the Westgate Garage sales along with walk ins from a local church function. Those events people have also asked if we are hosting food trucks. We said YES!

Please reach out to Nancy if you have any questions or concerns.

The feedback has been awesome and we thank you. Another question was "trash clean up" We have ample close but "slightly hidden from view" dumpsters that are easy to access.
Our awesome volunteers will empty cans regularly and help keep the areas clean. Great Question!

Chuck Patterson

Master of Ceremonies

Chuck Douglas Patterson, a lifelong resident of the Greater Hilltop area and someone that is shamelessly connected to his "beloved westside".
He has been a voice on Central Ohio radio stations for over three decades and has been in your ears as the voice of numerous radio and television commercials. These days he occupies himself mostly as a residential REALTOR.
Chuck has served the community as an elected member and chairman of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission, president of the Greater Hilltop Resource Center, president and elected trustee of Southfield Village Homeowners Association and in numerous other capacities.
In service to the city of Columbus, Chuck was a member of the Columbus Commission on Ethics and Values and the publicity chair for the inaugural year of the Columbus Midnight Basketball League. Somewhere along the way he managed to raise four children and today is the grandfather of six. He is quick to tell you that he was younger and stronger and needed less sleep back then, but here he is again today as the Historic Hilltop Bean Dinner Festival returns to the face-to-face, family-friendly tradition, it has been for so many years.