Since 1970 families have come together in Rio Grande, Ohio to celebrate at the Bob Evans Farm Festival. Few have come together in the same way as the Campbell’s. In a tradition that is almost as old as the festival, members of the Campbell family have been coming together from across the United States each year since 1971. This year was no different as 89 members of the Campbell Clan were present. However, this tight-knit family’s tradition may have seen it’s final year. Bob Evans Farms was sold to Post Holdings last month, giving the Farm Festival an uncertain future.
Members of the Campbell family sit in the shade to watch their annual Corn Hole tournament at the Bob Evans Farm Festival in Rio Grande, Ohio, on October 14, 2017. (Haldan Kirsch/WOUB)Dean Campbell, left, and Tami Hunt look at old pictures of the Campbell’s annual gathering at the Bob Evans Farm Festival in Rio Grande, Ohio, on October 14, 2017. Members of the Campbell’s have been coming together in a pseudo-reunion since 1971 – the festival’s second year. (Haldan Kirsch/WOUB)Kathie Campbell, left to right, Pearl Campbell and Priscilla Campbell look at photos from past years of the Bob Evans Farm Festival in Rio Grande, Ohio, on October 14, 2017. The family’s annual gathering is in danger due to a change in ownership at Bob Evans causing rumors of the festival’s cancellation. (Haldan Kirsch/WOUB)Keith Thomas, left, and Ryan Campbell at the Bob Evan’s Farm Festival in Rio Grande, Ohio, on October 14, 2017. (Haldan Kirsch/WOUB)Members of the Campbell family watch the youngest members during a race at the annual family gathering during the Bob Evans Farm Festival in Rio Grande, Ohio, on October 14, 2017. (Haldan Kirsch?WOUB)A young member of the Campbell family watches as he loses the Balloon Race in Rio Grande, Ohio, on October 14, 2017. (Haldan Kirsch/WOUB)Gary Campbell and his sister-in-law, Terri embrace before leaving their 47th annual family reunion at the Bob Evans Farm Festival in Rio Grande, Ohio, on October 15, 2017. (Michael Johnson /WOUB)Family members reminisce during their 47th annual reunion at the original Bob Evans Farm in Rio Grande, Ohio, on October 15, 2017. (Michael Johnson /WOUB)Jack Lucas climbs over his father, Chris, while camping at the Bob Evans Farm Festival in Rio Grande, Ohio, on October 15, 2017. Chris lives with his seven children and his wife, Cheryl on their honeybee farm in Newark, Ohio. (Michael Johnson /WOUB)The Campbell family has a reunion in Rio Grande, Ohio, on October 15, 2017. (Michael Johnson/ WOUB)The Lucas Family packs up their trailer after a week long family reunion at the Bob Evans Farm Festival on October 15, 2017. (Michael Johnson/WOUB)DQ Edwards of Deleware, PA, stands on the Campbell Clan campgrounds at the Bob Evans Farm Festival in Rio Grande, Ohio, on October 15, 2017. This year, 89 members of the Campbell family got together for their 47th annual family reunion. (Michael Johnson/ WOUB)
