Free Contests
Watermelon Eating Contest
4 p.m.
Saturday, Sept 5
- The Brenneman Family Stage
- No registration needed
- Sponsored by: A 2 B Towing
Kiddie Tractor Pull
3:30 p.m.
Sunday, September 6
- Sandwich Serving Shelter
- Registration on Sunday at 3 p.m.
- Sponsored by: All-Win Electric
Hot Dog Eating Contest
5 p.m.
Sunday, September 6
- Sandwich Serving Tent
- No registration needed
- Sponsored by: Mayor Ray Martin
Ice Cream Eating Contest
1 p.m.
Monday, September 7
- The Brenneman Family Stage
- No registration needed
- Sponsored by: TBD
Bicycle Tour
The 35th annual Ox Roast Bicycle Tour is cancelled for 2025!
The 35th annual Ox Roast Bicycle Tour is cancelled for 2026! In the Past It featured three routes: 33-mile, 66-mile (metric century), and the full century 100-miler. The Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails (FMCPT) sponsored the ride in cooperation with the West Jefferson Community Association, on Labor Day, Monday.
The Ox Roast Bicycle Tour was first organized in 1990 by Jared Miller as an Eagle Scout project. The Miller family continued to run the tour for 16 years and it has grown into one of the most popular and well-organized tours in Ohio.
All routes kicked off between 7:00-9:00 AM near Garrette Park on Frey Avenue / Cemetery Road in West Jefferson, Ohio. The routes wound through Madison County and the extreme western area of Franklin County, featuring flat to gently rolling terrain.
All Ox Roast Bicycle Tour routes will start near the tour check-in table at the south end of the festival near the community building in Garrette Park (coordinates 39.94004° N 83.26794° W). They will each then follow their designated route colors, marked by colorful route arrows. (GPS files are available to registered riders to download, too.) All routes end at this same point where riders can then enjoy the festival. Each rider received a voucher for a free Ox Roast sandwich, which is included with the Tour registration.
REGISTER EARLY AND SAVE! The registration fee included detailed tour maps, identification wristband (which must be displayed at all times), support services, food stops, and an FMCPT membership for one year. Food items provided at rest stops (included in your registration fee) included waffles, peanut butter, granola bars, fresh fruit, water and sports drinks such as Powerade or Gatorade, and more, All registrants will receive access to a rider-only discount for official Tour tees. Plus, each rider gets a coupon for a FREE Ox Roast sandwich! (Price has yet to be determined & SOOOO yummy!!) Early registration was only $45 while it cost $60 to those who wait until after 8:00PM on Monday, including those who register in person on tour morning.
Start Labor Day off with a beautiful fall morning’s ride through the countryside!
If you have a group that would like to sponsor this rider please contact us.
Running of the OX 5K and 1 Mile
As part of the West Jefferson annual Ox Roast, we are again holding the community 5K, 2 Mile and a 1 Mile Run/walk. All three runs will start and finish at the West Jefferson High School. The course is flat and fast, using paved roads and participants will run by Garrette Park where the
Ox Roast is held. T-shirts will be provided for each registrant.
Proceeds of the race will support the community and the work of the West Jefferson Youth Athletic Association (WJYAA). The mission of the WJYAA is to teach boys and girls in a fun and competitive atmosphere that encourages skill development, sportsmanship, camaraderie and learning how to win and lose with the team. The goals include developing a passion for sports and to “...compete, learn something about themselves and grow as athletes and people. Learn the skills of each sport and fundamentals. Have fun!”