2026 City of Hillsboro Festival of the Bells kicks off with Caleb & John concert

Crowds flocked to uptown Hillsboro for the 2026 City of Hillsboro Festival of the Bells’ return to High Street Thursday, July 2, braving the 100-plus-degree heat index to enjoy food, rides, games and a free concert on the festival’s opening night.

Thursday’s activities culminated in contemporary Christian artists Caleb & John taking the stage shortly before their advertised time of 9 p.m., after an introduction by Brian Robinson of the Hillsboro Area Ministerial Association. The Ministerial Association has sponsored the Christian opening act series for nearly two decades. 

Crowds lined the 100 block of North High Street and the Highland County Courthouse lawn for Thursday night’s show, with Caleb & John putting on a high-energy performance of original praise and worship songs. The show included their No. 1 hit “Somebody Like Me,” along with their singles “Hallelujah Feeling,” “Call It Saved,” “Ghost in the Graveyard” and “Finished.” Along with some new unreleased tracks of their own, the artists performed several covers, including parts of Anne Wilson’s “My Jesus” and a variation of Sam Hunt’s country song “House Party,” which they changed to “Church Party.”

In between songs, both singers, Caleb Crino and John Secker, engaged with the audience and told stories about their pasts and their faith. Crino encouraged the crowd to give their hearts to Jesus as his wife did at a similar festival.

Before the Thursday night concert, crowds also enjoyed a performance by the Zugg Family Singers, as well as the crowning of 2026 Festival of the Bells Queen Charlee Wildey. Food vendors are located around the courthouse and along High Street, while craft vendors can be found inside the old firehouse and on High Street as well. Rides are located along Beech and High Streets.

On Friday, July 3, food vendors open at 11 a.m., with craft vendors opening at noon. Also at noon, the Highco flag team will be performing.

Friday afternoon activities begin at 1 p.m. with the Highland County Visitors Bureau sponsoring bingo at the food tents, followed by a kids and adults coloring contest at the tents at 2 p.m. The annual Battle of the Banks will follow at 3 p.m. on the courthouse lawn, then free kids games will be offered at 3:30 p.m.

At 4 p.m., rides will open for the evening, while Jake Lindsey will present an illusion show at 5 p.m. The annual armed service and veteran recognition will follow at 6 p.m.

The second annual “Rock the Bell” night, sponsored by the Hillsboro Eagles, will be the highlight of Friday night’s concert series, starting with local band Blue Steel at 6:30 p.m. The headliners, the AC/DC tribute band Thunderstruck, will hold a meet and greet at 7 p.m., then the band will take the stage at 8 p.m.

For the Fourth of July festivities, registration for the Bells Through the Ages 5K Walk/Run starts at 7:15 a.m., followed by the event at 8 a.m. A kids dash will take place at 9:30 a.m., with registration starting at 9:15.

Car show registration at the old school grounds will be held from 9 a.m.-noon. The car show and judging will take place at noon at the old school grounds, with awards being presented at 3 p.m.

Craft vendors will open at 9 a.m. as well.

Also at 9 a.m., registration for a 3-on-3 basketball tournament sponsored by State Farm will begin at Hillsboro High School, as play starts at 9:30 a.m.

Registration for the annual pet parade sponsored by Merchants National Bank starts at 9:30 a.m. with the parade to follow at 10 a.m. The baby parade, sponsored by NCB, will begin accepting entries at 10:30 a.m., with the parade at 11 a.m.

Also at 11 a.m., food vendors open, with rides starting at noon Saturday. Free kids games will again be offered starting at 1 p.m.

Participants will begin lining up for the Bells Through the Ages parade at 2 p.m. at the old school grounds. The parade, sponsored by All American Fire Equipment, will start at 4 p..m.

At 4:30 p.m., registration for a cornhole tournament sponsored by the Highland County Peace Officers Association starts, with competition kicking off at 5 p.m.

The concert series will conclude with three shows Saturday night, starting with Kyle Norris at 6 p.m. Sean Poole & Buckin’ Krazy will take the stage at 7:30 p.m.

After a meet and greet at 8 p.m., headliner and country music artist Chris Cagle will close out the 2026 festival on the main stage at 9 p.m.

For schedule updates and more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/festivalofthebells/ or festivalofthebells.com. 

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