'It's unbelievable' | Harrison small business bounced back from historic floods to host music festival

August 22, 2026 - 11:02

HARRISON, Ohio - A small business that was nearly destroyed by floodwaters is now preparing to host a two-day music festival, a remarkable turnaround that even the owners say feels surreal.

Jake's River Landing, a popular riverside venue, will welcome guests this weekend for live music and food. The event comes just seven days after the Whitewater River surged over its banks, sending powerful floodwaters through the property and tossing several buildings into the surrounding woods.

"It's unbelievable," said owner Jake Miller. "Last week we were standing in mud up to our knees, watching pieces of our deck float downstream. Now we are setting up chairs and sound equipment."

The historic flooding, which hit the area after days of heavy rain, caused extensive damage. Several structures were destroyed, and debris was scattered across the property. But Miller and his team worked around the clock, pulling together volunteers and local contractors to clear the mess and salvage what they could.

The festival will feature local bands and food vendors, many of whom offered to help at no cost. Miller says the support from the community has been overwhelming.

"We could have canceled and waited for insurance," he said. "But people need something to look forward to. This is about more than just our business. It is about showing that Harrison can bounce back."

The event will run from noon to 10 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Miller expects a large turnout, with many locals eager to support the venue after the disaster. He says the festival will also serve as a fundraiser to help cover repair costs.

"Music has a way of bringing people together," he said. "After everything that happened, we need that now more than ever."