Spring Picks for Dayton 🌼 Parks, Food & Weekend Fun

Trivia Question❓

What Dayton MetroPark features a working farm and historic buildings from the 1800s?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Dayton Events

Dayton Area Events

April 10–17, 2026

Friday, April 10

11:00 AM–6:00 PM

3rd Annual Garden Party

Artisans at Harrington House, 3930 Dayton Xenia Rd, Beavercreek

Spring garden market with plants, patio pieces, home décor, and handcrafted goods from local artisans.

5:00–8:00 PM

Front Street Artists Come to the Boro III – Opening Reception

Springboro Performing Arts Center, 115 Wright Station Way, Springboro

Meet Front Street artists and explore a mixed-media exhibit featuring painting, jewelry, sculpture, and more. The show stays up through April 26.

7:05 PM

Dayton Dragons vs. Lake County Captains

Day Air Ballpark • Ticketed

Friday-night baseball at Day Air Ballpark during the opening homestand. A classic downtown outing with a lively local crowd.

7:30 PM

Rhythm of the City

Victoria Theatre •

Dayton Ballet and DCDC celebrate Dayton funk through high-energy choreography set to music that helped define the city.

Saturday, April 11

9:00 AM–12:00 PM

Centerville Spring Expo

Sinclair Community College Centerville Campus • Not listed

Community expo geared toward homeowners and garden enthusiasts, with local businesses, services, and spring project inspiration.

9:00 AM–3:00 PM

2nd Street Market

600 E 2nd St, Dayton • Free entry

Weekend public market with local growers, bakers, prepared food, and handmade goods. A reliable daytime staple in Dayton.

10:00–11:30 AM

Spring Wildflower Walk

Aullwood Garden MetroPark • Free • Registration required

Guided spring walk through gardens and trails with peak-season wildflowers, especially bluebells. A short-window seasonal nature highlight.

10:00 AM

Miamisburg Quilt Show

Bridge Church, 323 N 11th St, Miamisburg • Not listed

Quilt-focused shopping event featuring handmade quilts and barn quilts, with pieces for sale and custom orders available.

11:00 AM–1:30 PM

Ben’s Board Game Bazaar

120 W 2nd St, Dayton • Free for buyers

Community board game buy-sell event with tables of used and hard-to-find games. Great for tabletop fans refreshing their collection.

11:00 AM–5:00 PM

Yeck Artist in Residence Workshop (Day 2)

Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park N, Dayton • Members free; non-members included with admission

Second day of a hands-on mold-making and casting workshop led by Kyle and Kelly Phelps. Ages 13+ and registration required.

Tony Foster: Exploring Time

Dayton Art Institute • Museum admission

Major spring exhibition of watercolor diaries exploring geological, biological, human, and fleeting dimensions of time.

Sunday, April 12

11:00 AM–5:00 PM

Second Sunday at the Middletown Open Air Market

916 First Ave, Middletown • Not listed

Large open-air market with makers, growers, bakers, artists, food trucks, and family-friendly activities. April theme: Fresh Start Market.

12:00–3:00 PM

First Sunday Market at Eudora Brewing

3022 Wilmington Pike, Kettering • Not listed

Small makers market inside a brewery with handmade goods, a relaxed social atmosphere, and perks for early shoppers.

Wednesday, April 15

1:00–2:30 PM

Two Dayton Legacies

Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum, 118 Woodland Ave, Dayton • Free • Reservations required

Lecture on Charles F. Kettering and Paul Laurence Dunbar, highlighting Dayton’s scientific and literary legacy through two notable figures.

Thursday, April 16

5:00–9:00 PM

Girls Night Out in Historic Springboro

South Main Street, Springboro • Not listed

Boutiques, shops, and restaurants in Historic Springboro stay open with specials and treats for a social evening out.

5:30–7:30 PM

Jazz & Beyond: Possum Creek Ramblers

Dayton Art Institute, Shaw Gothic Cloister • Free for members; included with general admission for non-members

Bluegrass set in the Dayton Art Institute’s cloister as part of its long-running Jazz & Beyond concert series. Cash bar available.

6:00 PM

Shakespeare Lecture Series: Bawdy, Burns & Brilliant Insults

Dayton Metro Library • Free

Monthly lecture exploring Shakespeare’s humor, wordplay, and sharpest insults in a lively, accessible format.

Friday, April 17

10:00 AM–2:00 PM

Public Recycling Event

Think Patented, 2490 CrossPointe Dr, Miamisburg • Free

Drive-through community recycling event with nonprofit partners and multiple accepted item categories. Easy drop-off format.

Featured Event

Live Music Spotlight

🎶 Bob Dylan at the Schuster Center

A true music legend is coming to Dayton. Bob Dylan brings his Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour to the Schuster Center for one night only—offering a rare chance to see one of the greatest songwriters of all time live on stage.

The performance takes place on Sunday, April 12, 2026 at 8:00 PM at the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center in downtown Dayton.

🎤 What to Expect

Dylan’s performances are known for being raw, poetic, and constantly evolving. With a career spanning nearly six decades, he continues to reinterpret his music live—making every show a unique experience.

This tour supports his critically acclaimed album Rough and Rowdy Ways and is part of his ongoing touring legacy that has taken him across the country and around the world.

📍 About the Venue

The Schuster Center is one of Dayton’s premier performance venues, known for its world-class acoustics and intimate setting. With seating designed to keep every guest close to the stage, it’s an ideal place to experience a legendary artist like Dylan.

⚠️ Good to Know

• This is a phone-free show (devices are secured during the performance)
• All attendees must have a ticket
• Parking is available nearby in the Arts Garage

Why it’s worth going: Opportunities to see an artist like Bob Dylan don’t come around often. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just appreciate live music history, this is one of the biggest concerts hitting Dayton this spring.

This newsletter sponsored by The Renaissance Men

Veteran-owned Construction Co. focused on rebuilding homes, restoring hope, and reviving community!

The Renaissance Men

813-500-9788

Featured Park

An Awesome Day Hike: Sycamore State Park Trotwood, OH

Featured State Park

🌲 Sycamore State Park

If you’re looking for a quiet outdoor escape without leaving the Dayton area, Sycamore State Park is one of the most underrated spots around.

Located just west of Dayton near Trotwood, this 2,300+ acre park offers a peaceful mix of woodlands, meadows, and waterways—making it perfect for anyone who wants to get away from crowds and enjoy nature at a slower pace.

🌿 What You’ll Find

• Miles of natural hiking and horseback riding trails
• Wooded areas, open meadows, and scenic creek views
• Quiet picnic areas and fishing spots
• Group camping areas for overnight stays

The park features over 20 miles of trails winding through forests and along Wolf Creek, offering a peaceful setting for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

🚶 Why It Stands Out

Unlike more popular parks, Sycamore State Park is all about space and quiet. It’s common to have entire sections of trail to yourself, making it ideal for a relaxing walk, clearing your mind, or simply enjoying nature without distractions.

🌄 Perfect For

• A peaceful, uncrowded hike
• Horseback riding and trail exploration
• Fishing and nature watching
• A quick outdoor reset close to home

💡 Pro Tip

Bring a map or use GPS—this park is large and less developed than others, which adds to its charm but can make navigation a bit tricky.

Why it’s worth a visit: Sycamore State Park is a hidden gem for those who prefer quiet trails and wide open space. It’s one of the best places near Dayton to truly unplug and enjoy nature.

Recipe of the Week

🍗 Lemon Garlic Chicken with Roasted Vegetables

This easy sheet-pan dinner is perfect for spring—light, flavorful, and made with simple ingredients. It’s a complete meal with minimal cleanup, making it ideal for busy weeknights.

🛒 Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
• 1 bunch asparagus (trimmed)
• 2 cups baby carrots (or sliced carrots)
• 1 lb baby potatoes (halved)
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Zest of 1 lemon (optional but recommended)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley (for garnish)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Place potatoes and carrots on a large baking sheet.
3. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper, and half the garlic. Toss to coat.
4. Roast for 15 minutes (these take longer than the rest).

5. In a small bowl, mix remaining olive oil, lemon juice, zest, garlic, oregano, and thyme.
6. Remove pan from oven and push vegetables to the sides.
7. Add chicken to the center and brush with the lemon garlic mixture.
8. Add asparagus around the chicken.

9. Return to oven and bake for another 20–25 minutes, until chicken is cooked through (165°F internal temp).
10. Optional: Broil for 2–3 minutes at the end for a golden finish.
11. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.

💡 Why You’ll Love It

• One pan = easy cleanup
• Light, fresh, and perfect for spring
• Balanced meal (protein + veggies)
• Great for leftovers and meal prep

Pro Tip: Swap in seasonal veggies like green beans or zucchini depending on what you have on hand—it’s a flexible recipe that works with almost anything.

Home Tips

Home & Garden Tips

🌼 5 Easy Ways to Kickstart Your Spring Garden

Spring is finally here, and now is the perfect time to get your garden growing. Whether you’re planting flowers or vegetables, a few simple steps can set you up for a successful season.

🌱 1. Prep Your Soil First

Clear out weeds and loosen the soil before planting. Adding compost or fresh soil can give your plants the nutrients they need to thrive.

🌿 2. Start with Easy Plants

If you’re new to gardening, start with low-maintenance plants like herbs, lettuce, or marigolds. They grow quickly and build confidence.

☀️ 3. Pay Attention to Sunlight

Most plants need at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. Make sure you’re planting in the right spots for the best results.

💧 4. Water Smart

Water early in the morning to reduce evaporation and help roots absorb moisture more effectively.

🌸 5. Add Color Early

Plant early-blooming flowers like pansies or tulips to bring immediate color and life to your yard.

Pro Tip: Start small and build as you go. Even a few plants can transform your outdoor space and give you momentum for the season.

💡 Answer to Trivia Question:

Carriage Hill MetroPark’s historic farm buildings, centered around the preserved Arnold Homestead, offer a glimpse into 19th-century farm life, featuring a restored farmhouse from the 1830s along with barns, a blacksmith shop, and other working structures that bring Dayton’s agricultural past to life through hands-on demonstrations and living history.