“Fresh Air, Festivals & Spring Fun 🌼 This Week in Dayton”

Trivia Question❓

What Dayton-area restaurant chain was famous for Brawny Lad and Swiss Miss sandwiches?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Dayton Events

Dayton Area Events

May 15–22, 2026

Friday, May 15

7:00 AM–6:00 PM

Springfield Antique Show & Flea Market Extravaganza

Clark County Fairgrounds, Springfield • Ticketed

Massive nationally known antique and flea market with 2,000+ dealer spaces featuring vintage décor, collectibles, clothing, furniture, and architectural salvage.

5:00–9:00 PM

Spring Fest in the Burg 2026

Riverfront Park, Miamisburg • Free admission

Large spring festival with vendors, food, entertainment, family activities, shopping, and riverfront festival energy.

Saturday, May 16

7:30 AM–4:30 PM

ORRRC Tie Dye 50K

John Bryan State Park • Registration required

Scenic 50K trail race through John Bryan State Park featuring gorge views, wooded terrain, and a three-loop endurance course.

8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Springfield Antique Show & Flea Market Extravaganza

Clark County Fairgrounds, Springfield • Ticketed

Massive nationally known antique and flea market with 2,000+ dealer spaces featuring vintage décor, collectibles, clothing, furniture, and architectural salvage.

9:00 AM

GO Dayton

Crossroads Dayton • Volunteer registration

Citywide volunteer and service initiative with community improvement projects including schools, shelters, playgrounds, and neighborhood support.

9:00 AM–12:00 PM

Oakwood Farmer’s Market

22 Orchard Dr, Oakwood • Free entry

Seasonal farmers market with local farms, gourmet food vendors, artisans, and community gathering in downtown Oakwood.

10:00 AM–5:00 PM

GeoFair 2026

Butler County Fairgrounds, Hamilton • $12 adults / $5 children

Family-friendly geology expo with minerals, fossils, gemstones, earth science exhibits, scout activities, vendors, and kids programs.

10:00 AM–9:00 PM

Spring Fest in the Burg 2026

Riverfront Park, Miamisburg • Free admission

Saturday festival day with vendors, food, entertainment, family activities, shopping, and riverfront spring energy.

11:00 AM–1:00 PM

Fairy & Gnome Festival

George Rogers Clark Park • Free

Family outdoor festival with fairy and gnome house building, trail scavenger hunts, bounce houses, face painting, food trucks, and nature-themed fun.

11:00 AM–1:00 PM

Inventors and Their Inventions

Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum • Suggested $5 donation; reservation required

Historical walking tour exploring Dayton inventors and innovators buried at Woodland Cemetery and the city’s role in invention history.

12:00–4:00 PM

One Village Community Day & Health Fair

New Miami Local School District • Free

Community health fair with screenings, kids activities, bounce houses, face painting, balloon twisting, DJ music, free food, and local resources.

Sunday, May 17

9:00 AM–4:00 PM

Springfield Antique Show & Flea Market Extravaganza

Clark County Fairgrounds, Springfield • Ticketed

Final day of the regional antique and flea market featuring vintage finds, furniture, collectibles, clothing, and décor.

11:00 AM–5:00 PM

GeoFair 2026

Butler County Fairgrounds, Hamilton • $12 adults / $5 children

Sunday geology expo day with minerals, fossils, gemstones, educational exhibits, vendors, and family-friendly STEM activities.

12:00–4:00 PM

Dayton Vegan Spring Market

Dayton Courthouse Square • Free admission

Downtown vegan market featuring plant-based food vendors, sweets, apparel, home goods, and community-focused local businesses.

12:00–5:00 PM

2026 Centerville Merchant Market

Stubbs Park, Centerville • Free

Large outdoor merchant market with 120+ boutiques, makers, food trucks, kids activities, curated shopping, and DJ music.

12:00–6:00 PM

Spring Fest in the Burg 2026

Riverfront Park, Miamisburg • Free admission

Final festival day with food, vendors, entertainment, shopping, and family activities along the riverfront.

7:30–10:30 PM

May Slam — Dayton Poetry Slam

Yellow Cab Tavern • Not listed

Evening poetry slam and open mic featuring local spoken-word performers and original writing.

Monday, May 18

6:30–8:00 PM

Community Bike Ride with Mr. Boro’s Tavern

Mr. Boro’s Tavern, Springboro • Free

Community bike ride through Springboro hosted with local partners. Helmets and front/tail lights are required.

Wednesday, May 20

10:00 - 11:30 AM

Protecting Your Estate from Nursing Home Costs
Learn practical strategies for long-term care and estate planning at this free informational seminar hosted at the West Carrollton Senior Center. Light refreshments provided.

5:00–8:00 PM

Dayton Playboating Clinic

Whitewater Warehouse • $75

Instructional kayaking clinic covering freestyle and playboating techniques, with pizza included.

5:30–7:30 PM

Art Escape: The City View Escape

The Contemporary Dayton / downtown location • $50

Sunset arts gathering with European-inspired food, wine, live music, and skyline views in downtown Dayton.

Thursday, May 21

4:00–7:00 PM

Waynesville Farmers Market

195 S Main St, Waynesville • Free

Weekday farmers market in downtown Waynesville with local vendors near High Street and Main Street.

5:00–7:00 PM

Artist Reception: At This Moment

Dayton Metro Library Main Library • Free

Opening reception for a juried exhibition presented by Dayton Society of Artists, exploring identity, place, memory, and contemporary life.

6:00 PM

Free Shakespeare Lecture Series

Dayton Metro Library Wilmington-Stroop Branch • Free

Literary lecture exploring Shakespeare’s themes of power, identity, revenge, love, escape, renewal, and transformation.

Friday, May 22

9:30 AM

Senior Day!

Montgomery County Fairgrounds • Free

Senior-focused community event with resources, lunch, music, caregiving information, aging-in-place support, and local organizations.

5:30–9:00 PM

Purple Rain Paddle

Great Miami River, Miamisburg • Ticketed

Prince-themed sunset paddle with Hope Wanders and Taiters Kayak, leading into the Star City Concert Series in Miamisburg.

7:30 PM

George Thorogood & The Destroyers

Rose Music Center at The Heights • Ticketed

Classic blues-rock concert featuring George Thorogood & The Destroyers at the Rose Music Center.

Featured Event

Festival Spotlight

🌸 Spring Fest in the Burg

One of the Miami Valley’s fastest-growing spring festivals is returning to downtown Miamisburg. Spring Fest in the Burg transforms Riverfront Park into a weekend filled with live music, food trucks, carnival rides, local vendors, and family-friendly fun.

The three-day festival takes place May 15–17 at Riverfront Park and has quickly become one of the area’s favorite community events. Organizers say the festival drew more than 36,000 attendees last year and continues to grow each season.

🎶 What You’ll Find

• Live local music throughout the weekend
• Food trucks and festival favorites
• Carnival rides and games
• Handmade goods at the Maker’s Mart
• Family-friendly activities and entertainment
• A large community parade through downtown

🎡 A Full Weekend of Fun

Spring Fest kicks off Friday evening and continues through Sunday with entertainment scheduled throughout the weekend. One of the biggest highlights is Saturday morning’s parade, which steps off through downtown Miamisburg.

🛍️ Shop Local

The festival’s popular Maker’s Mart features local artists and handmade products, giving visitors a chance to support small businesses while exploring unique crafts and gifts.

💡 Pro Tip

Parking fills up quickly, especially on Saturday during the parade. Free RTA shuttle service is available throughout the weekend from Miamisburg Middle School to downtown festival areas.

Why it’s worth checking out: Spring Fest in the Burg combines small-town charm with a full festival atmosphere. Whether you’re coming for the music, food, shopping, or family activities, it’s one of the best spring weekends around Dayton.

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

On Location: George Rogers Clark Park

Featured Park

🌳 George Rogers Clark Park

If you enjoy parks that combine nature, history, and peaceful scenery, George Rogers Clark Park near Springfield deserves a spot on your spring adventure list.

This 240-acre historic park features wooded hiking trails, rolling meadows, scenic waterways, and Hosterman Lake—all surrounded by rich Ohio history. Visitors can hike through forests filled with wildflowers, picnic near the lake, or explore reconstructed frontier-era historical sites.

🌿 What You’ll Find

• More than 5 miles of hiking trails
• Hosterman Lake for fishing and boating
• Historic fort and frontier village replicas
• Wildflowers, forests, and open meadows
• Picnic shelters and scenic overlooks

🏞️ A Mix of Nature & History

What makes this park unique is its blend of outdoor recreation and local history. The park sits near the historic Peckuwe battle site, one of the largest Revolutionary War battles west of the Allegheny Mountains. Historical monuments, reconstructed structures, and interpretive displays are spread throughout the park.

🚶 Popular Trails

The Tecumseh Trail is one of the park’s most popular routes, winding through wooded sections, small waterways, and scenic natural areas. Spring is especially beautiful when wildflowers begin blooming throughout the park.

🎣 Great For

• Hiking and trail walking
• Fishing and kayaking
• Family picnics
• Spring wildflower viewing
• Learning local Ohio history

💡 Pro Tip

Visit during spring or early summer when the trails are green, the wildflowers are blooming, and the weather is ideal for exploring both the lake and hiking paths.

Why it’s worth visiting: George Rogers Clark Park feels like a hidden combination of nature preserve and outdoor history museum—making it one of the most unique parks near Dayton and Springfield.

Recipe of the Week

🍯 Honey Lime Grilled Chicken Bowls

Looking for an easy spring dinner that feels fresh, healthy, and full of flavor? These Honey Lime Grilled Chicken Bowls are colorful, customizable, and perfect for warmer weather.

🛒 Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts
• 2 tbsp honey
• Juice of 2 limes
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 avocado (sliced)
• 1 cup corn
• 1 cup black beans
• Cherry tomatoes
• Fresh cilantro
• Salt & pepper to taste

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix honey, lime juice, olive oil, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Marinate chicken for at least 20 minutes.
3. Grill or cook chicken until fully done, then slice.
4. Build bowls with rice, beans, corn, tomatoes, and avocado.
5. Top with sliced chicken and fresh cilantro.
6. Drizzle extra lime juice over the top before serving.

💡 Why You’ll Love It

• Fresh and flavorful
• Great for meal prep
• Easy to customize
• Perfect for spring and summer dinners

Pro Tip: Add tortilla strips or a drizzle of spicy ranch for extra crunch and flavor.

Home Tips

🏡 5 Simple Backyard Upgrades for Spring

Warmer weather is finally here, which means it’s time to enjoy your outdoor space again. The good news? You don’t need a major renovation to make your backyard feel more relaxing and inviting.

A few simple updates can completely change the atmosphere and help you enjoy spring evenings even more.

💡 1. Add String Lights

Outdoor string lights instantly make a patio or backyard feel cozy and welcoming. Solar-powered options make installation easy.

🌸 2. Use Potted Flowers

Colorful flowers in pots can brighten decks, patios, and porches without needing a full garden makeover.

🪑 3. Create a Seating Area

Even two chairs and a small table can create a comfortable outdoor space for relaxing, reading, or enjoying coffee in the morning.

🔥 4. Add a Small Fire Pit

Portable fire pits are more affordable than ever and make spring evenings feel more relaxing and social.

🧹 5. Pressure Wash Outdoor Spaces

Cleaning patios, decks, and sidewalks can make your outdoor areas look dramatically newer in just a few hours.

Pro Tip: Focus on comfort instead of perfection. A few small improvements can make your backyard feel like an entirely new space this spring.

💡 Answer to Trivia Question:

Frisch’s Big Boy has been a longtime favorite in the Dayton area, known for its classic diner atmosphere, iconic “Big Boy” hamburgers, hot fudge cake, and hearty comfort food that has made it a regional staple across Ohio for generations.

Brawny Lad — A simple classic featuring a quarter-pound beef patty with a slice of onion served on toasted rye bread. It was known for its straightforward, old-school diner taste.
Swiss Miss — A quarter-pound beef sandwich topped with Swiss cheese, lettuce, and Frisch’s famous tartar sauce on rye bread, giving it a richer and slightly tangy flavor profile.