"Dayton Events: Must-Attend Festival, & Top Park Spot!"

Don't miss out on upcoming Dayton events, a featured event brought to you by The Renaissance Men, and our top park pick! Plus, get ready for our Recipe of the Week and discover some handy Home Tips.

Alan Vandergrift

Apr 24, 2026

Trivia Question❓

What Dayton museum is dedicated to preserving the legacy of African American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Dayton Events

Dayton Area Events

Friday, April 24

10:00 AM–4:00 PM

Vintage Market Days of Dayton-Cincinnati

Greene County Fairgrounds & Expo Center • Friday $15

Large indoor shopping market with about 130 vendors, vintage décor, furniture, boutique clothing, handmade goods, food trucks, and live music.

12:00–6:00 PM

Dayton Home Expo

Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 645 Infirmary Rd, Dayton • Free admission

Home improvement expo featuring remodeling ideas, contractors, outdoor living inspiration, and vendor booths. Runs through April 26.

5:00 PM–10:00 PM

Sugar Maple Festival

Bellbrook

Classic spring festival with food, vendors, entertainment, family activities, and small-town festival atmosphere.

7:30–9:30 PM

Ohio Players

Victoria Theatre, 138 N Main St, Dayton • Ticketed

Legendary Dayton funk band returns home for a major live concert featuring classic hits and hometown energy.

Saturday, April 25

9:00 AM–2:00 PM

Kettering Community Garage Sale & Tot Shop Sale

Kettering Recreation Complex

Bargain shopping event with 50+ vendors selling household goods, outdoor gear, clothing, collectibles, and a dedicated baby/kids resale area.

10:00 AM

Battle for Battle Volleyball Tournament

Miami Valley Sand, 200 W Central Ave, West Carrollton • $25 cash / $30 Venmo per player

Charity sand volleyball tournament benefiting Special Olympics of Greater Dayton, with coed 4s divisions and proceeds supporting athletes.

10:00 AM–4:00 PM

Vintage Market Days of Dayton-Cincinnati

Greene County Fairgrounds & Expo Center • Saturday $10

Second day of the large vintage market with home décor, boutique goods, handmade items, food trucks, and live music.

10:00 AM–5:00 PM

Dayton Home Expo

Montgomery County Fairgrounds • Free admission

Saturday expo day for home improvement, remodeling, contractors, and outdoor living inspiration.

11:00 AM–2:00 PM

Celebrate Trails Day

RiverScape MetroPark • Free

Trail celebration with giveaways, activities, and a 1 PM family-friendly guided 8-mile bike ride to Eastwood MetroPark and back.

11:00 AM–5:00 PM

Art in the Burg

Downtown Miamisburg • Free

Downtown arts event with a fine arts festival, recycled arts show, Riverfront Park activation, artisan vendors, merchant activities, food, and family fun.

10:00 AM–10:00 PM

Sugar Maple Festival

Bellbrook

Classic spring festival with food, vendors, entertainment, family activities, and small-town festival atmosphere.

Sunday, April 26

10:00 AM–3:00 PM

Vintage Market Days of Dayton-Cincinnati

Greene County Fairgrounds & Expo Center • Sunday $5

Final day of the indoor vintage market, featuring vendors, handmade goods, décor, clothing, food trucks, and music.

11:00 AM–4:00 PM

Dayton Home Expo

Montgomery County Fairgrounds • Free admission

Final day of the home improvement expo, with contractors, home services, remodeling ideas, and outdoor living displays.

11:00 AM–5:00 PM

Sugar Maple Festival

Bellbrook

Final festival day with food, vendors, entertainment, and family-friendly spring activities.

1:30 PM

Springboro Underground Railroad Guided Walking Tour

Springboro Area Museum, 110 S Main St, Springboro • Ticketed

Guided walking tour through historic downtown Springboro, highlighting documented Underground Railroad safe houses and local freedom-seeker history.

Monday, April 27

11:00–11:45 AM

Tai Chi for Beginners

Center for Spiritual Living Greater Dayton, 4100 Benfield Dr, Kettering • Not listed

Gentle beginner-friendly Tai Chi session focused on relaxation, restoration, and accessible movement, with seated or standing options.

6:00–7:30 PM

Beginner Disc Golf Lessons

Community Park Learning Center / Sycamore Trails Park South • $50

Beginner disc golf lesson series for ages 9+, led by an instructor and designed to teach fundamentals before moving to the course.

Thursday, April 30

5:30 PM

Levitt Pavilion Season Reveal: Carnival on the Lawn

Levitt Pavilion Dayton, 134 S Main St, Dayton • Free

Family-friendly outdoor kickoff with carnival activities, food vendors, DJ Kim L, Dayton Funk All-Stars, and the reveal of Levitt’s summer concert season.

Friday, May 1

5:00–8:00 PM

First Friday at the Arcade

Dayton Arcade, 24 W 3rd St, Dayton • Free

Explore the historic Arcade concourse with local tenants, popup vendors, food, DORA drinks, and DJ Luke Tandy from Skeleton Dust Records.

8:00–9:30 PM

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown

Middletown Lyric Theatre, 63 S Main St, Middletown • Ticketed

Family-friendly musical based on the Peanuts comic strip, featuring Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, and the gang in a warm, upbeat stage production.

Featured Event

Spring Festival Spotlight

🍁 Sugar Maple Festival

One of Ohio’s sweetest spring traditions is back. The Sugar Maple Festival gives families a chance to celebrate maple syrup season with food, activities, and a fun day outdoors.

Visitors can enjoy fresh pancakes topped with real maple syrup, watch demonstrations on how syrup is made, and explore vendors, crafts, and family activities throughout the event.

🥞 What You’ll Find

• Fresh pancakes and maple treats
• Maple syrup demonstrations
• Arts and crafts vendors
• Family-friendly activities
• A fun way to celebrate spring

👨‍👩‍👧 Great For Families

This event is a great choice for families looking for an affordable weekend outing. Kids can learn how maple syrup is made while adults enjoy local food and shopping.

💡 Pro Tip

Arrive early if you want shorter food lines and better parking. And yes—you’ll probably leave with maple syrup.

Why it’s worth going: Between pancakes, maple treats, and spring weather, this is one of those simple Ohio traditions that’s worth experiencing at least once.

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

Exploring Buck Creek State Park and Buck Creek Bike Trail in Ohio

Featured State Park

🌊 Buck Creek State Park

If you're looking for a relaxing outdoor getaway without driving too far from Dayton, Buck Creek State Park is worth adding to your list.

Located near Springfield, this scenic park surrounds the 2,120-acre C.J. Brown Reservoir and offers a little bit of everything—lake views, boating, hiking, fishing, and plenty of room to unwind.

🌿 What You’ll Find

• Scenic lake views and shoreline access
• Boating and fishing opportunities
• Hiking trails and picnic areas
• Campgrounds and cabins for weekend trips
• A large beach area during warmer months

🚤 Why It Stands Out

Buck Creek gives you a “mini vacation” feel without needing a long drive. Whether you want to kayak, fish, hike, or simply sit by the water, there’s plenty of space to slow down and enjoy spring.

🎣 Perfect For

• Fishing trips
• Family outings
• Weekend camping trips
• Spring lake walks
• Boating adventures

💡 Pro Tip

Visit during sunset for incredible lake views, and pack a picnic if you want to turn it into a full afternoon outing.

Why it’s worth the trip: Buck Creek State Park offers the perfect balance of relaxation and outdoor fun—making it one of the best easy day trips near Dayton.

Recipe of the Week

🍓 Strawberry Chicken Pasta Salad

With warmer weather arriving, this light and refreshing pasta salad is perfect for spring lunches, weekend picnics, or easy dinners after a day outdoors.

🛒 Ingredients

• 8 oz pasta (bowtie or rotini)
• 2 grilled chicken breasts (sliced)
• 2 cups fresh strawberries (sliced)
• 2 cups spinach
• 1/2 cup feta cheese
• 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinaigrette

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions and let cool.
2. Grill or cook chicken and slice into strips.
3. In a large bowl combine pasta, spinach, strawberries, feta, and nuts.
4. Add chicken on top.
5. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette and toss before serving.

💡 Why You’ll Love It

• Light and refreshing
• Great for meal prep
• Perfect picnic food
• Uses fresh spring ingredients

Pro Tip: Add blueberries or avocado for even more spring flavor.

Home Tips

🌿 5 Easy Ways to Create a Backyard Bird-Friendly Space

Spring migration is underway, and your backyard can become a welcoming stop for birds with just a few simple changes.

Whether you want hummingbirds, songbirds, or butterflies visiting your yard, these easy updates can help create a peaceful outdoor space full of life.

🐦 1. Add Bird Feeders

Different feeders attract different birds. Tube feeders, platform feeders, and hummingbird feeders can all bring variety to your yard.

💧 2. Install a Bird Bath

Birds need fresh water for drinking and bathing. A simple bird bath can quickly become one of the most visited spots in your yard.

🌺 3. Plant Native Flowers

Native flowers attract insects, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Coneflowers, bee balm, and black-eyed Susans are great Ohio-friendly choices.

🌳 4. Create Shelter

Trees, shrubs, and nesting boxes provide safe spaces for birds to rest and hide from predators.

🚫 5. Skip Harsh Chemicals

Avoid pesticides and harsh chemicals that can harm birds and beneficial pollinators.

Pro Tip: Even one feeder and a few flowers can dramatically increase bird activity in your yard this spring.

💡 Answer to Trivia Question:

Paul Laurence Dunbar House Historic Site preserves the final home of renowned poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, one of America’s first nationally celebrated Black writers, offering visitors a glimpse into his life, literary achievements, and lasting impact on American literature.