“So Much Is Happening Around Dayton This Week…”

Trivia Question❓

What Dayton park is known for its large lagoon and paddle boating near downtown?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Dayton Events

Dayton Area Events

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.

5:00–8:00 PM

Art Fest

West Carrollton High School • Not listed

Community art event hosted by the West Carrollton Mural Club, showcasing local and student artwork in a family-friendly setting.

5:00–10:00 PM

A World A’Fair

Greene County Fairgrounds & Expo Center • Ticketed

International festival with food, music, dancing, cultural booths, and performances from 30 countries. Friday includes the beer passport experience.

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.

Saturday, May 2

11:00 AM–2:00 PM

All-City Arts Fest

RiverScape MetroPark • Free

Dayton Public Schools student arts festival featuring performances, visual art displays, food trucks, and vendors in a family-friendly outdoor setting.

9:00 AM–3:00 PM

2nd Street Market Outdoor Farmers Market Grand Opening

2nd Street Market, 600 E 2nd St, Dayton • Free entry

Grand opening of the outdoor farmers market season with expanded outdoor vendors plus the regular indoor market lineup.

10:00–11:15 AM

Dr. Michael Horton Fishing Derby

Community Park Pond, Fairborn • Free

Family fishing derby with age brackets, prizes, and catch-and-release competition. Registration opens at 9:15 AM; no fishing license required.

10:00 AM–12:00 PM

Beginner Garden Workshop

The Farm on Central, 572 Central Ave, Carlisle • Ticketed

Beginner gardening class covering garden size, crop planning, pests, bed prep, planting layouts, and weed prevention.

10:00 AM–5:00 PM

Star Wars Block Party

Dayton Brick Shop, 5519 Bigger Rd, Dayton • Free

Star Wars-themed block party with 501st Legion characters, LEGO builds, food trucks, sales, giveaways, and a costume contest.

11:00 AM–10:00 PM

A World A’Fair

Greene County Fairgrounds & Expo Center • Ticketed

Full festival day with international food, cultural performances, interactive dance, live music, and two entertainment stages.

12:00–5:00 PM

Civil War Weekend at Heritage Village

Heritage Village, 147 W Lock St, Miamisburg • Free or $5 suggested donation

Living history event with reenactors demonstrating 1860s daily life, hearth cooking, weaving, and other hands-on historical activities.

2:00 PM

Hamilton Film Screening

Springboro Performing Arts Center, 115 Wright Station Way, Springboro • Free

Free America250 Movie Series screening of the filmed Broadway production Hamilton. Doors open at 1 PM; concessions available; closed captions included.

Sunday, May 3

10:00 AM–3:00 PM

Dayton Record Show

The Galleria Event & Conference Center • Not listed

Spring record show featuring vinyl records, music collectibles, and browsing for collectors and casual music fans.

11:00 AM–6:00 PM

A World A’Fair

Greene County Fairgrounds & Expo Center • Ticketed

Final day of the international festival with cultural booths, global food, music, and dance performances.

Monday, May 4

7 PM

The Empire Strikes Back

Plaza Theatre, 33 S Main St, Miamisburg • Ticketed

Special May the 4th screening of the Star Wars classic, with the Ohio 501st and themed celebration elements.

Wednesday, May 6

7:30–9:00 AM

Small Business Week Breakfast

Woodbourne Library • Free; registration required

Drop-in breakfast for entrepreneurs to learn about free library resources, business planning tools, market research support, and community partners.

2:00 PM

Street Names of Dayton Walking Tour

Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum, 118 Woodland Ave, Dayton • Suggested $5 donation; reservation required

Walking tour introducing the people behind Dayton street names and their contributions to local history. Tours launch rain or shine except thunder or lightning.

Thursday, May 7

6:00 PM

EcoTalks at Cox Arboretum

Cox Arboretum MetroPark • Registration required

Two environmental research talks covering forest leaf litter ecology and spotted lanternfly impacts, spread, and management.

Friday, May 8

Varies

Mrs. Doubtfire (Broadway Musical)

Schuster Center, Dayton • Ticketed

Hit Broadway musical based on the beloved film. Follow Daniel Hillard’s heartfelt and hilarious journey as he disguises himself as Mrs. Doubtfire to stay close to his family.

Featured Event

Festival Spotlight

One of Dayton’s most vibrant and diverse events returns this spring. A World A’Fair is a celebration of global cultures, bringing together food, music, dance, and traditions from around the world—all in one place.

Held at the Dayton Convention Center, this multi-day festival offers visitors the chance to explore dozens of cultures through authentic cuisine, live performances, and interactive exhibits.

🍽️ What You’ll Experience

• International food from around the world
• Cultural booths and exhibits
• Live music and dance performances
• Traditional clothing and crafts
• A unique “travel the world in a day” experience

🎭 A Cultural Experience

From energetic dance performances to traditional music, each stage offers something different. It’s a great opportunity to experience cultures you may not encounter every day—right here in Dayton.

👨‍👩‍👧 Great For Everyone

Whether you’re going with family, friends, or just exploring on your own, A World A’Fair offers something for all ages. It’s fun, educational, and a great way to spend a spring weekend.

💡 Pro Tip

Come hungry and plan to try a few different foods—sampling dishes from multiple countries is part of the experience.

Why it’s worth going: A World A’Fair is one of the most unique events in Dayton, offering a chance to experience global culture without leaving the city.

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Featured Park

The Buckeye Trail - 101

Outdoor Spotlight

🥾 The Buckeye Trail

If you’re looking for a new way to explore Ohio’s outdoors, the Buckeye Trail offers something truly unique. This long-distance hiking trail loops around the entire state, connecting forests, parks, rivers, and scenic landscapes along the way.

Stretching over 1,400 miles, the trail passes through some of Ohio’s most beautiful areas—and sections of it are accessible right here near the Dayton region.

🌿 What Makes It Special

• A loop trail that circles the entire state of Ohio
• Marked by distinctive blue blazes
• Connects parks, forests, and scenic waterways
• Offers both short hikes and long-distance adventures

📍 Local Access

You don’t have to hike all 1,400 miles to enjoy it. Many sections near Dayton connect with local parks and trails, making it easy to experience a portion of the Buckeye Trail on a weekend outing.

🚶 Perfect For

• Casual weekend hikes
• Exploring new sections over time
• Nature photography
• Long-distance hiking goals

💡 Pro Tip

Look for the blue blaze markings on trees and posts—they guide you along the trail and make it easy to follow even in wooded areas.

Why it’s worth exploring: The Buckeye Trail gives you a chance to experience Ohio in a whole new way—one section at a time. Whether you’re out for a short walk or dreaming of a bigger adventure, it’s a trail that grows with you.

Recipe of the Week

🌮 Easy Chicken Street Tacos

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with these simple, flavorful chicken street tacos. They’re quick to make, packed with fresh ingredients, and perfect for a casual get-together.

🛒 Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts (grilled or pan-cooked)
• 8–10 small corn tortillas
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
• Juice of 2 limes
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• Salt & pepper to taste

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. Season chicken with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
2. Cook chicken until fully done, then slice into small pieces.
3. Warm tortillas in a skillet or microwave.
4. Fill tortillas with chicken, onion, and cilantro.
5. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the top and serve immediately.

💡 Why You’ll Love It

• Quick and easy to make
• Perfect for parties or weeknights
• Fresh, bold flavors
• Customizable with your favorite toppings

Pro Tip: Add avocado, salsa, or a drizzle of hot sauce to take these tacos to the next level.

Home Tips

🌿 5 Easy Ways to Host a Stress-Free Cinco de Mayo Gathering

You don’t need a big party plan to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. With a few simple touches, you can create a fun, festive atmosphere at home without the stress.

Whether you’re hosting friends or just making it a family night, these easy tips will help you pull it together quickly.

🌮 1. Keep the Menu Simple

Stick to easy crowd-pleasers like tacos, chips, and salsa. A build-your-own taco bar keeps things fun and takes pressure off the host.

🎨 2. Add a Pop of Color

Bright napkins, tablecloths, or flowers can instantly create a festive feel. You don’t need much—just a few colorful accents.

🍹 3. Set Up a Drink Station

Keep drinks in one spot so guests can help themselves. Lemonade, soda, or margaritas make great options.

🌤️ 4. Take It Outside

If the weather’s nice, move the party to the backyard or patio. Fresh air instantly makes everything feel more relaxed.

🎶 5. Add Music for the Atmosphere

A simple playlist in the background can bring everything together and create a lively, welcoming vibe.

Pro Tip: Focus on creating a relaxed, fun environment—your guests will remember the vibe more than the details.

💡 Answer to Trivia Question:

Island MetroPark is a scenic riverside park just west of downtown Dayton, known for its large lagoon, walking trails, and access to the Great Miami River, offering a relaxing spot for paddle boating, picnicking, and enjoying the outdoors in the heart of the city.

Trivia Question❓

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Friday, May 1

Saturday, May 2

Sunday, May 3

Monday, May 4

Wednesday, May 6

Thursday, May 7

Friday, May 8

🌍 A World A’Fair

🍽️ What You’ll Experience

🎭 A Cultural Experience

👨‍👩‍👧 Great For Everyone

💡 Pro Tip

🥾 The Buckeye Trail

🌿 What Makes It Special

📍 Local Access

🚶 Perfect For

💡 Pro Tip

🌮 Easy Chicken Street Tacos

🛒 Ingredients

👨‍🍳 Instructions

💡 Why You’ll Love It

🌿 5 Easy Ways to Host a Stress-Free Cinco de Mayo Gathering

🌮 1. Keep the Menu Simple

🎨 2. Add a Pop of Color

🍹 3. Set Up a Drink Station

🌤️ 4. Take It Outside

🎶 5. Add Music for the Atmosphere