🥇 Summer Fun Starts Here ☀️ Parks, Music & More

Don't miss out on this week's Dayton events, featuring a spectacular event brought to you by The Renaissance Men! Explore our featured park and try our delicious Recipe of the Week. Plus, discover some helpful Home Tips!

Alan Vandergrift

May 29, 2026

Trivia Question❓

What MetroPark is named after one of Dayton's founding families and is known for its gardens and children's discovery area?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Dayton Events

Dayton Area Events

May 29–June 5, 2026

Friday, May 29

6:00 PM

Passport to MetroParks

RiverScape MetroPark • Free

Explore MetroParks programs, live music, food trucks, animal ambassadors, hands-on activities, games, and passport prize opportunities.

6:00–8:00 PM

Woodland Historic Tour

Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum • Suggested $5 donation

Guided historical cemetery tour featuring stories of notable Daytonians including the Wright Brothers, Paul Laurence Dunbar, and Erma Bombeck.

7:00 PM

The Riverfront Revival

Riverfront Park, Miamisburg • Free / Not listed

Two-day community worship gathering with live music, church fellowship, prayer, and family-friendly festival activities along the riverfront.

7:00 PM

Don & Ryan’s Rock N’ Soul Weekend: Elvis Tribute

Springboro Community Theatre • Ticketed

A tribute concert celebrating Elvis Presley’s career, from early rock-and-roll hits to gospel, patriotic favorites, and 1970s concert classics.

Saturday, May 30

8:30 AM–12:00 PM

Downtown Franklin Farmers Market

Downtown Franklin • Free

Shop local produce, baked goods, handmade crafts, specialty foods, and small-business vendors in downtown Franklin.

9:00 AM–12:00 PM

Oakwood Farmers Market

22 Orchard Dr, Oakwood • Free

Community farmers market with local farms, gourmet food vendors, artisans, baked goods, and handcrafted products.

9:00 AM–1:00 PM

Germantown Central Market

Germantown • Free

Local market featuring honey, flavored and creamed honey, pollen, seasonal syrup, and regional farm goods.

11:00 AM–2:00 PM

Exploring Kayaking and Fishing: Learn the Basics

265 Gasper Somers Rd, Camden • Registration required

Beginner-friendly outdoor workshop covering kayak safety, fishing techniques, equipment basics, and shore or kayak-based fishing.

11:30 AM–1:00 PM

SAHS UGRR Guided Walking Tour

Springboro Area Historical Society • Ticketed

Guided walking tour exploring Springboro’s Underground Railroad history, historic sites, and stories of freedom seekers and abolitionists.

12:00–7:00 PM

Carillon Park Small-Scale Train Rides

Carillon Historical Park • Included with admission

Miniature train rides operated by the Carillon Park Rail & Steam Society, offering family-friendly railroad fun.

4:00–10:00 PM

Cheese Fest 2026

Austin Landing, Miamisburg • Free admission

Food festival celebrating cheese curds, grilled cheese, pizza, cheese dogs, vendors, live music, and an outdoor beer garden.

5:00 PM

Heart of Bellbrook Film Festival

Miami Valley South Stadium • Free

Community film festival with food vendors, games, themed refreshments, popcorn, and local film screenings beginning at 8 PM.

5:00–7:00 PM

Dayton Freestyle Kayaking Competition

RiverScape MetroPark • Free spectator event

Watch skilled paddlers compete in freestyle kayaking runs on downtown Dayton’s whitewater features.

5:30–9:30 PM

Funk Fest with The Bar-Kays, Plazmatic & Freakquency

Levitt Pavilion Dayton • Free

Outdoor funk concert with The Bar-Kays, Plazmatic, and Freakquency, plus food trucks and downtown dancing.

7:00 PM

Don & Ryan’s Rock N’ Soul Revue

Springboro Community Theatre • Ticketed

Classic Rock N’ Soul revue featuring music from the 1950s through 1980s, including Motown, Philadelphia soul, and pop tributes.

Sunday, May 31

10:00 AM–4:00 PM

Jim & Dan’s Comic and Toy Show

Wright State University Student Union • $5; kids 12 and under free

Browse comics, toys, collectibles, artwork, memorabilia, and pop culture treasures from regional vendors and guest creators.

11:00 AM

Cincy Hikes Buckeye Trail #14

Caesar Creek / Waynesville • RSVP requested

Guided 6.6-mile Buckeye Trail hike through Caesar Creek, following blue blazes with a group of outdoor enthusiasts.

1:00–4:00 PM

Youth Fishing Derby

Sinclair Community College Centerville Campus • Registration required

Family-friendly youth fishing derby with prizes, giveaways, food trucks, and outdoor fun at the campus pond.

4:00–8:00 PM

Dayton Ahiska Turkish Festival

Levitt Pavilion Dayton • Free

Cultural festival with Turkish food, live music, traditional dancing, family activities, and cultural performances.

Monday, June 1

6:00–7:00 PM

Introduction to Archery

HotShots Archery Academy, Dayton • Registration required

Five-week beginner archery course covering safety, technique, target shooting, and equipment basics for ages 8 and older.

Tuesday, June 2

6:00–8:00 PM

Cemetery Symbols Tour

Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum • Suggested $5 donation

Guided tour exploring the meanings behind gravestone symbols, memorial art, cultural emblems, and historic cemetery iconography.

Wednesday, June 3

6:00–8:00 PM

The Daytonians: Stories of Heroes, Inventors and Tragedies

Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum • Suggested $5 donation

Guided tour sharing stories of notable Daytonians, including inventors, business leaders, Civil War figures, and local legends.

Thursday, June 4

10:00 AM

Creeking

Sebald MetroPark, Middletown • Free

Hands-on creek exploration with MetroParks educators and conservation experts, helping families discover aquatic insects, fish, and creek wildlife.

5:00–8:00 PM

First Thursday Street Fair

West Carrollton Centre • Free

Summer street fair with live music, food vendors, artisans, local makers, community organizations, and family-friendly activities.

Friday, June 5

5:30–6:30 PM

Guided Downtown Dayton Walking Tour

Dayton Arcade / Downtown Dayton • Registration required

Preservation Dayton walking tour exploring downtown Dayton’s architecture, retail history, industrial past, entertainment districts, and urban landmarks.

5:30–8:30 PM

Bluegrass at the Barn

George Rogers Clark Park • $10 adults; youth free

Outdoor bluegrass evening at historic Hertzler Barn with The Hamiltons, Blackwater, Honey Creek Cloggers, rope tricks, and food trucks.

Featured Event

Summer Concert Spotlight

🎶 Funk Fest Returns to Levitt Pavilion

Get ready to groove! One of downtown Dayton's most energetic summer traditions is returning as Funk Fest takes over Levitt Pavilion. Known for its infectious rhythms, lively atmosphere, and family-friendly vibe, this annual celebration brings together music lovers from across the Miami Valley.

The festival showcases an exciting lineup of funk, soul, R&B, and groove-inspired performers, transforming Levitt Pavilion into an outdoor dance party under the stars. Whether you're a longtime fan of classic funk or simply looking for a fun summer night downtown, this event delivers plenty of entertainment.

🎤 What to Expect

• Live funk and soul performances
• Food trucks and local vendors
• Dancing on the lawn
• Family-friendly atmosphere
• Free outdoor entertainment

🌆 A Perfect Summer Night

Levitt Pavilion has become one of Dayton's favorite gathering places for live music. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, arrive early to find a good spot, and enjoy an evening filled with great music and community spirit.

🎵 Why Funk Music?

Funk music is known for its powerful bass lines, energetic rhythms, and feel-good grooves that get audiences moving. The genre helped shape modern R&B, hip-hop, and pop music, making Funk Fest both a celebration of music history and a great excuse to dance.

👨‍👩‍👧 Great For

• Music lovers
• Families
• Date nights
• Groups of friends
• Anyone looking for a fun downtown experience

💡 Pro Tip

Arrive early to grab a good lawn spot and consider dining downtown before the show to make it a complete evening out.

Why it's worth attending: Few events capture the energy of summer in Dayton quite like Funk Fest. Great music, a beautiful outdoor venue, and a lively crowd make it one of the season's most enjoyable nights out.

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

Creeking Elk Creek MetroPark's Sebald Park Area

Featured Park

🐎 Sebald MetroPark

Nestled in Butler County near Middletown, Sebald MetroPark is one of southwest Ohio's hidden gems. This 165-acre park offers a peaceful blend of woodlands, open fields, waterways, and recreational opportunities that make it a great destination for families, hikers, anglers, and horseback riders alike.

Named after conservation advocate Robert Sebald, the park has become a favorite escape for those looking to enjoy nature without the crowds often found at larger parks.

🐴 Home to Butler County's Only Public Horse Trails

One of Sebald MetroPark's most unique features is its extensive equestrian trail system. The park offers approximately 9.5 miles of public horse trails, making it a popular destination for riders throughout the region. Even if you're not a rider, it's fun to watch horses and riders enjoying the scenic trails.

🎣 Fishing & Water Views

Elk Creek winds through the park, providing beautiful scenery and opportunities for fishing and wildlife observation. The peaceful setting makes it easy to spend an afternoon enjoying the outdoors.

🥾 Trails for Everyone

In addition to its horse trails, Sebald MetroPark features walking paths and natural areas perfect for exploring. Visitors often spot deer, songbirds, rabbits, and other wildlife throughout the year.

🌳 Perfect For

• Horseback riding
• Fishing
• Hiking and walking
• Wildlife viewing
• Nature photography
• Family picnics

💡 Pro Tip

Bring a camera and visit in the early morning or near sunset when wildlife is most active and the light over Elk Creek is especially beautiful.

Why it's worth visiting: Sebald MetroPark offers a different outdoor experience than many area parks. With horseback riding, fishing, scenic creek views, and peaceful natural surroundings, it's an ideal destination for anyone looking to slow down and enjoy a quieter side of southwest Ohio.

Recipe of the Week

🍗 Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers

Summer grilling season is here, and these Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers are packed with flavor while being simple enough for a weeknight dinner. They're perfect for backyard cookouts, patio dinners, or a quick family meal.

🛒 Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken breast, cubed
• 1/3 cup honey
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 red bell pepper, chunked
• 1 yellow bell pepper, chunked
• 1 red onion, chunked
• Salt and pepper to taste

👨‍🍳 Directions

1. Mix honey, garlic, soy sauce, and olive oil in a bowl.
2. Add chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
3. Thread chicken and vegetables onto skewers.
4. Grill over medium heat for 12–15 minutes, turning occasionally.
5. Brush with extra marinade during cooking.
6. Serve hot.

🥗 Serve With

• Corn on the cob
• Pasta salad
• Watermelon slices
• Grilled zucchini
• Fresh lemonade

Pro Tip: Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.

Home Tips

🏡 5 Simple Ways to Keep Your Home Cool This Summer

Summer temperatures are beginning to climb, and keeping your home comfortable doesn't have to mean sky-high energy bills. A few simple adjustments can help your home stay cooler while saving money.

These easy tips can make a noticeable difference as we head into the hottest months of the year.

🌞 1. Close Blinds During Peak Sunlight

Windows can let in a surprising amount of heat. Closing blinds and curtains during the hottest part of the day can help keep indoor temperatures lower.

🌀 2. Reverse Your Ceiling Fans

Most ceiling fans have a switch that changes the blade direction. During summer, fans should spin counterclockwise to push cool air downward.

🧹 3. Change Your HVAC Filter

A dirty air filter forces your air conditioner to work harder. Replacing filters regularly improves airflow and helps your system run more efficiently.

🌳 4. Add Shade Where You Can

Patio umbrellas, shade sails, and strategically placed plants can make outdoor spaces much more comfortable while reducing heat near windows and doors.

💡 5. Switch to LED Bulbs

Traditional bulbs generate more heat than most people realize. LED bulbs use less energy and produce significantly less heat.

Pro Tip: Schedule your grilling, gardening, and outdoor chores for the morning or evening hours when temperatures are cooler and more comfortable.

💡 Answer to Trivia Question:

Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark is a beautiful 54-acre garden park named in honor of Benjamin Wegerzyn, a Dayton horticulturist and community leader whose vision helped inspire the creation of the original Benjamin Wegerzyn Horticultural Center in 1973. Today, the park features themed gardens, woodland trails, and the popular Children’s Discovery Garden, offering visitors a peaceful place to explore nature and seasonal blooms year-round.