Alan Vandergrift
Aug 14, 2026
Trivia Question❓What historic mansion was associated with both the Patterson family and NCR history? Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
Dayton Events |
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Dayton & Miami Valley EventsAugust 14–21, 2026 Friday, August 14Daily fair hours vary
Miami County Fair – Opening DayCounty Fair
$6 ages 9+ · Ages 8 & under free The Miami County Fair opens with livestock, agriculture, midway rides, fair food and entertainment. Friday’s featured grandstand activity includes the Livestock Scramble at 7:00 PM. 5:00–11:00 PM
GermanFest Picnic – FridayCultural Festival
Free admission Opening night of Dayton’s German heritage festival featuring German food, bier and wine, music, dancing, vendors and cultural displays in St. Anne’s Hill. 5:00–11:00 PM
Bellbrook SummerFest – FridayCommunity Festival
Free admission · Rides and concessions extra The 79th annual SummerFest opens with carnival rides, games, festival food, beer and wine, and live music from Curious Animals from 7:00–11:00 PM. 5:00–10:00 PM
Dayton Taco Fest 2026Food Festival
Free admission Food trucks serve tacos, quesadillas, nachos and creative specialty dishes alongside their regular menus during this large summer food-truck festival. 5:30–9:00 PM
Centerville Party in the Park: Twist on TaylorCommunity Festival
Free More than 30 vendors and kids activities begin the evening before the Twist on Taylor concert at 7:00 PM. Food trucks and beer sales will also be available. 6:00–10:00 PM
Runway Fest 2026Aviation Festival
Free admission & parking Live music by Karate Girls, food trucks, aircraft and helicopter experiences, a KidZone and fireworks highlight this family aviation celebration. 6:00–9:00 PM
Romantic River RendezvousDate Night
$30 per couple · Registration required Couples float the Little Miami River on tubes tied for two before ending the evening with a bonfire, s’mores and a luminaria-lit walk. 7:00–9:00 PM
Big Band Concert with Dayton Jazz OrchestraLive Music
Free Dayton Jazz Orchestra performs big-band and swing favorites, with Gem City Swing offering a free dance lesson during intermission. 7:00–10:00 PM
Star City Concert Series: Midnight Blue – The Foreigner ExperienceClassic Rock Tribute
Free Midnight Blue performs a tribute to Foreigner and Lou Gramm featuring familiar ’70s and ’80s rock favorites. 7:00 PM
American Patchwork QuartetLive Music
Free American Patchwork Quartet brings its distinctive blend of American roots traditions to Levitt Pavilion’s free downtown summer concert series. Saturday, August 15Daily fair hours vary
Miami County Fair – SaturdayCounty Fair
$6 ages 9+ · Ages 8 & under free Saturday brings livestock, agriculture, midway attractions, fair food and entertainment, with tractor pulls scheduled for 6:00 PM. 8:00 AM · Competition continues throughout the day
1st Ohio Cowboy Mounted Shooting – SaturdayEquestrian
Spectator price not listed Riders compete in cowboy mounted shooting, combining horsemanship, speed and accuracy on timed courses. 8:30 AM tee times
26th Annual Wright Brothers Open – Round 1Disc Golf
Competitor fees vary Round one of the two-day PDGA B-tier tournament begins with scheduled tee times starting at 8:30 AM. 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Touch a TruckFamily
Free Families can explore fire trucks, ambulances, tractors, dump trucks, military vehicles and other working equipment up close. 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
TGG MarketFarm Market
Free admission Small farm market featuring naturally grown produce, eggs, gluten-free baked goods, preserves, handmade gifts and opportunities to visit the goats. 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
Art in the City: Dance Pop-UpArts
Free Free dance performances featuring multiple styles plus creative programming and a digital greeting-card workshop. 11:00 AM–7:00 PM
Fairborn Sweet Corn Festival – SaturdayFestival
Free admission & parking Saturday features sweet corn, roughly 130 arts, crafts and food vendors, live entertainment, family activities, pony and train rides and the annual corn-eating contest. 12:00–8:00 PM
Dayton African American Cultural Festival – SaturdayCultural Festival
Free Saturday’s festival programming includes live music, dance, cultural education, vendors, food, art and family activities celebrating African American culture. 11:00 AM–11:00 PM
GermanFest Picnic – SaturdayCultural Festival
Free admission Full Saturday of German food, bier, wine, music, dancing, cultural programming and vendors in St. Anne’s Hill. 4:00–11:00 PM
Bellbrook SummerFest – SaturdayCommunity Festival
Free admission SummerFest continues with its downtown parade at 4:00 PM, rides, games, festival food and Britches Down performing from 7:00–11:00 PM. 4:00 PM
OSATPA Tractor PullTractor Pull
Price not confirmed Ohio State Antique Tractor Pullers Association competitors take to the pulling track for an afternoon of antique tractor competition. 7:00 PM · Doors open 6:00 PM
Totally Tubular Festival’80s / New Wave
Ticketed Thomas Dolby & The Lost Toy People, A Flock of Seagulls, Men Without Hats, The Producers, Animotion, The Escape Club and Tommy Tutone perform in one large ’80s package. 7:00 PM
McGuffey LaneLive Music
Free Ohio country-rock favorites McGuffey Lane perform a free outdoor concert on the Levitt lawn. Sunday, August 16Daily fair hours vary
Miami County Fair – SundayCounty Fair
$6 ages 9+ · Ages 8 & under free Sunday includes fair activities throughout the grounds, Wiener Dog & Corgi Races at 1:00 PM and Emily Ann Roberts with Ian Harrison at 7:00 PM. Competition continues · Concludes by 3:00 PM
1st Ohio Cowboy Mounted Shooting – SundayEquestrian
Spectator price not listed Final day of the mounted shooting competition, with riders completing the weekend’s timed equestrian courses. 8:30 AM tee times
26th Annual Wright Brothers Open – Round 2Disc Golf
Competitor fees vary The Wright Brothers Open concludes with round-two tee times beginning at 8:30 AM. 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
Fairborn Sweet Corn Festival – SundayFestival
Free admission & parking The festival’s final day continues with sweet corn, food, arts and crafts, live entertainment and family attractions. 12:00–6:00 PM
Dayton African American Cultural Festival – SundayCultural Festival
Free Sunday closes the cultural festival with another afternoon of music, dance, food, vendors, art and educational programming. 11:00 AM–4:00 PM
GermanFest Picnic – SundayCultural Festival
Free admission Final day of GermanFest with food, music, bier, cultural displays and community activities in St. Anne’s Hill. 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
RiverScape Whitewater Skills PracticePaddling
Price not listed Water Safe Ohio hosts a basic-to-intermediate river skills practice including throw-bag work and swiftwater rescue techniques. 2:00–3:30 PM
Venardos CircusCircus
Ticketed Animal-free Broadway-style circus featuring aerialists, acrobats, jugglers, comedy, hand-balancing, magic and daredevil performances. 6:30–8:30 PM
Most Haunted Waynesville: Ghost of Main Street TourGhost Walk
$25 standard · $35 VIP Guided historic ghost walk combining documented local history, legends and paranormal stories. VIP admission includes additional ghost-hunting time. 7:00 PM · Doors 6:00 PM
Karen Rontowski – The Original Psychic StandupComedy
$30 / $40 Stand-up comedy meets tarot readings, improvisation and audience interaction in this mature-audience performance. Monday, August 17Daily fair hours vary · Kids Day 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Miami County Fair – MondayCounty Fair
$6 ages 9+ · Ages 8 & under free Monday’s fair programming includes Kids Day from 10:00 AM–1:00 PM along with midway rides, livestock, agriculture, food and family activities. 6:00–7:00 PM
Community Fitness: YogaWellness
Free Outdoor all-levels yoga with beginner modifications and options for experienced participants. Tuesday, August 18Daily fair hours vary
Miami County Fair – TuesdayCounty Fair
$6 ages 9+ · Ages 8 & under free The fair continues Tuesday with livestock, agricultural displays, midway attractions, food and scheduled entertainment throughout the grounds. 12:30–2:30 PM
Household Hazardous Waste Drop-OffCommunity Service
Free · Greene County residents only Safe disposal of qualifying household chemicals, pesticides, oil-based paints and other hazardous materials. 5:00–8:00 PM
Tasty Tuesday Food Truck RallyFood Trucks
Free admission Rotating food trucks, local makers, yard games and board games create a casual Tuesday-evening gathering. 7:00–9:00 PM
Sunset Sessions with IllWinLive Music
Free Dayton artist IllWin performs an evening of hip-hop, storytelling and local music beside the Great Miami River. Wednesday, August 19Daily fair hours vary
Miami County Fair – WednesdayCounty Fair
$6 ages 9+ · Ages 8 & under free Wednesday’s county fair includes livestock, midway attractions and scheduled entertainment, including KOI Drag Racing. 5:00–8:00 PM
August Crafty Arcade with The Savage StitcherArts & Crafts
Free entry An indoor evening of hands-on creativity, crafting and community connection in the Dayton Arcade. Thursday, August 20Daily fair hours vary · Demolition Derby 7:00 PM
Miami County Fair – Final DayCounty Fair
$6 ages 9+ · Ages 8 & under free The fair closes with livestock, midway attractions, food and scheduled entertainment, including the DerbyDog Demolition Derby at 7:00 PM. 4:00–7:00 PM
Waynesville Farmers MarketFarmers Market
Free admission Third-Thursday community market featuring local growers, makers and vendors in downtown Waynesville. 5:00–9:00 PM
Girls Night Out in Historic SpringboroShopping
No admission charge shown Participating shops and restaurants host an evening of shopping, dining, specials and treats throughout the historic district. 6:00 PM
Fifth Street Gives Back – Historic South Park PreservationFundraiser
No cover stated Ten percent of sales and all raffle proceeds benefit Historic South Park preservation efforts. 6:00–8:00 PM
Summer Music in the Park: Brooks & DougLive Music
Free Brooks & Doug perform crowd favorites and original music during Vandalia’s outdoor summer concert series. 6:00–8:00 PM
Woodland Historic TourHistory Tour
Suggested $5 donation · Reservation required Guided walking tour visiting the gravesites of notable Daytonians including the Wright Brothers, Paul Laurence Dunbar and Erma Bombeck. 7:00 PM
The LeVert ExperienceR&B / Soul
Free Marc Gordon of LeVert performs with Joe Little of The Rude Boys and Dave Tolliver of Men At Large in a free classic R&B concert. 7:00–9:00 PM
Music Bingo!Games & Entertainment
Free Songs replace traditional bingo numbers in a casual music game with prizes, food and drinks available nearby. Friday, August 2111:00 AM–12:15 PM
Turtle Creek Valley FlyerScenic Train
Coach from $15 · Deluxe from $20 Enjoy a 75-minute round-trip vintage train ride through the Warren County countryside aboard the Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad. 5:00–11:00 PM · Music 7:00–11:00 PM
Vetfest Ohio 2026 featuring Britches DownFundraiser
$10 donation at the door Country and rock music, dancing, food and drinks support veteran-focused initiatives and community programs. 7:00–9:00 PM
Cornerstone Music Series: InnovationJazz / Fusion
Free Contemporary jazz and fusion group Innovation performs modern grooves during Centerville’s outdoor neighborhood concert series. 7:00–9:00 PM
Kenny Chesney Tribute with The Poets & PiratesCountry Tribute
Free The Poets & Pirates perform a Kenny Chesney tribute as part of RiverScape’s Summer Music Series. 7:00 PM
Bywater CallRoots / Rock / Soul
Free Bywater Call blends rock, roots, blues and Southern soul during a free outdoor concert on the Levitt lawn. |
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This newsletter sponsored by The Renaissance Men |
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Veteran-owned Construction Co. focused on rebuilding homes, restoring hope, and reviving community! 813-500-9788 |
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Featured Park |
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Recipe of the Week |
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Home Tips |
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💡 Answer to Trivia Question: Patterson Homestead-The home is connected to Col. Robert Patterson and his grandson John H. Patterson, founder of the National Cash Register Company. |