Alan Vandergrift
Aug 28, 2026
Trivia Question❓What is the only airplane designated a National Historic Landmark? Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
Dayton Events |
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Dayton Area EventsFriday, August 28 – Friday, September 4, 2026 • Dayton & the surrounding Miami Valley Friday, August 283:00 PM – Late
Farm To Bottle Festival 2026 – FridayPrice: Check organizer
Opening day of the fourth annual Farm To Bottle Festival at the Clinton County Fairgrounds. The festival continues Saturday with food, entertainment and festival activities. 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Clifton Gorge Music & Arts Festival – FridayPrice: Free
Two-day community festival featuring live music, more than 65 artisans and vendors, food, a beer tent, kids activities, guided gorge hikes, demonstrations and a Friday cruise-in. 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Hamilton Octane Fest – Supercar ShowcasePrice: Free for spectators
Opening-night showcase featuring some of the region’s most distinctive supercars. Proceeds connected with the show benefit The Shield Ohio. 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
12th Annual Egyptian Festival – FridayPrice: Free admission & parking
Enjoy Egyptian food and pastries, arts and crafts, entertainment, carnival games, face painting, souvenirs, raffles and church tours highlighting Coptic Orthodox history. 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Fourth Friday on Fourth StreetPrice: No admission charge listed
Downtown Franklin’s community evening brings together live music, food trucks, local vendors, shopping and dining at downtown businesses. 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
33rd Annual Greater Dayton Lebanese Festival – FridayPrice: Free
Opening night features traditional Lebanese food, desserts, beverages, ethnic music, Dabke dancing and amusement rides and games for children. 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute with Let’s Groove TonightPrice: Free
A high-energy Earth, Wind & Fire tribute featuring soulful vocals, horns, choreography and favorites including “September,” “Boogie Wonderland” and “Let’s Groove.” 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
J & the CausewaysPrice: Free
New Orleans soul and rock ensemble J & the Causeways brings powerful vocals and a soulful, groove-heavy sound to the Levitt lawn. 7:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Lock 9 Concert Series: Alan Jackson Tribute & Strait Country TributePrice: Free
A free outdoor country concert celebrating the music of Alan Jackson and George Strait. Bring lawn chairs or blankets for an evening along the river. 8:00 PM • Doors 7:00 PM
Brothers Osborne with Nathan CoxPrice: $38.50–$68.50 plus applicable fees
Grammy-winning country duo Brothers Osborne celebrates a decade since breakthrough album Pawn Shop with a summer stop at Rose Music Center. 8:00 PM • Gates 5:00 PM
Rockin A Rodeo – Battle of the BeastPrice: $20 advance • $25 gate • Ages 5 & under free
Professional bull riding and rodeo entertainment launch a two-night event featuring tough bulls, cowboys and family-oriented arena action. Saturday, August 299:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Greene County Antiques MarketPrice: Check organizer
Shop approximately 35 exhibitors offering antique furniture, accessories, rugs, stoneware, quilts, coverlets, primitive signs, clocks and other vintage finds. 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
TGG Market – The Grazing GroundPrice: Free to browse
Neighborhood farm market offering naturally grown produce, farm-fresh eggs, small-batch jams, baked goods, seasonal spreads, handmade gifts and visits with the farm’s goats. 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
ARTfest on Main 2026Price: Free
A large outdoor arts festival filling historic Springboro with artists, entertainment and family activities. The supplied Facebook listing drew more than 9,000 responses. 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
12th Annual Egyptian Festival – SaturdayPrice: Free admission & parking
Full festival day featuring Egyptian cuisine and pastries, arts and crafts, children’s activities, entertainment, raffles and tours of the church. 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Clifton Gorge Music & Arts Festival – SaturdayPrice: Free
Second festival day with music, artisans, vendors, food, a beer tent, kids activities, demonstrations and opportunities to explore the Clifton Gorge area. 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Art For All Day – Dayton Art InstitutePrice: Free
The museum removes admission charges for the day, including access to its permanent collection plus current special and focus exhibitions. 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
33rd Annual Greater Dayton Lebanese Festival – SaturdayPrice: Free
Full-day celebration of Lebanese food and culture with ethnic music, Dabke dancing, desserts, beverages, family rides and games. 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
The Harvest Gathering of the CropsPrice: $7 adults • $6 ages 6–17 & seniors • Ages 5 & under free
Explore historic food preparation and preservation through demonstrations including making hominy, stringing beans and grinding corn into cornmeal. 12:00 PM
Xenia Monster Truck Wars – Saturday MatineePrice: Ticketed
Monster Truck Wars brings giant trucks, racing, stunts and family-oriented motorsports entertainment to Xenia, with optional monster-truck ride experiences. 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Hamilton Octane Fest – Main ShowPrice: Free for spectators
Car show with vendors and music. Registration runs noon–1 PM, judging from 1–3 PM and awards begin at 3:30 PM across multiple vehicle classes. Afternoon & Evening
Farm To Bottle Festival 2026 – SaturdayPrice: Check organizer
Second day of the Farm To Bottle Festival. Check the organizer’s current schedule for Saturday’s individual activities and exact opening time. 6:00 PM
Xenia Monster Truck Wars – Saturday Evening ShowPrice: Ticketed
The second Saturday performance delivers another round of giant-truck racing, stunts, motorsports action and family entertainment. 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Cassidy DanielsPrice: Free
Country-rock and Southern-soul artist Cassidy Daniels performs a free downtown concert, with Sam King & the Suspects opening. 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Lock 9 Concert Series: Jump – America’s Van Halen ExperiencePrice: Free
The final night of Piqua’s 2026 Lock 9 Concert Series features Jump: America’s Van Halen Experience with opener Roughhouse. 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Hamilton Octane Fest – Import NightsPrice: Free for spectators
Evening import-car gathering with illuminated cars, music and a focus on the region’s import scene. Sunday, August 308:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Western Ohio Youth RodeoPrice: Check organizer
A full day of youth rodeo competition hosted at Bullen Equestrian Center in Eaton. 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
12th Annual Egyptian Festival – SundayPrice: Free admission & parking
Final festival day with Egyptian food, pastries, entertainment, shopping, children’s activities, raffles and church tours. 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
33rd Annual Greater Dayton Lebanese Festival – SundayPrice: Free
Closing day of the Lebanese Festival with traditional food, music, Dabke dancing, desserts, beverages and family rides and games. 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Art For All Day – Dayton Art InstitutePrice: Free
Second day of the museum’s free-admission weekend, with the permanent collection and current special and focus exhibitions included. 2:00 PM
Xenia Monster Truck Wars – Sunday MatineePrice: Ticketed
The weekend’s final Monster Truck Wars show features giant trucks, racing, stunts and optional monster-truck ride experiences. 7:30 PM • Gates 6:30 PM
ZZ Top – The Big One! TourPrice: $70 lawn/terrace • $99 side orchestra • $109 plaza/center orchestra
The Texas rock legends bring more than five decades of blues-driven rock, boogie and instantly recognizable hits to Fraze Pavilion. Monday, August 316:30 PM
Monday Night Trivia at Wandering GriffinPrice: Check venue
Monday-evening general-knowledge trivia offers a casual option for teams looking for something to do between the festival-heavy weekends. Tuesday, September 14:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Try Mountain Biking with Five Rivers MetroParksPrice: Free
Try mountain biking with loaner bikes and helmets provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Riders under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Weather dependent. 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Sunset Sessions with Elle 'n' MurrellPrice: Free concert
Dayton indie duo Elle 'n' Murrell blends R&B, hip-hop, jazz and funk for an evening performance overlooking the river. Wednesday, September 25:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Free Yoga – Arcade Arts & WellnessPrice: Free
An all-levels yoga session in the historic Dayton Arcade with gentle movement, mindful breathing and a welcoming atmosphere for beginners and experienced participants alike. Thursday, September 310:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Toddler & Me Hike – Karohl ParkPrice: No registration required
A short nature hike designed especially for toddlers and their accompanying adults, encouraging movement, fresh air, discovery and social interaction. 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
BCFAM: Market September 3rdPrice: Free to browse
Butler County Farmers & Artisan Market brings local farmers, crafters and handmakers together for a family-friendly evening market downtown. 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Woodland Historic TourPrice: Suggested $5 donation / reservation required
Explore one of the nation’s oldest rural cemeteries while hearing stories of notable Daytonians buried at Woodland, including prominent writers, inventors and civic figures. 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
DCDC “Taking it to the Streets”Price: Free
Dayton Contemporary Dance Company brings music, movement and community together in an energetic free outdoor performance downtown. 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Music Bingo!Price: Free to participate
Favorite songs replace traditional bingo numbers in this music-based game night. Food and drinks are available from the RiverScape Café. Friday, September 412:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Dayton Home Expo – FridayPrice: Free admission & parking
Meet local and national home-improvement vendors covering remodeling, outdoor living, home automation, security, design, décor and DIY projects. The expo continues September 5–6. 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM • VIP Friday
Walnut Hills Farm Fall Market – Friday VIP NightPrice: Ticketed • General VIP $8 at door; special VIP options available
Outdoor fall market featuring more than 70 handmade and boutique vendors, food and drinks, live music, alpacas, seasonal photo opportunities and farm scenery. Exclusive VIP entry begins at 4 PM; general VIP shopping runs 5–8 PM. 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Front Street Studio’s 61st Anniversary Food Truck RallyPrice: Free admission
Front Street celebrates 61 years with a food-truck rally, live entertainment, beer garden and access to more than 100 artist studios across the campus. 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
September First Friday at the Dayton ArcadePrice: Free admission
Explore the historic Arcade Concourse, shop local tenants and popup vendors, enjoy food and drinks, and hear live music from BJSR from 5–7 PM. 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
80s Party with RetrobutionPrice: Free
RiverScape’s summer music season celebrates the ’80s with Dayton band Retrobution performing recreations of Cars, Duran Duran, Bowie, Billy Idol and other MTV-era favorites. |
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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: The 1905 Wright Flyer III - Preserved at Carillon Historical Park, the Flyer III is also Ohio’s official state airplane. |
