🏴‍☠️ Ahoy! Pirates, Nature & Fall Adventures Await!

🎉 Dayton events, featured parks, tasty recipes & hot home tips inside—don't miss out!

Alan Vandergrift

Sep 18, 2026

Trivia Question❓

What Dayton paper company became a major producer of school and office supplies?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Dayton Events

Dayton Area Events

September 18–25, 2026 • Dayton & surrounding Miami Valley, Ohio

Friday, September 18

11:00 AM–8:00 PM

Air Force Marathon Health & Fitness Expo

Fitness

Wright State University Nutter Center • Fairborn

Free & open to the public

More than 100 health, fitness and nutrition exhibitors, plus race packet pickup and activities during Air Force Marathon weekend.

6:00 PM / 6:30 PM

Air Force Marathon Tailwind Trot & 5K

Sports

Wright State University • Fairborn

Registration required for races

The kids' 1K begins at 6 PM, followed by the 5K at 6:30 PM as Air Force Marathon race weekend gets underway.

7:00–9:00 PM

Cornerstone Music Series: 5 Band

Live Music

Cornerstone Park • 5210 Cornerstone North Blvd., Centerville

Free

Local favorite 5 Band performs classic rock, pop and dance favorites at the outdoor Cornerstone Park Pavilion. Bring your own seating.

Saturday, September 19

6:30 AM

Air Force Marathon

Sports

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force • Dayton

Race registration required • Finish Line Festival free

Marathon starts at 6:30 AM; the half marathon and 10K begin at 7:15 AM. Race-day festivities continue at the museum.

8:00 AM–8:00 PM

Preble County Pork Festival

Festival

Preble County Fairgrounds • Eaton

Free admission & parking • Donations accepted

A Miami Valley tradition featuring pork dishes, crafts, exhibitors, entertainment and racing pigs. Breakfast begins as early as 6:30

8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Springfield Antique Show & Flea Market Extravaganza

Shopping

Clark County Fairgrounds • Springfield

$12 general admission • Early buying options available

A large antique, vintage and flea market gathering with more than 2,000 dealer spaces spread across buildings and outdoor fields.

9:00 AM–3:00 PM

Finds on the Farm Fall Craft Show

Craft Show

Niederman Family Farm • 5110 LeSourdsville West Chester Rd.

Free admission & parking

Outdoor fall shopping with 100+ vendors featuring handmade goods, unique finds and local small businesses.

10:00 AM–3:00 PM

Airport Fest 2026

Family / Aviation

Warren County Airport • 2460 Greentree Rd., Lebanon

Free admission

Explore aircraft displays, meet pilots, enjoy kids' activities, live music and food trucks, with airplane and helicopter rides offered separately.

10:30 AM–7:00 PM

Ohio Renaissance Festival — Pirates Weekend

Festival

Renaissance Park • 10542 E. State Route 73, Waynesville

Adult date-specific ticket $36 + fees • Child $10 + fees • Free parking

Pirates take over the Renaissance Festival with sea shanties, a life-size pirate ship, treasure-hunt fun and themed entertainment throughout the day.

12:00–4:00 PM

Dayton Book Fest 2026

Books

Antioch Shrine • 107 E. First St., Dayton

General admission / VIP options; check organizer

A literary celebration featuring dozens of authors across multiple genres, vendors, book shopping and opportunities to meet writers.

5:00–10:00 PM

September Biergarten

Food & Culture

Dayton Liederkranz Turner • 1400 E. Fifth St., Dayton

Check organizer

German food, drinks and music with sauerkraut balls, brats, metts, pretzels and desserts at Dayton's German club.

Sunday, September 20

8:00 AM–12:00 PM

Miamisburg Triathlon

Sports

Riverfront Park • 1 Water St., Miamisburg

Participant registration required

A 2.5-mile canoe or paddleboard leg followed by a 5K run and 10-mile bike course along flat, fast routes.

8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Preble County Pork Festival — Day 2

Festival

Preble County Fairgrounds • Eaton

Free admission & parking • Donations accepted

Sunday includes food, exhibitors, racing pigs, entertainment and a noon car and tractor show. Breakfast starts at 6:30 AM.

9:00 AM–4:00 PM

Springfield Antique Show & Flea Market Extravaganza

Shopping

Clark County Fairgrounds • Springfield

$12 general admission • Early buying options available

A large antique, vintage and flea market gathering with more than 2,000 dealer spaces spread across buildings and outdoor fields.

10:30 AM–4:00 PM

Dayton Concours d'Elegance 2026

Automotive

Carillon Historical Park • 1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton

Ticketed

Around 200 antique and classic automobiles fill the park, joined by music, food, drinks, an auction and automotive art.

10:30 AM–7:00 PM

Ohio Renaissance Festival — Pirates Weekend

Festival

Renaissance Park • Waynesville

Adult $36 + fees • Child $10 + fees • Free parking

The second day of Pirates Weekend brings themed shows, sea shanties, pirate activities and the full Renaissance Festival experience.

11:00 AM–3:00 PM

Finds on the Farm Fall Craft Show

Craft Show

Niederman Family Farm • Liberty Township

Free admission & parking

Day two of the outdoor fall market with more than 100 vendors and locally made and unique goods.

12:00–6:00 PM

Dayton Vegan Food & Drink Festival

Food Festival

Courthouse Square • 23 N. Main St., Dayton

Free entry

A downtown festival of plant-based food, drinks, local vendors and small businesses.

4:00–7:00 PM

Cornerstone Music Series: GuitarFest featuring Jim McCutcheon

Live Music

Cornerstone Park • Centerville

Free

The Dayton Guitar Society's GuitarFest showcases varied guitar styles, headlined by fingerstyle guitarist, composer and educator Jim McCutcheon.

Monday, September 21

5:30–7:30 PM

Woodland Historic Tour

History

Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum • 118 Woodland Ave., Dayton

Reservation required • Suggested $5 donation

A guided walk through one of the country's oldest rural cemeteries and the resting places of notable Daytonians including the Wright brothers.

Tuesday, September 22

12:30–2:30 PM

Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off

Community

Greene County Environmental Services • Xenia

Check county eligibility requirements

County collection opportunity for accepted household hazardous materials including cleaners, antifreeze, paints, stains and related products.

Wednesday, September 23

6:00–8:00 PM

Woodland Historic Tour

History

Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum • 118 Woodland Ave., Dayton

Reservation required • Suggested $5 donation

Explore Woodland's history and the stories of prominent Daytonians during an evening guided walking tour.

Thursday, September 24

4:00–8:00 PM

Thursday Food Truck Rally

Food

Hobson Freedom Park • 2910 Trebein Rd., Fairborn

Free entry • Food available for purchase

An evening gathering of food trucks and vendors with music in the park.

4:30–7:30 PM

Mid-week Fly Fishing — Lofino Park

Outdoors

Dominick Lofino Park • Beavercreek

Check organizer

An informal Miami Valley Fly Fishers outing targeting sunfish, crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass.

6:00–7:00 PM

Eudora Book Club with Wilmington-Stroop Dayton Metro Library

Books

Eudora Brewing Company • 3022 Wilmington Pike, Kettering

Free / check organizer

A monthly community book discussion presented in partnership with the Wilmington-Stroop Branch of Dayton Metro Library.

7:00–9:00 PM

Music Bingo!

Games / Music

RiverScape MetroPark • 237 E. Monument Ave., Dayton

Free to participate

Identify songs instead of numbers in this music-based bingo game by the RiverScape Café, with prizes for winners.

Friday, September 25

11:00 AM–1:30 PM

Oktoberfest Lederhosen Lunch

Festival/Food),

Dayton Art Institute

Free admission; food/drink extra.

Live music, German food and the first Oktoberfest beer of the weekend.

6:00 PM

Reel2Real Rocks Huber Heights!

Live Music

Eichelberger Amphitheater at The Heights • 8625 Brandt Pike, Huber Heights

Check organizer

Reel2Real closes out a September Friday night with classic rock, pop and R&B favorites at the outdoor amphitheater.

7:00 - 11:00 PM

Oktoberfest Preview Party

Festival/Food),

Dayton Art Institute

Paid admission Advanced purchase: $65 Non-members, $85 non-members

$100 after 4 P.M Sept 26

Preview Party guests enjoy great socializing in a casual, less-crowded atmosphere. Celebrate art, cheers and beers with great food, complimentary draft beer, wine and soft drinks and live music!.

Planning note: Outdoor events may change because of weather. Ticket availability, admission prices and schedules can also change, so use each event title to check the organizer's latest information before traveling.

Festival Spotlight

⚔️ Huzzah! Step Back in Time at the Ohio Renaissance Festival

Hear ye, hear ye! Knights, queens, pirates, musicians and merrymakers have once again taken over the village near Waynesville as the Ohio Renaissance Festival returns for another season of jousting, feasting, shopping and old-fashioned fun.

The 2026 festival runs weekends through November 1, giving you plenty of opportunities to step through the gates and leave the modern world behind for a day. The festival is open from 10:30 AM to 7:00 PM, rain or shine.

🏰 Welcome to a 16th-Century Village

The fun takes place inside a sprawling 30-acre recreation of a 16th-century English village. Once you pass through the gates, you'll encounter royalty and peasants, musicians and merchants, swordsmen, pirates, jugglers and plenty of other colorful characters.

Costumes aren't required for visitors, but don't be surprised to see plenty of guests dressed as knights, fairies, Vikings, pirates and other characters. Dressing up has become part of the fun for many festival-goers.

🐎 Cheer for Your Knight at the Joust

One of the festival's signature attractions is the full-armored jousting tournament. Real horses thunder across the arena as armored competitors charge toward one another with lances while the crowd chooses sides and cheers for its favorite knight.

There are three jousting tournaments each festival day, so even if you miss one, you'll have another opportunity later in the afternoon.

🎭 Entertainment Everywhere You Turn

You could spend the entire day simply watching performances. The festival's current 2026 lineup features dozens of shows and more than 150 daily performances spread across more than 20 stages.

Expect musicians, comedians, sword fighters, dancers, fire performers, storytellers and plenty of audience participation. One longtime favorite is the famous Mudde Show, where performers put a very messy spin on literary classics in what the festival calls Ohio's only "Muditorium."

🏴‍☠️ This Weekend: Pirates Take Over!

If you've been waiting for the perfect weekend to visit, September 19–20 is Pirates Weekend—and September 19 just happens to be International Talk Like a Pirate Day.

Expect sea shanties, pirate characters, a life-sized pirate ship, a treasure hunt and plenty of opportunities to practice your best "Arrr!" Visitors can also join Pirate Playtime with the festival's pirate crew at 2:30 PM on the Chess Field.

🍗 Come Hungry

Of course, no Renaissance Festival visit would be complete without something to eat. The festival offers dozens of food choices, but the oversized turkey leg remains the classic choice.

You'll also find burgers, pulled pork and plenty of other savory treats along with sweets and beverages. Festival veterans have a useful tip: eat before the first joust lets out around 1:00 PM, when food lines can quickly grow.

🔨 Watch the Artisans at Work

Shopping is part of the experience, too. More than 200 shoppes fill the village, offering handmade crafts and unusual merchandise you aren't likely to find at the mall.

Take time to watch some of the demonstrating artisans at work. Even if you don't buy anything, seeing traditional crafts being created adds to the feeling that you've wandered into another time.

🧚 Something Different Every Weekend

One reason people return several times during the season is that each weekend has a different theme. After this weekend's pirate invasion, the 2026 schedule continues with:

🏴‍☠️ Pirates Weekend: September 19–20
🏴 Highland Weekend: September 26–27
⚔️ Viking Weekend: October 3–4
⏰ Time Travelers Weekend: October 10–11
❤️ Romance Weekend: October 17–18
🐉 Myths & Monsters Weekend: October 24–25
🦸 Heroes & Villains Weekend: October 31–November 1

📅 Plan Your Visit

Ohio Renaissance Festival
📅 2026 Season: Weekends through November 1
⏰ Hours: 10:30 AM–7:00 PM
🏴‍☠️ Pirates Weekend: September 19–20
📍 Location: 10542 East State Route 73, Waynesville, OH 45068
🚗 Parking: FREE
🎟️ Sept. 19–20 Adult Ticket: $36 + fees online
👧 Children Ages 5–12: $10 + fees online

⚠️ A Few Things to Know Before You Go

Buy your ticket before making the drive. Tickets are date-specific, and festival dates can sell out. If a day sells out, visitors without advance tickets won't be admitted to the parking lot.

Also, take a screenshot of your ticket before leaving home. Cell service can be weak when the festival is busy. Most vendors accept cards, but bringing some cash as a backup isn't a bad idea.

Outside food and beverages aren't permitted, and pets aren't allowed except for service animals. The pathways are primarily gravel, so comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended.

💡 Our Tip

Arrive early and plan to stay awhile. The parking lot generally opens around 9:30 AM, with the gates opening at 10:30. There's far more here than you can experience in an hour or two, so pick a few must-see shows and then leave enough time to simply wander. Some of the best moments happen when you stumble across a performance you weren't planning to see.

Why It's Worth Going: The Ohio Renaissance Festival isn't simply something you watch—it's something you step into. Between the armored knights, costumed characters, music, food, artisans and wonderfully enthusiastic visitors, the whole village becomes part theater, part festival and part fantasy world. And with Pirates Weekend arriving September 19–20, this weekend is an especially fun time to make the short trip south of Dayton. Huzzah!

Featured Park

John A. Wannemacher Nature Reserve

Featured Nature Escape

🌿 From Farmland Back to Nature: Discover John A. Wannemacher Nature Reserve

Just south of Troy lies a Miami Valley nature preserve with a fascinating story. John A. Wannemacher Nature Reserve encompasses more than 110 acres of former agricultural land that has been transformed into a mixture of prairie, woodland, wetlands, vernal pools and wildlife habitat.

And that transformation is still happening. A major restoration project has recently brought wetlands back to portions of the property, restored a more natural stream channel and planted thousands of native trees—making this an especially interesting time to discover the reserve.

🚜 From Cropland to Conservation

The land that makes up the reserve was once used for farming. In 1999, property owners Emerson Wagner and Thomas Given granted a conservation easement to the Miami County Park District. When the property later became available for sale, the Park District purchased it with help from a Clean Ohio Conservation Grant, private contributions and levy funds.

Today, the landscape provides something increasingly valuable among the surrounding farmland and residential development: protected green space where native plants and wildlife can thrive.

💧 Bringing a Lost Wetland Back to Life

Here's where the story gets especially interesting. Scientists discovered that part of the property hadn't always been dry farmland. Evidence in the soil showed that portions of the reserve were historically wetlands.

Like many wetlands, the area had been drained for agriculture. Underground drainage tiles carried water away, and a natural stream had been straightened into what essentially became a drainage ditch.

The Nature Conservancy and Miami County Park District decided to turn back the clock.

🌊 Making a Stream Crooked Again

Beginning in 2023, restoration crews replaced the straightened channel with a new stream that curves and winds across the landscape more naturally. Depressions were also created in the surrounding land so water could once again collect where wetlands had historically existed.

Altogether, the restoration encompasses approximately 57 acres, reconnecting the stream with its floodplain and reestablishing wetland and streamside habitat.

🌳 25,000 Trees—and a Forest in the Making

The restoration didn't stop with water. Approximately 25,000 native trees were planted as part of the effort to create a forested wetland.

Right now, many of those trees are still young. That's actually part of what makes visiting interesting—you can watch a new habitat develop. The goal is for the site to become increasingly forested over the coming years as those native trees mature.

🥾 Take the 1.82-Mile Nature Trail

Exploring the reserve doesn't require an all-day hike. Its 1.82 miles of trail take you through several different habitats, including open grassland, woodland and wetland areas.

The trail also crosses Boone Creek, giving visitors an opportunity to see how water connects the different parts of this landscape. With relatively short trails and plenty to observe along the way, this is a good place for a leisurely walk rather than a race to the finish.

🦆 Bring the Binoculars

Wannemacher is especially worth considering if you enjoy birdwatching. The wetland attracts a variety of waterfowl, while the combination of prairie, woodland and water provides habitat for many other species.

In fact, Miami County Park District lists Wannemacher among its best parks for birding. The recent restoration appears to be making the habitat even better, with restoration specialists already reporting increased bird and amphibian activity.

💦 Helping More Than Wildlife

Restoring wetlands isn't only about creating a pretty place to walk. Wetlands hold and slow stormwater, provide wildlife habitat and can help improve water quality.

Water from the restored area ultimately flows toward Boone Creek. By allowing water to move through a healthier wetland and stream system, the project is designed to benefit the larger Upper Great Miami watershed as well.

👤 Who Was John A. Wannemacher?

The reserve honors John A. Wannemacher, who dedicated more than 35 years to the Miami County Park District as an advocate and member of its Board of Park Commissioners, serving most of those years as president.

His contributions to parks and conservation were also recognized when he was named the 2012 Ohio Parks and Recreation Association Citizen of the Year.

📍 Plan Your Visit

John A. Wannemacher Nature Reserve
📍 Address: 1876 Monroe-Concord Road, Troy, OH 45373
🌳 Size: More than 110 acres
🥾 Trails: 1.82 miles
🕗 Hours: 8:00 AM to sunset
🌿 Habitats: Prairie, woodland, wetland and vernal pools
💧 Natural Features: Boone Creek and wetland viewing area
🐦 Great For: Hiking, running, birdwatching and wildlife viewing
❄️ Winter: Cross-country skiing is also permitted

💡 Our Tip

Don't expect a manicured city park. Wannemacher is primarily about habitat and wildlife. Bring binoculars, slow down near the wetland and take time to compare the open prairie with the newly restored areas. If you return in a few years, parts of the landscape may look dramatically different as thousands of young trees mature.

Why It's Worth Visiting: John A. Wannemacher Nature Reserve offers something unusual—you can actually watch nature being rebuilt. Land that was drained and farmed is once again becoming wetland, a straight drainage channel is becoming a winding stream, and thousands of young trees are beginning what will eventually become a forest. It's not simply a pleasant place for a walk; it's a chance to see conservation happening right here in the Miami Valley.

Recipe of the Week

Home Tips

🛏️ 7 Simple Ways to Get Your Bedroom Ready for Cooler Nights

September can be unpredictable—warm afternoons one day and surprisingly cool nights the next. Before you're digging through the linen closet at bedtime looking for an extra blanket, spend a few minutes getting the bedroom ready for the changing season. These simple jobs can make your room cleaner, cozier and more comfortable for fall.

🧺 1. Wash the Bedding You Haven't Used Since Spring

Before putting heavier blankets, quilts or comforters back on the bed, give stored bedding a wash or clean it according to the care label. Bedding that's been sitting in a closet for months can collect dust and develop that unmistakable "stored away" smell.

🛏️ 2. Rotate Your Mattress

If your mattress manufacturer recommends rotation, turn it 180 degrees so the head becomes the foot. Periodic rotation can help promote more even wear. Not every mattress should be flipped, however, so check the manufacturer's instructions before turning it over.

🧹 3. Clean Under the Bed

When was the last time you looked under there? Pull out storage boxes and vacuum underneath the bed, paying attention to dust along baseboards and in corners. If you have allergies, reducing accumulated dust in the room where you spend hours every night can be especially worthwhile.

🌬️ 4. Check the Heating Vents

Before the furnace begins doing regular duty, make sure bedroom supply and return vents aren't hidden behind furniture, rugs, curtains or piles of belongings. Vacuum dust from accessible vent covers and keep the airflow path clear.

🪟 5. Check for Drafts

On a breezy day, check around closed bedroom windows for noticeable air leaks. Inspect accessible weatherstripping and look for obvious gaps or deterioration around the window. Catching a small draft now is much nicer than discovering it on a freezing January night.

👕 6. Start the Seasonal Closet Swap

You don't have to pack away every T-shirt yet. Instead, begin moving the clothes you rarely wear in cooler weather to less convenient spots and bring lightweight jackets, sweaters and long sleeves forward. While you're at it, set aside anything you haven't worn in a year for donation.

🔄 7. Don't Forget the Ceiling Fan

Many ceiling fans have a reversible motor. During heating season, manufacturers commonly recommend running a reversible fan at a low speed in the winter setting to help circulate warm air that collects near the ceiling. Check your fan's instructions for the correct direction and setting for your particular model.

⏱️ Try the 20-Minute Bedroom Reset

Set a timer for 20 minutes. Spend the first five minutes clearing clutter, five minutes dusting, five minutes vacuuming and the final five minutes getting your fall bedding ready. It's amazing how different the room can feel without turning the project into an entire Saturday.

💡 One More Tip

Layer instead of immediately switching to the heaviest comforter. September temperatures can swing dramatically. A light blanket or quilt layered over your regular bedding makes it easy to add warmth on a chilly night and remove it when warmer weather returns.

Home Tips

🍂 7 Easy Ways to Make Your Home Feel Like Fall—Without Spending a Fortune

September is that in-between month when summer hasn't completely disappeared, but cooler mornings and shorter days tell us fall is on the way. You don't need an expensive decorating spree to make your home feel warmer and more inviting. A few simple changes can help you welcome the new season without putting much of a dent in your wallet.

🛋️ 1. Bring Out the Throws

Before buying anything new, look through closets and storage bins for blankets and throws you already own. Fold one over the back of the sofa or place a basket of blankets near your favorite chair. The added texture instantly makes a room feel cozier.

💡 2. Warm Up the Lighting

As daylight begins disappearing earlier, lighting makes a big difference. Instead of relying entirely on bright overhead fixtures, use table and floor lamps in the evening. Warm-white bulbs can create a softer, more comfortable atmosphere.

🌻 3. Bring a Little Nature Indoors

You don't need expensive decorations. A bowl of apples, a few small pumpkins or gourds, dried flowers, pinecones or interesting branches can make an attractive seasonal display. Sometimes the simplest decorations look the best.

🚪 4. Give the Entryway a Fall Refresh

Your front entry sets the tone for the entire house. Sweep the porch, shake out the doormat and remove tired summer decorations. A fall wreath, mum or simple pumpkin near the door can change the look without requiring a complete makeover.

🧺 5. Swap a Few Fabrics

You don't have to redecorate an entire room. Changing just a couple of pillow covers, a table runner or kitchen towels can introduce warmer fall colors and textures. Look around the house first—you may already have pieces you can move from one room to another.

🍎 6. Let the Kitchen Create the Fall Feeling

Some of the best fall decorating happens in the kitchen. Bake something with apples or cinnamon, make a pot of soup or simmer apple slices and cinnamon sticks on the stove while you're nearby. A familiar seasonal aroma can make the whole house feel different.

🧹 7. Remove Something Instead of Adding Something

Here's a decorating trick that doesn't cost a penny: clear off one cluttered surface. A cleaner coffee table, kitchen counter or entryway often makes a room feel more refreshed than adding another decoration. Then choose just one or two seasonal pieces to display.

💰 Try the $20 Fall Challenge

Give yourself a budget of just $20 to make the house feel more like fall. Start by shopping your own closets and storage bins. Then use the $20 only for the finishing touches—perhaps a mum for the porch, a couple of small pumpkins or a new seasonal kitchen towel.

🍁 Remember: You don't need to transform your entire house for every season. A few small changes in color, texture, lighting and scent can make your home feel warmer and more inviting—and leave plenty of money in your pocket for everything else fall has to offer.

💡 Answer to Trivia Question:

The Mead Corporation - Mead grew from regional paper-making operations into a major corporation associated with notebooks and other familiar paper products.