There are lots of outdoor options for the weekend if you need to bust out!
2021 Summer Letterbox Adventure
Preservation Parks
Get ready for a summer full of exploration! Registration for the Summer Letterbox Adventure begins May 27 and runs through September 6. Please read carefully for exciting changes! Preservation Parks’ staff has worked diligently over the last several months to make this year’s adventure fun and safe for everyone. This includes making touch-less letterbox locations, which have been replaced by hidden animal plaques. Registration is 100% online through 1.) Create a free account by setting up everyone in your household who will be
https://preservationparks.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=17
Virtual Storytime: Summer
Friday, August 6th-8th, all day
This week, join Emily for a sunny storytime celebrating all things about the summer.
https://marysvillelib.libnet.info/events
Facebook Live Family Storytime by Columbus Library
Friday, August 6th, 10:00am – 10:30am
Visit our Facebook page for a live storytime featuring books, songs and rhymes.
Family Fun: Bears – Early Literacy Class
PPL Main – Tent @Pickerington Main
Outdoor storytimes for ages 2-5
Self-guided Fairy House Trail @Highbanks Metro Park
Due to popularity of this event, we have extended the fairy trail to all weekend Saturday 8/7-8/8. Fairy Trail runs Saturday 8/7 from 11-7. Sunday 8/8 from 10-5. Nature Center is open 9-8 both days.
One weekend only! Explore a short trail behind the nature center to find fairy houses. Don’t forget to look up for fairies hiding in trees. Remember not to touch the fairy houses, they might lose their magic. Keep checking back for future fairy house trail dates.
Note: The short fairy trail will be set-up on the trail behind the nature center. Start the trail inside the nature center. Some fairies will be hidden in the nature center. Signs/Flags will help navigate you to the start and end of the trail.
Parking: Nature center parking lot fills early with visitors. Additional parking available in Oak Coves picnic area. Oak Coves to the nature center is a short 10 minute walk along a mostly paved trail.
Evening Creeking @Blendon Woods
Friday, August 6th, 6-7 PM
Explore the creek, search for aquatic creatures, and cool off from the summer heat! Wear closed toe shoes that can get wet.
Uptown Friday Nights
Friday, August 6th, 6-8:30 PM
Uptown Friday Nights are back for 2021!! Join us the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Friday’s May-September for live music and artists throughout Uptown Westerville. For your enjoyment, we will feature different musicians and artists throughout the season, and many merchants will stay open late to serve you. For a list of our restaurants and merchants, visit www.shopuptownwesterville.com.
Free Concert featuring The Navigators @ Columbus Commons
Friday, August 6th, 6-9 PM
Free event featuring the Navigators, a group comprised of Columbus executives and professionals playing high-energy rock tunes from the 1960s to today. Since their formation in 2002, they have helped to raise more than $500,000 to help local and national charities such as the City Year Columbus, United Way, Salvation Army, Mid-Ohio Food Bank, Hilltop YMCA, the American Red Cross, A Kid Again and more.
Get here early, food trucks and bar open at 6:00pm and music begins at 7:00pm! Convenient parking is available at the Columbus Commons Main Garage at 55 E. Rich Street.
Blankets and chairs are welcome; please leave coolers at home. Beverage sales and food trucks are available on site.
Produced by Columbus Downtown Development Corporation; no tickets are required.
Who Lives on the Prairie @Battelle Darby Nature Center
Friday, August 6th, 6:30 PM
Explore and learn about the animals that depend on the prairie habitat. Meet us at the Nature Center 1415 Darby Creek Dr. Galloway, OH 43119
Live Farm Animal Event! @ Worthington Farmer’s Market
Saturday, August 7th, 8 AM-12 PM
Enjoy a real-life farm experience! This event makes the joys of farming tangible, allowing you to touch the animals that provide our food and fiber. Children and adults alike will be delighted by seeing baby chicks, watching a duck preen, or touching an animal whose coat could become their sweater.
Sensory Stories @Pickerington Main Library
Saturday, August 7th, all day
A virtual early literacy class specifically designed for children with special needs.
https://pickeringtonlibrary.libnet.info/events?r=thismonth
Delaware Vintage & Artisan Festival 2021
Saturday, August 7th, 8 AM-3PM
A day of fun shopping with antiques, vintage decor, jewelry, art, and artisan crafts. Food trucks, musical entertainment, a car show and definitely puppies!
Author/Illustrator Visit: Molly Idle – Creator of “Flora and the Flamingo” @Orange Branch Library – Orange Imagination Garden
Saturday, August 7th, 10-11 AM
Caldecott Honor-winning author/illustrator Molly Idle will join us for an under-the-sea adventure as she discusses her newest mermaid tales “Pearl” and “Coral.”
https://delawarelibrary.libnet.info/events
August Gallery Hop
Saturday, August 7th, 1-8 PM
August Gallery Hop will also serve as the kick off for the 2021 iteration of Summer Spray, 10-week collaborative mural event.
Make your visit Short North Safe and abide by safety protocols as set by each local business.
*Please note that gallery and business hours may vary.
Paddle Fest @Prairie Oaks Metro Park
Saturday, August 7th, 1-7 PM
Enjoy the lakes from a canoe, kayak, or stand up paddleboard! Equipment and instruction are provided, come out anytime for a fun adventure.
Canoes are open to all ages, a minimum of one adult per canoe. Solo, sit-in kayaks and SUPs are open to ages 10+. Life jackets are provided and worn while paddling, visitors are welcome to bring their own Type III life jacket.
Kayaks have a manufacturer max. weight of 275lbs. SUPs have a manufacturer max. weight of 350lbs.
Darby Bend Lakes portion of Prairie Oaks Metro Park, 2755 Amity Rd, Hilliard, OH 43026
Raptor Saturday @Blendon Woods
Saturday, August 7th, 2-3 PM
Drop by the Nature Center to learn more about Ohio’s incredible winged predators – hawks and owls! See displays, talk to a naturalist, and try to make your own “winged creature”. Ohio Wildlife Center will have a presentation of live raptors at 2pm.
Birding for Beginners @Glacier Ridge Metro Park
Saturday, August 7th, 3-4 PM
Join the naturalist for a hike around Glacier Ridge as we learn some birding basics. Birders of all ages- and skill levels- welcome! Meet at the flagpole, located between the shelter house and restrooms.
Folk Songs Around the Fire @Gallant Farm
Saturday, August 7th, 6-8 PM
Bring a musical instrument, or just your voice, and some songs to share for an entertaining night of music around the fire. Listeners welcome! This is an all-ages event.
Campfire Songs, Stories & Snacks @Blacklick Woods Ash Grove Picnic Area
Saturday, August 7th, 8:30-9:30 PM
Join us around the campfire for an evening of fun as we sing songs, tell stories and share snacks.
For Families: Butterfly Pursuit @Highbanks Metro Park- River Bluff Entrance
Saturday, August 7th, 10-11 AM
Take a 1-mile hike to look for some of the most beautiful butterflies of the season and learn how to identify them. Hike is along a gravel trail. All ages welcome. Program will be in full sun, please be sure to bring a hat and sunscreen for your comfort. Stay as long as you like.
This program meets at River Bluff. River Bluff is a separate entrance to the park located off Rte 315/Olentangy River road (physical address: 8400 Olentangy River Road). No restrooms, water fountains or trash cans are available at this location.
Pollinator Patrol @Blacklick Woods
Sunday, August 8th, 2-3 PM
Take a 2-mile hike to search for bees, butterflies, and more visiting flowers.
Sprouts Night Out @Hilliard’s Station Park
Sunday, August 8th, 4-6 PM
This event is all about the kids!
Attendees will enjoy live music by The Shazzbots, face painting, SuperGames inflatable and hockey slapshot game, Davidson and Darby mascots, stilt walkers, and more! Everything is free.
Making Wild Inks @Battelle Darby Creek Nature Center
Sunday, August 8th, 4-5 PM
Come out to the Nature Center to see how ink can be made from local plants and use the ink to create a work of art!
Evening Garden Tour -Inniswood Metro Gardens
Sunday, August 8th, 7-8 PM
Join us for an educator-led tour through the Gardens.
Metro Parks events here…
Please note-Events can be changed by hosts, please check the event before attending. I try my best to provide up to date information. Please stay safe and do what you feel is most comfortable for your family with COVID-19 risks.