OHIO SUMMER FUN GUIDE
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CENTRAL OHIO ATTRACTIONS
THEME AND WATER PARKS
COCO KEY WATER RESORT
Description: A 50,000-square-foot water park including an interactive-adventure area for young children, body slides, an activity pool with water basketball and a fast-paced tube ride, a wading pool, a family hot tub and an indoor/outdoor hot tub for adults; plus a resturant and bar
Location: Cherry Valley Lodge, 2299 Cherry Valley Rd. S. E., Newark (Licking County)
Open: 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday; check website for special summer dates
Admission: $12 on Fridays and any day after 5 p.m., $18 on Saturdays and Sundays
Parking: free
Least-busy day: Sundays
Tickets/information: 1-800-788-8008, 740-788-1200 or www.cherryvalleylodge.com
OHIO STATE FAIR
Description: The state’s premier fair, including entertainment, livestock competitions, rides, youth organizations, agriculture, natural resources and fine arts
Location: Ohio Expo Center, I-71 and E. 17th Avenue, Columbus (Franklin County)
Open: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 23 through Aug. 2 and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 3
Admission: $10 at the gate for those ages 13 to 59, or $8 for senior citizens 60 or older and children 5 to 12; free for children 4 or younger; special discount days
Midway wristbands: $23 for unlimited rides; $1 coupons for individual rides available
Parking: $5
New attractions: including Welde’s Big Bear Show — an educational exhibit about the majestic creatures (daily); Civil War Encampment — discover how Union soldiers lived, plus view the Ohio Civil War 150 traveling exhibit (daily); Southern Ohio Flying K-9s Ohio Cup — disc dog competition (9 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 26-27; High School Rodeo (10 a.m. and 5 p.m. July 26, noon July 27); Dino Walk — a giant Tyrannosaurus rex puppet more than 8 feet tall and 12 feet long; Spoon Man — playing with two household tablespoons, he creates a mountain band and plays spoons on the heads of fair-goers; and Matt Jergens — a comedy juggler
Least-busy days: Tuesdays through Thursdays
Tickets/information: advance $6 tickets are available through Aug. 3 at Kroger, participating AAA locations with AAA membership and Ticketmaster outlets; all-day-rides wristband vouchers, $20, available at Kroger stores and Ticketmaster outlets through July 22; 614-644-FAIR, www.ohiostatefair.com
ZOOMBEZI BAY
Description: A 22.7-acre water park — adjacent to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium — featuring 17 water slides, a wave pool, an action river, a lazy river, private cabanas and a kiddie play pool
Location: 4850 W. Powell Rd. (Delaware County)
Open: daily, operating hours vary May 22 through Aug. 19, Aug. 23-24, Aug.30-Sept. 1 (call for details)
Admission: $32.99, or $24.99 for children 2 to 9 and senior citizens 60 or older; free for children younger than 2
Parking: $8
New attractions: Baboon Lagoon — an animal-themed play structure that includes 10 waterslides and a 1,000-gallon tipping water bucket with multi-level platforms and more than 115 interactive aquatic controls
Least-busy days: weekdays
Tickets/information: available at the park, AAA, Columbus-area Kroger stores and online; 614-645-3550, 1-800-MONKEYS, www.zoombezibay.com
OUTDOOR DRAMA
ACTORS’ THEATRE OF COLUMBUS
Description: 33rd season of Shakespearean plays and classics
Location: Schiller Park in German Village, 1000 City Park Ave., Columbus (Franklin County) and the Columbus Commons, E. Rich and S. High streets, Columbus; and Easton Town Center Square
Performances: Hamlet (May 22 to June 22), The Barber of Seville (June 26 to July 27), The Merry Wives of Windsor (July 31 to Aug. 31), all shows 8 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays; The Hound of the Baskervilles (Sept. 5-14, Commons), 7:30 p.m. Fridays through Sundays; A Rare Vision: Six Plays by Shakespeare, (June 6-27, 7 p.m. Fridays, Easton) and All the Great Books, Abridged (June 7-28, 7 p.m. Saturdays, Easton)
Admission: free
Seating capacity: 1,000 on the Schiller Park amphitheater lawn; 5,000 to 6,000 on the Commons lawn; 300 on Easton Square (bring chairs and blankets)
Running time: about 21/2 hours; 90 minutes to 2 hours, Commons and Easton
Information: 614-444-6888, www.theactorstheatre.org
OUTDOOR
MUSIC
THE BLUEGRASS CLASSIC: MUSICIANS AGAINST CHILDHOOD CANCER
Description: An annual event to benefit the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.
Location: Hoover Y-Park, 1570 Rohr Rd., Columbus (Franklin County)
Performances: July 16-19: including Rarely Herd, Clay Hess Band, Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper, Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers, Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out, Joe Mullins and Junior Sisk, Daryle Singletary, Blue Highway; July 17: Adkins and Loudermilk, Junior Sisk and Ramblers Choice, Marty Raybon and Full Circle, Gibson Brothers, Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers, Lonesome River Band, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, James King; July 18: Flatt Lonesome, Kenny and Amanda, Lou Reid and Carolina, Josh Williams, Randy Kohrs, Aubrey Haynie, Larry Stephenson Band, the Grascals, Seldom Scene, Rambling Rooks, Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out featuring Centerville Alternative Strings; July 19: MACC Children’s Band; Breaking Grass; Feller and Hill; Don Rigsby and Midnight Call; Lost and Found; Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time; Bradley Walker and Friends; MACC Opry with Carl Jackson, Val Story, Larry Cordle and Jerry Salley; J.D. Crowe and Josh Williams; the SteelDrivers
Parking: free
Tickets: $40 to $110; half-price for children 11 to 15 daily ($50 for children’s four-day pass); free for children 10 or younger accompanied by a parent. Tickets available at Bluegrass Musicians Supply, 614-443-3558 or 1-800-783-2583; at www.musiciansagainstchildhoodcancer.com or www.ticketbud.com; by calling 740-548-4199; or at the gate. Camping: $5 to $25 a day
Information: 740-548-4199, www.bluegrassclassic.com
LIFESTYLE COMMUNITIES PAVILION
Description: An intimate outdoor amphitheater located in the Arena District
Location: 405 Neil Ave., Columbus (Franklin County)
Performances: May 27 (7 p.m.): Bastille, sold out; May 28 (7 p.m.): B.B. King; June 4 (7 p.m.): Santana; June 10 (7 p.m.): Chvrches; June 17 (6 p.m.): O.A.R., Phillip Phillips; June 20 (7 p.m.): Beck; June 27 (6:30 p.m.): Ziggy Marley; June 29 (6 p.m.): Fifth Harmony; July 7 (6:30 p.m.): 311, the Wailers; July 8 (6 p.m.): Under the Sun Tour featuring Blues Traveler, Sugar Ray, Uncle Kracker, Smash Mouth; July 13 (6:30 p.m.): Sublime with Rome; July 15 (6 p.m.): Counting Crows, Toad the Wet Sprocket; July 19 (7 p.m.): Nickel Creek; July 20 (6 p.m.): Neutral Milk Hotel with Circulatory System and Connections; July 23 (6 p.m.): Matt Nathanson, Gavin DeGraw; July 29 (6:30 p.m.): Panic! at the Disco, Walk the Moon; Aug. 14 (6:30 p.m.): Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang; Aug. 20 (6:30 p.m.): Boston; Aug. 25 (6 p.m.): Goo Goo Dolls, Daughtry; Sept. 4-5 (6 p.m.): Twenty One Pilots (sold out)
Parking: area lots and garages
Tickets: $5 to $59.50 at Ticketmaster outlets (1-800-745-3000) or www.ticketmaster.com
Information: 614-461-5483, www.promowestlive.com
PICNIC WITH THE POPS/POPCORN POPS
Description: Casual outdoor performances featuring the Columbus Symphony and guest artists; reserved and lawn seating available
Location: Columbus Commons, E. Rich and S. High streets, Columbus (Franklin County)
Performances: Picnic With the Pops — (all shows 8 p.m.) June 13: Classical Mystery Tour; June 14: Cirque Musica; June 21: Ben Folds; June 28: The Legends of Classic Rock; July 5: Patriotic Pops; July 12: The O’Jays; July 19: The Manhattan Transfer; July 25-26: Ohio State University marching band
Performances: Popcorn Pops — (all shows at 7 p.m., pre-concert activities at 5:30 p.m.; a movie screening will follow each concert) June 20: “Gotta Love the Symphony!”; July 18: “Out of This World: Music from Star Wars, Superman and Beyond!”
Parking: $5 (cash only) for underground parking off S. 3rd Street and in City Center garage between E. Main and S. High streets; metered parking nearby
Tickets: $23, or $25 at the gate; or $8 for children 3 to 14; free for ages 2 or younger for Picnic With the Pops; $8 for adults and children 3 to 14, free for ages 2 or younger for Popcorn Pops
Information: 614-228-8600, 614-469-0939, www.picnicwiththepops.com
SCIOTO DOWNS RACINO
Description: A covered pavilion lining the racetrack seats 3,800 for rain-or-shine performances.
Location: 6000 S. High St., Columbus (Franklin County)
Performances: (all shows 8 p.m.) May 25: Kenny Rogers; June 27: Josh Turner; July 5: Bret Michaels; Aug. 23: Jamey Johnson
Parking: free
Tickets: $20 to $35
Information: 614-295-4700, www.sciotodowns.com
MUSEUMS
COLUMBUS MUSEUM OF ART
Description: Known for its collection of late 19th- and early 20th-century American and European modern art and its regional collections, such as the largest public collection of woodcarvings by Columbus folk artist Elijah Pierce, and the world’s largest repository of paintings and lithographs by Columbus native George Bellows
Location: 480 E. Broad St., Columbus (Franklin County)
Open: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays
Admission: $12, or $8 for senior citizens 60 or older and students 18 or older with valid ID, $5 for those 6 to 17, free for members and children 5 or younger, free for everyone on Sundays
Parking: free, behind the museum
Special exhibits: “Lilli Carre: 2014 Graphic Novelist Residency,” featuring works in a variety of media including animation, illustration and comics (through June 8); “The Art of Matrimony: Thirty Splendid Marriage Contracts From the Jewish Theological Seminary Library,” reflecting the geographical diversity of Jewish settlement (through June 15); “COLOR,” explores the way artists play, create a mood, or affect viewers’ senses through the use of color (through October); “Imagine! The Art of the Picturebook,” explores children’s picturebooks as works of art (June 19 to Nov. 9); “Modern Dialect: American Paintings from the John and Susan Horseman Collection,” featuring paintings from the 1920s to the beginning of World War II (June 6 through Aug. 31)
Information: 614-221-4848, 614-221-6801, www.columbusmuseum.org
COSI COLUMBUS
Description: A hands-on science center featuring several permanent exhibits, plus a National Geographic Giant Screen Theater
Location: 333 W. Broad St., Columbus (Franklin County)
Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m. Sundays; Family Friday Nights ($10.95 after 5 p.m. the last Friday of each month)
Admission: $17.95 for those 13 or older, or $16.95 for senior citizens 60 or older, $12.95 for children 2 to 12, free for members; additional fee for movies and some exhibits.
Parking: $5, or $4 for members
Special exhibits: “Sherlock Holmes” — Using the powers of deduction and cutting-edge 19th-century techniques of forensic science, you can be a super sleuth ($8 additional fee); “Adventure: In the Valley of the Unknown” — Step inside a mysterious world inside COSI, in which visitors are transported to a remote island where remnants of an ancient culture guard a secret that only you can unlock; National Geographic Giant Screen Theater: Tornado Alley 3-D — Narrated by Bill Paxton (Twister, Titanic), the film trails storm chaser Sean Casey and the scientists of VORTEX2, the largest tornado-research project ever assembled; Pandas: The Journey Home — Follow giant panda Tau Tau from birth to release into the wild.
Information: 614-228-2674, 1-888-819-COSI, www.cosi.org
KING ARTS COMPLEX
Description: The complex features the cultural and historical contributions of African Americans.
Location: 867 Mount Vernon Ave., Columbus (Franklin County)
Open: complex hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The gallery is open from 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Admission: free; donations accepted for gallery
Parking: free
Special exhibits: 16th Annual Heritage Concert Series: (July 17, 24, 31 and Aug. 7, 14, 21),featuring performances from local, regional, and national musical artists culminating with the Urban Jazz Coalition. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, and enjoy Mayme Moore Park.
Information: 614-645-5464, www.thekingartscomplex.com
OHIO HISTORY CENTER AND OHIO VILLAGE
Description: The center focuses on connecting visitors with the state’s history; Ohio Village is a recreated Civil War-era community.
Location: I-71 and E. 17th Avenue, Columbus (Franklin County)
Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays; Ohio Village: same hours Memorial Day through Labor Day
Admission: $10, or $9 for senior citizens 60 or older, $5 for children 6 to 12, free for children 5 or younger; Ohio Village included with admission to the center
Parking: free
Special exhibits: “Going, Going, Gone? Endangered and Extinct Species” — Explore how species go from enormously large populations to the brink of extinction (opening July 2 through Jan. 4)
Information: 614-297-2300, 1-800-686-6124, www.ohiohistory.org
WEXNER CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Description: The center offers dance, theater and music performances as well as films and special exhibits.
Location: 1871 N. High St. at 15th Avenue, Columbus (Franklin County)
Open: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, noon to 7 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m. Sundays
Admission: $8, or $6 for those 55 or older; free for students with a college ID and anyone 18 and younger; free admission from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursdays and on the first Sunday of each month.
Parking: nearby garages
Special exhibits: “Modern Cartoonist: The Art of Daniel Clowes,” original black ink and Zipatone drawings of pages from Ghost World (1997), David Boring (1999), and Wilson (2010), (through Aug. 3); “Eye of the Cartoonist: Daniel Clowes’ Selections from Comics History” (through Aug 3); “Comic Future,” featuring the work of 15 contemporary artists (through Aug. 3
Information: 614-292-3535, www.wexarts.org
THE WORKS
Description: An interactive history, science, technology and art learning center for people of all ages.
Location: 55 S. 1st St., Newark (Licking County)
Open: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays
Admission: $8, or $6 for those 55 or older, $4 for children 2 to 17, free for children 1 or younger
Parking: free, on-site
Special exhibits: “Local Color,” featuring pottery, creative wearables, stained glass, paintings and unique jewelry by local artists (through July 12); “Story Teller: The Art of the Story Book,” including original illustrations by local, regional and nationally known artists (July 25 to Oct. 11)
Information: 740-349-9277, www.attheworks.org
SPORTING EVENTS
BASEBALL
COLUMBUS CLIPPERS
Description: The Cleveland Indians’ International League affiliate plays in the heart of the Arena District.
Location: Huntington Park, 330 Huntington Park Lane, Columbus (Franklin County)
Home games: May 22-25 vs. Durham; May 26-29 vs. Charlotte; May 30-31 vs. Louisville; June 12-15 vs. Scranton; June 16-19 vs. Buffalo; June 30-July 1 vs. Louisville; July 4-5 vs. Toledo; July 6-9 vs. Pawtucket; July 17-20 vs. Indianapolis; July 25-28 vs. Norfolk; July 30-Aug. 1 vs. Louisville; Aug. 11-14 vs. Lehigh Valley; Aug. 18-20 vs. Toledo; Aug. 23-25 vs. Indianapolis; Aug. 31-Sept. 1 vs. Toledo
Admission: $6 to $10, or $3 to $7 for senior citizens and children 12 or younger
Parking: nearby lots
Tickets/information: available at the Clippers office, 614-462-2757; through Ticketmaster, 1-800-745-3000; 614-462-5250, www.clippersbaseball.com
SOCCER
COLUMBUS CREW
Description: An original Major League Soccer team in its 19th season, the Crew is playing under first-year sporting director and coach Gregg Berhalter.
Location: Columbus Crew Stadium, 1 Black & Gold Blvd., Columbus (I-71 near E. Hudson Street)
Home games: May 24 vs. Chicago; June 4 vs. Salt Lake; June 28 vs. Dallas; July 16 vs. Kansas City; July 19 vs. Montreal; Aug. 9 vs. Toronto; Aug. 16 vs. LA Galaxy; Aug. 23 vs. Houston; Sept. 7 vs. Chivas USA; Sept. 20 vs. New England; Sept. 27 vs. Montreal; Oct. 26 vs. Philadelphia
Admission: $23 to $50 in advance, $23 to $55 on game day
Parking: $10, on Ohio Expo Center grounds
Tickets/information: available at the Crew office, 614-447-2739; Ticketmaster, 1-800-745-3000; www.thecrew.com
LACROSSE
THE OHIO MACHINE
Description: Ohio’s professional lacrosse team
Location: Selby Stadium, 45 S. Henry St., Delaware (Delaware County)
Home games: June 6 vs. Cannons; June 14 vs. Rattlers; July 4 vs. Bayhawks; July 19 vs. Hounds; July 26 vs. Outlaws; Aug. 9 vs. Launch
Admission: $12 to $18, or $20 on game day
Parking: $5
Tickets/information: 614-754-1973, or www.theohiomachine.com
GOLF
MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT
Description: Many of the best golfers in the world come to Dublin to play in the event that Jack Nicklaus started in 1976.
Location: Muirfield Village Golf Club, 5750 Memorial Dr., Dublin (Franklin County)
Dates: May 26 to June 1
Admission: $165 (all-tournament badge), $35 (all three practice rounds); free for 12 or younger when accompanied by paying adult; 18 and younger free on Wednesday (Junior Golf Day)
Parking: Main lot is off Dublin Road near the 6th tee; overflow parking is available in the Ashbaugh Road lot. Complimentary shuttles transport patrons between the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and the tournament-grounds main gate Thursday through Sunday.
Tickets/information: badges available by calling 614-889-6712; or online; 1-877-MTBADGE, www.thememorialtournament.com
NATIONWIDE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Description: Part of the Web.com Tour Finals, it precedes the Web.com Tour Championship.
Location: Ohio State University Golf Club, 3605 Tremont Rd., Upper Arlington (Franklin County)
Dates: Sept. 11-14
Admission: $30 (all-week grounds admission), $10 (one-day grounds admission Thursday through Sunday)
Parking: free; “A” parking lot is located off Ackerman Road and Rt. 315; complimentary shuttles will run from one hour before the first tee time to one hour after play ends.
Tickets/information: 614-764-4653, www.ncc-golf.com
Motor sports
COLUMBUS MOTOR SPEEDWAY
Description: A 1/3-mile paved oval track with eight to 10 degrees of banking plays host to weekend warriors and NASCAR pros.
Location: 1841 Williams Rd., Columbus (Franklin County)
Events: NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Saturdays through Sept. 6; May 24: Jegs CRA All-Star Tour; June 21: Hilarious Trailer Races; July 5: Robbie Dean Memorial Series; July 26: 31st Annual John Nuckles Memorial; Aug. 16: Amazing School Bus Figure Eight; Aug. 30: Labor Day Championship; Sept. 13: USAC Midget Tripleheader
Admission: varies per event; children 4 and younger free
Parking: free
Tickets/information: at the gate only; 614-491-1047, www.columbusspeedway.com
NATIONAL TRAIL RACEWAY
Description: The National Hot Rod Association owns the facility, which has a concrete-and-asphalt racing surface.
Location: 2650 National Rd. S.W., Hebron (Licking County)
Events: Weekly racing with special events including Blitz Thursday Night Street fights (select Thursdays) and NTR ET Series (select Fridays); May 18: Inaugural Chrysler Power Classic; May 25: NHRA National Dragster Challenge; June 6-8: 2nd Annual NHDRO Motorcycle Madness; June 15: NHRA Summit Junior Dragster Challenge; June 27-29: 15th Annual JEGS Foundation Junior Dragster Buckeye Open; July 11: 17th Annual GoodGuys Friday Night Drags; July 12: 27th Annual Night of Thunder; July 18-20: 13th Annual NHRA Lucas Oil Buckeye Fuel Wars; July 27: UMTR Stick Shift Summer Nationals; Aug. 1-2: 11th Annual Buick Performance Group Nationals; Aug. 8-10: 34th Annual the ’NATS; Aug. 15-16: 3rd Annual OHSAA Cross Country Invitational; Aug. 24: NHRA Summit King of the Track; Aug. 29-31: 36th Annual Ford Expo; Sept. 12-14: 2nd Annual Chevy Perfomance Nationals; Sept. 19: 10th Annual JEGS Northern SPORTSnationals; Sept. 28: 9th Annual Fall Import Face-Off
Admission: varies
Parking: free for most events
Tickets/information: available at the gate; 740-928-5706, www.nationaltrailraceway.com
Harness racing
LITTLE BROWN JUG
Description: The Jug is the highlight of the Delaware County Fair, bringing top 3-year-old colts to central Ohio for a leg of pacing’s Triple Crown.
Location: 236 Pennsylvania Ave., Delaware
Date: Sept. 18; racing starts at 11 a.m., with Jug races at 3:30 p.m.
Admission: $15, or $6 after 2 p.m., for general admission; or $35 to $240 for reserved seating
Parking: $5, parking passes available; $60 Jug Day permit for Wednesday overnight parking (only available for purchase at the Rt. 23 gate)
Information: 740-362-3851, www.littlebrownjug.com
SCIOTO DOWNS RACINO
Description: The 5/8-mile harness track is one of the fastest in the nation.
Location: 6000 S. High St., Columbus (Franklin County)
Season: Wednesdays through Saturdays (post time 6:30 p.m.), through Sept. 27; simulcasting daily
Admission: free
Parking: free
Information: 614-295-4700, www.sciotodowns.com
ZOO
COLUMBUS ZOO AND AQUARIUM
Description: The 87-year-old zoo boasts more than 10,000 animals representing 575 species and sits on 582 acres (140 are developed), plus a golf course and water park.
Location: 4850 W. Powell Road (Delaware County)
Big attractions: Heart of Africa! — a new 43-acre region set to open this month will include giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, lions, warthogs, vervet monkeys and guinea fowl. It will be the first time since 2005 that giraffes have been featured at the zoo. Dinosaur Island, featuring animatronic dinosaurs with movement and sound, will roar its way back to the Australia and the Islands region beginning Memorial Day weekend. . Admission for Dinosaur Island is $3, or $2 for zoo members.
Open: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily May 25 through Labor Day
Admission: $14.99, or $10.99 for those 60 or older (half-price on Tuesdays), $9.99 for children 2 to 9, free for children younger than 2; half-price for Franklin County residents on Wednesdays
Parking: $8
Information: 614-645-3550, www.columbuszoo.org
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