New, free event downtown to preview some of Dayton’s best festivals

Live music, food, dancing, family activities and more will be part of the free, new event that includes a sneak peek of upcoming cultural festivals.

Credit: Lauren Lemons

Credit: Lauren Lemons

Live music, food, dancing, family activities and more will be part of the free, new event that includes a sneak peek of upcoming cultural festivals.

There’s nothing quite like a summer festival at Riverscape. The downtown lights and the sunset view along the Great Miami River make it  a magical time.

Passport to MetroParks is a new, free event happening at Riverscape in conjunction with First Friday from 6-10 p.m. There will be live music, food, dancing, family activities as part of this new event that's meant to preview to some of the summer's most anticipated festivals.

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Musicians and dancers representing the Dayton Celtic FestivalHispanic Heritage FestivalDayton African American Cultural Festival and Germanfest Picnic will perform on the RiverScape Pavilion stage.

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ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE 

6 p.m.: The Sauer Brats

7 p.m.: The Celtic Academy of Irish Dance

7:25 p.m.: The McGovern Ceili Dancers

8 p.m.: Kuumba Drama Drum and Dance

9 p.m.: Rondalla Puerto Rico

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“We want to be sure the community knows about all the opportunities to get out and explore this summer,” RiverScape Manager Meredith Adamisin said. “RiverScape MetroPark is the perfect venue for this new event, as it is Dayton’s front porch and home to some of the region’s favorite cultural festivals. We’re excited for everyone to get a special sneak peek of what’s in store and take advantage of on-site registration for the many great programs MetroParks is offering this summer.”

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Beginning at 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., there will be more than a dozen booths with games and activities that feature upcoming festivals and the variety of recreation, education, conservation and volunteer programs that Five Rivers MetroParks offers. Some of the activities guests can participate in include:

  • Meet MetroParks' live animal ambassadors
  • Participate in such games as a lifejacket relay, crazy creek musical chairs and a veggie relay
  • Learn more about upcoming events and things to do in each MetroPark
  • Ask MetroParks staff and volunteer experts questions sustainable living, gardening, youth programs and more
  • Register for upcoming programs

If guests collect at least seven stamps at booths for their passport, they can be entered to win one of three exclusive outdoor adventures.

“A Five Rivers MetroParks staff expert will lead the winners and three of their friends or family members on an outdoor experience, including a chance to learn how to mountain bike, fly fish, camp, take a nature hike or ride horseback. Winners will be randomly drawn the week of June 10,” according to a Five Rivers press release.

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“The three winning groups will have an experience sure to create lasting memories — and even get them started on a new nature-based activity,” Rachel Baney, RiverScape program coordinator, said. “It’s an unique opportunity to receive exclusive instruction about an outdoor activity from an expert in that field.”

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WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Passport to MetroParks Festival

WHEN: 6 p.m.- 10 p.m. Friday, June 7

WHERE: Riverscape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave. in Dayton

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