Your guide to the best things to do in Dayton on Leap Day

Memorial Hall in downtown Dayton transformed into a 1920s-themed amateur boxing exhibition for Dayton History's Fight Night on Saturday, Feb. 23. TOM GILLIAM / STAFF PHOTO

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Memorial Hall in downtown Dayton transformed into a 1920s-themed amateur boxing exhibition for Dayton History's Fight Night on Saturday, Feb. 23. TOM GILLIAM / STAFF PHOTO

Approximately once every four years, Feb. 29, or Leap Day, is added to our calendars. Why do we have a leap year? The short answer: It takes the Earth 365.242189 days, or 365 days, five hours, 48 minutes and 45 seconds, to circle around the sun, meaning that in order to make up that extra time lost, a Leap Day needs to exist at least every four years. The last leap year was 2016.

>> Mark your calendars: 20 events we’re looking forward to in 2020

To celebrate Leap Day, many Dayton-area businesses are throwing bashes to commemorate the rare occasion. These are the fun-filled Dayton-area events that aren’t to be missed on Leap Day.

📅✨DAYTON RECORD FAIR

Are you a fan of rare vinyls? If so, the Dayton Record Fair at the Dayton Liederkranz-Turner German Club is sure to be a dream come true. There will be thousands of records displayed on 40 tables in the building. Shoppers can look forward to representations from every genre of music, including jazz, garage rock, psych, blues, classic rock, hip-hop and more. The rarer the find, the more likely you are to find it at the Dayton Record Fair.

Aside from LPs, 45s, 7”s, cassettes and CDs, shoppers will also find other music-related merchandise like posters and T-shirts. DJs will also be spinning records throughout the entire event.

Presented by Skeleton Dust Records and Cincinnati’s Northside Record Fair, the Dayton Record Fair takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29. The cost of admission is $5 for those who enter after 11 a.m. and $10 for those who wish to enter after 10 a.m. to have the first shot at shopping the merchandise.

The Dayton Record Fair was held Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Yellow Cab in downtown Dayton. PHOTO / TOM GILLIAM PHOTOGRAPHY

Credit: TOM GILLIAM PHOTOGRAPHY

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Credit: TOM GILLIAM PHOTOGRAPHY

WANT TO GO?

What: Dayton Record Fair

Where: Dayton Liederkranz-Turner German Club, 1400 E. 5th St., Dayton

When: Saturday, Feb. 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cost: $10 for early entry after 10 a.m. and $5 for entry after 11 a.m.

More info: WebsiteFacebook

📅✨DAYTON HISTORY FIGHT NIGHT 2020

Back in the day, Memorial Hall in Dayton, built in 1910, hosted boxing legends like Joe Louis and Jack Dempsey. So, to honor this important landmark (and perhaps to celebrate the beginning of a new decade), Dayton History is hosting Dayton History Fight Night on Saturday, Feb. 29.

Boxers, who have spent hours training at the Brown Institute of Martial Arts, will face off in front of a crowd of over 2,000 spectators dressed in their best Flapper-era attire. Aside from watching a few rounds of boxing, attendees will set out to celebrate the 1920s with the addition of music from Dave Greer’s Classic Jazz Stompers and the Fight Night Speakeasy After Party taking place in Memorial Hall’s lower level. The after party will feature live music and a full-service bar.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Purchase your tickets now by visiting shop.daytonhistory.org.

The 4th Annual Dayton History Fight Night will take place at Memorial Hall on Saturday, Feb. 23. CONTRIBUTED

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WANT TO GO?

What: Dayton History Fight Night 2020

Where: Dayton Memorial Hall, 125 E. First St., Dayton

When: Saturday, Feb. 29, from 6:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Cost: $15 in advance and $20 at the door

More info: WebsiteFacebook

📅✨Adult Prom 2020

No matter your age, you’re invited to the adult version of prom night, courtesy Top of the Market in Dayton. What’s better about prom as an adult? For one, you don’t have to be home by curfew — and honestly, we can think of quite a few more reasons why prom is better when you’re not a minor.

The theme of this year’s Adult Prom is Mardi Gras and prom attire is strongly encouraged. And, just like the teenage version of prom, all guests receive voting cards for Prom King and Queen, photo booth pictures and a late-night snack.

The designated driver ticket is $35 with no drinks included, a single ticket is $50 and includes two drink tickets (beer or wine only) and couples tickets are $80 each and include two drink tickets per person (beer or wine only as well).

To make this event even sweeter, proceeds from Adult Prom 2020 will benefit local charities Shoes 4 the Shoeless and CO-OP Dayton.

The second Adult Prom took place on Saturday, March 2, at Top of the Market, 32 Webster St. in downtown Dayton. Liftoff Entertainment hosted the event which benefited Luv4K9s and Pirate Packs. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

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Credit: Tom Gilliam

WANT TO GO?

What: Adult Prom 2020

Where: Top of the Market, 32 Webster St., Dayton

When: Saturday, Feb. 29 from 8-11 p.m.

Cost: The designated driver ticket is $35 with no drinks included, a single ticket is $50 and includes two drink tickets (beer or wine only) and couples tickets are $80 each and include two drink tickets per person (beer or wine only as well).

More info: Facebook

📅✨Leap Year Birthday Party at Toxic

Did you know that the Toxic Skull is a leap year baby? If you are too (or just enjoy the atmosphere at Toxic Brew Company) come celebrate the birthday of the Toxic Skull any time from 1 p.m. to midnight. Just be sure to show your ID to a bartender to score a free drink of your choice on Mr. Skull’s dime.

Typically occurring every four years, Leap Day takes place this year on Saturday, Feb. 29. This is how you can celebrate the occasion in the Miami Valley.

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WANT TO GO?

What: Leap Year Birthday Party at Toxic

Where: Toxic Brew Company, 431 E. 5th St., Dayton

When: Saturday, Feb. 29 from 1 p.m. to midnight

Cost: Free, with the cost of fare

More info: Facebook

📅✨CatVideoFest 2020

One reason we’re glad for the invention of the internet? Cat videos. Even if you’re not a cat person, the antics of these friendly felines attract audiences from all walks of life.

So, to celebrate these amazing cats, The Neon has put together a compilation reel of the best cat videos that the Internet has to offer, from hours of submissions and sourced animations to music videos and, of course, Internet-famous cats.

Tickets are $8 per person for this family-friendly event and ten percent of all proceeds will go to the Humane Society of Greater Dayton. You can purchase the tickets now in person or by visiting neonmovies.com.

WANT TO GO?

What: CatVideoFest 2020

Where: The Neon, 130 E. 5th St., Dayton

When: Saturday, Feb. 29  from 12-1:30 p.m.

Cost: $8

More info: WebsiteFacebook

📅✨SWERK & Sip at Warped Wing

Fact: Beer goes down just a bit better after a long workout. Perhaps this is why Warped Wing and Space Three have teamed up to create the SWERK & Sip event. The SWERK class, which is a hip hop dance fitness class for all ages, body types and fitness levels, will take place from 11-11:45 a.m. Afterwards, gulp, sip or chug your favorite local beers at Warped Wing.

If you don't have a pass, the class will cost you $16. You can register by visiting www.spacethreedayton.com/schedule.

WANT TO GO?

What: SWERK & Sip at Warped Wing

Where: Warped Wing Brewery, 26 Wyandot St., Dayton

When: Saturday, Feb. 29, class from 11-11:45 a.m. with drinks afterwards

Cost: $16 without a pass

More info: Facebook

📅✨Third Annual Beer + Donuts: A Miamisburg Pairing

On this fine holiday, treat yourself to the best pairing of all time: beer and donuts. More specifically, beer from Star City Brewing Company and donuts from Bear Creek Donuts. At Beer +  Donuts: A Miamisburg Pairing, attendees will indulge in a flight of four Star City beers, each paired with two donut holes from Bear Creek. In addition to these yummy offerings, Star City Brewing Company will also be doing tappings of their new donut-inspired cider and updated version of their jelly donut beer.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by either visiting the brewery in person or online at eventbrite.com.

Star City Brewing Company and Bear Creek Donuts are teaming up for the third annual Beer + Donuts: A Miamisburg Pairing on Saturday, Feb. 29. Guests will be treated to a flight of four Star City beers, each paired with two donut holes from Bear Creek.

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WANT TO GO?

What: Beer + Donuts: A Miamisburg Pairing

Where: Star City Brewing Company, 319 S. 2nd St., Miamisburg

Cost: Tickets are $15 at the brewery or online with a small fee.

More info: Facebook

>> Miamisburg businesses join forces to create the beer and donut pairing of your dreams

📅✨West Carrollton Fire Department Leap Year Pancake Breakfast

The West Carrollton Fire Department is having a Leap Year pancake breakfast on Saturday, Feb. 29 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at their fire station, located at 125 W. Central Ave.

Firefighters will be serving up pancakes, sausage, fruit and beverages. The event is free and open to the public.

“I’m excited about holding our first annual pancake breakfast for the citizens,” said Fire Chief Chris Barnett. “We hope to fill the firehouse…and I may even do some of the cooking.”

WANT TO GO?

What: West Carrollton Fire Department Leap Year Pancake Breakfast

Where: Fire Station 56, 125 W. Central Ave.

When: Saturday, Feb. 29 from 8:30-10:30 a.m.

Cost: Free

More info: Facebook

📅✨Celebrate with a fish fry

- Feb. 29: Roadwarriors Softball Club Fish Fry

1123 S. Brown School Road, Vandalia

937-416-2265, 6 p.m, $12

- Feb. 29: Holy Trinity Church Fish Fry

272 Bainbridge St., Dayton

937-228-1223, 7-11 p.m., $17

>> FISH FRY GUIDE: The best places to get deep-fried, crispy, delicious fish in Dayton

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