MORE IDEAS FOR HOLIDAY WEEKEND FUN:
Ride the River Rentals (final weekend!)
What: Run, walk, bike or skate the 60 plus miles of bikeways in Montgomery County.
When: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on holidays; open now through Labor Day, weather permitting
Where: RiverScape MetroPark in Dayton
Cost: Go to www.metroparks.org/Parks/Riverscape/RideRiverRentals.aspx for rental rates.
More information: Go to metroparks.org/RiverScape or call 937-278-2607.
Discount Days at Kings Island
What: Visitors to Kings Island during Labor Day weekend can enjoy $1 hot dogs, $1 LaRosa's Pizza, $1 Skyline Chili coneys, $1 blue ice cream and $1 cotton candy, and play select games for $1 or less. Special deals and discounts on merchandise will be available Labor Day weekend, including 50 percent off 40th anniversary apparel and souvenir items, excluding coins and commemorative drink bottles. Season passholders can bring a friend on these dates for $19.99 when they show their pass at the front gate admissions window. Guests that purchase a Kings Island 2013 Gold or Cedar Fair Platinum season pass on Labor Day weekend will be eligible to win prizes that will be given away hourly.
When: Saturday, Sept. 1, Sunday, Sept. 2, and Monday, Sept. 3
Where: Kings Island in Mason
More information: www.visitkingsisland.com
Many people will spend Labor Day weekend traveling, enjoying one last weekend at the pool and enjoying barbecues with family and friends.
The holiday weekend also is a huge weekend for festivals. We offer five suggestions for some big events to get on your calendar this Labor Day weekend.
The Fair at New Boston, Springfield
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, and Sunday, Sept. 2
Where: George Rogers Clark Park in Springfield
Admission: $8 for adults; $5 for active military personnel with an ID; $3 for children ages 6 to 12; free for children under 5
More information: Go to www.fairatnewboston.org, call 937-882-9216 or email info@grcha.org
Festival-goers will step 200 years back in time at the 30th annual Fair at New Boston from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, and Sunday, Sept. 2, at George Rogers Clark Park in Springfield.
The event will include artisans and merchants, theater performances, food and beverages including beer, a visit to an Indian village of the time period where attendees can enjoy games and demonstrations, an opportunity to witness a pistol duel and sword fights, War of 1812 battle re-enactments with full-sized cannons, and music and dancing including an invitation to join in an 18th century dance.
Pam Cottrel, the event’s marketing director, said this year’s fair will include a new play, some new entertainers, merchants and artisans, and the debut of the Grand Camera Obscura — a tent of optical illusions — along with the regular festival favorites.
“The Fair at New Boston is a unique experience unlike any other festival in this area,” Cottrel said. “It truly is an adventure. Imagine walking down the dirt streets of an Ohio town 200 years ago among the residents rich and poor and sharing the streets with horses and oxen. Imagine chatting with the blacksmith or the silhouette artist while they work, giving in to the aroma of pork chops and chicken being cooked over an open fire, and eating while you relax in an 1812 tavern. Imagine hearing period music and laughter mixed with distant drums from the Shawnee village. The Fair at New Boston is the closest thing to time travel available. When we say 1812 is only minutes away, we mean it.”
Tickets can be purchased at the gate with cash only. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for active military personnel with an ID, $3 for children ages 6 to 12 and free for children under 5. Parking is free. Pets are not allowed.
For more information, go to www.fairatnewboston.org, call (937) 882-9216 or email info@grcha.org.
Kettering Holiday at Home
When and Where: Saturday, Sept. 1, Sunday, Sept. 2, and Monday, Sept. 3, at locations in Kettering (Coronation ball: 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at the NCR Country Club in Kettering; arts and crafts, an auto show, children's activities, concessions and entertainment: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, and Monday, Sept. 3, at Lincoln Park Civic Commons in Kettering; a 5K: starting at 8 a.m., Monday, Sept. 3, at Far Hills Avenue in Kettering; and a parade: 9:55 a.m. to noon Monday, Sept. 3, starting at Far Hills Avenue in Kettering)
Admission: Free
More information: Go to www.holidayathome.org
Kettering Holiday at Home will take attendees back to the 1920s on Saturday, Sept. 1, Sunday, Sept. 2, and Monday, Sept. 3.
This event, with the theme “Holiday at Home Puts on the Glitz,” will include a coronation ball from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at the NCR Country Club in Kettering; arts and crafts, an auto show, children’s activities, concessions and entertainment from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2, and Monday, Sept. 3, at Lincoln Park Civic Commons in Kettering; a 5K starting at 8 a.m., Monday, Sept. 3, at Far Hills Avenue in Kettering; and a parade from 9:55 a.m. to noon Monday, Sept. 3, starting at Far Hills Avenue in Kettering.
Amy Wyant, the 2012 event president, said this year’s Holiday at Home will stand out from past years because it will include a cornhole competition, new vendors and free snow cones for children in the Kids Zone.
“Everyone should attend the 2012 Holiday at Home Festival because it is fun for all ages,” Wyant said. “We provide free entertainment and activities for everyone.”
Admission is free.
For more information, go to www.holidayathome.org.
Piqua Heritage Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, and Sunday, Sept. 2, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3
Where: The Johnston Farm in Piqua
Admission: $3 for people over 18 years old; free for those 18 and younger
More information: Go to www.piquaheritagefestival.com, or email piquaheritagefestivalinfo@yahoo.com
The Piqua Heritage Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, and Sunday, Sept. 2, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3, at The Johnston Farm in Piqua.
The festival will include tours of The Johnston Farm, antique displays, children’s crafts, canal boat rides, food and a kid-friendly petting zoo.
Chuck McGlaughlin, general chairman of the event, said the upcoming festival stands out from the event in past years because it will include some new entertainment and a free live rodeo.
“There’s nowhere else that a mom and dad can take their whole family and spend their day for $6 and have all the entertainment we have,” he said. “We can have 10,000 people on site, and you’re not crowded. It’s a huge space. There’s plenty of room for everybody. We center it all around family. There’s all kinds of things for the kids to do.”
Admission is $3 for people over 18 years old, and free for those 18 and under. Tickets can be purchased at the gate during the event. Parking is free. A shuttle bus service will be available free of charge to take people to the event, starting at the Miami Valley Centre Mall in Piqua.
For more information, go to www.piquaheritagefestival.com, or email piquaheritagefestivalinfo@yahoo.com.
Alter Fest, Kettering
When: Noon to midnight Saturday, Sept. 1, and Sunday, Sept. 2, and noon to 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3
Where: Archbishop Alter High School in Kettering
Admission: Free
More information: Go to www.alterfest.com
Alter Fest will take place from noon to midnight Saturday, Sept. 1, and Sunday, Sept. 2, and noon to 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3, at Archbishop Alter High School in Kettering.
The event will include a 5K run starting at 8:15 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, Texas Hold ‘em games, food including a chicken dinner and entertainment including Irish dancers.
The admission-free event will be unique this year because it will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Archbishop Alter High School, said Doug Lindley, the 2012 event chairman.
“It’s a wonderful event with entertainment for all ages — wonderful food and just a lot of community camaraderie,” he said.
For more information, go to www.alterfest.com.
River Blast, Miamisburg
When: Saturday, Sept. 1 (Entertainment and live music will take place from 4 to 9 p.m., and fireworks will immediately follow.)
Where: Riverfront Park in Miamisburg
Admission: Free
More information: Go to http://exploremiamisburg.com/river-blast/
The first-year River Blast event will take place Saturday, Sept. 1, at Riverfront Park in Miamisburg.
River Blast, an admission-free event, will include live music by groups including Phat Like Dad, playing classic rock favorites, and other entertainment from 4 to 9 p.m., and fireworks immediately following. Children’s entertainment will include a giant inflatable play zone, face painting, crafts, caricature artists, a photo booth and games.
“I think this is a great event for the community, and I feel that it will grow tremendously through the years and that River Blast will be a great opportunity to bring the family out, explore the community, enjoy the local cuisine, and enjoy what will be a very memorable event for years to come,” said Jed Wooldridge, operations officer at Farmers & Merchants Bank in Miamisburg, one of the sponsors for the event. The City of Miamisburg also is an event sponsor. “It’s a free event, and we wanted to give back to the community for all of the business that we’ve done over the years with them.”
For more information, go to http://exploremiamisburg.com/river-blast.
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