Top free things to do in the Dayton area, top date night picks and top family activities this week 👻🍂

As the days grow shorter and the air gets cooler, Mother Nature has started pulling back the blanket of green foliage to reveal the bright reds, yellows, oranges and browns of autumn at Carillon Park in Dayton. MARSHALL GORBY\STAFF

Credit: Marshall Gorby

Credit: Marshall Gorby

As the days grow shorter and the air gets cooler, Mother Nature has started pulling back the blanket of green foliage to reveal the bright reds, yellows, oranges and browns of autumn at Carillon Park in Dayton. MARSHALL GORBY\STAFF

Each week, Reporter Russell Florence Jr. sends a free email newsletter highlighting free things to do, including his picks for family activities.

To sign up for this free newsletter delivered to inboxes on Thursdays, go here.

Here are the events highlighted for Oct. 16-23:

👪 Top Family Things to Do

  • Fairborn Halloween Festival: Live music, food and craft vendors, trivia, a costume contest, carnival rides and more will entice all ages this weekend at this year’s celebration of spooky season.
  • ‘The Goonies’ at RiverScape MetroPark: The enduring 1985 adventure “The Goonies” will be screened for free Saturday as part of the RiverScape Reels series. Families are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets and pillows.
  • Niederman Family Farm Fall Festival: Enjoy a corn maze, a mini-corn maze, an obstacle course, a climbing web, duck races, a wagon ride, a jumping/bounce pillow, animals, games, community bonfire pits, photo spots and more. The festival runs in Liberty Twp. through Oct. 26.

💖 Top Date Night Picks

  • Classic Albums Live Performs Pink Floyd: Dark Side Of The Moon: Hear this iconic album, purchased by more than 20 million people since its release in 1973, recreated in its entirety — note for note, cut for cut. The concert takes place Friday at the Victoria Theatre.
  • Laughing for a Cure!: Petty Blunt productions presents the third iteration of this fundraiser for the Pink Ribbon Good Breast Cancer Foundation. Happening Oct. 23 at Dayton Funny Bone and hosted by Keith Irvin, the event features comedians Luke Capasso, Jeremy Johnson and headliner Matt Stanley. Raffles and vendors are also a part of this special night of laughs.
  • Vitamin String Quartet: The Music Of Taylor Swift, Bridgerton, And Beyond: Experience this tuneful crossover of classical music into the contemporary pop space Saturday at the Victoria Theatre featuring music by Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, BTS, “Bridgerton,” The Weeknd and Daft Punk.

😊 Top 3 for Free

  • The Black Child Book Fair Tour: A variety of children’s authors from across the country will gather Saturday at Dayton Metro Library to share their empowering books spotlighting Black protagonists.
  • Centerville-Washington Park District Truck or Treat: Kids can enjoy giveaways such as candy and stickers Saturday at Oak Grove Park while they have fun exploring fire trucks, law enforcement vehicles and more. A special sensory time is also offered.
  • Fall Family Adventure: Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark offers a mix of traditional festival fun and hands-on educational opportunities Saturday highlighting how plants and wildlife change during the fall season. Children’s activities include games, crafts and face painting.
Kevin Earley (Captain Georg von Trapp) and Cayleigh Capaldi (Maria Rainer) with the von Trapp children in "The Sound of Music." JEREMY DANIEL/CONTRIBUTED

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The terrific Broadway national tour of “The Sound of Music” at the Schuster Center, continuing through this weekend courtesy of Dayton Live, impresses not only in terms of strong vocals and performances but in its emphasis on love, family and forgiveness wrapped in a story of timely, unsettling relevance.

🐕ICYMI: Corgipalooza in Middletown this weekend will host hundreds of dogs and their owners

Hosted by Cincy Corgis and sponsored by Pembroke Plumbing, LLC, , Corgipalooza will be held 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 18 at Horsepower Farm in Middletown. Provided.

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A parade, costume contest and raffle drawings are among the activities planned for corgi lovers at this family friendly and dog-friendly event happening Saturday in Middletown.

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