Leisure activites abound in Dayton area on Saturdays in July

  • Published
  • By By Will Huntington
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – Along with the celebration of Independence Day throughout the Miami Valley and other typical summertime fun, July is also a month full of anniversaries and commemorations. One of the most prominent observances is the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing which made Ohio-native, Neil Armstrong, the first human being to walk the surface of the moon.

July 6

Eight days of action in July start at the Clinton County Fairgrounds, 958 W. Main St., Wilmington, with live entertainment, harness racing, an antique tractor pull, a demolition derby and much more at the Clinton County Fair. Featured also at the Fair are the Junior and Senior Fair Shows of cattle, sheep, hogs, rabbits, chickens, horses and pets. The Fair runs from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., and the daily gate entry price is $10.

The Ohio Jeep Fest at the Ross County Fairgrounds, 344 Fairgrounds Rd., Chillicothe, includes a kid’s zone, vendors, obstacle courses, mud pits, food and fun for the entire family. An all-day admission is $25; admission for children 12 and under is free.

Shrek: The Musical is on stage at the La Comedia Dinner Theatre, 765 W. Central Ave., Springboro. The Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure features all new songs, sets and costumes. More information is available at lacomedia.com.

July 13

Experience the golden age of aviation at the Barnstorming Carnival located at the Springfield airport Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport, 1251 W. Blee Rd, Springfield. It’s a chance to see real modern day barnstormers, their beautifully restored aircraft and more. The free event runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Kickin’ Chicken Wingfest returns for a second year to Fraze Pavilion, 695 Lincoln Park Blvd., Dayton, with”bold food, rockin’ music and a hearty party.” Gates for the free festival open at 3 p.m.

ThunderBurg 2019 at Riverfront Park, 3 North Miami Ave., Miamisburg, is a motorcycle cruise-in and bike show from 4 to 10 p.m., with an expected 1,300 motorcycles including many vintage bikes on display as well as vendors and live music.

July 20

Celebrate the anniversary of Apollo 11, the first manned lunar landing, at the Armstrong Air and Space Museum, 500 Apollo Dr., Wapakoneta, for the Summer Moon Festival and celebrate our heritage with quality entertainment for all ages. Science demonstrations, face painting, aeronautics activities, miniature golf, a kid’s trivia competition, the Lima Area Concert Band, animals from the Toledo Zoo and the Run to the Moon races are planned for the free event.

The National Museum of the United States Air Force celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing during this month’s Family Day at the museum from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Besides exhibits and hands-on activities, there will be demonstrations and presentations, including the documentary, “Apollo 11: First Steps Edition 2D” which shows at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. More information about the film presentation, including admission prices, is at afmuseum.com/movietimes.

Mud Volleyball for Epilepsy 2019, billed as the “largest mud volleyball in the country,” is a chance to have a great time while raising money for a good cause. Raffles, food and music round out the event which begins at 8 a.m., at Wegerzyn Gardens Metropark, 1301 East Siebenthaler Ave., # 2, Dayton. Registration is ongoing and teams need to register as soon as possible to participate at ohiomud.com.

July 27

As part of the National Football League’s 100th season celebration, and to honor Dayton as one of its original towns, the Cincinnati Bengals football team is coming to Dayton to hold a practice as part of the team’s training camp. Dayton’s Triangle Park, with the Dayton Triangles besting the Columbus Panhandles, was the venue in 1920 for the first game of the NFL. The free event starts at 1:30 p.m., at Welcome Stadium, 1601 S. Edwin C. Moses Blvd., Dayton. Parking is $5.

In another centennial commemoration, the Dayton Metro Library, 215 E. Third Street, Dayton, features an exhibit called “19th Amendment - Towards Equality for All” which celebrates the 100th anniversary of Ohio’s ratification of the amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Admission is free and the exhibit is open from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The artist Claude Monet and the Impressionism art form used by Monet as well as other artists is Centennial Focus Exhibition at the Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park North, Dayton, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. While admission is free to Institute members, event access is included in the Institute’s admission cost to non-members. See daytonartinstitute.org/visit/hours-admission for more.