WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – Festivals, fairs, farmer’s markets and family fun, both in and out of the sun, top the list of the many things to do in the Dayton area. A great time can be experienced just a short drive from Wright-Patt for activities that fit any budget and any cultural tastes and the bonus is that there are five Saturdays in August to experience them.
Aug. 3
The Dayton Horse Show, at the Champions Center, 4122 Laybourne Rd., Springfield, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., is a not-for-profit local or "backyard" show to the American Saddlebred Barns in the Dayton Area, but it is a competition open to American Saddle Bred Barns nationwide.
Hobbyists and collectors alike are gathering at the Fairborn Holiday Inn, 2800 Presidential Dr., Fairborn, for the Midwest Miniature Showcase. The event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., is a one-day miniature and dollhouse showcase.
One of classic rock’s iconic bands, Bad Company, takes the stage at the Fraze Pavilion, 695 Lincoln Park Blvd, Dayton, at 7:30 p.m. Also in the Fraze’s spotlight that night is the hard-rocking, blues rock band, Foghat.
Aug. 10
The grills are still fired up for “gourmet blends to off-menu” burger specialties on the last day of Dayton Burger Week, a week dedicated to “hardcore burger fanatics of the almighty hamburger.” While the sides do cost extra, the tasty burgers are priced at just $5 each! Go to daytonburgerweek.com for complete information on participating locations around Dayton.
The 14th Annual Miami Valley Music Festival, “where charity rocks” is a fusion of great music and charitable giving where the admission costs goes to providing grants to regional charity organizations. The festival is located at the Troy Eagles Campground, 2252 Troy-Urbana Rd., Troy, and ticket information is at www.miamivalleymusicfest.com.
Festivities abound and the admission is free at the 36th Germanfest Picnic at Riverscape MetroPark, 111 E. Monument Avenue, Dayton, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Along with food and drink and continuous live German Music, there are culture displays, genealogy support, “Kids Zone” and much more.
Aug. 17
Celebrate National Aviation Day early this year at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, 1100 Spaatz St., Wright-Patterson AFB, for this month’s Family Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Usually celebrated on the Aug. 19 anniversary of the birth of Orville Wright, National Aviation Day at the museum commemorates Wright and aviation by learning about the history and the technology of aerospace in a fun hands-on setting.
On one of four special dates a year that the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery offers free admission, Super Science Saturday returns from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The day will feature three animal programs and a special planetarium show. The museum is located at 2600 Deweese Pkwy, Dayton.
The Dayton African American Cultural Festival brings “the richness of the African American experience to Dayton through culture, education and music.” The free, family event runs from noon to 8 p.m., and is located at Island MetroPark, 101 E. Helena Street, Dayton.
Aug. 24
The Ohio Valley Indigenous Music Festival, is an award-winning music featuring Native American flutes and folk singers. The free festival, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., is held at Patricia Allyn Park, 7256 Ohio Highway 48, Springboro, and features “great music, vendors with Native American style flutes, arts and crafts, free educational workshops and presentations and great food.”
The Clifton Gorge Music & Arts Festival, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., is slated to be a day filled with “great musical performances, great shopping and fabulous festival food.” Located near the Clifton Opera House, 5 South Clay St., Clifton, the family friendly event is open to all.
Free mini-concerts held on porches throughout Dayton’s St. Anne's Hill historic district, just east of downtown, is what the Dayton Porchfest is all about. The mini-concerts are ongoing from 1:30 to 7 p.m.
Aug. 31
Watch radio-control pilots perform skillful maneuvers with remotely controlled flying giant scale version of jets, warbirds and helicopters at the Giant Scale Radio-Controlled Model Aircraft Show at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, 1100 Spaatz St., Wright-Patterson AFB. The free event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Visitors step back more than 200 years in time in America at the Fair at New Boston held at George Rogers Clark Park, 936 South Tecumseh Rd., Springfield, held annually on Labor Day weekend. Ticket information and event details are available at fairatnewboston.org.
If 200 years isn’t far enough back, step back to 16th century England for the opening weekend of the Ohio Renaissance Festival, 10542 E State Route 73, Waynesville, Ohio, for food, drink, entertainment, shopping and a day full of fun. Admission prices vary with the age of the attendee, an opening day special is offered and complete details on tickets and more are at renfestival.com.