After a more than a year of staying away from others and avoiding events, it’s great to see a return to normalcy on the horizon.
And with that normal comes summer activities and events! Many—though not all—of the Miami Valley’s typical summer offerings are back this year. To help you plan out your summer, we’ve created this guide so you enjoy the fun that’s still happening. If you’re ready to get back out there and enjoy everything the region has to offer, this guide is for you.
June
June kicks off the summer with a series of events that celebrate groups that call the Miami Valley home.
Dayton LGBTIQ+ Pride, June 4-5, won’t have any Sunday festivities, but there will still be plenty to do that weekend. Friday night is Affair on the Square, a night of live music and food trucks on Courthouse Square, and Sunday features a parade and festival. The free Ohio Valley Indigenous Music Festival at Patricia Allyn Park in Springboro takes place June 5-6 and will showcase Native American and folk music. Instead of the typical Jewish Cultural Festival, Temple Israel will be hosting a drive-thru event June 11, called Taste of the Jewish Cultural Festival, that will feature fresh baked goods that are available for pre-order. And Celtic Fest Ohio at Renaissance Park in Waynesville returns June 19 with music from Celtic bands like The Piper Jones Band, Scottish, Irish and Celtic dancers, and lots of food and drink.
Music lovers also have events to add to their schedules. The Lebanon Country Music Fest will take over downtown Lebanon June 11-12 with country acts like Jessie Lyn & The TNT Band while Canal Music Fest on June 12 in Tipp City will feature all local bands.
July
In July, you can expect the return of some old favorites.
The 48th Centerville-Washington Township Americana Festival is bringing back many of its signature events, such as the 5K run, parade, street fair and fireworks. July 10-11 marks the return of the Vectren Dayton Air Show at the Dayton International Airport. Featured performers include the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, U.S. Army Golden Knights and the AeroShell Aerobatic Team. Middletown also will take fun to the skies with the return of the hot air balloon festival, the Ohio Challenge, July 16-17.
July marks the return of the region’s many county fairs, too: the Montgomery County Fair will take place July 11-17, the Warren County Fair is July 19-24 and the Preble County Fair is July 31-Aug. 7.
August
August is just as busy, with many cultural, music and food events to end summer in style.
July 30-Aug. 1, head to RiverScape MetroPark for the Dayton Celtic Festival, which typically features popular Celtic bands in addition to cultural activities like whiskey tastings, the Celtic Breakfast and demonstrations. Aug. 13-15, the Germanfest Picnic is scheduled to take place in the Dayton Liederkranz-Turner’s Clubhouse in the St. Anne’s Hill Neighborhood and will feature the event’s usual attractions and food.
If you missed out on the county fairs in July, you’ll still be able to get one in during August. Aug. 2-7, the Greene County Fair returns to the fairgrounds in Xenia and the Great Darke County Fair takes place Aug. 20-28.
Food and drink lovers will also find plenty to do. Down the River, Down a Beer in Piqua, during which you can enjoy 100 craft beers, river activities and lots of food, is set to happen Aug. 14. The Fairborn Sweet Corn Festival will be serving up steamed sweet corn, barbecue chicken and pork chop sandwiches alongside 120 handmade arts and crafts booths Aug. 21-22. And the Tour de Donut mixes physical exercise with doughnuts on Aug. 28, with participants eating doughnuts while completing a competitive bike race.
All Summer
Prefer to be a little more flexible with your summer plans? With COVID-19 restrictions lifting, many nearby attractions are open and ready for visitors all summer long.
Kings Island in Mason opened its newest roller coaster, the 300-plus-feet-tall Orion, last year and plans to open its new luxury campground and resort, Camp Cedar, this summer. Carillon Historical Park is open and ready to help visitors explore the region’s history. The Rose Music Center at the Heights has announced several summer concerts, including REO Speedwagon on July 30. And Five Rivers MetroParks has brought back its Trail Challenge to give you more reasons to explore 28 hiking, walking, cycling, paddling, running, mountain biking and horseback riding trails located within the park system.
