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A guide to the season's biggest events in Columbus, including festivals, concerts, films and fun activities for kids.
Week 1
1 Americana Community Concert. 7 pm, Heritage Park, Groveport. Free. 586-4017. BIA Parade of Homes. See June 16. Bob Ford & the Ragamuffins. 7 pm, Village Green, Worthington. Free. 436-2743. Red Hot Rhythm Review. 7-8:30 pm, Sycamore Park Amphitheater, Pickerington. Free. 833-2211. Swing’s the Thing. 7-8:30 pm, Scioto Park, Dublin. Free. 889-7444. Weekend Sailing at Central Park Fountain. See June 2. Yankee Doodle Dandy. See June 30. 1-29: The Merchant of Venice. See June 28.
3 An American Tail. Outdoor movie, dusk, Easton Town Square. Free. 337-2200. Columbus Zoo at Easton. See June 5. “Follow Me” Summer Series. Family events that encourage healthy lifestyles, 11 am-noon, Easton Town Square. Free. 337-2200. Red, White & Boom! Independence Day festivities with entertainment and food, begins 10 am, Taste of Boom begins 3 pm, fireworks 10 pm, downtown riverfront, Genoa Park and Arena District. Free. 421-2666. 3-4: Fourth of July in Hilliard. Carnival rides and food vendors, Tue 2-10 pm, Wed noon-10 pm, parade Wed 10 am, the Reaganomics perform Wed 6 pm, fireworks Wed 9:45 pm, Roger A Reynolds Municipal Park, Hilliard. Free. 876-5200.
4 Doo Dah Parade. Music, entertainment and a wacky costume parade through the Short North, 10 am-7 pm, parade 1-3 pm, beginning at Buttles Ave. Free. 228-0621. Dwight Lenox. 6-9 pm, Easton Town Square. Free. 337-2200. Family Concert Series. Featuring July Fourth festivities, 6:30 pm, Alum Creek Park Amphitheatre. Free. 901-6500. Freedom Festival in Gahanna. Live music, games, food, contests and more, parade 10:30 am, activities begin 6:30 pm, fireworks 10 pm, Gahanna Municipal Golf Course, 2220 Olde Ridenour Rd, Gahanna. Free. 342-4250. Groveport Village Independence Day. Inflatables and activities starting at 10:30 am, parade 1:30 pm, live music 8 pm, fireworks at dusk, Heritage Park and surrounding areas, Groveport. Free. 836-2042. Independence Day Celebration in Dublin. Fishing derby, parade, dog Frisbee competition, live music, events 8 am, fireworks 9:50 pm, Community Recreation Center, 5600 Post Rd, Dublin Coffman High School, 7030 Coffman Rd, and other locations. Free. 410-4545. July Fourth Celebration in Pickerington. Rides, food vendors, entertainment and more, 4 pm, parade 6 pm, fireworks 10 pm, Victory Park and surrounding streets. Free. 833-2211. MessFest. Messy experiments and demos, 10 am-3 pm, COSI. Adm. 228-2674. Parrots of the Caribbean and Blues Review. 7:30-10 pm, Victory Park, Pickerington. Free. 833-2211. Rotary Club of Westerville Independence Day Celebration. Parade 1 pm, Westerville Symphony performance 9 pm, fireworks 10 pm, Uptown Westerville and Westerville Sports Complex, 325 N Cleveland Ave, Westerville. Free. westervillerotary.com. Science of Fireworks You Try It! See June 16.
5 Adam’s Rib. 7:30 pm, Ohio Theatre. Adm. 469-0939. Big Time Rush. With Cody Simpson and Rachel Crow, 7 pm, Nationwide Arena. Adm. 246-2000. Celebrate Columbus in Song. Featuring finalists of the 200Columbus Song Contest, 6:30 pm, Columbus Commons. Free. 645-5281. Food Truck Food Court. See June 7. Happy Feet. Outdoor movie, dusk, Fryer Park, Grove City. Free. 277-3060. Paws in the Plaza. See June 7.
6 Change It Up Charlie. 7-9 pm, Friendship Park, Gahanna. Free. 342-4250. Commons for Kids. See June 1. Dr Tony’s Original Ragtime Band. 7 pm, Town Center Plaza, Grove City. Free. 277-3050. Dracula’s Daughter and Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man. With Fritz the Nite Owl, 7:30 pm, Ohio Theatre. Adm. 469-0939. First Fridays. See June 1. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and The Legend of Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn Monroe: The Actress movie series, triple feature with select newsreels, 7 pm, Wexner Center. Adm. 292-3535. Kung Fu Panda 2. Outdoor movie, dusk, Sunny 95 Park, Upper Arlington. Free. 583-5300. Popcorn Pops. Symph-o-ny-Doo-Dah with free popcorn and pre-concert activities, activities 6:45 pm, concert 8 pm, Columbus Commons. Adm. 228-8600. Zookeeper. Outdoor movie, dusk, Sycamore Park Amphitheater, Pickerington. Free. 833-2211. 6-8: Goodguys PPG Nationals. More than 6,000 classic cars and trucks, drag races, vendors, car shows and more, Fri-Sat 8 am-5 pm, Sun 8 am-3 pm, Ohio Expo Center. Adm. 644-3247.
7 122nd Army Band. 7 pm, Village Green, Worthington. Free. 436-2743. Adventures of Tintin. Plus outdoor activities, food trucks, games, music and more, music 7 pm, movie 9 pm, Hannah Park, 6547 Clark State Rd, Gahanna. Free. 342-4250. Picnic with the Pops. Columbus Symphony with Randy Jackson and the music of Led Zeppelin, 8 pm, Columbus Commons. Adm. 228-8600. Science of Fireworks You Try It! See June 16. Short North Gallery Hop. See June 2. Some Like It Hot. Marilyn Monroe series. See July 6. Weekend Sailing at Central Park Fountain. See June 2. White Rabbit. 7 pm, Town Center Plaza, Grove City. Free. 277-3050. 7-8: Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 & 7:30 pm, Ohio Theatre. Adm. 469-0939.
Week 2
8 Breakfast at Tiffany’s. See July 7. Family Fun Days. Follow the monarch, poetry reading 1 pm, Ira Twangs performs 2-4 pm, Franklin Park Conservatory. Adm. 645-8733. Goodguys PPG Nationals. See July 6. Hadden Sayers Band. 7-8:30 pm, Scioto Park, Dublin. Free. 889-7444. Marquis66. 6:30 pm, Alum Creek Park Amphitheatre. Free. 901-6500. Weekend Sailing at Central Park Fountain. See June 2. Worthington Chorus. 7 pm, Village Green. Free. 436-2743. Worthington Historical Society Tour of Homes & Gardens. Featuring an eclectic mix of home styles, 12:30-5:30 pm, Worthington neighborhoods west of Olentangy River and south of Rt 161. Adm. 885-1247. 8-29: The Merchant of Venice. See June 28.
9 The Marvelous Toy. Lolli-Pops! kids’ concert, 10:30-11:30 am, Village Green Park Amphitheater, Powell. Free. 396-3322. Sabrina. Outdoor movie, 8 pm, Wexner Center Plaza. Free. 292-0330. 9-12: 4-Day Art & Play. Art, physical activities, games and more for ages 6 and up, breakfast/lunch provided for 18 and under, 9-5:30 pm, Independence Park, 3075 Arrowsmith Dr. Free. 645-3300.
10 Apple-Bottom Gang. 7:30-8:30 pm, Grandview Heights Public Library. Free. 486-2951. Columbus Zoo at Easton. See June 5. “Follow Me” Summer Series. See July 3. Puss in Boots. Outdoor movie, dusk, Easton Town Square. Free. 337-2200. Summerland 2012. Concert featuring Everclear, Sugar Ray, Gin Blossoms, Lit and Marcy Playground, 6 pm, The LC. Adm. 461-5483.
11 Family Concert Series. Featuring Remy and Friends, 6:30 pm, Alum Creek Park Amphitheatre. Free. 901-6500. FountainSide. See June 6. High Anxiety. 7:30 pm, Ohio Theatre. Adm. 469-0939. Summer Literary Picnic. Reading by Mark Titus with catered dinner or bring your own, tour 5:20 pm, dinner 6:15 pm, reading 7 pm, Thurber House side lawn. Adm. 464-1032. Tia Stewart & The Groove Syndicate. 6-9 pm, Easton Town Square. Free. 337-2200.
12 All About Eve. Marilyn Monroe series. See July 6. Andy Shaw. 7-8:30 pm, Amelita Mirolo Barn at Sunny 95 Park, Upper Arlington. Free. 583-5310. Big Miracle. Outdoor movie, dusk, Fryer Park, Grove City. Free. 277-3060. The Conspiracy Band and MojoFlo. 6:30 pm, Columbus Commons. Free. 645-5281. Food Truck Food Court. See June 7. ProMusica Summer Concert Series. Live music and picnic, with children’s activities one hour before concert, 8 pm, Franklin Park Conservatory grounds. Free. 645-8733. 12-13: Robin Hood. Silent movie accompanied by Clark Wilson on the theater’s “Mighty Morton” organ, 7:30 pm, Ohio Theatre. Adm. 469-0939.
12-28: Something’s Afoot. Otterbein Summer Theatre performance, 7/12 at 7:30 pm; 7/13-14, 19-21 & 26-28 at 8 pm; 7/15, 20 & 22 at 2 pm, Campus Center Theatre. Adm. 823-1109.
13 Agent 99. 7 pm, Town Center Plaza, Grove City. Free. 277-3050. Columbus Food Truck & Cart Fest. Enjoy Columbus’s many food trucks and food carts, noon-10 pm, Columbus Commons. Free. columbusfoodtruckfest.com. Commons for Kids. See June 1. Happy Feet. Outdoor movie, dusk, Sycamore Park Amphitheater, Pickerington. Free. 833-2211. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. Dive-In Movie, activities 7 pm, movie 8 pm, Zoombezi Bay wave pool. Adm. 645-3550. Jay Freeman. 7-9 pm, Friendship Park, Gahanna. Free. 342-4250. JazZoo. Columbus Jazz Orchestra performance, 8 pm, Waters Edge Event Park at Columbus Zoo. Adm. 645-3550. Rhythm on the River. See June 8. Summer Lunch-Time Performing Arts Series. See June 1. Twilight. Dive-In Movie, 8:30 pm, Hunters Ridge Pool, 341 Harrow Blvd, Gahanna. Members free, nonmembers adm. 342-4250. WaterFire. With Arnett Howard. See June 2. 13-14: BikeColumbus Festival. 10- or 20-mile Twilight Rides with Mayor Coleman and after-party on Fri, Steve Barbour Memorial Ride on Sat, Fri 7 pm, Sat 7 am, rides leave from COSI. Adm. bikecolumbusfestival.com. 13-15: North Market Food & Ohio Wine Festival. Wine samples, culinary demos, live music, Fri 7-10 pm, Sat 11 am-8 pm, Sun noon-6 pm, North Market. Adm. 463-9664.
14 2nd Saturdays. See June 9. The Andy Shaw Band. 7-9 pm, Rotary Stage at Creekside Park, Gahanna. Free. 342-4250. Family Fun Days. Featuring The Shazzbots, 11 am and 2 pm, Franklin Park Conservatory. Adm. 645-8733. Gipson and Fitz. 7 pm, Town Center Plaza, Grove City. Free. 277-3050. PBJ & Jazz. Concert and kids’ art activities, featuring the Aaron Scott Trio with Bryan Olsheski, noon-2 pm, Topiary Park. Free. 294-5200. Picnic with the Pops. Columbus Symphony with Dennis DeYoung and the music of Styx, 8 pm, Columbus Commons. Adm. 228-8600. Weekend Sailing at Central Park Fountain. See June 2. 14-15: High Society. Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 & 7:30 pm, Ohio Theatre. Adm. 469-0939. 14-15: Kidzfest. Activities, entertainment, animal shows and more, 9 am-7 pm, Columbus Zoo. Adm. 645-3550. 14-15: Westerville Music & Arts Festival. Fine arts and crafts, live music, silent auction, kids’ activities and more, Sat 11 am-7 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm, Heritage Park and Everal Barn, Westerville. Adm. 882-8917. 14-21: Franklin County Fair. Midway, livestock shows, food and exhibits, 9 am-10 pm, Franklin County Fairgrounds, 4100 Columbus St, Hilliard. Adm. 876-7235.
Week 3
15 The All People Band. 7 pm, Village Green, Worthington. Free. 436-2743. Bon Journey. 7-8:30 pm, Sycamore Park Amphitheater, Pickerington. Free. 833-2211. High Society. See July 14. Jared Mahone. 7-8:30 pm, Scioto Park, Dublin. Free. 889-7444. Kidzfest. See July 14. Music & Art in the Park. See June 15. North Market Food & Ohio Wine Festival. See July 13. SolaFide and Gospel Roadmasters. 7 pm, Heritage Park, Groveport. Free. 586-4017. Weekend Sailing at Central Park Fountain. See June 2. Westerville Community Band. 3-5 pm, Inniswood Metro Gardens. Free. 895-6216. Westerville Music & Arts Festival. See July 14. 15-21: Franklin County Fair. See July 14. 15-28: Something’s Afoot. See July 12. 15-29: The Merchant of Venice. See June 28.
16 16-19: 4-Day Art & Play. Art, physical activities, games and more for ages 6 and up, breakfast/lunch provided for 18 and under, 9 am-5:30 pm, Nelson Park, 430 N Nelson Rd. Free. 645-3300.
17 Annie. Outdoor movie, dusk, Easton Town Square. Free. 337-2200. Columbus Zoo at Easton. See June 5. “Follow Me” Summer Series. See July 3. Third Degree Sideburn. 7:30-8:30 pm, Grandview Heights Public Library. Free. 486-2951.
18 Big Sam’s Funky Nation. 6-9 pm, Easton Town Square. Free. 337-2200. Family Concert Series. Featuring the Westerville Community Band, 6:30 pm, Alum Creek Park Amphitheatre. Free. 901-6500. 18-19: Psycho. 7:30 pm, Ohio Theatre. Adm. 469-0939.
19 Food Truck Food Court. See June 7.
Karate Kid. Outdoor movie, dusk, Thompson Park, Upper Arlington. Free. 583-5300. The Right Now and The Floorwalkers. 6:30 pm, Columbus Commons. Free. 645-5281. River of No Return. Marilyn Monroe series. See July 6. Summer Celebration. Inflatable games, contests, music, evening movie and more, 5-9 pm, Thompson Park, Upper Arlington. Free. 583-5000. Taiko Drumming Circle. 7-8:30 pm, Thompson Park, Upper Arlington. Free. 583-5310. World’s Fastest Indian. Outdoor movie, dusk, Fryer Park, Grove City. Free. 277-3060.
20 Commons for Kids. See June 1. The Cyndi Black Big Band. 7 pm, Town Center Plaza, Grove City. Free. 277-3050. Grassahol. 7-9 pm, Friendship Park, Gahanna. Free. 342-4250. How to Train Your Dragon. Dive-In Movie, activities 7 pm, movie 8 pm, Zoombezi Bay wave pool. Adm. 645-3550. JazZoo. See July 13. Music & Art in the Park. See June 15. Popcorn Pops. Pajama-Rama PJ party with free popcorn and pre-concert activities, activities 6:45 pm, concert 8 pm, Columbus Commons. Adm. 228-8600. Sixteen Candles. 7:30 pm, Ohio Theatre. Adm. 469-0939. The Smurfs. Outdoor movie, dusk, Sycamore Park Amphitheater, Pickerington. Free. 833-2211. Summer Lunch-Time Performing Arts Series. See June 1. A Taste of Worthington. Sample food from local vendors and vote on your favorites, 5:30-10 pm, OfficeScape Corporate Center parking lot, 350 W Wilson Bridge Rd. Adm. 888-3040. The Wizard of Oz. Outdoor movie, 9 pm, Everal Barn and Homestead. Free. 901-6500. 20-22: Jazz & Rib Fest. Featuring hot ribs and live jazz music, Fri-Sat 11 am-11 pm, Sun 11 am-8:30 pm, downtown riverfront. Free. 645-7995.
21 Agent 99. Concert and swimming, 2-4 pm, Hilliard Family Aquatic Center. Adm. 876-5200. Cartoon Capers. See June 23. The Local Girls. 7 pm, Town Center Plaza, Grove City. Free. 277-3050. Picnic with the Pops. Columbus Symphony with Peabo Bryson, 8 pm, Columbus Commons. Adm. 228-8600. Tangled. Outdoor movie and performance by Eileen Howard, music 5:30-7:30 pm, movie dusk, Hilliard Family Aquatic Center. Adm. 876-5200. Weekend Sailing at Central Park Fountain. See June 2. 21-22: Girl Crazy. Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 & 7:30 pm, Ohio Theatre. Adm. 469-0939.
Week 4
22 Buckeye Ballroom Big Band. 7 pm, Village Green, Worthington. Free. 436-2743. Enrique Infante and Dejavu. 7-8:30 pm, Scioto Park, Dublin. Free. 889-7444. Girl Crazy. See July 21. Jazz & Rib Fest. See July 20. MojoFlo. 7-8:30 pm, Sycamore Park Amphitheater, Pickerington. Free. 833-2211. Swing’s the Thing. 6:30 pm, Alum Creek Park Amphitheatre. Free. 901-6500. Weekend Sailing at Central Park Fountain. See June 2. WesterFlora Garden Tour. Enjoy artists and local musicians in Westerville’s gardens, 1-7 pm, throughout Westerville. Free. 891-5599. 22-28: Something’s Afoot. See July 12. 22-29: The Merchant of Venice. See June 28.
23 23-26: 4-Day Art & Play. Art, physical activities, games and more for ages 6 and up, breakfast/lunch provided for 18 and under, 9 am-5:30 pm, Strawberry Farms, 3591 Watt Rd. Free. 645-3300.
24 Angela Perley & The Howlin’
Moons. 7:30-8:30 pm, Grandview
Heights Public Library. Free. 486-2951. Columbus Zoo at Easton. See June 5. “Follow Me” Summer Series. See July 3. Tangled. Outdoor movie, dusk, Easton Town Square. Free. 337-2200.
25 Family Concert Series. Featuring the Columbus Zoo, 6:30 pm, Alum Creek Park Amphitheatre. Free. 901-6500. Family Fun Days. Farmers’ Market Family Fun and creative writing with Mimi Chenfeld, 3-7 pm, Franklin Park Conservatory. Adm. 645-8733. fo/mo/deep. 6-9 pm, Easton Town Square. Free. 337-2200. FountainSide. See June 6. The French Connection. 7:30 pm, Ohio Theatre. Adm. 469-0939. Jim Gaffigan and Billy Gardell. At the Ohio State Fair, 8 pm, Ohio Expo Center. Adm. (800) 745-3000. Local Brews and Local Foods. See June 27. O.A.R. with Rebelution. 6:30 pm, The LC. Adm. 461-5483. Summer Literary Picnic. Reading by Jeni Britton-Bauer with catered dinner or bring your own, tour 5:20 pm, dinner 6:15 pm, reading 7 pm, Thurber House side lawn. Adm. 464-1032. 25-28: Violet Festival. Musical performances, rides, beer garden, parade and more, Wed-Thu 5-11 pm, Fri 5 pm-midnight, Sat noon-midnight, Victory Park, Pickerington. Adm. 524-4758. 25-Aug 5: Ohio State Fair. Midway, food, games, concerts, competitions and exhibits, 9 am-10 pm daily, 8/5 until 8 pm, Ohio Expo Center. Adm. 644-3247.
26 88 Keys and LDNL. 6:30 pm, Columbus Commons. Free. 645-5281. Food Truck Food Court. See June 7. Lone Raven. 7-8:30 pm, Amelita Mirolo Barn at Sunny 95 Park, Upper Arlington. Free. 583-5310. The Right Now and The Floorwalkers. 6:30 pm, Columbus Commons. Free. 645-5281. The Seven Year Itch and Bus Stop. Marilyn Monroe series. See July 6. Tangled. Outdoor movie, dusk, Fryer Park, Grove City. Free. 277-3060. 26-27: War of the Worlds. 7:30 pm, Ohio Theatre. Adm. 469-
0939.
27 A Christmas Story. Dive-In Movie, activities 7 pm, movie 8 pm, Zoombezi Bay wave pool. Adm. 645-3550. Chicago and The Doobie Brothers. At the Ohio State Fair, 7:30 pm, Ohio Expo Center. Adm. (800) 745-3000. Commons for Kids. See June 1. Family Friday Night. Extended hours and reduced adm for families, plus a movie in COSI’s theater, 5-9 pm, COSI. 228-2674. OhioHealth Fourth Friday. World bazaar with vendors, entertainment, kids’ activities and more, 6-9 pm, Uptown Westerville. Free. 794-0401. Pett Crow. 7-9 pm, Friendship Park, Gahanna. Free. 342-4250. Summer Lunch-Time Performing Arts Series. See June 1. WaterFire. With MoJoFlo. See June 2. 27-28: Picnic with the Pops. Columbus Symphony with the OSU Marching Band, 8 pm, Columbus Commons. Adm. 228-8600.
28 Clear Blue Sunday. 7-9 pm, Rotary Stage at Creekside Park, Gahanna. Free. 342-4250. The Isley Brothers. With guest Sanctus Real at the Ohio State Fair, 7 pm, Ohio Expo Center. Adm. (800) 745-3000. Lazy Daze of Summer Festival. Kids’ activities, music, entertainment, juried art show, silent auction and more, 11 am-6 pm, Grandview Heights Public Library and surrounding streets. Free. 486-6456. Weekend Sailing at Central Park Fountain. See June 2. 28-29: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 & 7:30 pm, Ohio Theatre. Adm. 469-0939.
Week 5
29 The British Invasion. 7-8:30 pm, Scioto Park, Dublin. Free. 889-7444. Chris Logsdon. 7-8:30 pm, Sycamore Park Amphitheater, Pickerington. Free. 833-2211. Family Fun Days. Madcap Theatre performs Rumplestiltskin, 2 pm, Franklin Park Conservatory. Adm. 645-8733. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. See July 28. The Merchant of Venice. See June 28. Weekend Sailing at Central Park Fountain. See June 2. Worthington Civic Band. 7 pm, Village Green. Free. 436-2743. 29-Aug 5: Ohio State Fair. See July 25.
30 30-Aug 2: 4-Day Art & Play. Art, physical activities, games and more for ages 6 and up, breakfast/lunch provided for 18 and under, 9 am-5:30 pm, Riverbend Park, 1609 Bluhm Rd. Free. 645-3300.
31 Columbus Zoo at Easton. See June 5. “Follow Me” Summer Series. See July 3. Lion King. Outdoor movie, dusk, Easton Town Square. Free. 337-2200. Merle Haggard and Kris Kristofferson. At the Ohio State Fair, 7:30 pm, Ohio Expo Center. Adm. (800) 745-3000. The Randys. 7:30-8:30 pm, Grandview Heights Public Library. Free. 486-2951.
