Northwest Ohio festivals and attractions
5/20/2012Here are just a few of the festivals taking place in northwest Ohio this summer:
Old West End Festival: June 2-3, an extremely popular combination of an art fair, home tour, and parade that draws tens of thousands of people to the gentrified neighborhood just west of downtown Toledo; free, except for the home tour; www.toledooldwestend.com.
Lagrange Street Polish Festival: July 13-15, a celebration of Toledo’s strong Polish tradition with lots of ethnic food, beer, and a pierogi-eating contest; in the Lagrange neighborhood in North Toledo; general admission $4 on July 13 and 14, and $2 July 15, with children 8 and younger free both days; www.polishfestival.org.
Black Swamp Festival: Sept. 7-9, this is perhaps one of the coolest festivals in Ohio thanks to the great art, intriguing and hip music offerings, and excellent atmosphere; downtown Bowling Green; free; www.blackswamparts.org.
47th Annual Crosby Festival of the Arts: June 22-24, the remarkable beauty of Toledo Botanical Garden is on full display for this celebration of art and nature; Toledo Botanical Garden, 5403 Elmer Drive; admission $8 for adults, children 12 and younger are free; 419-536-5566, www.toledogarden.org.
The Great Mohican Pow-Wow: July 13-15 and Sept. 14-16, the lifestyle of native Americans is explored during these two events featuring dancing, music, drumming, and food; Mohican Reservation, 23270 Wally Road, Loudonville (a small town between Ashland and Mansfield; admission $8 for adults for one day, $14 for a two-day pass, and $21 for a three-day pass, $4 for a one-day pass for children ages 6-12, $6 for a two-pass and $9 for a three-day pass, pre-schoolers, free; 740-599-5720; www.mohicanpowwow.com.
Ohio Bike Week: June 1-10, get your motor runnin’ at one of the country’s biggest motorcycle-centered bashes as two-wheelers convene on Sandusky County along the Lake Erie shore for rides, parties, and good times; the event itself is free, but there are charges for concerts and other activities; 419-502-0022; www.ohiobikeweek.com.
Annual Logan Hills Festival: May 26-28, the Logan County area has a rich history of the woodland Indians and this 1840 Native Woodland Indian gathering honors the past while working in elements of modern times, including a Memorial Day parade, sports events and competitions; Zanesfield, one mile west of the U.S. 33 and Ohio 292 and Ohio 153 intersection; free; 937-592-2412.
Milan Melon Festival: Labor Day weekend, Sept. 3-5, will include an auto display, a parade, and all sorts of arts and crafts, but most importantly the famous cantaloupe ice cream and watermelon sherbet; downtown Milan; free; 419-499-2498. www.milanmelonfestival.org.
German American Festival: Aug. 24-26, this is one of Ohio’s oldest ethnic festivals and it includes traditional German music and foods, and a Hummel lookalike contest that you have to see to believe; Oak Shade Grove, 3624 Seaman Rd., Oregon; admission $7 per person; www.gafsociety.org.
Balloonfest: Aug. 12-14, soaring hot air balloon flights, a classic car show, parades, and other activities mark this in-the-heat-of-the-summer festival; free; www.flagcityballoonfest.com.
NORTHWEST OHIO ATTRACTIONS
THEME AND WATER PARKS
CEDAR POINT, SOAK CITY, CHALLENGE PARK
Description: With 75 rides, including 16 roller coasters, Cedar Point has more rides and coasters than any park in the world; the 18-acre Soak City water park has slides, inner-tube rivers and a wave pool. Cedar Point and Soak City border
Challenge Park, which features rides, go-carts and miniature golf. Castaway Bay, only minutes from Cedar Point, offers 237 rooms and suites and a large water park that boasts a water coaster, body slides, a wave pool and more.
Location: 1 Cedar Point Dr., Sandusky (Erie County)
Open: open daily, operating hours vary through Sept. 3; weekends only Sept. 7 through Oct. 28
Admission, Cedar Point: $51.99 for those age 3 and older, 48 inches or taller; or $26.99 for senior citizens 62 and older and those age 3 and older, less than 48 inches tall in shoes; free for children 2 and younger; military, evening, combo and group rates available
Challenge Park: open daily, operating hours vary through Sept. 3, weekends only Sept. 7 through Oct. 28 (call for details)
Admission: prices vary per activity (call for details)
Soak City: open daily May 26 through Sept. 3, operating hours vary
Admission: $32.99 for those age 3 to 61, 48 inches or taller in bare feet; or $18.99 for senior citizens 62 and older and those age 3 and older, less than 48 inches tall in bare feet; free for children 2 and younger
Castaway Bay: indoor water park resort open year-round
Admission: $25 day passes, or free for children 2 and younger; availability based on occupancy; call 419-627-2500 or visit www.castawaybay.com
Parking: $12; $17 for oversized vehicles requiring more than one space; preferred parking $20 for spaces close to the the gate
New attractions: Dinousaurs Alive!, featuring almost 50 animatronic dinosaurs, are grouped by period, that roar and move on Adventure Island, a new Jurassic-themed area of the park ($5 additional fee); Luminosity, a new nighttime show with dancing, lights, pyrotechnics and special effects Fast Lane — for $50, guests can move to the front of the line on 20 different rides, including 17 coasters; “Absolute Country” show, through Sept. 3 at the Red Garter Saloon; Happiness Is . . . Snoopy, an ice skating family spectacular
Least-busy days: Tuesday through Thursday
Wheelchair access: A guide for disabled guests is available at the park operations office.
Information: 419-627-2350, www.cedarpoint.com
GREAT WOLF LODGE
Description: An indoor water park including slides, pools, a dumping bucket, a lazy river and an outdoor pool area.
Location: 4600 Milan Rd., Sandusky (Erie County)
Open: year-round
Admission: must be an overnight guest; various rooms and suites available
Parking: free
Least-busy days: midweek May and September
Wheelchair access: yes
Information/reservations: 419-609-6000, 1-800-641-9653, www.greatwolflodge.com
KALAHARI RESORTS
Description: An indoor/outdoor water park including a large wave pool, two indoor surfing attractions, a lazy river, tube rides, body slides and family raft rides as well as the Safari Outdoor Adventure Park — including rope courses, zip-line tours, climbing walls, Zanzibar Grille and an animal park.
Location: 7000 Kalahari Dr., Sandusky (Erie County)
Open: year-round, operating hours vary; water park availability to nonguests based on resort occupancy; call first
Admission: $45 to $49, all-day admission includes indoor and outdoor water park for age 3 and older, or free for children 2 and younger; spectator pass available for $15; evening discounts available; check website for availability; Safari Outdoor Adventure Park admission is $24.95
Parking: free; valet parking $12 a day
Least-busy days: Tuesday and Wednesday
Wheelchair access: yes
Where to buy tickets: for nonguests, online (highly recommended) and at the water park
entrance when available — call first
Information: 419-433-7200, 1-888-451-5248, www.kalahariresorts.com
MONSOON LAGOON
Description: A three-story slide, an interactive water-play area, go-carts, a miniature golf course and a bumper-boat pond are among the park’s attractions.
Location: 1530 S. Danbury Rd. N., Port Clinton (Ottawa County)
Open: daily, operating hours vary May 26-28, June 2-3, June 9 through Aug. 26 and Sept. 1-3; call for details
Admission: water park, $16, or $10 for senior citizens 62 and older, free for children 2 and younger; mega-tickets, including all activities, $16 Monday through Thursday, $21 Friday through Sunday (height restrictions); late-afternoon discounts available
Parking: free
Wheelchair access: yes
Where to buy tickets: at the gate and at participating AAA offices
Information: 419-732-6671, 1-866-732-6671, www.monsoonlagoonwaterpark.com
OUTDOOR MUSIC
CENTENNIAL TERRACE
Description: An intimate outdoor venue with a seating capacity of about 1,000.
Location: 5773 Centennial Rd., Sylvania, near Toledo (Lucas County)
Performances: June 1 (7 p.m.): Toledo Symphony Orchestra; June 9 (3 p.m.): Blues Fest with Joe McBride, Spyro Gyra, Kelly Richey, Swamp Kings; June 22 (8 p.m.): Disco Party; June 29 (8 p.m.): Josh Turner; July 6 (8 p.m.): Get the Led Out; Aug. 1 (7:30 p.m.): Gavin DeGraw, Colbie Caillat; Aug. 7 (8 p.m.): Chicago
Parking: free to $5, depending on show
Tickets: $15 to $72 at Ticketmaster outlets (1-800-745-3000) or www.ticketmaster.com
Information: 419-882-1500, www.centennialterrace.org
MUSEUMS
ARMSTRONG AIR & SPACE MUSEUM
Description: A museum chronicling Ohio’s contributions to the history of space flight, including the accomplishments of Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon.
Location: 500 Apollo Dr., Wapakoneta (Auglaize County)
Open: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday and holidays Memorial Day through Labor Day
Admission: $8, or $7 for senior citizens 60 and older, $4 for children 6 to 12, free for children 5 and younger
Parking: free, on-site
Wheelchair access: yes
Information: 419-738-8811, www.armstrongmuseum.org
IMAGINATION STATION
Description: The hands-on science and learning center also features a simulation theater.
Location: 1 Discovery Way (corner of Summit and Adams streets), Toledo (Lucas County)
Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
Admission: $9, or $8 for senior citizens 65 and older, $7 for children 3 to 12, free for children 2 and younger
Parking: nearby surface lots
Special exhibits: “Eat It Up!”, a permanent 2,000-plus-square-foot exhibition area, containing seven major exhibits, including a demonstration area and the more than eight-feet-tall wheel of fire. The wheel, similar to a treadmill, lets shows visitors how exercise can burn calories. The faster you walk, the higher the 10-foot flames shoot! “Grow U!”, an agriculture exhibition experience, with seven hands-on exhibits and an animatronic game-show called “Farm 101.”
Wheelchair access: yes
Information: 419-244-2674, www.imaginationstationtoledo.org
TOLEDO MUSEUM OF ART
Description: The main museum covers 41/2 acres on two levels, with 45 galleries; the Glass Pavilion features five galleries.
Location: 2445 Monroe St. at Scottwood Avenue, Toledo (Lucas County)
Open: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday
Admission: free; fees charged for some special exhibits
Parking: $5
Special exhibits: “Refraction/Reflection,” features 125 photographs that focus on themes of light, shadow, and reflection (through Aug. 5); “For the Birds,” includes works by John James Audubon, Frank W. Benson, Raoul Dufy, John Gould, Ohara Koson and Pablo Picasso (through Sept. 2); “Revelation: Major Paintings by Jules Olitski,” highlighting important periods and themes in Olitski’s career (through Aug. 26); “Color Ignited: Glass 1962-2012,” showcases studio glass created during the past half-century (through Sept. 9)
Wheelchair access: yes
Information: 419-255-8000, 1-800-644-6862, www.toledomuseum.org
SPORTING EVENTS
BASEBALL
TOLEDO MUD HENS
Description: The Detroit Tigers’ Class triple-A affiliate is an International League rival of the Columbus Clippers.
Location: Fifth Third Field, 406 Washington St., Toledo (Lucas County)
Home games: May 20-22 vs. Syracuse; June 1-4 vs. Buffalo; June 5-8 vs. Charlotte; June 18-21 vs. Lehigh Valley; June 22-25 vs. Norfolk; July 2-5 vs. Columbus; July 20-23 vs. Indianapolis; July 28-31 vs. Louisville; Aug. 2-5 vs. Rochester; Aug. 10-13 vs. Durham; Aug. 25-26 vs. Louisville; Aug. 28-30 vs. Indianapolis; Sept. 2-3 vs. Columbus
Admission: $9, or $7 for senior citizens and children 3 to 12; free for children 2 and younger
Parking: lots near the stadium
Wheelchair access: yes
Tickets: available at the Mud Hens office, 419-725-4367; at the park; or online
Information: 419-725-4367, www.mudhens.com
GOLF
JAMIE FARR TOLEDO CLASSIC
Description: A showcase for some of the best female golfers on the LPGA tour, the tournament is celebrating its 27th anniversary.
Location: Highland Meadows Golf Club, 7445 Erie St., Sylvania
Dates: Aug. 6-12
Admission: weekly grounds admission $50; daily tickets Monday through Friday $15; Saturday and Sunday $20; free for those 17 and younger with accompanying adult
Parking: $5 daily, or $10 weekly parking pass
Tickets: 419-531-3277
Information: www.jamiefarrtoledoclassic.com
MOTOR SPORTS
MID-OHIO SPORTS CAR COURSE
Description: A comprehensive motorsports facility, Mid-Ohio features a permanent road-racing circuit with a 2.4-mile, 15-turn, and a 2.25-mile, 13-turn circuit.
Location: 7721 Steam Corners Rd., Lexington (Richland County)
Events: June 8-10: EMCO Gears Classic; June 22-24: Vinage Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio; July 13-15: Buckeye Superbike Weekend; July 20-22: AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days; Aug. 3-5: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge/Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio; Sept. 7-9: NASA Championships
Admission: $10 to $45, depending on event; free for children 12 and younger when accompanied by an adult
Parking: free, non-infield
Wheelchair access: yes
Tickets: available by calling the track office, 1-800-643-6446, or online
Information: 1-800-643-6446, 419-884-4000, www.midohio.com
HARNESS RACING
RACEWAY PARK
Description: Originally built for auto racing, it now has a 5/8-mile track for harness racing.
Location: 5700 Telegraph Rd., Toledo (Lucas County)
Season: Saturdays and Sundays (post time 7 p.m. Saturday; 6 p.m. Sunday) through Sept. 16; simulcasting daily
Admission: free
Parking: free
Wheelchair access: yes
Tickets: available at the gate; 419-476-7751
Information: 419-476-7751, www.racewayparktoledo.com
ZOO
TOLEDO ZOO
Description: More than 8,000 animals representing more than 700 species live on the 74-acre grounds.
Location: 2 Hippo Way, Toledo (Lucas County)
Big attractions: Tembo Trail, a new elephant exhibit in the Savanna area features elephants, hippos, rhinos, meerkats, lions, naked mole rats and new spotted-neck otters. Visitors will have closer access to the animals.
Open: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, till 6 p.m. weekends Memorial Day through Labor Day
Admission: $14, or $11 for senior citizens 60 and older and children 2 to 11, free for children younger than 2
Parking: $6, or $15 for vehicles that take more than one space
Wheelchair access: yes; rental: $10, or $20 for motorized scooter; single-stroller rental: $5, or $10 for wagons
Information: 419-385-4040, www.toledozoo.org