Free Things To Do In Dayton Ohio This August

The provided source material from Dayton Parent Magazine outlines a series of free, family-friendly events and activities scheduled for August. This information is intended for residents of Dayton and the surrounding areas, offering opportunities for recreation, education, and community engagement without an admission fee. The activities span a wide range of interests, including outdoor fitness, cultural festivals, educational workshops, and movie screenings. All events listed are explicitly free of charge, with no mention of product samples, promotional offers, or brand freebies. The source focuses exclusively on local events and does not contain information about mail-in sample programs, no-cost product trials, or giveaways from consumer brands. Participation in these events may require registration or have specific requirements, such as bringing personal items like water or blankets. The following article details the free activities available in August 2019, based solely on the information provided in the source data.

August 1-7

The first week of August begins with an evening tram tour at Cox Arboretum MetroPark on August 1. This event, which runs from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm, requires registration and is weather-dependent. The following day, August 3, Possum Creek MetroPark hosts a storytime and activity session designed for toddlers and their caregivers from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Registration is requested for this weather-dependent program.

August 4 features a community movie night at Dominick Lofino Park, showing Disney’s Moana. The festivities start at 7:00 pm, with the movie beginning after dark (approximately 9:30 pm). Attendees are advised to bring a blanket. Also on August 4, Riverscape MetroPark presents "Pickin' in the Park," a series featuring progressive bluegrass music, craft beer, and food trucks. This event runs from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm and is weather-dependent. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair for seating.

On August 5, Riverscape MetroPark offers a free, all-ages workout session from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Participants should wear comfortable clothes and bring their own water. No registration is required, but the event is weather-dependent.

The first week concludes with "Peach Daze" at Hidden Valley Fruit Farm on August 5. This event, running from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, celebrates peaches with pies, sundaes, and a country store. Entertainment for children includes a bounce house, train ride, and barnyard access. Craft and food vendors will also be present.

August 8-14

August 8 includes several activities. At Cox Arboretum MetroPark, a "get into the muck" program from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm allows participants to explore pond creatures. This is part of the Conservation Kids: Explorers & Voyagers series for ages 6-13 and is weather-dependent. Also on August 8, Bellbrock Park hosts a storytime with Winters Library staff from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Pre-registration is required, and a minimum of 10 participants is needed.

On August 9, a park naturalist leads a search for insects in a prairie and meadow. This catch-and-release program requires participants to bring a butterfly net and plastic containers (no glass). The event is weather-dependent.

August 12 features a "Family Adventure Race" starting at Bellbrock Park from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm. Teams of families solve clues and complete tasks at secret locations in five different parks. Registration is required. Also on August 12, Veterans Park hosts a daylong event with gourmet food trucks, a beer garden, and musical acts from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring families and lawn chairs.

August 13 includes a program at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm, where participants can explore a creek and look for creatures like crawdads and salamanders. This is part of the Conservation Kids: Tikes series for ages 3-5. Attendees should wear clothes that can get wet and is weather-dependent.

August 14 marks the grand opening of the new Dayton Metro Library, with a street fair, ribbon cutting, and open house from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Families can enjoy entertainment, children’s activities, music, and appearances by library mascots Cosmo & Pip.

August 15-21

On August 15, Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway hosts a free event from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm featuring a beer garden, BBQ specials, live music, and a fireworks display at dusk. This event is open to all ages.

August 19 offers another free, all-ages workout at Riverscape MetroPark from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Participants should wear comfortable clothes and bring their own water and mat. No registration is required, and the event is weather-dependent. Also on August 19, Island MetroPark hosts an event celebrating the African American experience through culture, arts, education, and music. The event runs from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm and includes an African Village, youth and writers pavilions, and live R&B, Gospel, and Jazz presentations.

On August 20, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force offers free admission and educational programming from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm in honor of National Aviation Day and Orville Wright’s birthday. The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery also provides free access to special exhibitions, Space Theater shows, and public programming from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on August 20.

August 21 is a significant date for eclipse viewing. The Centerville Library will have a visiting planetarium with 20-35 minute shows all day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Also on August 21, the library lawn will be open for viewing the solar eclipse (89% totality) from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Attendees are advised to bring special sunglasses. The library also hosted a pre-eclipse event on August 13 with stories and crafts from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.

August 22-31

August 22 features the "Roosevelt Neighborhood Festival" at Dayton Boys Prep Academy from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The outdoor event includes competitions, family fun, vendors, live music, art, and raffles. Attendees should bring chairs and blankets.

On August 24, Grace United Methodist Church hosts a veggie-focused event from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Participants can watch demonstrations, taste new dishes, and build their own summer-fresh pizza with a baker from Wheat Penny. The event concludes with eating the pizza.

August 25 includes a "Blues, BBQ, and Bumpers" festival in historic downtown Lebanon, Ohio. The event runs from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm and features blues bands, festival foods, a beer garden, and a classic car show with over 150 cars. The festival also includes "Kids Row" and a Kids Run.

Additional events mentioned in the source include a movie screening of The Lego Movie at Park District Headquarters on August 23 from 8:00 pm to 10:30 pm, and a fireworks display at Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport on August 23 from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The source also notes a community event on August 4 at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway with a fireworks display at 9:30 pm.

Conclusion

The provided source material details a comprehensive schedule of free activities in Dayton, Ohio for August 2019. These events, hosted by local parks, libraries, museums, and community organizations, offer opportunities for fitness, education, cultural celebration, and family entertainment without an admission fee. Participation details, such as registration requirements, weather dependencies, and item recommendations, are specified for each event. The information is sourced directly from Dayton Parent Magazine and does not include any data about free product samples, promotional offers, or brand-sponsored giveaways. Consumers interested in these specific local events should verify details with the respective organizers, as the source information is from 2019 and may not reflect current offerings.

Sources

1. Dayton Parent Magazine - Free Things to Do in August