If you dare to venture just a little east, you'll find a whole new world, far from the city's hustle and bustle and full of family-friendly activities. Licking County offers many options throughout the month of August. Check them out:
August 21: Night Hike, Dawes Arboretum, 7770 Jacksontown Rd. SE, Newark, www.dawesarb.org. Night Hike, Aug. 21 8:30-10:30 p.m. Enjoy a free chance to experience the Arboretum at night. Kids and adults are welcome to attend the hike through collections, woodlands and trails on one of our most popular programs.
August 21: Fantasy Garden Exhibition, The Works, 55 S. First St., Newark, www.attheworks.org. A rose is magnificent in its own right, but through modern artistry, the underlying tones and textures of the photograph come to light, stunning our senses. The Fantasy Garden is a combination of digital photography and digital enhancement of the true colors and structures of objects we see in out lives every day.
August 22: Castles and Caves, Licking Park District, 4309 Lancaster Rd., Granville, www.lickingparkdistrict.com. This tour takes visitors through Ohio Caverns, the largest and most beautiful of all Ohio caves, followed by a trip to the Piatt Castles reminiscent of European castles.
August 21-22: American Drag Racing League, National Trail Raceway, 2650 National Rd., Hebron, www.nationaltrailraceway.com.
August 23: Rick Brunetto Big Band Buckeye Lake Picnic, Buckeye Lake State Park, North Shore Picnic Point, Buckeye Lake, www.rickbrunetto.com. Enjoy dancing to the fabulous 17-piece Rick Brunetto Big Band. Fried Chicken lunch available starting at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person in advance and available at Albanese Food Gallery and Buckeye Lake Museum. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. There will be Queen of the Lake II boat rides, nostalgic games, ice cream and candy concessions available.
August 28: Joe’s Garden Lunch, Davis-Shai House, 301 Central Pkwy., Heath, www.davisshaihouse.com. Lunch is served at the Davis-Shai House from 11:30 a.m to 1 p.m. each Friday through Oct. 30. The menu varies weekly and includes homemade soups, fresh salads, entrees, elegant dessert and beverage, all with entertainment. Cost is $11.95 (Payment upon arrival – cash or check) Call 740-788.8942 for reservations.
August 28: Final Friday, Downtown Newark Association, Downtown Newark, www.downtownnewark.com. In conjunction with the Licking County Chamber of Commerce farmers market which will feature Olde time tractors at the market, the DNA will feature a kiddie tractor pull. Also many businesses downtown will remain open until 8 p.m.
August 28: “The Man Show,” Licking County Arts, 38 South 3rd St., Newark, www.lickingcountyarts.org. This show featured the art of LCA male members. The opening reception is Aug. 28 from 6-8 p.m. and light refreshments will be served as part of the Final Friday’s celebration.
August 29: Identifying Asters, Dawes Arboretum, 7770 Jacksontown Rd., SE, Newark, www.dawesarb.org. Identifying Asters is from 9 a.m. to noon. The asters are a diverse and fascinating family of flowering plants encompassing sunflowers, thistles, zinnias, dandelions, daisies and many more. Arboretum Taxonomic Botanist Dr. David Brandenburg will take you step-by-step through each example.
August 29: Cruise In at the Park, Infirmary Mound Park, Ohio Route 37, south of Granville, www.lickingparkdistrict.com. Rev up your engines from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a day full of classic cars and trucks. Trophies will be awarded to top 25 vehicles. The event includes musical entertainment and homemade food.
August 30: Import Face-Off, National Trail Raceway, 2650 National Rd., Hebron, www.nationaltrailraceway.com. Import, sport compact drag race, car show and manufactures midway.