Warm summer weather opens the door for a wide range of outdoor activities, especially in Dublin, where the community is always busy with activity. Get outside to listen to music, play in the water or eat a fresh meal. We’ve got some great suggestions for places to go and things to do this summer.
Sunday Dining
The Dublin Arts Council’s summer concert series returns June 8 with food trucks in tow.
Food carts have been a part of Sundays at Scioto in previous years, but this year the food offerings are evolving with nosh from The Cheesy Truck and the Paddy Wagon rolling into Scioto Park to join the showcase of local and regional acts for the first time ever.
“It’s the end of the weekend, it’s a great way to wind down, and if you can just purchase it here instead of having to pack your food, it’s great,” says Janet Cooper, marketing and public relations manager of the Dublin Arts Council.
Attendees can also savor the offerings of either Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams or Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt. Proceeds from both food and ice cream sales benefit the arts council.
“Along with our general sponsors, that’s part of what helps us to be able to give this free gift to the community every year,” Cooper says.
The schedule includes traditional Irish music from The General Guinness Band on June 8, rising “country-fried rock” stars Phillip Fox Band on June 29 and central Ohio neo-funk favorites MojoFlo on July 20, among others. For a full schedule, visit www.dublinarts.org.
Jig Thursdays
With assistance from the Dublin AM Rotary Club, the Historic Dublin Business Association hosts its First Annual Slider Challenge this summer, inviting regular Jig Thursday attendees and visitors to partake in this new event.
Jig Thursdays are held on the first Thursday of each month, and restaurants in the Historic Dublin district participate in the challenge July 3.
“We’re going to have tickets to taste, just like our chili cook-off, that the public can purchase and they can vote for their favorite slider,” says Brenda Kocak, president of the Historic Dublin Business Association.
Attendees can also hop on the free trolley rides and listen to tunes played by strolling bagpipers or by one of the ensembles of the Dublin Community Band. The Emerald City Swing Orchestra performs at 5:30 p.m. June 5, and the Dublin Silver Band performs at 6:30 p.m. July 3.
For more information, visit www.historicdublin.org.
Cruise In
Car enthusiasts can raise funds for a good cause and check out some hot rides at the Arthritis Foundation Classic Auto Show & Cruise-In.
Now in its 32nd year, the annual event attracts about 1,200 participants and more than 5,000 spectators throughout the weekend.
This year’s car show kicks off on July 10 with the Rolling Legends Tour, which takes participants on a driving tour to Mershon’s World of Cars through Ohio’s scenic byways and then to Right Stuff Detailing in Westerville for the auto detailing center’s own car show.
“All of the proceeds from the (Right Stuff Detailing) car show benefit the Arthritis Foundation as well. That’s why our tour always ends there,” says Michelle Thomas, development director of the central and northwestern Ohio chapter of the Arthritis Foundation.
The Classic Auto Show & Cruise-In continues July 11 and 12 at 555 Metro Pl. N. in Dublin with live entertainment from bands such as show veterans Phil Dirt and The Dozers and first-timers Snidely Whiplash and MoJo Theory.
Top 100 awards in the form of 6-foot-tall trophies will be given out during the July 11 Cruise-In.
The Arthritis Foundation works to make the event family-friendly with a designated kid zone and mascots that roam the show grounds.
General admission tickets are $10 per person. For more information, visit www.arthritisautoshow.com.
Splish Splash
An all-new interactive experience for children awaits at an animal-themed lagoon at Zoombezi Bay. Equipped with life-size baboon figurines and a giant octopus sculpture at the base of the attraction, the Baboon Lagoon, unveiled May 17, also features water slides, a heated pool and Funbrellas.
The water park is bringing back its annual Dive-In Movie Series. Held on Friday nights, the events are the only time the wave pool stays open until 11 p.m.
“They bring in a large screen, and they show the movie from there,” says Jennifer Wilson, director of communications of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. “Guests can watch the movie from the sun deck or the wave pool.”
The series begins with Despicable Me 2 on July 11, followed by Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 on July 18 and E.T. on July 25.
Other locations around the city to cool off include the pools at the Dublin Community Recreation Center, Dublin Community Pools, the spray fountains at Ballantrae Community Park and the water feature play area at Washington Township’s Homestead Park.
To Market, To Market
The Dublin Farmers’ Market will host its neighbor, Whole Foods Market, this summer.
Whole Foods’ live cooking demonstrations at the market, scheduled for June 12 and July 10, aim to inspire shoppers to get creative with their farmers’ market purchases. The demonstrations will use ingredients from the farmers’ market itself.
The farmers’ market offers fresh produce, ice cream, baked goods, dog treats and soaps and is held from 3-6 p.m. Wednesdays, rain or shine, in the parking lot of Oakland Nursery, 4261 W. Dublin-Granville Rd.
Al Fresco
Restaurants in Dublin are opening up their patios for the public to soak up the sun while enjoying a meal. And at least one Dublin restaurant is hosting a new event to coincide with the change in weather.
101 Beer Kitchen, a gastropub that opened in Dublin two years ago, is launching an education series for food enthusiasts and regular customers beginning in June. One Sunday each month, the bar will pair German beers with traditional German appetizers. Representatives from breweries will discuss the process by which their beers are made.
“Education is a huge component of what we do,” says Brad Koinis, bar manager.
“In July, we’ll also be bringing slider makers in to talk about what makes their product unique.”
Other dining establishments in Dublin boasting patios or porches outdoor dining include Matt the Miller’s Tavern, J. Liu Restaurant & Bar and Mezzo Ristorante & Bar.
Nen Lin Soo is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at laurand@cityscenemediagroup.com.
