A few short months ago, the status of many summertime arts and entertainment events was still up in the air.
With the lifting of state health orders by Gov. Mike DeWine earlier this month, in addition to encouraging trends in coronavirus numbers and vaccination rates, many events are set to resume.
COVID-safe family fun:I’ve had the COVID-19 vaccine but my kids haven’t. So what can we do this summer, doc?
From a virtual meet-and-greet with a comic book author to a hot air balloon festival, central Ohio will be buzzing with things to do as the temperatures rise — and all of us start to get back to normal.
That includes dozens that you can bring the family to for a night of family fun. Many events are outdoors for parents taking COVID-19 precautions, and most are free.
— Peter Tonguette
MOVIES IN COLUMBUS
Movies by Moonlight at Easton Town Center
When: at dusk June 22 and 29
Where: Easton Town Center’s Town Square, 160 Easton Town Center
What: The annual outdoor movie series got underway earlier this month and will wrap up with two flicks appropriate for the whole family: “Despicable Me” (June 22) and “Sonic the Hedgehog” (June 29). Those who prefer to be seated away from moviegoers outside of their party can sit in social-distancing circles.
Admission: free
Information: www.eastontowncenter.com
Grove City Community Outdoor Movie Night
When: 8 p.m., Wednesdays June 23 through July 28
Where: outside The Naz Church, 4770 Hoover Road, Grove City
What: Family movies new and old will be shown Wednesday evenings on a screen behind the church. Highlights include “Frozen” (June 23), “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” (July 7) and the original “Toy Story” (July 21).
Admission: free
Information: www.grovecityohio.gov
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Discovery District summer movies at Columbus Museum of Art
When: dusk, July 9, Aug. 6
Where: Columbus Museum of Art, sculpture garden, 480 E. Broad St.
What: The Discovery District Civic Association will present a pair of movies at the sculpture garden of the museum. First up is (what else?) “Night at the Museum” (July 9), which will be followed by “Remember the Titans” (Aug. 6). Organizers suggest parking for free in the museum’s lot on Gay Street and Washington Avenue and, of course, bringing a blanket.
Admission: free
Information: www.discoverydistrictcolumbus.org
Movies at Goodale Park
When: sunset July 16, Sept. 17
Where: Goodale Park, 120 W. Goodale St.
What: Two family movies will be shown in the softball field at the park: the original 1984 version of “Ghostbusters” (July 16), and the family favorite “Paddington 2” (Sept. 17). Food trucks will be on-site.
Admission: free
Information: www.shortnorthcivic.org
PLAYS AND MUSICALS IN CENTRAL OHIO
‘Madagascar, A Musical Adventure, Jr.’ at Abbey Theater of Dublin
When: 7 p.m. July 15, 1 and 7 p.m. July 16-17, and 1 and 4 p.m. July 18
Where: Coffman Amphitheater, 5200 Emerald Parkway, Dublin
What: The Abbey Theater of Dublin will present a one-act stage version of the animated film about animals who escape from New York’s Central Park Zoo for an African journey.
Admission: $10
Information: 614-410-4550, dublinohiousa.gov/abbey-theater
‘Disney’s Descendants: the Musical’ in Newark
When: 7 p.m. July 16, 2 and 7 p.m. July 17 and 2 p.m. July 18
Where: 100 Price Road, Newark
What: Weathervane Playhouse’s Young Artists’ Repertory Theatre will present children performing a condensed one-act stage version of the Disney films about the children of Disney’s beloved characters offering opportunities for redemption at their prep school for the children of villainous characters.
Admission: $9.50
Information: 740-366-4616, www.weathervaneplayhouse.org
‘Clue the Musical’ in Newark
When: 7:30 p.m. July 22-23, 2 p.m. July 24 (for masked and socially distanced patrons only); 7:30 p.m. July 24 and 7:30 p.m. July 27-31
Where: 100 Price Road, Newark
What: Weathervane Playhouse will return from hiatus with the family-friendly musical comedy-mystery based on the whodunit board game, with audience interaction determining different endings by allowing theatergoers to choose from cards representing potential murderers, weapons and rooms.
Admission: $15 to $37, or $35 for senior citizens, $26 for students or $15 for children
Information: 740-366-4616, www.weathervaneplayhouse.org
‘The Secret Garden’ at Schiller Park
When: 8 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, Aug. 12 to Sept. 5
Where: Schiller Park amphitheater, 1069 Jaeger St.
What: Actors’ Theatre of Columbus and Columbus Children’s Theatre, in their first play collaboration, present Neil Duffield’s stage adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s story about an orphan girl who discovers a long-neglected sanctuary and a hidden-away boy at her new home.
Admission: “Pay what you will,” or $45 for premium boxes of two reserved zero-gravity chairs, or $25 for a lawn box with a reserved Actors’ Theatre logo blanket (can keep after the show) with advance online purchase
Information: 614-444-6888, www.theactorstheatre.org, www.columbuschildrenstheatre.org
‘Children of Eden, Jr.’ in Newark by Weathervane Playhouse
When: 7 p.m. Aug. 13-14 and 2 p.m. Aug. 14-15
Where: 100 Price Road, Newark
What: Weathervane Playhouse’s Young Artists’ Repertory Theatre will present a one-act youth version of composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz’s and author John Caird’s Biblical musical about Adam, Eve, Cain, Abel, Noah, parents, children and faith.
Admission: $9.50
Information: 740-366-4616, www.weathervaneplayhouse.org
‘Moana JR.’ in Lancaster
When: 7 p.m. Aug. 20 and Aug. 22, 2 and 7 p.m. Aug. 21
Where: Lancaster Campground, Davis Auditorium, 2151 W. Fair Ave., Lancaster
What: Rise Up Arts Alliance, a fledgling youth theater, will present an hourlong one-act stage version of the 2016 Disney animated film about the coming of age of a strong-willed girl as she sets sail across the Pacific to save her village and discover her heritage.
Admission: $12, or $8 for students 4 to 18 and senior citizens; free for children 3 and younger
Information: 740-400-0591, www.riseupartsalliance.org
‘Once Upon a Murder in Fairyfieldland’ in Lithopolis
When: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10 and 2 p.m. Sept. 11
Where: Wagnalls Memorial Library, 150 E. Columbus St., Lithopolis
What: During the annual Lithopolis Honeyfest celebrating Ohio honey, Wagnalls Community Theater will present Lancaster writer Scott Gottliebson’s family-oriented one-act comic murder mystery inspired by Brothers Grimm fairy-tale characters such as Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella.
Admission: free, but donations requested
Information: 614-562-6985, wagnallsfoundation.org
CONCERTS IN CENTRAL OHIO
New Albany Symphony Orchestra
When: 10 a.m. July 2, 23, Aug. 6, 27
Where: Natural Trail Play Area, Rose Run Park, 200 Market St., New Albany
What: One of several summertime music offerings by the symphony, this series of informal events will feature musicians “playing” — that is, making music — while parents and children play in the Natural Trail Play Area, a section of Rose Run Park near the intersection of East Dublin-Granville Road and Market Street.
Admission: free
Information: www.newalbanysymphony.com
BOOK EVENTS IN COLUMBUS
Comic book author Grace Ellis discusses ‘Lumberjanes’
When: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 15
Where: online via Bexley Public Library
What: Ellis will discuss the making of “Lumberjanes,” a comic-book series about monster-fighting Girl Scouts that she created with three others.
Admission: free
Information: www.bexleylibrary.org
FESTIVALS IN CENTRAL OHIO
Doo Dah Parade at Goodale Park on July 4
When: 1 p.m. (line up at noon) July 4
Where: Goodale Park, corner of Park and Goodale streets
What: The 38th annual ambulatory celebration of the absurd exhorts this year’s attendees to “doo dah like a cicada.” No registration required, no advertisements permitted, and costumes and funny hats encouraged.
Admission: free
Information: www.doodahparade.com
All Ohio Balloon Festival in Marysville
When: 5 p.m. Aug. 12 to 11 p.m. Aug. 14
Where: Union County Airport, 15000 Weaver Road, Marysville
What: Three days of balloon flights, glows and rides, a laser light show and a Kids Fun Space. Proceeds go to Hope Center in Marysville. In addition, Cole Swindell will perform Aug. 12 ($37.50 in advance, $50 day of show) as well as a host of other musical acts throughout the weekend.
Admission: starts at $14, free on Friday and Saturday for kids 10 and younger
Information: www.allohioballoonfest.com
Ohio attractions:It’s time to have some fun! Here are things to do in Ohio this summer
Columbus Food Truck Festival 2021
When: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Aug. 21, noon-7 p.m. Aug. 22
Where: Franklin County Fairgrounds, 4100 Columbia St., Hilliard
What: More than 50 food trucks from Ohio and around the Midwest, with live music and a kids’ play area
Tickets: $5, or free for children 12 and younger
Information: columbusfoodtruckfest.com
Galena Summerfest
When: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 28
Where: Galena Square, downtown Galena
What: music, food, a beer garden and a free KidZone with crafts, bounce houses and a balloon artist
Admission: free
Information: www.galenasummerfest.com
West Jefferson Ox Roast
When: Sept. 4-6
Where: Garrette Park, downtown West Jefferson
What: Parades, races, music and ox roast sandwiches
Admission: free but fee for rides and food
Information: www.westjeffoxroast.org
Lithopolis Honeyfest
When: 3-7 p.m. Sept. 10, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 11
Where: downtown Lithopolis
What: A tribute to bees, their keepers and their products, with bee beards, honey tastings, a honey bakeoff, mead tasting, and kids’ crafts
Admission: free
Information: 614-774-4416, lithopolishoneyfest.com
Columbus festivals:Columbus Food Truck Festival to take place Aug. 21-22 at Franklin County Fairgrounds
COLUMBUS MUSEUM EXHIBITS
‘Think Outside the Brick: The Creative Art of Lego’ at the Columbus Museum of Art
When: June 29 through Aug. 20
Where: Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E. Broad St.
What: The annual exhibit features a huge model of a real and an imagined Columbus built by the Ohio LEGO User’s Group. New features include underwater scenes, “Sesame Street” characters and UFOs.
Admission: $18, or $9 for senior citizens and students; $5 Thursdays evenings; free for ages 4 to 17, age 3 and younger, members, veterans and active military and their families; and free on Sundays
Information: 614-221-6801, www.columbusmuseum.org
