Published August 6, 2024
Final months of summer bring free cultural festivals to RiverScape MetroPark
Five Rivers MetroParks will host two of Dayton’s favorite cultural festivals this August and September at RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E Monument Ave., Dayton.
The Dayton African American Cultural Festival – which has traditionally been located at Island MetroPark – has been temporarily moved to RiverScape MetroPark and from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17, visitors can enjoy family-friendly activities, vendors, food, entertainment and live music, all of which celebrates the richness of the African American experience. The following day, Aug. 18, the Gospel Explosion from noon to 6 p.m. Enjoy a series of lectures, church service and gospel entertainment.
The festival season at RiverScape MetroPark culminates with Puerto Rican, American and Caribbean Organization’s Hispanic Heritage Festival on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Festivalgoers can enjoy live Latin music, children’s activities, food, vendors and more.
Also during this event, United Rehabilitation Services will drop at least 20,000 rubber ducks into the Great Miami River during its annual Rubber Duck Regatta.
Both festivals are free and for those of all ages.
Five Rivers MetroParks continues to offer live music during the Summer Music Series – sponsored by the Jack W. & Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation and Enterprise Roofing – at RiverScape MetroPark. Dates are:
- Friday, Aug. 2, from 6 to 9 p.m.: Pickin’ in the Park featuring Whiskey Bent Valley Boys & My Brother’s Keeper
- Thursday, Aug. 8, from 7 to 9 p.m.: Americana/Rock Night featuring Ludlow Creek
- Thursday, Aug. 15, from 7 to 9 p.m.: Big Band Night featuring Central Jazz Big Band
- Friday, Aug. 23, from 7 to 9 p.m.: 80s Night featuring Retrobution
- Thursday, Aug. 29 from 7 to 9 p.m.: R&B Night featuring Big Gil & His Funky All-Stars
Happy hour at RiverScape MetroPark will continue from 5 to 7 p.m. every day we’re open. Offerings include beer, hard seltzers, wine and cocktails.
New this year, RiverScape MetroPark will also host Tuesday Nights in the Park, which alternate between live music and games on Tuesday evenings:
- Tuesday, Aug. 6, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.: Cornhole Tournament
- Tuesday, Aug. 13, from 7 to 9 p.m.: Live Music from Patrick Arnold
- Tuesday, Aug. 20, from 7 to 9 p.m.: Music Bingo
- Tuesday, Aug. 27, from 7 to 9 p.m.: Live Music from Reyna Spears
Because RiverScape MetroPark is included in the Downtown Dayton Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) footprint, people walking in the downtown area are welcome to visit the park with their beverages within the DORA boundary. Learn more about DORA and participating businesses – including RiverScape MetroPark – at www.downtowndayton.org/dora.
Kayak rentals hosted by Taiter’s Kayak Solutions continue in August and are available on Tuesdays (2 to 6 p.m.), Thursdays (4 to 8 p.m.) and during select special events through October (weather dependent).
Participants launch next to the Riverside Bridge along the Great Miami Recreation Trail with the option to paddle through the Five Rivers Fountain of Lights. Life jackets are provided and required, and a waiver must be signed. Rentals start at $12/person and are suitable for beginner kayakers.
Free fitness offerings at RiverScape MetroPark continue through August, September and October. Visit metroparks.org/riverscape for all fitness offerings. Classes include Fitness in the Park’s yoga and Zumba classes, which are presented by Kettering Health and sponsored by McGohan Brabender.
August’s Community Fitness schedule is:
- Bootcamp with The Unit: Mondays and Wednesdays, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- Yoga: Mondays, 6 to 7 p.m.
- Tai Chi & Qigong at the River: Tuesdays, 6 to 7 p.m.
- SWERK: Wednesdays, 6 to 7 p.m
August’s Fitness in the Park schedule is:
- Yoga in the Park with Tori Reynolds from Speakeasy Yoga: August 3, 10 to 11 a.m.
- Zumba in the Park with Meghan Millat: August 10, 10 to 11 a.m.
- Zumba in the Park with Meghan Millat: August 24, 10 to 11 a.m.
- Yoga in the Park with Tori Reynolds from Speakeasy Yoga: August 31, 10 to 11 a.m.
Participants should remember to bring their own mat to yoga, in addition to a reusable water bottle to all fitness classes. Registration is not required.
For a complete list of programs and events at RiverScape MetroPark, visit www.metroparks.org/riverscape.
The Fountain Snack Bar offers snacks and cool treats, such as ice cream and cold drinks. Hours of operation are:
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays, noon to 6 p.m.
- Thursdays through Saturdays, noon to 8 p.m.
- Sundays, noon to 6 p.m.
The RiverScape Café offers a variety of appetizers, flatbreads and desserts, in addition to alcohol including beer, hard seltzers, wine and cocktails this season. It is open Tuesday-Saturday evenings from 5 to 9 p.m.
The interactive fountain and Five Rivers Fountain of Lights operate through Labor Day, Sept. 2. The Five Rivers Fountain of Lights goes off for 10-minute intervals at the top of the hour during the weekdays from 7:55 a.m. to 10:05 p.m. and during weekends from 10:55 a.m. to 10:05 p.m. Splash in the interactive fountain daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. These features are weather dependent and may close due to inclement weather, including high winds. For a complete list of MetroParks’ closures, please visit metroparks.org/alerts.
