Published September 26, 2023
Free Activities, Camping, Live Music During Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience
Explore the active side of Dayton with the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience, a Five Rivers MetroParks event. Featuring two days of outdoor adventure that celebrates Dayton as the Outdoor Adventure Capital of the Midwest, the festival is held at Eastwood MetroPark from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 8. Admission and parking are free.
Typically, more than 15,000 festivalgoers attend to enjoy numerous outdoor activities, live entertainment, competitions and more.
“It’s a joy to see so many different people of varying ages, backgrounds and interests come together to celebrate this one thing we all have in common – a love of the great outdoors,” said interim outdoor recreation events coordinator Angela Moore. “Recreating, exploring, learning and just being present in nature has so many benefits and this festival showcases all the opportunities to connect with nature in our region.”
Try an Outdoor Adventure
Try your hand at new outdoor activities, open to all ages and skill levels, in various experience areas throughout Eastwood MetroPark. Participants, parents and/or guardians must sign a waiver to participate in most activities, which can be downloaded ahead of time. Activities include:
- Climbing
- Mountain biking
- Disc golf
- Fishing
- Slacklining
- Paddling
- Cycling
- Pump Track
- Ziplining
Learn in the Get Outside Tour Outdoor School
The pros from Outside will present several topics including Backcountry Essentials, A Guide to Adventure with your Pets and Van Life. Other topics in the Outdoor School include How to Poop in the Woods by the Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers and many more.
Watch Outdoor Adventure Demos
Festival goers can view slackliners bounce, balance and fly on the water and high lines. Watch riders take BMX tricks to new heights with two ramps.
Compete in the Great Outdoors
Attendees also can enter competitions, including:
- The Ohio River Road Runners Club’s 12-hour Endurance Run
- Dock Dogs competition
- National Association of Professional River Anglers Super Wade Fishing Tournament
Exhibitors, Contests, Music and More
Exhibitors will offer new outdoor gear and accessories for purchase, and local clubs will link festivalgoers will resources to help get them outside. A used gear area will be managed by Arrow Adventures for those who wish to consign their old gear. A portion of the consignment fees will support Five Rivers MetroParks Foundation. Exhibitors will close at 8 p.m. on Saturday, but the event continues until 10 p.m. so event participants can enjoy live music, food and more at the festival and the Great Lakes and Fifty West Beer Garden with proceeds benefitting the Five Rivers MetroParks Foundation.
The music lineup, selected by 91.3-FM WYSO, features regional acts from multiple genres. Fill up with offerings from a wide selection of different food trucks. Free water will be available, and guests should bring their own non-glass cup or purchase a steel cup at the event to help Five Rivers MetroParks keep the festival waste-free.
Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience vendors commit to the event’s waste-free initiative and will not be selling plastic water bottles. Food will be served using compostable serviceware.
Bring a tent and camp for the weekend on the banks of the Eastwood Lagoon. Campsites are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Limited space will be available for small campers and vehicle camping.
Take your involvement a step further by volunteering at the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience. Volunteer shifts are two to three hours and volunteers receive volunteer parking, hospitality and more. More than 400 volunteers are needed to help facilitate this annual event. Volunteer opportunities are available beginning Oct. 2 through Oct. 11. Learn more and sign up to volunteer at metroparks.org/volunteer.
For a map and schedule of all festival activities, visit metroparks.org/outdoorx.
The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience is presented by Huffy. Additional sponsorship is provided by Outside Inc., Subaru of America, Mikes Bike Park, Great Lakes Brewery, Fifty West Brewing Company, Key-Ads, Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission, Cyclotherapy, Kayak Coffee, Best Breed and City Barbeque.
