Published September 13, 2023
Hispanic Heritage Festival Returns, Rubber Duck Regatta, and Last Chance for Kayak Rentals
The Hispanic Heritage Festival Returns
What better way to kick-off the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month than an all-day celebration of Hispanic culture? We cannot wait to partner with PACO (The Puerto Rican, American and Caribbean Organization) once again for one of the community’s most exciting festivals on Saturday, Sept. 16 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. It will be an all-day fiesta featuring live music, dancing, authentic Latin food, a parade and so much more. Admission is free! To learn more about PACO and the Hispanic Heritage Festival, check out their website.
URS Rubber Duck Regatta
The most exciting rubber duck drop is back at Dayton’s Front Porch! In conjunction with the Hispanic Heritage Festival, you can watch thousands of rubber ducks flock into the Great Miami River during the URS Rubber Duck Regatta. If you would like the chance to win some amazing prizes and support a great cause, you can “adopt” your own ducks through United Rehabilitation Services (URS) on their website. Winners will be announced at the end of the regatta via email or phone. Below is the schedule so you can plan your day:
- 11:00 a.m. – Hispanic Heritage Festival begins. Last chance to adopt your ducks!
- 12:00 p.m. – Watch Quackers and his crew march in the Hispanic Heritage Parade
- 4:15 p.m. – Quacky Kid’s Parade
- 4:30 p.m. – Duck Drop
Last chance for Kayak Rentals
Be sure to squeeze in a paddling adventure here at RiverScape while you can before they pause for the season! Taiter’s Kayak Solutions will be offering paddling rentals on Tuesdays (2 to 6 p.m.) and Thursdays (4 to 8 p.m.). Rentals are $12 per person, per hour. Waivers are required to participate, and safety gear is included. Taiter’s offers rentals along the Great Miami Recreation Trail near the Riverside bridge. The trail is accessible from RiverScape from the stairs just behind the pavilion. Please note, inclement weather and river levels may affect paddling opportunities, so be sure to stay tuned to our Facebook page or Metroparks.org park alerts for important updates.
Outdoor Fitness Opportunities
Whether you prefer an upbeat or intense form of exercise, we still have some Community Fitness opportunities left in store. So, be sure to head down to the park after work for a diverse offering of classes! All Community Fitness classes are free to attend and are led by local instructors. Check out the offerings we have remaining for 2023:
- Boot Camp with The Unit: Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. through Oct. 30
- Swerk with MVP Dance Fit: Wednesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. through Oct. 4 (No Class on Sept. 13)
- INNERGIZE with Kelly Gibson: Wednesday, Sept. 13and Oct. 11 from 6 to 7 p.m.
Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience Returns to Eastwood MetroPark: Oct. 7 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. & Oct. 8 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The RiverScape team will be heading to Eastwood MetroPark the first weekend of October for the exciting Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience! This premier outdoor adventure festival is a must-see for recreation enthusiasts, dog lovers, and fans of live music. The Five Rivers MetroParks outdoor recreation team will be hosting a variety of “try-it” activities, such as paddling, cycling, fishing, slacklining and so much more. Bring your furry friend too, as courtesy “pooch parking” and dog friendly activities will also be available! Please note, this is a waste-free event, so we recommend bringing a water bottle and supporting the variety of food trucks that will be onsite. Numerous waste stations will be available throughout the park, thanks to our amazing volunteers. To learn more about waste free initiatives at Five Rivers MetroParks or more about the festival, please visit https://outdoorx.metroparks.org/. The Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience is presented by Huffy.
Peak harvest at 2nd Street Market
Fall is just around the corner – which means it’s about time for fall home décor shopping, fresh produce, and fun programs at the 2nd Street Market! Come down to support local businesses and treat yourself to unique gifts and delicious eats from a variety of vendors. The 2nd Street Market is open Fridays (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.), Saturdays (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and Sundays (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) year-round. Outdoor Farmers Market vendors will also offer fresh produce, artisan wares, baked goods and more on Saturdays and Sundays during Market hours through Oct. 29. To check out all the fall programs the 2nd Street Market has to offer, visit the Market page on Metroparks.org.
Take the RiverScape survey and be entered to win
We want your feedback on how we can improve RiverScape MetroPark for daily use. There is still time to complete our community survey, which will help Five Rivers MetroParks design a new site plan for RiverScape MetroPark. By completing the survey, you can also enter to win a gift certificate towards program and camp registrations, campsite and shelter rentals, or a family season pass to the MetroParks Ice Rink for the 2023-2024 season. Take the survey.
Additional Upcoming Events:
- Sept. 23: NAMI Walk for Mental Health Awareness
- Oct. 1: Tour de Gem
- Oct. 15: Dayton City Market
