Published July 26, 2023
Summer’s last call: Free festivals, music and fitness at MetroParks
Five Rivers MetroParks will host two of Dayton’s favorite cultural festivals this August and September.
The Dayton African American Cultural Festival will begin on Saturday, Aug. 19, at Island MetroPark, 101 E Helena St., Dayton. From noon to 8 p.m., 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, all are invited to return for Gospel Explosion from noon to 6 p.m. Enjoy a series of lectures, church service and gospel entertainment.
Summer at RiverScape MetroPark – 237 E. Monument Ave., Dayton – culminates with Puerto Rican, American and Caribbean Organization’s Hispanic Heritage Festival on Saturday, Sept. 16, 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 Enterprise Roofing – at RiverScape MetroPark, with a special First Friday offering featuring salsa music and a dance lesson. Dates are:
- Friday, Aug. 4, from 6 to 9 p.m.: Dayton Salsa Project (salsa lessons by Chevere LF Dance Studio)
- Thursday, Aug. 10, from 7 to 9 p.m.: Retrobution
- Thursday, Aug. 17, from 7 to 9 p.m.: LYD (Live Your Dream)
- Thursday, Aug. 24, from 7 to 9 p.m.: The Kim Kelly Orchestra featuring vocalist Felita LaRock
Thursday Happy Hour at RiverScape MetroPark will continue each Thursday, from 5 to 7 p.m. Offerings include beer, hard seltzers and other beverages.
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 September (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.
Most free fitness offerings at RiverScape wind down after August, with limited offerings in September and October. Visit metroparks.org/riverscape for October fitness offerings. Classes include Fitness in the Park’s yoga and Zumba classes, which are presented by Kettering Health Network with additional support from McGohan Brabender. August and September’s fitness schedule is:
- Zumba in the Park with Fit N Fruitful Wellness: Saturday, Aug. 26, from 10 to 11 a.m.
- Yoga in the Park with Speakeasy Yoga: Saturday, Aug. 5 and Saturday, Aug. 19, from 10 to 11 a.m.
- Bootcamp with The Unit: Most Mondays and Wednesdays, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
- BootyMix Fitness: Mondays, from 6 to 7 p.m. through the end of August
- Tai Chi & Qigong at the River with Immortal Tree Qigong: Tuesdays, from 6 to 7 p.m. through Sept. 12.
- SWERK with MVP Dance Fit: Most Wednesdays, from 6 to 7 p.m.
- INNERGIZE with Kelly Gibson: Wednesday, Sept. 13
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 through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Fridays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The RiverScape Café is open, with weekly lunch hours of 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (Tuesday through Friday). The Café will also be open Thursday evenings during the Summer Music Series concerts. Both locations close Labor Day weekend.
The interactive fountain and Five Rivers Fountain of Lights operate through Labor Day, Sept. 4. The Five Rivers Fountain of Lights goes off for 10-minute intervals at the top of the hour during the weekdays from 6:55 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.
