Published September 21, 2022
Try outdoor activities at a free family festival next weekend
Heads up! This article was published 2 years ago.
Outdoor play is essential for adults and kids — especially during the school year. Enjoy the outdoors with your family at the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience on Saturday, Oct. 1, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 2, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Eastwood MetroPark, 1385 Harshman Rd. in Dayton.
With dozens of outdoor activities, the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience, produced by Five Rivers MetroParks and presented by Huffy, is a great opportunity for your kids to find a new hobby that gets them active and outdoors. A few of the must-dos for kids and families at the festival are:
Get active: From skills clinics to disc golf, the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience features many activities that can spark your child’s interests in outdoor adventure. Head to the Bike Village, where little ones can wheel around on the tot track while older children take on fun obstacles on the mountain bike skills course. Next, test your balance and foot placement by trying slacklining and climbing. Families can also visit the Family Obstacle Course, presented by downtown fitness group The Unit, and try paddling at the Eastwood Lagoon.
Try one or all of the following activities during the event:
- Climbing
- Disc Golf
- Mountain Biking
- Fishing
- Slacklining
- Paddling (kayaks, canoes and stand up paddleboards)
- Cycling
Those who wish to try these activities must sign a waiver, which can be printed ahead of time.
Watch the pros: Kids will be inspired by professional outdoor adventurers during the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience. Watch the Dialed Action BMX Stunt Team perform high-flying tricks and enjoy the Chris Clark Bike Stunt Show.
Freestyle whitewater kayakers hit the Mad River Run and execute tricks, including cartwheels, loops, mcleans, pirouettes and more. Slackliners perform backflips, front flips, butt bounces and more, and then encourage kids to try this fun activity in the Try-It area.
Bring your fur fam: Don’t forget to bring the furriest member of your family to enjoy the energy of this pet-friendly festival. Pups can spend time with other dogs off leash at Pooch Island and at Pooch parking, provided by Wagtown and All Paws Inn, where is pets stay somewhere fun and safe while their parents try activities.
For those who want to watch pups make a splash, head to the Dock Dogs competition to see how far your fur friends can fly.
Rock out, camp out: If you don’t want to miss a moment of outdoor fun, families can opt to camp at Eastwood MetroPark for the weekend — for free. Spend your down time enjoying the outdoors, reading stories and catching up with family.
Be sure to spend some time relaxing outside your tent by the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience stage to enjoy live music from regional acts selected by WYSO 91.3-FM.
Learn something new: In addition to the myriad activities that get families active outdoors, the event includes programs that engage kids with nature. MetroParks naturalists and festival partners will teach kids about local wildlife, Leave No Trace principles and much more. Head to the Youth Outdoor School for guided activities that are fun and educational.
Help reduce waste: Five Rivers MetroParks is a conservation agency with a mission to protect our region’s natural heritage. Therefore, festival attendees are asked to help vendors, sponsors and service providers keep the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience a waste-free event. Recycling and composting stations will be set up throughout the park, and the several local food trucks that will be on site will be serving drinks and food on compostable dishware. Bring your own water bottle to fill up with free water on site. A beer garden also will be open throughout the event. Bring your own non-glass pint cup or purchase one at the event.
Learn more about how your family can enjoy the Midwest’s premier outdoor adventure festival at www.metroparks.org/outdoorx.
