September 12 and 13, 2026 | A guide to the weekend
Rain could complicate Saturday’s outdoor plans, but Richland County still offers theater, family activities, motorsports and history throughout the weekend.
⛈️ Mansfield weekend weather
Saturday’s projected high is 79°F. Showers and possibly a thunderstorm are expected, mainly before 5:00 PM, with an 80% chance of precipitation.
Sunday will be partly sunny with a high near 82°F. A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms develops during the afternoon.
Next five days:
- Monday: Sunny, high near 73°F
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, high near 83°F
- Wednesday: Partly sunny with a 40% chance of showers or thunderstorms, high near 86°F
- Thursday: Showers likely, high near 83°F
- Friday: Partly sunny with a 40% chance of showers, high near 78°F
National Weather Service forecast for Mansfield
🎳 Local fun fact
Shelby helped launch bowling’s golden age. AMF moved its bowling operation into the former Shelby Cycle factory in 1953 and produced automatic pinspotters that eliminated the need to reset pins by hand. As the machines spread, the number of American bowling alleys grew from about 6,000 in 1955 to 11,000 by 1963. Explore Shelby’s bowling history.
👑 Saturday offers family activities indoors and outside
Princess in the Park runs from 3:00 PM to 7:30 PM at Charles Mill Lake Park. Children ages 3 and older can participate in crafts, a royal tea party, face painting and a horse-drawn carriage ride. Tickets are $25 per child, with sessions from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM and 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. See the event information.
Buckeye Imagination Museum offers an indoor alternative with Family Glow Night from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Black lights, music, games, crafts, a movie and glowing exhibits are planned. Admission is $10 for visitors ages 2 and older, including museum members. See the Family Glow Night details.
🎭 Two Mansfield stages present musicals
Mansfield Youth Theatre performs “Newsies JR.” at 1:00 PM Saturday at the Renaissance Theatre. This performance includes sensory-friendly accommodations and features understudies in several principal roles. Admission is free for groups of up to six attending for sensory needs, but advance arrangements are required. See the Renaissance event information.
The Mansfield Playhouse presents “Dear Evan Hansen” at 8:00 PM Saturday. The Tony Award-winning musical explores anxiety, isolation, grief and the consequences of a teenager’s attempt to find acceptance. The production contains adult themes and some profanity. See the Mansfield Playhouse season.
🏁 Motorsports and rodeo fill Saturday afternoon
The VIVA Driven MX Series reaches Mansfield Speedway from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM Saturday, followed by a full day of motocross activity Sunday from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. See the Mansfield Speedway listing.
The Buck Motorsports Rodeo begins at 5:00 PM Saturday at the Richland County Fairgrounds, 750 N. Home Road. See the rodeo listing.
No cancellations had been announced when this edition was assembled, but visitors should confirm the status of outdoor events because of Saturday’s storm forecast.
✨ Drone show lights the sky at Mohican
Earlier preview, happening Saturday: Mohican State Park Lodge will present “Remember, Lights in the Sky,” a synchronized drone show honoring America’s 250th anniversary and commemorating 25 years since September 11.
A car show, food vendors and other activities begin at 3:00 PM. A DJ performs from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, with the free drone show scheduled for 9:00 PM. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. See the complete Mohican Lodge schedule.
🌳 Sunday combines gardens, history and fresh air
Kingwood Center Gardens offers free admission from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM Sunday for Grandparents’ Day and Ohio Open Doors. Volunteer hosts will share stories inside Kingwood Hall from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, including access to selected behind-the-scenes areas. A children’s activity runs from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. See the Kingwood schedule.
Malabar Farm begins Sunday with a naturalist-led hike from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM. Registration is available by calling 419-892-2784, and the hike is weather-dependent. See the hike information.
In Shelby, the city’s 1872 engine house will be open from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM as the Shelby Cycle Historical Society develops it into the Steel & Wheel Museum. A heritage bicycle ride celebrating the society’s 10th anniversary begins at 5:30 PM. Read the Shelby history preview.
🩺 Family reunites with doctors who saved their daughter
Friday carryover: One-year-old Aurora Thomas returned to OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital with her parents to meet the husband-and-wife physicians who helped save her life during a month-long hospitalization.
Aurora developed E. coli meningitis as a newborn and was transferred from Mansfield to Nationwide Children’s Hospital for three weeks of treatment. Her parents say she is now healthy and meeting her developmental milestones. Read the family’s story.
