Special to 1812Blockhouse
Summer in Richland County sizzles with a lineup of hot events. Start your month with 4th of July festivities, heart-stopping races at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, the much-anticipated Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival, and a relaxed shopping experience at the Picker’s Market. Plan a staycation and enjoy it all!
Hot Events You Don’t Want to Miss
Kick off the month with an adrenaline-pumping experience at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course during the Honda Indy 200 (July 5-7) and Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days (July 26-28). Grab a seat in the grandstands or find a spot on the lawn for thrilling action-packed days.
Start your Independence Day weekend at the Ontario Fourth of July Festival (June 29). Continue the celebration and view the fireworks on land or on a boat at Fireworks at Charles Mill Lake (July 6).
Shelby Bicycle Days (July 12,13) brings the community together with food, kids’ activities, a parade, bike-decorating contest, fireworks, and more. Join this 25+ year tradition!
Limited tickets remain for the annual 3-day Inkcarceration Festival 2024 (July 19-21) at the Historic Ohio State Reformatory. Join crowds from across the country to enjoy food, drinks, new ink (limited walk-up tattoo spots), and music from nearly 70 artists like breaking benjamin, Offspring, Shinedown, Skillet, and more.
The Shiloh Ox Roast (July 26) is a tasty event you won’t want to miss! Make it a weekend trip and plan to arrive early; those sandwiches sell out quickly!
Support and Shop Local
Buy fresh produce and support local farmers and vendors every Thursday at the North End Farmers Market. On Saturday head to the Bellville Farmers Market or Shelby Farmer’s Market.
Browse the Picker’s Market (July 27), an open-air market with 80+ vendors nestled near Mohican State Park featuring a variety of vintage, antique, salvaged, repurposed, upcycled, and handmade items. Enjoy live music, delicious food, and shop for nostalgic treasures and handmade goodies.
Theater & Art Offerings
Lincoln Highway Bluegrass Band takes to the stage at the Mansfield Playhouse (July 13). Lincoln Highway embraces traditional and modern Bluegrass, known for its high-energy, fast-paced performances with intricate harmonies.
Meet area artist Robert Kurtzman at an Artist Dinner and Meet & Greet at Social on Main (July 13). Robert is an icon in special effects makeup, creature creation, and genre filmmaking. His award-winning, photo-realistic effects work appears in hundreds of movies and TV shows, influencing modern genre aesthetics.
The Renaissance Theatre welcomes Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Musical (July 20-August 4), a timeless tale that follows Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, a prince under an enchantress’s spell. Can Beast learn to love and be loved before time runs out for him and his household?
Summer Fun for Families!
Free First Mondays (July 1) continue throughout the summer at Kingwood Center Gardens. Pack up the kids and a picnic and spend the day strolling the grounds in search of statues and fountains on the sprawling estate. Can’t make it to a Free First Monday? Visit the gardens during the week or on weekend, admission is very reasonable.
Spend an evening with the family at Malabar Farm for the monthly Barn Dance (July 6). Beginners are welcome.
FREE Pictures on the Plaza (July 10) features one outdoor movie a month at the green space next to the Renaissance Theatre. July’s feature is Jumanji. The movie starts at 8:30 but plan to arrive early for seats and to participate in the family-friendly activities that kick off at 7:30.
The Monster Truck Throwdown (July 13) brings fun and excitement for the entire family. Don’t miss world-renowned Monster Truck Superstars including the return of the machine originally based in Toledo, Ohio driven by second generation driver Charlie Pauken III, the EXCALIBER! The rising star duo of brothers, Triton Robbins driving the locomotive – Krazy Train and first captain Montana Robbins driving Plane Krazy!
Fun for Grown Ups
Need an excuse to hang out with friends? Check out Taproom Trivia (July 16) at the Phoenix.
Join your significant other or a girlfriend for a relaxing evening at Charles Mill Marina for a Paint and Sip Cruise (July 19).
Grab your best gal pals for an evening of eating, drinking and shopping at the Girl’s Night Out event (July 20) at Hickory Vines Winery & Venue. You can also join a Sip and Paint at Cypress Winery (July 27). The cost is $60 and includes a glass of wine. Follow the link to register.
Live Music
Get ready to tap your feet and sway to the beat as Mansfield and its neighboring communities come alive with a series of music events this summer. You’ll find a complete and up to date listing of our Live Entertainment offerings here.
Relax on your lunch break with the Live@Lunch 2023 Summer Courtyard Series at Mechanics Bank Courtyard. July 12 and 19 features Ordinary Elephant with the Black Willow food truck and Tom’s Kitchen Table performing with Eshelman’s Table food truck.
Bellville Concerts in the Park feature SB Music and EKG during the month of July. Arrive early and dine at one of the locally owned restaurants in Bellville. Check out the Last Tuesday Concerts in the Park at Shelby’s Black Fork Commons.
Live on the Lawn is a free family-friendly concert series held at Kingwood Center each Thursday at 7 p.m. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket and enjoy food and beverages on the lawn Allee and listen to a variety of music throughout the season. July welcomes Conne, Townline 26, Milo’s Music and Willie Phoenix.
Mark your calendar now for Final Friday and Live Music at the Brickyard on July 28th. Grab your lawn chairs and a few friends, and head downtown to the Brickyard for fun, food, and music.
If you’re looking for overnight accommodations, our website makes it easy for you to find the perfect place to stay by breaking lodging down by Hotels & Motels, Bed & Breakfasts, Campgrounds, and Private Rentals (think Airbnb or VRBO).
For the most up-to-date event listings, visit our ever-changing Calendar of Events at DestinationMansfield.com which includes more details for the Live Music events at many of our communities, parks, and Wine & Ale Trail locations.
Tag @DestinationMansfield on Instagram when you’re out exploring all the fun things to do in our communities this month.
Source, Photo: Destination Mansfield – Richland County
