Special to 1812Blockhouse
April showers bring May flowers but in Richland County, it’s raining activities! Our calendar is full of happenings and events you won’t want to miss.
A few things to look forward to this month include the annual Mohican Wildlife Weekend (April 28-30) that is perfect for families and nature lovers. The three-day event has returned with the theme “Get to Know Your H2O” and the opportunity to choose your own adventure! It includes a wagon tour to view two osprey nests, Malabar Farm’s Spring Plowing Days (April 29-30) gives you a glimpse of the ongoing operations of a working farm. End your nights at the fascinating Night Sky Viewing (April 28-29) located at the Warren Rupp Observatory stargazing through one of the world’s largest amateur operated telescopes.
We’re sharing all the fun activities you can look forward to this month in and around Mansfield. Share your experiences on Instagram and tag @DestinationMansfield. You never know, we may just re-share your content!
Easter Events
A number of area businesses and agencies have joined forces to make this an Easter to remember. Visit the Drive Thru Easter at South Park (April 1) for some Easter Goodies and fun.
Book a spot at AR Workshop (April 2) to create your own Easter or spring mini wood sign set or tote. This project can be completed by those 7 and up or younger with parental help. Take a look at our events calendar for more classes offered by AR Workshop.
Take a walk of faith thru the Bible this Easter season at BibleWalk, Ohio’s only life-size wax museum. Explore the Museum of Woodcarving, the newest tour at this amazing destination. Other exhibits include American Votive Folk Art and rare Bibles.
Learn Something New
Burton Park, North Lake Park and AR Workshop all offer classes sure to bring out your creativity. From candle pouring to charcuterie, to fiber arts classes. Find a new skill to enjoy.
Kingwood Center Gardens offers Botany for Beginners (April 12), an invasive species plant walk & talk (April 13) and a proper tree planting workshop on Arbor Day (April 27).
Mansfield Art Center offers a beginner stained glass class (April 18-19) and a four week large scale portrait class. Participants learn how to draw a portrait from a photo.
Exercise Your Brain
Grab a group of friends and head to The Phoenix Brewing Company for a lively round of Taproom Trivia (April 18). The Mansfield-Richland County Public Library showcases events to engage a range of ages and interests. Sign up for Robot Day, Egg coloring contest, or even their Spring Scavenger hunt. Check out their events page for more information.
Get Moving!
Parkrun is back! This free weekly 5K event is for runners of all abilities. Challenge yourself to participate in this non-competitive event.
Take a walk or bike ride through one of the 5 communities included on the B&O Bike Trail and enjoy local shops, restaurants, and photo-worthy areas across the county.
Theater, Art & Live Music
Mansfield Art Center displays Battle Scars, the New Protagonist by Leigh Brooklyn (runs through April 16). This exhibit tackles current events with a focus on representing strong women through capacious oil paintings, drawings, and sculptures.
Godspell, Jr. hits the Theater 166 stage (April 1 & 2). A group of disciples help Jesus tell parables by using a wide variety of games, storytelling techniques and a dose of comic timing.
St. Peter’s presents Mary Poppins (April 1). This classic tale of one family, with a magical nanny, that learns to see and love one another as they overcome obstacles, their own past, and the way their roles have traditionally been defined.
Follies (April 14-16 and 21-23) at the Renaissance Theatre tells the story of a group of Ziegfeld-style chorus girls who reunite on the stage of their legendary theatre one last time before it meets the wrecking ball.
Catch Me if You Can (April 21-22 and 28-30) at the Mansfield Playhouse takes the audience on an exciting and entertaining journey to solve the mystery of a disappearance and murder at a mountain lodge.
The Mansfield Symphony Youth Strings perform in their final concert of the season at the Renaissance Theater (April 30).
The live music scene heats up during the First Friday Live, hosted by Downtown Mansfield, the first Friday of the month (April 7).
Deja Food, MVP’s Sports Bar and Grill, Hudson & Essex, The Phoenix, 1285 Winery, and the Happy Grape host live music on the weekends throughout the month. Some of the musicians you’ll hear may include Taylor Schlupp, Steve Brown and Just Jazz Live. Check out the events page for a full line-up of artist and venues.
Local Museums
Sign up for a Kingwood Hall Tour (April 11) to learn about Charles Kelley King and see the third floor that includes his bedroom along with his wife’s suite and the housekeeper and servant rooms.
Ghost hunters will love the Ghost Tours offered at the historic Ohio State Reformatory. A two-hour long night time tour is offered on April 7 and 14th. Participants will hear paranormal stories and glean information about the prison. Public Ghost Hunts are also offered that allow participants to investigate independently.
Fun for the Family
We have plenty of fun activities for the family at the Buckeye Imagination Museum, Kingwood Center, and Ohio Bird Sanctuary.
Visit Kingwood Center on the First Monday (April 3) of the month for free admission. Little ones will enjoy the Peacock Playhouse, Storybook Trail, feeding the ducks and searching for the resident peacocks. Plan a day at Kingwood Center Gardens on other days for an affordable admission fee.
Visit the Buckeye Imagination Museum for Storytime with the Library (April 5) or stop by for a First Friday’s event (April 7) for an extended time of programs, special crafts and play.
The Kid’s Night Out at the Mansfield YMCA (April 7) is sure to be a hit! Swim, watch movies, dance, sing karaoke and climb the rock wall. Advance registration required.
Visit the Ohio Bird Sanctuary and enjoy Easels with Elliot (April 8), one of the resident birds. Guests will paint their canvas and then Elliot will walk across the painting, leaving his tracks behind on this unique work of art.
Get outside and enjoy Farm Day at Alpaca Meadows (April 1 & 2). Get up close to Alpacas, Angora goats and rabbits. Yarn spinning and needle felting demonstrations throughout the day.
Calendar of Events
For the most up-to-date event listings, live music, and other community events, visit our ever-changing Calendar of Events at DestinationMansfield.com. Got a public event to share? Add it to our “Submit an Event” section of the calendar. New area Visitor Guides are here! Stop by our office at 124 N. Main Street in downtown Mansfield or order a copy or view the digital guide online.
Source: Destination Mansfield-Richland County; Photo: 1812Blockhouse
