Special to 1812Blockhouse
May has arrived just in time to usher in warmer weather and a host of happenings and events in Mansfield, Ohio that include favorites we look forward to year after year like outdoor concerts, history events, and farmers markets.
The Renaissance Theatre celebrates its 95th year (May 19) and the Mansfield Art Center kicks off the 78th Annual May Show (May 7 into June). We’re celebrating John Sherman’s 200th Birthday; plus, RichHistory Weekend (May 6 & 7), the Secret City Tour (May 6) of Downtown Mansfield, and Final Friday Concert Series in the Brickyard (May 26) are all back!
Our calendar is so full that the only problem you should have this month is fitting in all the activities and events you want to experience. Did we mention that a lot of the activities are free?
Be sure to use the #DestinationMansfield tag on Instagram and show us all the fun things you discover this month.
History? Theatre? Music? There’s an event for you!
The Civil War Show and WWI & WWII Historical Event is held on May 6th and 7th. This educational show will captivate you with period encampments, cannon firing demonstrations and unique WWII weapons demonstrations.
If you appreciate history or have ever wanted a better understanding of Richland County, then RichHistory Weekend 2023 (May 6, 7) is for you. Activities range from a 200th Birthday Celebration for John Sherman, a guided tour of the Pleasant Hill Dam, free admission and tour of Kingwood Hall and Oak Hill Cottage with the RichHistory Passport, kayak tours, cemetery tours, pan for gold and learn about Bigfoot and more. View the event website for more information.
The Secret City Tour (May 6) allows you to enter and explore historic downtown Mansfield gems and architectural treasures that aren’t normally open to the public. Make sure to wear comfy shoes and bring your camera for this self-guided tour.
The Emerging Artists series at Theatre 166 wraps up on May 6 with The Sweet Everlasting, an adaptation of the prize-winning novel by Judson Mitcham. The play by Frances Limoncelli tells the story of sharecropper’s son, mill worker, and ex-convict, Ellis Burt, who found salvation in a woman and child and the aftermath of the ruin he brought down on all of them.
The Mansfield Symphony presents ” Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in concert at the Renaissance Theatre on May 6. The Youth Orchestra will also perform at the REN on May 7th for their Spring Concert, followed by The Music of Motown featuring CONNE on May 12 and REN95 on May 19 for a celebration that highlights special performances that showcases the variety of entertainment that the theater highlights with a sneak peek of what’s ahead.
The much anticipated Final Friday Concert Series held in the Brickyard is back! Take a lawn chair and kick back to hear Ari, CONNE and S’yvelt while enjoying food from a local food truck.
Add these Events to Your Calendar Now!
ParaPsyCon, a paranormal and psychic convention, will be held at The Historic Ohio State Reformatory May 19 – 21. Seekers of all things that go bump in the night may also be interested in the Public Ghost Walk (May 5) and the Public Ghost Hunts (May 6, 27) open to paranormal seekers aged 18+. Advanced reservations are required.
The Circus is coming! Bring the little ones to Lexington, May 18-19, for shows performed under a real circus big top!
The annual Greek Festival features their most requested dishes featuring gyros, spanakopita, Greek coffee, assorted pastries including homemade Baklava and more, is held May 19-20.
Find all things vintage, repurposed and salvaged at the Pickers Market in Butler, May 27.
Fresh produce and cottage products are available at the Bellville Farmers Market (every Saturday starting May 6) and in downtown Mansfield at 3rd Cup Tea starting May 20.
Make Time to Move it, Move it!
Want to walk or run off the winter blues?
Improve your mobility at the Balance & Beyond at Kingwood Center offered every Tuesday through May 30th. Advance registration is required.
Parkrun Mansfield weekly 5k is a weekly event held every Saturday. Meet at North Lake Park at 9 a.m. to join the run.
Want to learn how to line dance? Register for this fun beginner class (May 27) at Kingwood Center.
If you’ve ever wanted to try Alpaca Yoga, here’s your chance. Alpaca Meadows will offer sessions on May 20 & 21.
Explore Our Local Treasures
The Free First Monday at Kingwood Center is held May 1st (affordable admission fees apply on other days). This is an excellent time to explore all that Kingwood offers. Find one of the resident peacocks, feed the ducks and tour the greenhouse are just a few things to get you started. Kingwood Center also offers a host of other opportunities from gardening classes to tours and more. Check our event page for a full list.
The Richland Carrousel Park is expressing gratitude to the community and hosting a Thank You Celebration May 20 & 21 with free rides.
Join a Naturalist in the Treehouse when you visit the Ohio Bird Sanctuary on May 27 or 28. A member of the team will answer questions and have items for kids to look at and touch.
Make a day (or weekend of it) and visit the Buckeye Imagination Museum, Kingwood Center Gardens and Richland Carrousel Park too.
Watch the pages of the Bible come to life in Ohio’s only wax museum at BibleWalk and explore the Museum of Woodcarving, the newest tour at the museum. This world-renowned life-size wax museum features 100 scenes and over 325 wax figures.
Adults Only
Calling all board game aficionados! Plan to attend the Game Night at the Phoenix (May 2) hosted by The Phoenix Brewing Company and Operation Fandom. You may walk away with a new friend and a new favorite game. Taproom Trivia (May 16) is another fun event and excuse to hang out with friends. Don’t forget the live music showcasing amazing local talent.
Live Music
First Friday at Social on Main (May 5)
Preston Cooper at Bucks Bar and Grill (May 5)
Taylor Schlupp at The Local @97 (May 5, 18)
Luke Watson at DUCKY’S (May 5)
Star 77, Middling, TCRXP, Black Bag, The Touch at the Richland Source Newsroom After Hours (May 12)
Just Jazz at the Happy Grape Bar & Bistro (May 12)
Other venues that include The Vault Wine Bar, Deja Food and The Phoenix also provide live music in May. See our Live Events calendar for a complete listing.
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.
Source, Photo: Destination Mansfield – Richland County
