7 reasons you'll want to spend the weekend at RiverScape

• Festivals

  
  Five Rivers MetroParks

   

  Festivals: Returning to RiverScape MetroPark are such popular events as:

  • Thursday, July 2 (5 to 10 p.m.): City of Dayton’s Lights in Flight Fireworks Show and Festival
  • Friday-Sunday, July 24-26: United Irish of Dayton Celtic Festival
  • Saturday, Aug. 15 (11 a.m. to 11 p.m.): Hispanic Heritage Festival
  • Friday, Sept. 18 (5 to 10 p.m.) and Saturday, Sept. 19 (noon to 9 p.m.): Taste of Miami Valley

   

• Pickin’ in the Park

  
  Five Rivers MetroParks

  Pickin’ in the Park features live, progressive bluegrass music under the RiverScape Pavilion, plus food trucks and a variety of craft beers. No registration is required for this free, all-ages event. This year’s line-up includes:

  • Friday, May 8, 5 to 10 p.m.: Blue Caboose and Buffalo Wabs & the Price Hill Hustle
  • Friday, June 5, 6 to 10 p.m.: Hocking River String Band and The Appleseed Collective
  • Friday, Aug. 7, 6 to 10 p.m.: Mad River Railroad and The Tillers

   

• Hot Summer Music

  
  Five Rivers MetroParks

  R&B Hot Summer Music: Dancers can come move to the sounds of contemporary jazz and reggae rhythms. These free concerts are held on Fridays from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

  • June 12, KICK-N-FLAVA, a 7-piece jazz and R&B group
  • July 10, Jah Sol, a reggae-influenced band

   

• Fitness in the Park

  
  Five Rivers MetroParks

   

  Fitness in the Park: Instructors will motivate everyone to wellness at this exercise party held most Saturdays from 10 to 11 a.m. Participants should bring their own water bottles and towels or mats. Registration is requested, but not required. Free and for all ages. Classes vary between Zumba and yoga, so check online for the specific class schedule at metroparks.org/RiverScape.

   

• Music @ Lunch

  
  Five Rivers MetroParks

   

  Music @ Lunch: RiverScape MetroPark makes the perfect lunchtime destination. Free WiFi and books from the Dayton Metro Library cart are also available. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Monday through Friday from May 11 through Sept. 25, as well as 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. most Saturdays from May 9 through Aug. 29.

   

   

• Bikes

  
  Five Rivers MetroParks

   

  Bike and Accessory Rentals: RiverScape Rentals helps riders to explore our region’s more than 300 miles of bikeways. RiverScape Rentals offers everything from cruisers to road bikes, tandems and child attachments (including trail-a-bikes, trailers and weehoos). Those interested can check out the rental rates and equipment, take a look at the bikeway map and use the Miami Valley Trails website to start planning a cycling adventure. Open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  Everyone is Invited to Check Out the Bike Hub! Riders can gain access to secure indoor bike storage, showers, lockers and restrooms.

   

   

• Big Band Nights

  
  Five Rivers MetroParks

   

  Big Band Nights: These free concerts are held Thursdays from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

  • June 11, Bob Gray Orchestra
  • June 25, Hal Harris Orchestra
  • July 16, Barry Campbell and his Big Band with vocalist Pam Noah
  • July 30, The Dayton Jazz Orchestra
  • Aug. 13., Tom Daugherty Orchestra

   

• General excitement

  
  Five Rivers MetroParks

   

  The Fountain Snack Bar offers ice cream and other tasty treats from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

  The Five Rivers Fountain of Lights and interactive fountain also will open Memorial Day weekend and remain open through Labor Day.