Columbus Moms Blog Guide to July 2018

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How is it July, already?! Summer, you need to slow down! They always say that July 4th is the halfway point of summer, but we have lots of fun activities left to do!

Get ready for fireworks, parades, picnics and lots of family fun. Be sure to check out our Guide for Fireworks to see where your city is having them.

There is still a lot of berry picking left to do in July too, find locations in our Berry Picking post! You can also check out our list of Movies Under the Stars for a fun family night out. Fairs and Festivals is a post that you will want to bookmark as well!

The Ultimate Guide to Summer is filled with ideas. We have also created a list of Free and Cheap Summer Activities to find a great list of ideas that won’t break the bank!  There are so many events to put on your bucket list this summer. Be sure to check out the Event Calendar for even more activities happening each day. 

Here’s a note from our sponsors Lucky Shoes Easton: Inside each Lucky Shoes location, we carry the largest selection of children’s shoes in the area. Including, the Stride Rite collection, known for its ability to give your toddlers the confidence and support to take first steps. And while we measure and fit the tiniest toes, our professional shoe fitters offer personalized service and expertise on brands you (and your feet!) will love, too. 

The Ohio tax-free weekend begins on Friday, August 3, 2018 at 12:00 a.m. and ends on Sunday, August 5, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. During the holiday, clothing and shoes (priced at $75 per item or less) is exempt from sales and use tax!

July eventsJuly: Activities and Events

July 1-July 8: Military Family Free Dayz: Free zoo admission to any active, retired or veteran military personnel and their immediate family.

July 1- July 8: Willy Wonka Kid: Various showtimes at McConnell Art Center | CCT’s Youth Ensemble put on this summer production! It shows Thursday-Sunday each week. 

July 1: Live Fire Sunday: 1:00 p.m. -4:00 p.m. at Franklin Park Conservatory | At the Live Fire Cooking Theater on the ScottsMiracle-Gro Community Garden, the staff demonstrate different cooking techniques the first Sunday of each month (May–November) from 1–4 pm using the wood-fired brick oven, Aztec grill, Big Green Egg, the fireplace or the campfire pit. No registration required. Fish Tacos on the Green Egg this month! 

July 1: Summer Concert Series: 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at Pavilion in Hilliard | Swings the Thing – Big Band – Gazebo on Norwich Street!

July 1: Worthington Concerts on the Green: 7:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. in Worthington | Central Ohio Brass Band will be performing! 

July 3: Red, White and Boom: 12:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. in Downtown Columbus | Come out and enjoy the most recognized fireworks display in the Midwest! There are events to enjoy all day long including Parade, Children’s Park, and so much more. 

July 3: Ballpark Boom: 5:30 p.m.- 11:00 p.m. at Huntington Park | Watch the Red, White and Boom fireworks inside of Huntington Park. Listen to entertainment from The British Invasion and A Hard Day’s Night. Admission is $5. Additional activities (Field Fun, inflatables, creativity zone, etc.) require a purchased wristband. Tickets go on Sale June 12. 

For a list of all other events on July 3 and 4, see Fireworks and Parade Locations in Columbus

Fourth of July fireworksJuly 4-July 7: Granville 4th of July Celebration: Parade at 10:45 a.m. starts off the celebration | a 4-day festival that includes rides, entertainment, fireworks and their parade. See their website for exact time of events! Fireworks are on July 6, 2018.

July 4: Doo Dah Parade: 1:00 p.m. on Buttle Avenue | You’ve got to experience it, to believe it! This freedom of speech parade is sure to make you laugh! The block party runs from 10:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.

July 4: Vaso on the 4th of July: 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. | Vaso will be featuring a live DJ, a special tapas menu for this event, and a lovely view of Dublin Fireworks. General Admission provides standing room plus 2 drink tickets.

July 5: Toddler Theater on the Road: 6:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. at Coffman Park Amphitheater | Miss Marlene will be singing your favorite tunes along with a friendly character. Bring a picnic dinner to enjoy on the lawn! 

July 5: Balloon Making Mystery: 6:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. at Delaware Library | Pop! Boom! Bang! Where did all our balloons go? It’s a mystery waiting to be solved! Put on your detective hats and grab your magnifying glasses for this comedy magic show in which Erica and the kids laugh and search for prickly clues as they try to find “Sedgie the Hedgie”!

July 5: Music in the Park Summer Concert Series: 7:00 p.m. – 8:40 p.m. at Amelita Mirolo Barn in Upper Arlington | Enjoy 100 minutes of music featuring a new style of music each week on Thursday nights in UA’s Centennial Year. Flippo tonight! 

July 6: Yoga on the Square: 8:30 a.m.- 9:30 a.m. at Easton | Designed for the first-timer and mainstream fitness fan, this introductory yoga class focuses on strength, conditioning and flexibility. Led by Life Time Fitness instructors, it’s free and open to the public, ages 13 and older.

July 6: Fun Fridays Pirate and Princess Day: 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. | Join in on the fun at Everal Barn! 

July 6: Summer Carnival at Skate Zone: 12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. at Skate Zone 71 | Bounce house, balloon twisting, face painting, and more! 

July 6: Delaware First Friday: 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. in Delaware | Turn the sidewalks into art! Visit with neighbors and take part in children’s activities too! 

July 6, 13, 20, 27: Live Music at Dewey’s in Worthington: 6:30 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. | Every Friday this summer (also Wednesday from 6:30-8:30) , enjoy music out on the patio. Acoustic and up and coming artists! 

July 7: Home Depot Kids DIY Workshop: 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. | Join this hands-on workshop and you and your child can reel in the summer fun in their hands-on workshop.  Build a fishing game while tackling educational and developmental skills. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last. Children must be present at the store to participate in the workshop and receive the kit, apron and pin..

July 7: Playdate with Moana: 10:00 a.m. at We Rock the Spectrum | Crafts, snacks and a special hour with Moana herself. She will be there to sing, dance and meet your special child. The cost is $20 per child and will be limited to 20 guests, reserve your spot early! Call the gym at – 614-396-8773 to register.

July 7: Taylor Swift: 7:00 p.m. at Ohio Stadium | This is one you don’t want to miss!

July 7: Picnic with the Pops: The Music of Billy Joel: 8:00 p.m. at the Columbus Commons | Enjoy a night out with Michael Cavanaugh with Billy Joel’s classics! 

July 8-15

July 8: Family Fun with the Zoo at Franklin Park Conservatory: 2:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m. | Come meet some new zoo animals today! 

July 10: Storytime on the Farm: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at Stratford Ecological Center | Join other families on the farm for a fun and educational hour of storytelling and a unique hands-on experience based on the seasonal happenings around the farm.  Families are invited to pack a picnic to enjoy after the story hour. No registration required – $5 per family 2nd Tuesday of each month April – October.

July 10: Movies by Moonlight at Easton | 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. at Easton: Bring a blanket and bucket of popcorn and enjoy a movie under the stars! Paddington tonight! 

July 11: Barenaked Ladies at Express Live : 6:00 p.m. at Express Live | Last night out tour with Better than Ezra as the opener! 

July 11, 18, 25: Live Music at Dewey’s in Worthington: 6:30 p.m- 8:30 p.m. | Enjoy the music on the patio every Wednesday this summer! (also Fridays)

July 12: COSI after Dark: 6:00 p.m.- 10:00 p.m. at COSI | Christmas in July theme this month! Come enjoy COSI without your little ones. There is a a buffet as well!

July 12: Celebration at the Station: 6:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. at Hilliard Station Park | Spend your Thursday evening for a free summer concert series with live bands, food trucks with Alexis Gomez tonight! 

July 12: Music in the Park Summer Concert Series: 7:00 p.m. – 8:40 p.m. at Amelita Mirolo Barn in Upper Arlington | Enjoy 100 minutes of music featuring a new style of music each week on Thursday nights in UA’s Centennial Year. Camp Rock tonight! 

July 12: Sugarland: 7:00 p.m. at Schottenstein Center | Tickets are still available!

July 12: Nightlife 614: 7:30 p.m. at Genoa Park | Get your tickets today. Showing the Breakfast Club! 

July 13: Commons for Kids: 10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. | Ride the carousel, jump on the bounce houses and lots of other activities for free! 

July 13-22: The Little Mermaid: 8:00 p.m. on Friday nights, 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at Pickerington Community Theater | $15 for tickets and $12 for children. 

July 13-14: Ohio Wine Festival: 5:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. on Friday and 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on Saturday at North Market | $25 for 2 days! It includes a souvenir glass, 10 tastings, and $5 towards North Market. 

July 13- 15: Mary Poppins Jr.: Showtimes begin at 7:00 p.m. on Friday and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday in New Albany | Your favorite nanny takes center stage in this Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious adventure. Tickets are $10. 

July 13-15: Hello Dolly! : Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at Hilliard Davidson Theater | Come enjoy this classic for a fun summer night. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children.

July 14: Family Farm Chores: 9:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. at Stratford Ecological Center |  Expose your family to where their food really comes from by joining Stratford’s Farmer during morning chores.  Take a turn feeding the goats and sheep, put your hand under a hen while collecting eggs and pacify the hungry hogs with homegrown grains and more! $15 per family, limit 6 families per month – Advanced registration required.

July 14-15: Dino Weekend: 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. at The Columbus Zoo | Fred and Wilma Flinstone along with Barney and Betty Rubble will be making an appearance as the zoo comes alive with prehistoric fun!

July 14-15: Westerville Music and Arts Festival10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. on Saturday and 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. on Sunday at Heritage Park | Artists, food and music. Special concert for the 45th anniversary with Shucking Bubba to perform on Saturday night. 

July 14: 10 TV & Metro Park Outdoor Adventure: 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at High Banks Metropark | Bring your family for a free celebration of summer, help your kids connect with nature and put smiles on their faces. Enjoy playing in the creek, climbing a rock wall, sack races, face painting, archery, live animals and lots of other outdoor activities. Channel 10 news anchors will be on hand throughout the day. Meet at the Nature Center. 

July 14: Summer Jam West: 11:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m. at Westgate Park | Summer Jam West is a grassroots, free arts and music festival held annually in Westgate Park. Their mission is to bring joy, music and art to the Hilltop, bringing family, friends and neighbors together. You’ll find live bands all day, local food trucks, local art for sale, local craft artisans and plenty of free activities to keep the kids busy.

July 14: PBJ and Jazz at Topiary Park: 11:00 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. at Topiary Park | PBJ & Jazz concerts are 1-hour long interactive concerts designed to introduce jazz and American music to young children and their families. It begins with a 30 minute story hour, followed by a concert and art activity. Actual concert is 12-1.  

July 14-July 21: Franklin County Fair: Times vary at the Franklin County Fairgrounds | Monster Truck Thrill Show, Buckeye Rodeo, Magic Show, Harness racing and Demo Derby are some the events to see! Be sure to check their websites for events and times as each day varies. Come out and enjoy the fun! 

July 14: Game of Pools: 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. at Highlands Aquatic Center in Westerville | Enjoy a day of fun at HPAC. This will be the biggest event all summer, with activities every hour. Includes face painting, water games, relay races, water balloons and the WIBIT obstacle course. 

July 16-23

July 18: Family Series with Matt Jergens the Juggler: 6:30 p.m. at Alum Creek Amphitheater | Bring the kids out to the free Family Concert Series throughout the summer!

July 19: Celebration at the Station: 6:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. at Hilliard Station Park | Spend your Thursday evening for a free summer concert series with live bands, food trucks with The Reaganomics tonight!

July 19: Dublin Irish Festival with Columbus Clippers: Game starts at 7:05. Come cheer on the Clippers and wear your green for Irish night at the stadium! 

July 20: Commons for Kids: 10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. | Ride the carousel, jump on the bounce houses and lots of other activities for free! 

July 20: Westerville Touch a Truck: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at The Westerville Sports Complex | Hands-on fire trucks, police cruisers, larger-than-life construction equipment and more!

July 20-22: Jazz and Ribs Fest: Begins July 20 at 11:00 a.m. through July 22 at 8:30 p.m. in Downtown Columbus | Presented by the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, this highly anticipated summertime tradition in downtown Columbus offers both jazz and rib connoisseurs the finest in music and BBQ. Located along the Scioto River, the festival offers three days of continuous jazz by renowned international and local musicians while BBQ pit masters serve up sizzling ribs!

July 21: Color Run: 8:00 a.m. in Downtown Columbus | The Color Run Hero Tour 2018! Soar to new heights in the Hero Zone, confront double the color in two brand-new SUPER Zones, and suit up in their limited edition participant kit. This year’s kit features a unicorn hero medal, lightning bolt tee, and much more!

July 21: Open Barn Days at Sunrise Sanctuary: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Sunrise Sanctuary in Marysville | Monthly event during touring season where you can visit and get to know the animals on a personal level. Adult admission is $10 dollars and youth admission is $5. Tickets are required and guests are limited. 

July 21: Picnic with the Pops with Brian McKnight: 8:00 p.m. at the Columbus Commons | Enjoy a night with this R & B singer and songwriter! 

July 22: Healthy Living Festival: 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. at Jorgensen Farms | Get your tickets today to explore this beautiful organic farm and celebrate healthy living. There are two time slots to choose from and an early bird hour. Numerous vendors and brands will be on site! 

July 23-28: Restaurant Week: Go out and explore a new restaurant and get a good deal too! 

July 23: Kids Try- Athalon: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Highland Park Aquatic Center | Race includes 100-meter swim, one-mile bike ride and quarter-mile run. Divisions are ages 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 and parent/child division, where adults and their children race together.

July 24-31

July 24: Movies by Moonlight at Easton | 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. at Easton: Bring a blanket and bucket of popcorn and enjoy a movie under the stars! ELF tonight.  Recommend arriving at 7:30 p.m. 

July 25- August 5: The Ohio State Fair: 9:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. at The Ohio Expo Center | Rides, Concerts, Unique Food and Vendors, a tradition you won’t want to miss! Be sure to check their website for an exact time of events. 

July 26: Celebration at the Station: 6:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. at Hilliard Station Park | Spend your Thursday evening for a free summer concert series with live bands, food trucks with Shotgun Karma tonight!

July 26-July 29: Summer Musical: Disney’s Tarzan: Begins July 26 at 7:00 p.m. with showtimes each day at Westerville Central High School | Tickets are $15 and go on sale June 19.  

July 27: Commons for Kids: 10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. | Ride the carousel, jump on the bounce houses and lots of other activities for free! 

July 27: Taste of Worthington: 5:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m. in Worthington | Great tastes and family fun at this annual event!

July 27: TLC and EnVogue: 7:00 p.m. at The Celeste Center | Get your tickets today for this throwback concert! 

July 27: 4th Friday Westerville: 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. in Uptown Westerville | The theme for this month is World Bazaar! 100 plus street vendors, food carts, kids activities and extended hours for shops. 

July 28: Grandview Hop: 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. | A half-mile stretch of Grandview Avenue buzzing with live music, local shopping, awesome art, delicious food and fun activities. 

July 31: Kidzbop: 6:30 p.m. at The Ohio State Fair (Celeste Center) | Your kids will love the show! 

July 31: Movies by Moonlight at Easton | 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. at Easton: Bring a blanket and bucket of popcorn and enjoy a movie under the stars!  Arrive at 7:30 for a spot. Showing the Lego Movie tonight!

It is a jammed pack month! We hope you live it up and soak up the sunshine! Happy 4th of July! 

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Maureen Ingham
Maureen Ingham has enjoyed living in the great city of Columbus for nearly 13 years! Originally from Canton, Ohio, Maureen attended Ohio University and will always be a bobcat at heart! After completing her education degree in Athens, she made her way to The Ohio State University to obtain a Masters degree in Special Education. She fell in love with Columbus then and convinced her now husband to join her in this awesome city! She taught 5th grade for 6 years, before deciding to stay home to raise two beautiful girls. Their family has recently moved to Worthington with their two girls and are excited to plant their roots here! Their first daughter, Maeve is 6 and her sister, Reese will soon be 5 years old. They welcomed a son, Miles in March 2020. Maureen has been with The Columbus Moms Blog since the beginning and now enjoys working on editing and events for the blog. She also works as a Postpartum Doula with her sister at a company called Together Wee Grow. They provide night nursing services, as well as daytime support to local families and babies in Columbus. It is a wonderful job to work along her sister and help families with their precious little ones in a vulnerable time period. In between the night shifts, sweeping up crumbs, exploring Columbus, and getting kids to where they need to be, Maureen enjoys working out, trying new recipes and restaurants, traveling, spending time with family, being crafty and trying to help others whenever she can! Maureen has many Columbus favorites. Her go-to restaurant is Third and Hollywood, she enjoys a sweet treat at Sassafrass Bakery or Fox in the Snow, a slice of pizza at Dewey's Pizza and a warm cup of joe at Highline Coffee. A perfect Saturday involves an outdoor activity with her family and trying a new restaurant when they can! She is excited to be a part of an excellent team here at Columbus Moms blog and hopes to be able to inspire mothers that small acts of kindness go a long way in raising their kids and the city they live in!