Published June 27, 2024
Celtic Festival, cool family fun and live music this July at RiverScape
The United Irish of Dayton Celtic Festival returns of RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E. Monument Ave in downtown Dayton, on Friday, July 26, from 5:30 to 11 p.m. One of the region’s largest summer events, festivities including a 5/10K race, live music, dancing and more, and will continue through the weekend, ending Sunday, July 28 at 6 p.m.
Earlier in July, visitors can enjoy a diverse array of genres from local and region acts during the RiverScape Summer Music Series concerts, sponsored by the Jack W. & Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation and Enterprise Roofing in July are:
- Thursday, July 5, from 6 to 9 p.m.: 60s Rock Night featuring The British Invasion
- Thursday, July 11, from 7 to 9 p.m.: The Ark Band
- Thursday, July 18, from 7 to 9 p.m.: The Dayton Jazz Orchestra
New this year, RiverScape MetroPark will also host new Tuesday Nights in the Park, which alternate between live music and games on Tuesday evenings:
- Tuesday, July 2, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.: Cornhole Tournament
- Tuesday, July 9, from 7 to 9 p.m.: Live Music from Eddie Osborne
- Tuesday, July 16, from 7 to 9 p.m.: Music Bingo
- Tuesday, July 23, from 7 to 9 p.m.: Live Music from Danny Voris
- Tuesday, July 30, from 7 to 9 p.m.: Live Music from Marianne Kesler
Taiter’s Kayak Solutions will rent kayaks on Tuesdays (2 to 6 p.m.), Thursdays (4 to 8 p.m.) and during special events through October.
Participants launch next to the Riverside Bridge along the Great Miami Recreation Trail with the option to paddle through the Five Rivers Fountain of Lights. Life jackets are provided and required, and a waiver must be signed. Rentals start at $12/person and are suitable for beginner kayakers. Note: There will be no paddling programs offered on July 4.
July’s free fitness offerings featuring high impact group workouts, mindfully-focused programs and dance fitness. Free fitness classes include Fitness in the Park’s yoga and Zumba classes, which are presented by Kettering Health with additional sponsorship from McGohan Brabender. July’s fitness schedule is:
- Yoga in the Park with Speakeasy Yoga: Saturday, July 6 and 20, from 10 to 11 a.m.
- Zumba in the Park with Meghan Millat: Saturday, July 13, from 10 to 11 a.m.
- Bootcamp with The Unit: Mondays and Wednesdays, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. (located near Festival Plaza)
- BootyMix with Amanda Miller Mondays, from 6 to 7 p.m.
- Tai Chi & Qigong at the River with Immortal Tree Qigong: Tuesdays, from 6 to 7 p.m.
- Stay Fit with DCDC with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company: Wednesdays, from 6 to 7 p.m.
Participants should remember to bring their own mat to yoga, in addition to a reusable water bottle to all fitness classes. Registration is not required. Check metroparks.org/programs for the entire fitness schedule. Please note: There will be no fitness programs on July 4.
Other happenings in July at RiverScape MetroPark include:
- Declare Dayton: Friday, July 19 from 6 to 9 p.m.
- United Irish of Dayton Celtic Festival: Friday, July 26 to July 28
The RiverScape Café is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 5 to 9 p.m. The season’s new menu features appetizers, flatbreads and desserts. Because RiverScape MetroPark is included in the Downtown Dayton Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) footprint, people walking in the downtown area are welcome to visit the park with their beverages within the DORA boundary. Learn more about DORA and participating businesses – including RiverScape MetroPark – at www.downtowndayton.org/dora.
In addition to the RiverScape Café, the Fountain Snack Bar offers snacks and cool treats, such as ice cream and cold drinks. Hours of operation are:
- Noon to 6 p.m. – Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- Noon to 8 p.m. – Thursdays through Saturdays
The RiverScape Café and Fountain Snack Bar will be closed on July 4 for the holiday.
The interactive fountains and Five Rivers Fountain of Lights will operate from Memorial Day weekend, May 27, to Labor Day, Sept. 2. The Five Rivers Fountain of Lights operates for 10-minute intervals at the top of the hour during the weekdays from 6:55 a.m. to 10:05 p.m. and during weekends from 10:55 a.m. to 10:05 p.m. Splash in the interactive fountains daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. These features are weather dependent and may close due to inclement weather, including high winds. For a complete list of MetroParks’ closures, please visit metroparks.org/alerts.
