Summer may be winding down, but the excitement in Richland County is just heating up! Don’t let another season slip by without experiencing the signature events like the Shawshank Hustle, Richland County Fair, and the races at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, that make our community a vibrant place to live, work, and play.
Grab your favorite beverage, browse our event calendar, and our 2025 Visitors Guide, and start planning some unforgettable outings before summer slips away. Whether it’s a solo adventure or quality time with friends and family, you’ll find it in Richland County!
Summer Events You Don’t Want to Miss!
The Mansfield Lahm Airport Day is set for August 2nd. Highlights include free plane rides for 8-17-year-olds, paid plane and helicopter rides for adults, a Food Truck Rally, Aircraft Fly-In, car, truck and cycle show, Kid’s Zone, static aircraft displays and free live entertainment. PLUS, the drone show is back for the third year!
The 175th Richland County Fair kicks off on August 3rd and runs through the 9th. The rides, fair food, and live entertainment are always a huge draw but don’t forget to check out the livestock shows & sales to support those who participate in the Junior Fair.
Escape Shawshank Prison during the 11th Annual Shawshank Hustle Race (Aug. 16th). This 4.6-mile run starts and ends at the Historic Ohio State Reformatory. Pre-registration is required so sign up today! Participants receive a unique finishers medal.
Permco MotoAmerica Superbikes at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course runs Aug. 15th-17th and is a high energy race that bike fans won’t want to miss! The schedule is anticipated to include at least five different classes and 10 races during the seventh round of the 2025 MotoAmerica Steel Commander Superbike championship.
Festivals for Everyone
The 22nd Annual Lexington Blueberry Festival runs from Aug. 14th-17th. Highlights include the Miss Blueberry Patch Pageants, rides, blueberry-themed games, live entertainment and of course, festival food! See the entire festival line-up here.
Other festivals you may want to attend include the Third Street Family Health Services 5th Annual Block Party (Aug. 2nd), the Pickers Market (Aug. 2nd), one of the largest car shows in Ohio, the Heart of the City Cruise-in (Aug.23rd) at the Richland County Fairgrounds, and the Donauschwaben Treffen Festival to celebrate German culture in Mansfield will be held August 29th-31st).
Art, Theater & Comedy
The Wizard of Oz wraps up August 2nd and 3rd at the Renaissance Theatre. This classic, heartwarming tale is a delight for all audiences.
The Collective at the Mansfield Art Center offers a fresh take on portraiture that blends classic realism with modern styles to reflect today’s world. This exhibition features diverse works from The Ohio Representational Art Collective across various styles and media. This exhibit runs through August 10th.
Family Fun
Kingwood Center Gardens celebrates Kingwood Family Day on Aug. 3rd with free admission, fun activities, lawn games and more opportunities to stroll the grounds, find the peacocks and make memories as a family. Don’t forget about Free First Mondays at Kingwood on Aug. 4th.
Pop into Gorman Nature Center every Tuesday between 3:30-5:00 to help feed the animals, clean cages, change water bowls, and more. This is a great opportunity for hands-on experience with snakes, turtles, and frogs!
Preschoolers and their caregivers are invited to attend the Oaks and Acorns program at Gorman Nature Center held every Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. to enjoy the outdoors, make crafts, take hikes, and play games.
There’s still time to see one of the popular Pictures on the Plaza: Paddington 2, the final outdoor movie, will show on August 13th. The movie will be shown in the green space next to the Renaissance Theatre. Plan to arrive by 7:30pm for fun family friendly activities before the movie begins.
Shop & Support Local
The North End Farmers Market will be open every Thursday from 4-7:00 p.m. at the NECIC Urban Farm. Shop for your fresh produce at the Bellville Farmer’s Market and Shelby Farmer’s Market are held on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon as well.
Plus, did you know the Lincoln Highway Buy Way Yard Sale takes place August 7th-9th? Grab some friends and explore this annual sale along the historic Lincoln Highway, which spans 3,389 miles across the country, including a stretch through Mansfield. You never know what treasures you might find!
Live Music
You’ll find live music throughout the week in the area. Some venues include the Vault Wine Bar, Live@Lunch 2025 Summer Courtyard Series at Mechanics Bank Courtyard (Aug. 8, 22), The Phoenix Brewing Company, the Wishmaker House Winery and more. Check out our live entertainment options for the most up-to-date listings.
Mark your calendar for Final Friday Concert Series Live Music at the Brickyard on August 29th with I Ron, Frank Boyd Jr. and Conne. Grab your lawn chairs and a few friends, and head downtown to the Brickyard for fun, food, and music.
Calendar of Events
Downtown Mansfield may be under construction to make improvements for big things ahead with the Main Street Improvement project, but our local businesses are open and need your support. Check out Downtown & Around for more things to do in the area.
For the most up-to-date event listings, visit our ever-changing Calendar of Events at DestinationMansfield.com, which includes more Live Music events at many of our communities, parks, and Wine & Ale Trail locations.