Summer is here in the Mansfield area and we’re embracing it with open arms! Get your summer started with motorsports, an obstacle course on the water, and an art exhibit by rock legend John Mellencamp (yes, you read that right!).
We have a lot to share with you this month. The Vintage Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio takes to the track at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (June 24-26) and don’t forget kids under 12 attend free with an adult. Head to the iHeart Radio’s Beach Day at Pleasant Hill Lake Park featuring the WhoaZone obstacle course on the water, DJ’s, kids’ activities, and more (June 4).
Outdoor Fun
Walk, jog, or run the annual Kingwood 5K that winds through the gardens, the Richland B & O Trail, and the surrounding neighborhoods. This family-friendly event is open to all ages and abilities.
POP! Pictures on the Plaza features one outdoor movie a month at the new green space next to the Renaissance Theatre. June’s feature is Hook. Plan to arrive at 7:30 p.m. for activities and the movie kicks off at 8:30 p.m.
Pleasant Hill Lake Park offers tons of family fun with Outback Ray’s Animal Adventures and Star Party (June 10,11), gold panning (June 18 & 19) free fishing on Father’s Day (June 19), kayak lessons (June 26), and much more.
Fun Festivals
The Miss Ohio Parade (June 12) and Competition are back for 2022. In addition to the parade, The Miss Ohio Scholarship Program events continue with the Outstanding Teen Program (June 15), preliminary competitions (June 16 & 17), and the crowning of the new Miss Ohio during the Miss Ohio Finals (June 18) at the Renaissance Theatre. Plan to purchase your tickets in advance for this popular event.
Mansfield’s Juneteenth celebration kicks off with a parade, festival and health fair in Central Park. Live bands, entertainment, food trucks, a kids’ zone will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 19th.
Family Fun on the Farm happens at Malabar Farm State Park. You’ll find hands-on children’s activities, wagon rides, fishing, archery, food trucks, farm animals, and more! Extend your fun after the event and check out one of the popular hiking trails on the property.
Explore Local Theater and Art Offerings
This Too Shall Pass is part of the Emerging Artists Program at Theater 166. This program is inspired by Dante’s Inferno and weaves a tale of one man’s personal hell of betrayal, lies, manipulation, guilt, and murder told through storytelling, modern dance, and electro-acoustic score. (June 10 & 11)
Beauty and the Beast Jr. will be showing at the Mansfield Playhouse on June 17, 18, 24, 25, and 26. Don’t miss this beloved Disney classic with your favorite Academy Award®-winning songs such as “Be Our Guest” and “Belle,” as well as original songs from the 1994 Tony®-nominated Broadway musical.
If you missed the 77th Annual May Show at the Mansfield Art Center, you still have time to view this impressive juried display that honors Ohio artists. The show runs until June 5th, when the spotlight shifts to Wilhelmina Marks: Through My Eyes (June 5-July 10), who abstractly captures emotion and movement through her unique photographs.
Manifestations in Paper & Clay starts June 26th through August 7th and explores the friendship between Mindy Tousley & the late George Roby, the synchronicity of their work, and their shared use of abstraction to present their observations and experiences of the world through their art, exemplifying the larger conversation between artists which crosses time.
Fans of Grammy Award winner and member of The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, John Mellencamp, won’t want to miss the Opening Reception of his exhibit on June 26th. His mixed-media exhibition Paintings & Assemblages will be on display until August 7th. Don’t forget about the many art classes and camps available throughout the summer at the Mansfield Art Center.
Fun Summer Learning at Our Favorite Family-Friendly Attractions!
Register for the Treehouse Feathered Encounter at the new Treehouse Classroom at the Ohio Bird Sanctuary each Saturday (June 4, 11, 18, 25) at 11 a.m. to meet several resident birds for an educational encounter. Stick around for the Keeper Talk between 12-12:15 p.m. to meet a member of the bird care team, learn about the birds and get your bird questions answered. Registration and a $3 fee are required for the Treehouse Feathered Encounter.
Visitors to Kingwood Center Gardens can view the new Art of Kingwood Exhibit that is curated by the Mansfield Art Center and take a walk along the Storybook Trail that offers a new story each season. Remember, the gardens offer free admission on the first Monday of the month.
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.
Make a day (or weekend of it) and also visit the Buckeye Imagination Museum, formerly the Little Buckeye Museum, and Richland Carrousel Park too.
Shop Local
You know summer is here when the markets hit the calendar. The North End Farmers Market opens June 2 and will be open every Thursday from 4-7:00 p.m. at the NECIC Urban Farm.
Plan a visit to the Carrousel District for the First Friday Shop Hop (June 3). This is a fantastic way to support locally owned businesses and see some of the shopping options available right here in downtown Mansfield like Lucah Designs, Mansfield Antiques Gallery, What Goes ‘Round Thrift Shoppe, and Tara’s Floral Expressions to name a few.
Adult Fun
Calling all board game aficionados! Plan to attend the Game Night at the Phoenix (June 7) hosted by The Phoenix Brewing Company and Operation Fandom. You may walk away with a new friend and a new favorite game.
Taproom Trivia (June 21) is another fun event and excuse to hang out with friends. Plus, there is no need to cook dinner that night because Truckin Trav will be there to take your order from the food truck.
The Richland Source’s June Newsroom After Hours (June 17) features a free show, beer and food with the musical offerings of Jai Merina, Lo-Fi Sky, and Narrow/Arrow.
You won’t want to miss the Live Music at the Brickyard on June 24th. Grab your lawn chairs and a few friends, and head downtown to the Brickyard for fun, food, and music by multiple bands. The event happens each month thru September on the final Friday of each month.
Take advantage of all the live music showcasing amazing local talent.
Live Music:
732 Electric Duo at The Vault Wine Bar (June 2)
EKG at The Vault Wine Bar (June 4)
Big Drews Rockin’ Art Series featuring art and live music at The Horseshoe Burger Co. (June 4)
Henry J at The Vault Wine Bar (June 9)
Scott Fish at The Vault Wine Bar (June 10)
Pistol Hill & Chance Stanley at The Vault Wine Bar (June 11)
Ricky Mitchell at The Vault Wine Bar (June 12)
Six Miles to Nellie at Marshall Park (June 14)
Steven Stanley at The Vault Wine Bar (June 16)
Scott Canfield Truckin’ Trav at Mechanics Bank Live@Lunch (June 17)
Red Ball Jets at The Vault Wine Bar (June 17)
Barkdull & Butler at The Vault Wine Bar (June 18)
Artax at The Vault Wine Bar (June 19)
Steve Brown at The Vault Wine Bar (June 23)
Oolong Gurus at The Vault Wine Bar (June 24)
Steve Mull at The Vault Wine Bar (June 25)
Jim Bush at The Vault Wine Bar (June 26)
Oolong Gurus at Marshall Park (June 28)
Bill Bauer at The Vault Wine Bar (June 30)
For the most up-to-date event listings, visit our ever-changing Calendar of Events at DestinationMansfield.com.