June is prime season in Mansfield, Ohio with some of our favorite happenings and new ones to mix things up. An art exhibit made from LEGO® bricks opens at Kingwood Center Gardens, racing returns at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, and indoor and outdoor entertainment hits the stage all over town.
Events you Don’t Want to Miss
The keenly awaited outdoor exhibit at Kingwood Center Gardens opens on June 2. Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects®, showcases sculptures made with LEGO® bricks, You’ll find fifteen sculptures on the grounds that creatively explore the relationships between humankind and the natural world while showing how it’s all interconnected.
Barn dancing returns at Malabar Farm State Park (June 3), this family-friendly event takes place monthly through the summer and fall.
The annual Miss Ohio Scholarship Program will kick off with the Miss Ohio Parade on June 11 with events running through the rest of the week before crowning the new Miss Ohio.
The much anticipated races are back at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for the 2023 season! June events include the Permco Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio (June 23,24, 25) and the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio (June 30 and July 1,2). The races are great for adults, but did you know that kids under 12 can join you free of charge? Grab a spot on the lawn with your picnic and folding chairs and watch the cars zoom by on the track.
Celebrate Father’s Day and Arts in the Park at Pleasant Hill Lake Park (June 17). Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in painting and creating glass pendants, seeing a live birds of prey talk and listening to live music from Charlie & Friends Band in the evening.
Support & Shop Local
Looking for farm fresh eats? The North End Farmers Market is held each Thursday during the summer while Bellville, Shelby and 3rd Cup Tea hold their markets on Saturdays. After you purchase your fresh fruits and vegetables from local growers make sure to peruse the shops in downtown areas and continue supporting local businesses.
Art, Theater and Cars – Oh Yeah!
You have until June 18 to see the 78th Annual May Show at the Mansfield Art Center. This popular show highlights the work of Ohio artists across all mediums.
Theater 166 hosts [title of show} on June 3, 4, a play that premiered on Broadway about four New York unknowns writing a musical. This comedy provides a light hearted take on the creative process while honing in on what it means to be an artist.
Also at Theater 166, This Too Shall Pass (June 9, 10) is inspired by Dante’s Inferno. This musical journey shares the personal hell of one man as the last fourteen years of his life unfold to reveal a labyrinth of betrayal, lies, manipulation, guilt, sexual debauchery and murder. This stunning visual and musical experience combines storytelling with modern dance and an electro-acoustic score.
Aesop’s Fables (June 11) is the third in the Teddy Bear Concert series held at The Renaissance Theatre. The performance features three of Aesop’s best-loved fables, “The Ant and the Grasshopper,” “The Boy Who Cried Wolf,” and “Tortoise and the Hare,” which are brought to life in an engaging musical adaptation. They feature audience participation, interactive storytelling with local actors, and featuring live musicians from the Mansfield Symphony.
Car enthusiasts may want to show off their cars or simply stop by to appreciate the horsepower under the hood at Mansfield Motorama at Mansfield Fire Museum & Educational Center (June 4) and the monthly Cruise-In (June 13) at Der Dutchman Restaurant to their list.
Keep On Learnin’- Education for All Ages
The Mansfield Art Center offers several classes each month. In June, you can make your own glass gnome (June 2, 3) to display in your home or to add a splash of whimsy to your garden. Paint Your Pet (June 4) is an acrylic painting class that allows you to immortalize your favorite household friend.
This Owl Felting Class (June 10) at Alpaca Meadows is sure to be a hoot. IF felting isn’t an interest, you may choose to learn to crochet (June 24).
AR Workshop is hosting one-day summer camps for pre-teens and teens ages 7-14. Activities include Bleeding Tissue Paper 3-D Art (June 13) or use Yarn Block Stamping (June 15) to create a canvas tote or pillow. There are also four or five-Day Morning Art Camps for teenagers over the age of 13+.
Immerse your child in nature in this three-day Summer Nature Camp (June 21-23 with dates in July) offered at the Ohio Bird Sanctuary. Junes camp sessions include wilderness survival with shelter and fire-building lessons, or Art in Nature (June 28-30) where students will learn to see and appreciate nature in a new light while hiking, making their own paint and learning how owls camouflage in their environment.
Broadway Camp (June 20-23) is a four-day sensory inclusive camp held at the Renaissance Theatre for 8-13 year olds. Students will hone their skills through theater games, improv, singing, staging, movement and dramatic play culminating in a “musical revue” performance, Broadway Camp Shows!, (June 26) on the Renaissance stage.
Sign dad up for this fun workshop for two at Kingwood Center where he can build a birdhouse with up to two children while learning to attract birds to his own backyard. Advance sign-up is required for Building Birdhouses (June 17).
The Ladies on the Lake series offers a free boating education class for women (June 1, 28) at Pleasant Hill Lake Park. This two-hour course is designed to boost confidence by teaching boating laws and terminology, hands-on docking and maneuvering and simple boat and motor troubleshooting.
Annual Festivals & Events
The Ontario Kids Festival presented by Sluss Realty at Marshall Park (June 3) promises to be fun for the entire family with rides, bounce houses, a petting zoo, games & prizes and food trucks.
The 2nd Annual Food Truck Rally in North Lake Park (June 8) will feature tasty morsels from Mama Lupes, Nonna Nick’s Wood Fired Pizza and Food Tour. Stick around for face painting and a splash pad for the littles.
The Beach Festival at Pleasant Hill Lake Park (June 10) offers kayaking, fishing, paddle boarding, beach games for kids and a DJ.
Travel back in time to learn about early American Life from living historical reenactors at the 2nd Annual Colonial Days (June 10, 11) at the Richland Early American Center for History. You’ll observe blacksmith and open hearth cooking demonstrations, military reenactments and activities for the kids at this free event.
Kids Day at Charles Mill Marina (June 10) offers fishing demonstrations, free fishing gear and bait giveaways, free pontoon boat rides for kids (and a single guardian), a visit from a pirate crew, pirate themed games, crafts and activities as well as a Treasure Hunt, Hay Ride and Golf Cart Challenge.
The 2nd Annual Summer Sip & Shop Market (June 16, 17) at the Richland County Fairgrounds showcases 65+ small shops & handmade makers! Peruse the goods from the vendors while listening to incredible bands, eating from the food trucks and sipping drinks from the outdoor bar.
The 2nd Juneteenth Parade and Festival (June 17) will be held in downtown Mansfield at Central Park. You’ll find live bands, entertainment, wine tasting, food trucks, vendors, a kids zone and more.
The Pickers Market at the Prairie Peddlers Market Venue (June 24) is back for another month. Shop for vintage, antique, salvage, repurposed and handmade treasures from over 50 vendors while listening to live music and partaking in food truck offerings.
Family Fishing Day with Connecting Kids Inside Out (June 24) is held at North Lake Park. Activities include catch and release fishing (equipment provided), petting zoo, programming from the Ohio Bird Sanctuary, free food and more.
Family Fun Day on the Farm at Malabar Farm (June 24) promises to be a fun day for all ages. You can expect hands-on activities, fishing for youths and food trucks. Don’t miss the chance to take a hike on one of the trails or drive up to Mt. Jeez to take in the view.
Get Moving
The Parkrun Mansfield weekly 5k continues every Saturday. This is a great way to start a new hobby and make new friends. Meet at 625 Hope Road at 8 a.m. to join the non-competitive run.
Participate in the Kingwood Center 5K (June 10) that winds its way through the parklike gardens and B & O Bike Trail. Winners will be announced in the Courtyard following the race.
The Phoenix is hosting the 5K Beer Run (June 10). This fun race winds throughout Mansfield. Each participant who walks, jogs or runs and crosses the finish line receives a free craft brew and opportunities to win more giveaways and prizes.
Live Music
The Liverpool Lads, a Northern Ohio Beatles Tribute Band, will kick off the Summer Reading Program with a Live Outdoor Concert (June 3) at the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library.
Pack your blanket or lawn chairs and spread out for Summer Concerts at Marshall Park will be held each Tuesday starting on June 13 at the BandShell.
You can follow-up with more music each Wednesday in Shelby for Music in the Parks at Black Fork Commons.
The Richland Source Newsroom Afterhours (June 16) presents Leak, Sempel, NewEraCam, K3NCH, Yung Lonn at this event with free entertainment, food and drinks.
Mark your calendar now for the Final Friday Concert Series at The Brickyard on June 30. Grab your lawn chairs and a few friends, and head downtown to the Brickyard for fun, food, and music by Jeff Ritz, 45 Spider and Zack Attack.
We have a ton of music events during the summer months at the Vault Wine Bar, The Phoenix, The Spirit Room, Hudson & Essex, Wine & Ale Trail locations and more that showcase our incredible local talent.
Mechanics Bank host Live at Lunch Summer Courtyard Series, with music guest, Nate Williams and food guest, Grunt Grub (June 16).
If you’re looking for overnight accommodations, our website makes it easy for you to find the perfect place to stay by breaking lodging down by Hotels & Motels, Bed & Breakfasts, Campgrounds and Private Rentals (think Airbnb or VRBO).
Make sure you visit our events page at DestinationMansfield.com for the most up-to-date listings as well as more events taking place during the month of June.
Don’t forget to tag @DestinationMansfield on Instagram when you’re out exploring all the fun things to do in our communities this month.