May has arrived to chase away the winter blues. Not only does it look like the warm weather is finally here to stay, but some of our favorite events have returned. You can look forward to the return of the popular barn dances at Malabar Farm State Park, races at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, the 77th Annual May Show at the Mansfield Art Center, the Secret City Tour of Downtown Mansfield and Live Music in The Brickyard!
Theater? Races? History? There’s an event for you!
May 1st is your last day for the Civil War Show and your last chance to watch Once, the breath-taking story of a street musician about to give up on his dreams when a beautiful woman takes an interest in his music. This performance at Theatre 166 has sold out so make sure to reserve your seat right away.
Music lovers won’t want to miss the opportunity to see the Beatles vs. the Stones: A Musical Showdown (May 7) at the Renaissance Theatre.
The classic tale by L. Frank Baum, The Wizard of Oz, comes to life on May 22nd.
The races held at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington are back for the 2022 season! IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Challenge runs May 13-15 with other races offered throughout the summer. The races are great for adults, but did you know that kids under 12 can join you for free with a paying adult? Grab a spot on the lawn with your picnic and folding chairs and watch the cars zoom by on the track in front of you.
If you appreciate history or have ever wanted a better understanding of Richland County, then RichHistory Weekend 2022 (May 7,8) is for you. Activities range from scavenger hunts for the kids at the Main Library, tours of the 1812 Blockhouse, 1808 Petersburg Log Cabin and new Hawks Nest Forge & Cooperage in South Park. In addition, you find the local history of Bigfoot at Pleasant Hill Lake Park, a guided hike of Dayspring, and the largest exhibit of Westinghouse appliances that were made in Mansfield ever displayed at the Mansfield Memorial Museum. The weekend is full of fun.
The Secret City Tour (May 7) allows you to enter and explore historic downtown Mansfield gems and architectural treasures that aren’t normally open to the public. Make sure to bring your camera on this self-guided tour. Reservations are required.
Shop Local
Grab your significant other or a few friends and head to the Carrousel District in downtown Mansfield for the First Friday Shop Hop (May 6). This is a great way to get out of the house, support locally owned businesses, and see some of the unique shopping options that are available right here in beautiful downtown Mansfield.
Add these Events to Your Calendar Now!
ParaPsyCon, a paranormal and psychic convention, will be held at The Historic Ohio State Reformatory May 20-22. Seekers of all things that go bump in the night may also be interested in the Public Ghost Hunts (May 7). Open to paranormal seekers aged 18+, participants are grouped according to experience level. Advanced reservations are required.
Get Outside and Get Moving
The YMCA will host a Healthy Kids Day® at Marshall Park (May 7). This free event will have plenty of ideas on keeping the kids entertained and healthy during the summer season. On-site activities include science experiments, a snack station, a bounce house, and more.
Continue a tradition Louis Bromfield started long ago with the monthly Malabar Farm barn dances (May 7). This free event is open to all ages.
The Parkrun Mansfield weekly 5k continues. This is a great way to start a new hobby and make new friends. This weekly event is held every Saturday. Meet at North Lake Park in downtown Mansfield at 9 a.m. to join the run.
Explore Our Local Treasures
Make sure you take the time to plan a trip to Kingwood Center Gardens to see the beautiful spring blooms, view the new “Nurturing Hands” sculpture presented to Kingwood Center by the Mansfield Garden Club, and keep an eye out for one of the resident peacocks who enjoy showing off their spectacular plumage to garden visitors.
Visit the Ohio Bird Sanctuary each Saturday between 1-1:15 p.m. to meet a member of the bird care team during the Keeper Talk (May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29). Make a day (or weekend of it) and visit the Little Buckeye Museum, Kingwood Center Gardens and Richland Carrousel Park too.
Gorman Nature Center provides plenty of programming for the outdoor lover including the Birds & Breakfast Bird Walk on April 16.
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.
The popular and much anticipated 77th Annual May Show is a juried art show at the Mansfield Art Center that will start May 8th and run into June. You won’t want to miss this show that accepts submissions from Ohio artists.
Adults Only
Calling all board game aficionados! Plan to attend the Game Night at the Phoenix (May 3) hosted by The Phoenix Brewing Company and Operation Fandom. You may walk away with a new friend and a new favorite game.
Taproom Trivia (May 17) is another fun event and excuse to hang out with friends. Plus, there’s no need to cook dinner that night because Truckin Trav will be there to take your order from the food truck.
Try something new and check out Pound and Pour with McManes Personal Training (May 14). The POUND® class is a 45-minute cardio jam session inspired by playing the drums.
Don’t forget the live music showcasing amazing local talent.
Live Music:
Jeff Boyd at Social on Main (May 6)
Kaptain Kurt at The Vault Winebar (May 14)
The Heartbroke Band at The Vault Winebar (May 20)
Live Music at the Brickyard (May 27)
For the most up-to-date event listing, visit our ever-changing Calendar of Events at DestinationMansfield.com.