Kick off your weekend of fun with these 10 events happening in Columbus
Family-friendly fun will be front and center this weekend, starting with Jack O' Lantern World, a dazzling display of pumpkin art and ginormous gourds opening Thursday at the Franklin County Fairgrounds.
More events to keep small fry enthralled include Hilliard Arts Council's staging of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Music and Monarchs" at The Dawes Arboretum in Newark, and a "CoComelon" party for the tiniest entertainment seekers.
For the older set, there's the MadLab drama "Moving In, Moving Out, Moving On" and the Wolfstock celebration at Wolf's Ridge Brewing, among others.
These events and others below will satisfy your cravings for a good time! To receive these ideas in your inbox each week, sign up for the Life in the 614 newsletter.
Pumpkins on parade at Jack O' Lantern World
Groovy gourds of all shapes and sizes will be on view beginning this weekend at Jack O' Lantern World, a trail featuring thousands of hand-carved pumpkins by more than 50 artisans. This incredible 3/4-mile exhibit at the Franklin County Fairgrounds, 4951 Northwest Parkway in Hilliard, will feature some of the largest pumpkins in the U.S., including some tipping the scales at 1,000-plus pounds. The exhibit will be open Friday through Sunday, as well as Thursdays through Sundays through Oct. 29. Online ticket purchase is required. Tickets are $20.99-$24.99 for ages 13-older and $14.99-$16.99 for children 3-12, and times vary from 7:25 p.m. to 9 p.m. depending on the night of attendance. (thejackolanternworld.com)
Hilliard Arts Council to stage 'Charlie'
Come with "the candy man" Willy Wonka, Charlie Bucket and other lucky Golden Ticket winners to "a world of pure imagination" in Hilliard Arts Council's For Kids, By Kids production of the Roald Dahl classic “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." The one-act play adapted by Richard R. George will be presented at the Hilliard Civic and Cultural Arts Center, 5425 Center St., at 7 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday; and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors (60-older), and $6 for children online or at the door. Custom group packages can be arranged by contacting info@hilliardarts.org or calling 1-888-980-2787. (hilliardartscouncil.org)
'CoComelon' to bring the party to Columbus
This weekend, "CoComelon” fans can dance, play, sing and take photos with JJ, Cody, Nina and more of their favorite characters at CoComelon Party Time, an interactive, kid-centic event at Vitria on the Square, 14 E. 15th Ave. Party dates will be Saturday-Sunday, and Oct. 4-9. Guests should arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled start time. All tickets come with a meet-and-greet, plus each child will receive a tote bag with snacks and a drink. “CoComelon” merchandise also will be for sale. Tickets are $30-$35 for adults and children over 1 year old. (cocomelonpartytime.com)
Pizzuti show takes art 'In All Directions'
Indigenous craft practices meet modern technologies like artificial intelligence, satellite data and digital fabrication in the exhibit "Sarah Rosalena: In All Directions," on view through Feb. 4 at the Columbus Museum of Art at The Pizzuti, 632 N. Park St. Rosalena uses tools like 3D ceramic printers and bead looms to create works from materials ranging from simulated soil from Mars (part of her collaboration with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory) to satellite imagery of the Red Planet. The Pizzuti's hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. General admission is $5; tickets are available online. Spend $5 or more in the Short North Arts District within 24 hours and show your receipt for free admission. Members, veterans and active military and their families are admitted for free. (columbusmuseum.org)
MadLab 'Moving In' with family drama
In Liz Coley's "Moving In, Moving Out, Moving On," a multi-generational family grapples with an elderly relative's diagnosis of early-stage progressive dementia. Will Amy drive her octogenarian mother, Nan — who is fighting for autonomy over her own life and mind — over the edge? Find out what happens in this family drama presented by MadLab, 227 N. 3rd St., at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $20 for the general public, $17 for students and seniors, and $15 for MadLab members. (madlab.net)
Ohio History Connection digs into archaelogy
Explore our state's past, take part in a mock dig, and hear from experts at Ohio History Connection’s annual Ohio Archaeology Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Ohio History Center, 800 E. 17th Ave. Activities will include presentations by archaeologists from across the state, pottery-making, atlatl-throwing, mastodon crafts, and more. The event is included with admission to the History Center, which costs $16 for ages 13-older; $14 for ages 60-older and college students with ID; $10 for ages 4-12. Admission is free for ages 3-under and Ohio History Connection members. Advanced ticket purchase is recommended. (ohiohistory.org/events)
Bassetfest to be unleashed in Gahanna park
Pack up your pups and head to Bassetfest, Ohio Basset Hound Rescue's annual fundraiser, taking place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in Pizzurro Dog Park, 940 Pizzurro Park Road, Gahanna. The rain-or-shine event will include a costume contest and other competitions like basset races ($2 entry fee) and biggest ears/paws, as well as raffle baskets, an auction of dog-related items, and pet portraits, plus T-shirts, calendars, tote bags, lunch bags, and miscellaneous dog items for sale. In addition, there will be a Central Ohio Muttessori School info booth, and Luxury Pawz Mobile Pet Spa will be on hand to offer nail trims. Bring chairs or blankets to sit on, and bags to clean up after your pet. Admission is free. (ohiobassetrescue.com)
Dawes to offer music, monarchs, mixed media
"Music and Monarchs" will offer guests fall fun including a plant sale, live music from local band Wind and Wood Players, and tag-and-release butterflies from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at The Dawes Arboretum, 7770 Jacksontown Road SE in Newark. Wagon tours also will be available. Following the family-friendly activities, adults can enjoy a mixed-media tree collage workshop from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Light refreshments and all materials will be provided, and wine will be available for purchase. "Music and Monarchs" is included with admission to The Arboretum, which is $10 for 16-older, $5 for children 5-15, and free to members and children under 5. Tickets for the 21-and-older workshop are $45 online. (dawesarb.org/events)
Wolf's Ridge to mark 10 years at Wolfstock
You've heard of Woodstock, but what about Wolfstock, the 10th anniversary fest at Wolf's Ridge Brewing? The free event taking place from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday will be a lively affair featuring exclusive beers, food specials, local art, live music, DJ sets, brewery tours, a hog roast and more. Wolf's Ridge, located at 215 N. 4th St., also is launching its can and bottle release of several stouts plus "X: Anniversary Blend," a blend of nearly 10 different barrel-aged beers, and the "10 Year Heaven Hill St. Frances," a Belgian quad aged in bourbon barrels. Online sales begin at 2 p.m. Saturday with same-day pickup in the Taproom. (wolfsridgebrewing.com)
Laura Linney to kick off lecture series
The New Albany Community Foundation will begin the 11th season of the New Albany Lecture Series with an evening featuring TV, film and theater actress and cancer advocate Laura Linney at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts, 100 E. Dublin Granville Road, New Albany. Linney, an award-winning performer who can be seen in the Netflix original series "Ozark," will be interviewed by NPR Arts Desk reporter Neda Ulaby. Limited tickets ranging from $12-$42 remain for front and rear main floor seats; balcony seats are available for $12-$37. (newalbanyfoundation.org, cbusarts.com)
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 10 things to do in Columbus this weekend
