See what's happening in central Ohio this weekend
It's a weekend of first-time events and reopenings, beginning with the debut of the LIVE @ Polaris summer concert series at Polaris Fashion Place, which will feature free live music each Thursday through July 25, except July 4. Also making its premiere will be May Madness at Boardman Arts Park in Delaware.
The reopening of the Scioto Mile Fountain will be celebrated with two days of festivities in Bicentennial Park and Ohio Village will open for the summer season with a full day of 19th-century-style entertainment.
Last, but certainly not least, a long-time event — the popular Jeni's Strawberry Jam — will return to Land-Grant Brewing Company.
These and other assorted entertainment options make for a busy weekend of fun; read more about all 10 of these happenings below. To receive these ideas in your inbox each week, sign up for the Life in the 614 newsletter.
Beatles tribute to kick off Polaris summer concerts
The British Invasion, a Beatles tribute band, will have you twistin' and shoutin' when they kick off the LIVE @ Polaris summer-concert series Thursday at the outdoor Lifestyle Center at Polaris Fashion Place, 1500 Polaris Parkway. Bring your own lawn chair to enjoy a free concert from 6-8 p.m. every Thursday through July 25 (except July 4), along with food trucks, vendors, alcohol sales and more.
The rest of the lineup includes Lee Gantt (May 30); Zack Attack (June 6); New Frontiers (June 13); Town & Country (June 20); Dan Orr Project (June 27); Swagg (July 11); Long Play (July 18); and the John Schwab Party Band (July 25). (polarisfashionplace.com/live)
'Ghost Army' exhibit to unveil WWII secret troops
One of the best-kept secrets of World War II is the subject of an exhibit opening at 7 p.m. Friday at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, 300 W. Broad St., where it is to run through Aug. 25. "Ghost Army: The Combat Con Artists of World War II" explores how the 1,105-man tactical deception unit known as the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops used inflatable rubber tanks, sound effects, false radio transmissions and other methods to mislead enemy forces while giving actual troops time to maneuver.
Their story remained a secret until it was declassified in 1996. Opening-night tickets are $20 for the general public and $15 for veterans and active-duty servicemembers. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. (nationalvmm.org/events-programs)
Fountain Fest to make a splash in Bicentennial Park
Celebrate the grand reopening of the newly renovated Scioto Mile Fountain in Bicentennial Park, 233 Civic Center Drive, at the free Fountain Fest from noon to 7 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.
Festivalgoers can enjoy a frolic in the fountain, live music, food trucks, games, roaming performers, a collaborative street mural, free ice cream for kids (while supplies last) and more. Trolley rides are to be available from noon to 9 p.m. both days, with stops at Bicentennial Park, Columbus Commons and Land-Grant Brewing. During Fountain Fest, a free concert in Bicentennial Park featuring DJ Citizen Dorrian S. begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday, followed by the Deeptones at 7 p.m. (downtowncolumbus.com/events)
PetPromise Rescue Run to benefit animals in need
Participants in the PetPromise Rescue run can extend the paw of compassion to a dog or cat in need at the annual walk/run that takes place on Saturday at McFerson Commons, 218 West St. The day begins with packet pickup and race-day registration at 8 a.m.
The 1-mile and 5K races begin at 10 a.m. Even if you're not in a race, come early to enjoy the PetPromise Expo and Festival at 8 a.m., with sponsor booths, vendors, prizes, food trucks and music. Pet owners can register for the stupid pet tricks and pet-owner look-alike contests until 10 a.m.
Canine guests can try out the dog agility equipment and attend a training session with a professional from Zoom Room. Online registration is $45 for both races, as well as the virtual races. (bit.ly/4akpNtW)
Ohio Village to reopen with daylong entertainment
The Ohio History Connection reopens Ohio Village, 800 E. 17th Ave., for the summer season on Saturday with an exposition reflecting on the 50 years since its founding and looking ahead at the next 50 years of storytelling in the living-history community.
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., visitors can be entertained by activities including a 19th-century magic show, vintage "base ball" played by 1860s rules, live music, vaudeville acts, flea circuses, an artisan market and a petting zoo. Ohio Village is included with Ohio History Center admission, which ranges from $10-$16. Admission for members and children 3 and younger is free. (ohiohistory.org/events/ohio-village-opening-day)
May Madness to take over Delaware's Boardman Arts Park
Margaritas, music and more make up May Madness, a new summer kickoff event that takes place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday in Boardman Arts Park, 154 W. William St., Delaware. The day is to be filled with food trucks, summer drinks, island music, fair games, artist booths, water slides, zany races, sand play areas and more.
Tickets at the door cost $5 for those over 12 and $2 for children 11 and younger. Only cash, Venmo or PayPal are to be accepted. Wristbands can be purchased in the park for $10 each for unlimited access to all activities. The park's plant library is to have tropical plants for sale, which can be purchased in advance online at givebutter.com/tropicalplants. Each purchase grants free admission to May Madness. (boardmanartspark.org/may-madness)
Family fun to include 'Encanto' at Columbus Commons
Gather up the kids and head to John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons, 160 S. High St., for an afternoon of free family fun, including inflatables, games, keychain and bracelet-making, face painting, tie-dye, live music, food trucks, carousel rides and more from 4-8 p.m. Saturday.
Then at 8:15 p.m., enjoy a showing of Disney's "Encanto" with free popcorn, while supplies last. On 6 acres of lawn seating, surrounded by the stars and city skyline, watch the tale of the Madrigals, an extraordinary, multigenerational Colombian family who live in a magical house in a rural area called the Encanto. (columbuscommons.org/events/family)
Jeni's, Land-Grant to cohost 7th annual Strawberry Jam
Jeni's Ice Creams and Land-Grant Brewing Company are once again offering a "berry" good time at Strawberry Jam, which returns to Land-Grant, 424 W. Town St., at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. The collaboration beer "Splendid Strawberry Rhubarb Ale" is to be on tap, and Jeni's much-anticipated strawberry buttermilk ice cream is to be released.
Festivities include live music, food trucks, vendors, kids' programming in the strawberry patch − and of course, sightings of mascot Strawberry Jammie. Free trolley rides from Land-Grant to Fountain Fest in Bicentennial Park are to be available. RSVP at facebook.com/events/367510716231750. (landgrantbrewing.com/jenis-strawberry-jam)
Sunday at Central to end season with 'Harmony Unleashed'
Sunday at Central presents "Harmony Unleased: A Celebration of Songs," the last concert of its 2023-24 season at 3 p.m. Sunday at Broad Street Presbyterian Church, 760 E. Broad St. The program consists of pieces by Antonin Dvorak, Manuel de Falla and Franz Schubert, featuring violinist and Sunday at Central artistic director Jeffrey Myers, also of the Calidore String Quartet; and pianist Mariiko Kaneda, a faculty member at Ohio Wesley University.
Seating is first-come, first served. The concert is to be livestreamed on the Sunday at Central website and is recommended for ages 9 and older. Admission is free. (sundayatcentral.org)
Joe Jackson to be 'steppin' out' with two-part show
Singer-songwriter and musician Joe Jackson, known for such hits as “Is She Really Going Out With Him?,” “Steppin’ Out” and “Breaking Us in Two,” is to give a two-part concert in the Davidson Theatre at the Riffe Center, 77 S. High St. at 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
The first portion of the show is to be a solo set of selections from Jackson’s catalog and the latter part, performed with a nine-piece band, features tracks from his album “What a Racket: The Music of Max Champion,” a collection of songs written by little-known (and possibly fictional) music hall artist Max Champion.
Tickets start at $42, available at the CBUSArts Ticket Center at the Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St., by phone at 614-469-0939 and online. (capa.com)
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 10 things to do around Columbus and central Ohio this weekend
