Five Rivers MetroParks

Kinda chic to sign up for our email newsletter so you don't miss a thing happening in your Five Rivers MetroParks, including free festivals, programs and events, plus sustainability tips and must-do activities in the parks. Don't worry, we don't like spam, either! Link in comment/bio.

Weekend plans = made! The The Dayton African American Cultural Festival (DAACF) is this Saturday and Sunday at Island MetroPark. Be sure to swing by for musical performances, food, vendors, culture and much more. This festival is free and for all ages.

Saturday: Aug. 15 – noon to 8 p.m.
Sunday: Aug. 16 (Gospel Explosion) – noon to 6 p.m.

Have you peopled too much? 😭 Need a break from your notifications? 📱Want to become a forest creature at this point? 🌲We highly recommend going deep into the woods...for at least a few days.

If you're interested in getting into backpacking so you can go on a trails adventure getaway to camp in the back country, you'll want to attend Backpacking 1 this Thursday at Cox Arboretum MetroPark!. This classroom session is followed by (optional) Backpacking 2, an actual trails adventure, which is planned for next week. Link in comment to register to Backpacking 1!

So much to do, so little time! We have a week packed of programs and events, including Big Band Night with the Dayton Jazz Orchestra, the The Dayton African American Cultural Festival (DAACF) at Island MetroPark and so many opportunities to get outside to move, learn and explore in your Five Rivers MetroParks. Check out programs for all ages and interests: https://www.metroparks.org/programs-events-finder/

Today we celebrate the International Day of Indigenous Peoples, particularly, the incredible impact they had on our region. Southwest Ohio is known as the Hopewell Heartland. People of the Hopewell Culture inhabited this area of Ohio after the Woodland Period and Adena Culture and were some of the first to establish community, farm and create impressive earthworks, which can be viewed today. Visit Twin Creek MetroPark to check out the earthworks or plan a visit to the UNSECO World Heritage site by following the link in our comments.

The number of people who struggle with food insecurity in Montgomery County could fill every seat at the Cincinnati Bengals Paycor Stadium and one would still need about **20,000** seats to account for the rest. Recent Map the Meal Gap Nourishing shows that food insecurity has risen 16.3% in our region, which is why events like Nourishing Montgomery County are so important.

This festivals focuses on equity and education, with speakers, resources, vendors, kids' activities and more - all planned around our food system. Whether you need to access resources or simply want to learn about food, join us for Nourishing Montgomery County tomorrow at the 2nd Street Market! How to go:
🍅2nd Street Market: 600 E. Second Street
🍅9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
🍅Admission is free

The Menus are rocking their way across our region on their farewell tour and their next stop is at RiverScape MetroPark tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 7. Let's send them off with a Dayton-style party. The RiverScape Cafe will be open for bites, frosty drinks and adult beverages for those 21+. The Summer Music Series at RiverScape MetroPark is free thanks to our generous sponsors:

Presenting sponsor: AES Ohio
Additional supporting sponsors: Jack W. and Sally D. Eichelberger Foundation, Enterprise Roofing & Sheet Metal Co. and Bonbright Distributors .