💎 BBQ, Bocce & Baklava (Issue #154)
Your Local Weekend Planner
Max Carone
September 10, 2026
Good Morning,
Welcome to another issue of our Community Memo where we share fun things to do around town every week.
Let’s get to it!
⚡ WEEKEND WEATHER
Friday
80° 🌡️ 68° | 🌤️ | ☔ 0% | 💨 5 - 10 mph
Saturday
82° 🌡️ 67° | 🌦️ | ☔ 40% | 💨 5 - 10 mph
Sunday
84° 🌡️ 69° | 🌦️ | ☔ 30% | 💨 5 - 10 mph
📅 EVENTS
🇬🇷 Dayton Greek Festival
📅 Fri, Sep 11: 11 am - 10 pm
📅 Sat, Sep 12: 11 am - 10 pm
📅 Sun, Sep 13: 11 am - 5 pm
📍 Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Dayton
💰 Adults: $5
💰 12 & Under: Free
Get a taste of Greece without leaving Dayton! Enjoy authentic Greek dishes, live music, and traditional dance performances that’ll have your toes tapping.
There’s free shuttle service from Grandview Hospital, and one admission gets you in all weekend long — so you can come back for more baklava. Learn more here.
🇮🇹 Italian Fall Festa
📅 Fri, Sep 11: 6 - 11 pm
📅 Sat, Sep 12: 12 - 11 pm
📅 Sun, Sep 13: 12 - 8 pm
📍 Bella Villa Hall, Kettering
💰 Free
Celebrate Italian culture with what we Italians do best (besides telling you we're Italian): food, family, and... bocce! I'll be there on a mission to eat all the calzones and cannoli.
Plan to park next door at Reynolds & Reynolds, and catch the complimentary shuttle service to the Hall for the party. It's a great way to spend the weekend after Labor Day and kick off the fall feeling. Learn more here.
🥨 Springboro Oktoberfest
📅 Fri, Sep 11: 6 pm - 12 am
📅 Sat, Sep 12: 11 - 12 am
📍 Springboro United Church of Christ
💰 Adults: $5
💰 12 & Under: Free
Celebrate fall at Springboro’s Oktoberfest, a family-friendly festival supporting local charities. Enjoy authentic German food like bratwurst and schnitzel, along with beers and wines.
Kids will love the Fun Zone, while adults can revel in polka music, dancing, and games. With something for everyone, this festival is the perfect way to welcome the season. Learn more here.
🥔 Dayton Potato Festival
📅 Sat, Sep 12: 11 am - 8 pm
📍 Dayton Metro Library, Dayton
💰 Free
Celebrate the humble spud at the Dayton Potato Festival! Try all kinds of potato dishes — crispy, creamy, sweet, or savory — while browsing local craft vendors and connecting with community groups.
Live entertainment keeps the fun going as you stroll through this lively event. Don’t miss out on a tasty tradition — learn more here.
🔥 Smoke, Sizzle & Sounds
📅 Sat, Sep 12: 12 - 7 pm
📍 Madison Park, Trotwood
💰 Free
Calling all grill masters and BBQ lovers! Trotwood’s BBQ Competition is back, and there’s cold hard cash on the line. Whether you’re firing up the smoker or just showing up to sample, expect plenty of mouthwatering eats and good company.
Enjoy live music, local vendors, and family fun all day at Madison Park. Feeling competitive? Register for the cook-off and see if your secret recipe is a winner. Learn more here.
🌻 Sunflower Days
📅 Sat, Sep 19: 10 am - 6 pm
📅 Sun, Sep 20: 10 am - 6 pm
📍 Hidden Valley Orchard, Lebanon
💰 Free
Wander through a golden sea of blooms at HVOs’ Sunflower Patch, where you can pick your own sunflowers and snap the perfect fall photo. Admission to the farm is free, so you’re welcome to soak up the autumn vibes, enjoy tasty treats, and create new memories with friends and family.
Want even more fall fun? Check out their Fall Packages for bundled activities and guaranteed access to the Apple Play Yards — packed with 30+ family-friendly attractions. Learn more here.
📚 Dayton Book Fest
📅 Sat, Sep 19: 12 - 4 pm
📍 Antioch Shrine, Downtown Dayton
💰 General: Free
💰 VIP: $35
Book lovers, this one’s for you! The first-ever Dayton Book Fest is here, bringing together 50 authors from all genres and 10 vendors for a day packed with stories, signings, and shopping. Discover new reads, meet writers, and connect with fellow fans.
Want the VIP treatment? Snag a VIP ticket for early access and a tote bag filled with bookish goodies — including a signed indie book, a gift certificate, stickers, and a bookmark.
VIP tickets are limited, so don’t miss out. Learn more and get your tickets here.
🏡 YS Porchfest
📅 Sat, Sep 19: 12 - 8 pm
📍 Downtown Yellow Springs
💰 Free
Yellow Springs Porchfest is back, filling front porches and local hotspots all over town with music of every kind! From indie rock to folk, hip hop, and even porch punk, you’ll catch dozens of local acts performing throughout the afternoon and evening.
Stroll from house to house, meet neighbors, and discover new favorite bands as you take in the spirit and sound of this unique festival. It’s a musical adventure that brings the whole community together — one front porch at a time.
🥂 Concours d'Elegance Preview Party
📅 Sat, Sep 19: 6 - 9 pm
📍 Carillon Park, Dayton
💰 $100+
Gear up for an exclusive evening at the Dayton Concours d’Elegance Preview Party, where you’ll get a sneak peek at elite vehicles — including this year’s featured Pontiac and BMW 3 Series — before Sunday’s main event.
Enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres, specialty cocktails, live music, and shop for unique automotive art or bid in the silent auction. Dressy-casual attire is encouraged for this 21+ event. Get your tickets here.
🔭 John Bryan Stargaze
📅 Sat, Sep 19: 7:30 - 10 pm
📍 John Bryan State Park, Yellow Springs
💰 Free
Celebrate International Observe the Moon Night with a stargaze at the Day Lodge at John Bryan State Park. Members of the Miami Valley Astronomical Society will have telescopes and binoculars set up — just bring your curiosity and questions!
If clouds roll in, the fun moves indoors for an astronomy talk. Remember to use only red lights and leave pets at home to keep the viewing experience stellar for everyone.
Watch for signs and volunteers when you arrive. Learn more here.
🚗 Concours d’Elegance
📅 Sun, Sep 20: 10:30 am - 4 pm
📍 Carillon Park, Dayton
💰 Adults: $20+
💰 Kids: $10
💰 2 & Under: Free
Car lovers, this one’s for you! Stroll through Carillon Historical Park and take in a stunning lineup of classic and antique cars and motorcycles, all showcased by passionate collectors from near and far.
Enjoy a day packed with food, live music, and historical demonstrations. Your ticket grants you full access to all park exhibits plus a souvenir program.
Ready to rev up your weekend? Get your tickets here.
🎶LIVE MUSIC
This Friday
This Saturday
This Sunday
🎭️LIVE THEATRE
Upcoming
😂LIVE COMEDY
This Weekend
Upcoming Shows
🙏 THANKS FOR READING
That’s all for today’s issue! Tell us how you liked it using the poll below.
See you next Thursday,
— Max
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