💎 Fall Festival Fun (Issue #52)

Good Morning,

And welcome to the 340 new subscribers that have joined us since last Thursday! Every week, we share events and shows curated for the Miami Valley.

Labor Day weekend has always been one of my favorites. Summer is going out, and fall is coming in (though it doesn’t feel like it with this heat). It’s the time for cookouts and the start to best festival season.

But now this weekend has another special meaning to me, because August 31st is our first publication anniversary here at Miami Valley Memo. So this Saturday, our little local newsletter is turning one!

To celebrate this anniversary, we’ve added a reflection section in addition to our usual content. Hope you enjoy it and have a great holiday weekend!

Let’s get to it!

— Max

🥳 CELEBRATING ONE YEAR

Our Year One Recap

Now instead of having a birthday party to celebrate (maybe next year 😉), we wanted to take a moment to look back at what’s happened over this last year.

But before that, we want to say “Thank You”.

Whether it’s your first issue or your 52nd, it means the world that you let us into your inbox every week. Your trust and attention is not something we take for granted. It must be earned every week.

And if you have been with us since the very beginning — holy crap, you’re a real gem!

Looking Back

Since launching our first issue last August we’ve:

• Published 52 issues of this Thursday edition

• Grown from 40 → 3,200+ subscribers

• Listed 1,240 live shows

• Shared 435 events

But here’s the metric we’re most proud of. Of the 560 responses we’ve gotten to our weekly question “How did you like today’s newsletter?”, over 92% have selected:

“💎💎💎💎💎 Loved it!“

This tells us we’re on the right track in building something folks don’t just find useful, but really enjoy.

And the the comments that come with the feedback are invaluable. Not only as a source of encouragement, but also improvement.

Looking Forward

We’re grateful to have shared this year with you, eager to continue earning your trust/attention, and excited for what’s ahead.

After all, we’re just getting started 😎.

⚡ WEEKEND WEATHER

Friday

96° 🌡️ 69° | 🌤️ | ☔ 20% | 💨 9 mph

Saturday

80° 🌡️ 62° | ⛈️ | ☔ 70% | 💨 7 mph

Sunday

86° 🌡️ 57° | 🌤️ | ☔ 10% | 💨 10 mph

🎪 AlterFest

📅 Fri, Aug 30: 6 pm - 12 am
📅 Sat, Aug 31: 12 pm - 12 am
📅 Sun, Sep 1: 12 pm - 12 am
📍 Alter High School, Kettering
💰 Free

AlterFest is a staple Labor Day weekend festival in the Miami Valley. There are activities, rides, and games for the kids. Drinks and card games for the adults. And great food throughout the whole weekend (gotta love the grilled chicken).

With something for everyone, this festival is a perfect way to wrap up summer. Learn more here.

🚒 Antique Fire Apparatus Show

📅 Sat, Aug 31: 9:30 am - 4 pm
📍 Carillon Park, Dayton
💰 Adults: $14 | Kids: $10

Explore 40 antique fire trucks at this family-friendly event with the Miami Valley Antique Fire Apparatus Association. Perfect for history buffs and kids who love trucks, it’s a day filled with nostalgia and fun. Bring the whole family to see these classic fire engines up close. Get your tickets here.

🃏 Ren Fest Opening Weekend

📅 Sat, Aug 31 - Mon, Sep 2: 10:30 am - 7 pm
📍 Ohio Renaissance Festival, Waynesville
💰 Adults: $32+ | Kids: $10

Get your costumes ready because the Renaissance Festival is opening this weekend! Enjoy thrilling games, live performances, and delicious medieval treats in an enchanting village.

From jousting competitions to lively parades, there’s something for everyone. Explore the artisan marketplace, experience traditional crafts, and soak in the festive atmosphere. A perfect family-friendly event to kick off the fall season. Get your tickets here.

🎸 Tippapalooza

📅 Sat, Aug 31: 5 - 10 pm
📍 Downton Tipp City
💰 Advance: $10 | Day-of: $15

Enjoy a day of live music from top regional bands, including The New Old-Fashioned and Freya’s Feline, at this family-friendly festival in Tipp City.

Savor delicious bites from food trucks while taking in performances on the outdoor stage. A perfect way to wrap up your summer with great tunes and good vibes. Get your tickets here.

🎈 Kettering Holiday At Home

📅 Sun, Sep 1: 11 am - 6 pm
📅 Mon, Sep 2: 11 am - 5 pm
📍 Lincoln Park, Kettering
💰 Free

Celebrate Labor Day Weekend in Kettering! Before Monday's parade, go to Lincoln Park to explore arts and crafts from over 100 vendors, enjoy live entertainment, and admire the car show. This year's theme is "Hometown Celebrities", honoring local stars.

Then, on Monday morning at 10am, see the famous parade on Far Hills. What started as a small parade in 1959 has now turned into one of Ohio’s largest, attracting over 100,000 spectators.  See the full schedule of events here.

🪦 The Daytonians History Tour

📅 Mon, Sep 2: 11 am - 1 pm
📍 Woodland Cemetery, Dayton
💰 $5

Explore the lives of notable Daytonians resting at Woodland. From television personality Jack “Johnny” Walker Jr. to Civil War nurse Margaret Mayo. Discover who’s featured in the Smithsonian and unravel the mystery behind Delena Allman’s death.

This walking tour delves into stories of local heroes, inventors, and tragedies. Perfect for Dayton history buffs! Get your tickets here.

🇬🇷 Dayton Greek Festival

📅 Fri, Sep 6: 11 am - 10 pm
📅 Sat, Sep 7: 11 am - 10 pm
📅 Sun, Sep 8: 12 - 5 pm
📍 Annunciation Church, Dayton
💰 Adults: $5 | Kids: Free

Opa! After taking last year off, Greek Fest is back. Celebrate Greek culture with delicious food, authentic music, and traditional dances.

Hosted at the Greek Orthodox church next to the Dayton Art Institute, they have parking at Grandview Hospital with a free shuttle. Admission lasts you all weekend, so you can keep coming back for fresh-baked baklava! Learn more here.

🇮🇹 Italian Fall Festa

📅 Fri, Sep 6: 6 - 11 pm
📅 Sat, Sep 7: 12 - 11 pm
📅 Sun, Sep 8: 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 missed last year due to travel, so you know 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.

🏮 Lantern Fest

📅 Fri, Sep 6: 6:30 pm
📍 Countryside Park, Washington Twp.
💰 $10

Experience an enchanting evening of magic and community at Countryside Park. Watch as the pond lights up with radiant lanterns, creating a mesmerizing display.

Located next to Washington Township RecPlex, this event promises a night of beauty and wonder. Tickets are limited and often go quickly, get yours here.

🍿 Beavercreek Popcorn Festival

📅 Sat, Sep 7: 10 am - 8 pm
📅 Sun, Sep 8: 11 am - 6 pm
📍 Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek
💰 Free

See what's popping at Beavercreek's Popcorn Festival this year. Over 300 vendor booths offering crafts, festival foods, and popcorn delights.

Adults can cool off in the beer garden, while the kids enjoy the bouncy houses and puppet shows. Car show fan? You'll love the show on Sunday from 12 - 4. Learn more here.

🥂 Concours d'Elegance Preview Party

📅 Sat, Sep 14: 6:30 - 10 pm
📍 Carillon Park, Dayton
💰 Member: $100 | Non-Member: $125

Join Carillon Park for a sneak peek of the vehicles being shown in this year's Concours d'Elegance event. This preview party is being held the night before the car show.

Beyond the exclusive look, you can enjoy gourmet food, cocktails, and live music all included in with your ticket. There'll be art to browse and a silent auction to bid in as well. Get your tickets here.

🔪 Diced In Dayton

📅 Tue, Sep 17: 6 pm
📍 Top of the Market, Dayton
💰 General: $75 | VIP: $150

Watch as 12 local chefs compete to craft unique dishes from mystery ingredients, which you’ll then get to sample and vote for your favorite! By night's end, one chef will claim the champion title.

General tickets get you entry and 8 tastings. VIP tickets give you early entry, all 12 tastings plus 2 drinks. Proceeds go towards Miami Valley Meals' mission to feed the hungry. Just last year this event raised $31k! Get your tickets here.

🎶LIVE MUSIC

Friday, Aug 30

Brockman Brothers | Centerville Cornerstone | 6:30pm | Free

Matt Jenkins | Bock Family Brewing | 7pm | Free

Jennifer Hartswick | Levitt Pavilion | 7pm | Free

Uncle Rico | Heathers Cafe | 7pm | Free

Ben & Pete | Entropy Brewing Company | 7pm | Free

Kierstead | Jayne's On Main | 7:30pm | Free

Creepy Crawlers & More | Hidden Gem Music Club | 8pm | $10

Dayton Silent Disco Hat & Wig Party | Yellow Cab Tavern | 8pm | $15+

Ashley Martin & Tony Jon D | The Barrel | 8pm | Free

Brantley Gilbert | Fraze Pavilion | 8pm | $55+

Gerlach & Clemons Duo | Good Time Charlie's | 8:30pm | Free

Heather Redman & Gathering Stars | Oregon Express | 9pm | $10

Saturday, Aug 31

Reggae Amplified | Levitt Pavilion | 5:30pm | Free

Bourbon Road Band | The Greene | 6pm | Free

Denihilist & More | Hidden Gem Music Club | 7pm | $10

Jack Windsor | Bock Family Brewing | 7pm | Free

Ben & Pete | Slap'N Lizard Tap House | 7pm | Free

Saturday Night Fever | Jayne's On Main | 7:30pm | Free

Right Turn Clyde | The Barrel | 8pm | Free

Summer Highway | Phone Booth Lounge | 8pm | Free

The Jordan Tyler Band | Good Time Charlie's | 8:30pm | Free

🎭️LIVE THEATRE

Shows Running Now

Shear Madness | La Comedia Theatre | Aug 15th - Sep 15th | $70+

A Man of No Importance | Beavercreek Community Theatre | Aug 23rd - Sep 1st | $18+

The Enchanted Cottage | Dayton Theatre Guild | Aug 23rd - Sep 8th | $24+

Upcoming Shows

The Bridges Of Madison County | Dayton Playhouse | Sep 13th - Sep 29th | $18+

😂LIVE COMEDY

This Weekend

Katherine Blanford | Dayton Funny Bone | Aug 30 - 31 | $18

Mike Armstrong | Wiley's Comedy Club | Aug 30 - 31 | $25

Upcoming Shows

Tommy Ryman & Kristen Toomey | Dayton Funny Bone | Sep 6 - 7 | $15

📤 SHARE THE MEMO

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🙏 THANKS!

That’s all for today. Thank you for reading this week’s memo!

Interested in promoting your brand/events to an engaged local audience? Get in touch with us here, and let’s see how we might be able to help!

Hope you have a great holiday weekend, and we look forward to seeing you next Thursday!