1. Do you like spooky stuff? Bring your family to learn All About Bats
August 22 at 8 p.m. at Towner’s Woods. Get up close and personal as you learn about the species and lives of our local bats, their importance to our ecosystem, and the threats they face. Presented by our friends at Davey Resource Group and the “Batman” Mike Johnson, they will collect bats for identification. Bring insect repellent and a flashlight if you like. For more information, check out the Park District website for park locations, call 330-297-7728 or email info@portageparkdistrict.org
2. Want to get outside with the family before the weather gets bad? Come out for the Cops and Kids Fishing Day at Camp Asbury event.
This FREE event takes place August 23 from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Come spend the fun filled day fishing with your Hiram PD members, meet Hiram PD’s new mascot Copper! Lunch will be provided by Haylett’s BP. There will be prizes, and bait will be provided. This is a great opportunity for families to learn about fishing and say thank you to our men and women in uniform.
3. Rose’s Rescue Annual Reunion
Saturday, September 6, from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m., Redwood Swim Club, 8560 Ravenna Road, Twinsburg, Ohio 44087. The cost is $5 per animal. Humans are free. Families can look forward to raffles, concessions and doggy swimming. Dogs are welcome off leash as the swim club is fenced in.
4. Take a trip to Wingfoot Lake State Park
Northeast Ohio Family Fun did a feature on this hidden gem. “Wingfoot Lake is a HUGE park (over 700 acres) located just a short drive from Akron in Suffield, Ohio, and it has about everything you could ask for in a park. A HUGE playground with two play structures that have various slides, ladders, rope chains, monkey bars, rock walls, multiple climbing structures, bridges, tunnels and telephone tubes (that really work) and a small sandbox. [Sic] They also have putt, putt! There is a small charge to play putt putt golf, but the prices were very reasonable ($5 Ages 11 and Older, $3 Ages 3 – 10, FREE Ages 2 and under). We didn’t have time to play while we there, but we plan to during our next visit. Lastly, remember to bring along your sports equipment because the park has ball fields, basketball and volleyball courts, badminton, horseshoe pits, bocce ball, frisbee/disc golf and even a miniature golf course!”
5. Kids Bowl Free.com – Free Summer Bowling Program
Kids Bowl Free is a nationwide program that provides FREE games of bowling for kids all summer long. There are over 20 bowling alley’s in Northeast Ohio that are offering free bowling. In Portage County, families can bowl at Akron – Midway Lanes, 1070 E. Tallmadge Ave. Akron, Ohio 44310; 330-633-8104. Here’s the skinny on the program.
- Step 1 – Find a participating bowling alley near you.
- Step 2 – Complete the registration form. Note: You must use a valid email address
- Step 3 – Each week, log in to your account and print your weekly free bowling coupons. Note: You can also have your coupons emailed to you each week
Parents can also purchase a family pass so they can join in on the fun. The Family Passes cover up to 4 adult family members. [Source-Northeast Ohio Family Fun]
6. Take the Taste of Portage Tour
An article on TripFreely.com explains what’s involved:
“Begin your self-led tour with a delicious meal in Mangiamo!, a casual Italian restaurant with an outdoor courtyard. Next, head over to the Viking Vineyards & Winery, which is open year-round. Have wine in the cozy tasting room while enjoying views of the lake, or relax in the outdoor seating area on the deck along the lake. Finally, at Mike’s Place, a restaurant with rules such as “Thou shalt control thy children or we will provide duct tape,” sample local and regional microbrews. Eat the 40-oz. burger, One Big Momma, or try the award-winning St. Louis-style BBQ ribs, all while listening to live music.”
Central Portage County Visitors & Convention Bureau
138 E. Main St.
Kent, OH 44240
877-283-8757
7. Visit the May 4 Visitor Center at Kent State University
The center is located at 101 Taylor Hall, 300 Midway Drive, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, 44242. Phone number: (330) 672-4660. The Kent State University May 4 Visitors Center and its special events are free and open to the public. Visit their website for more information.
8. The Portage County Fair
This annual event is perfect for families. Families can view the website to look for options on the best ways to keep within their budget based on special promotions and events the fair is having. The dates of this year’s fair are August 19 – 24, 2014.
The fair is located at: 4215 Fairground Rd Randolph, Ohio 44265
Visit their website.