Summer break is getting closer every day with it’s promise of time spent with friends and long days at the pool. If one day the typical summer routine seems too monotonous, there are plenty of cultural events in a variety of places in Ohio to spice up any boring, summer day.
The Annual Roy Rogers Festival, held every year in Portsmouth, Ohio, is celebrating its 27th year of festivities from June 2-5. The festival, in celebration of actor/singer cowboy Roy Rogers, brings together the gunslingers of the Midwest. Portsmouth, which sits due south of Columbus on the Ohio River, offers the perfect atmosphere for this old-western inspired event.
The Roy Rogers Festival boasts the opportunity to meet the some of this country’s most dedicated cowboy celebrities.
“Cowboy and Cowgirl enthusiasts gather for a few days for memorabilia, celebrities and a lot of western fun. It’s like a family reunion each year. You can have lunch with western stars and top off the fun-filled days with a grand banquet,” the Roy Rogers Festival website states.
If local art seems more interesting than stirrups, then the Columbus Arts Festival may be a better investment of time.
The Columbus Arts Festival will be held in Columbus’ Discovery District June 4-6 and is free. The Arts Festival is a gathering of all of the best food, artists and music that Columbus has to offer.
According to the Columbus Arts festival official website, the festival kicks off Columbus’ summer activities.
“The Columbus Arts Festival is the city’s welcome-to-summer event, pairing the finest artists and craftspeople with continuous entertainment including hands-on art activities, musical performances and food from the area’s finest restaurants,” the Columbus Arts Festival website states.
Sophomore Ian Rhodes said he finds the Columbus Arts Festival to be a valuable cultural event for artists to get their work out.
“I think it’s cool that this festival provides a place for artists to come and present their artwork,” Rhodes said.
Another summer activity is an ongoing event throughout the summer—the CAPA Summer Movie Series, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Scattered throughout the weeks from June 4 through July 25, CAPA offers classic movies in the Ohio Theater for $4. The line-up this year includes classics such as Rear Window, Frankenstein, Singin’ in the Rain, the Goonies, and My Fair Lady.
CAPA prides itself on keeping these classic films alive.
“[Come] and enjoy an incredible lineup of classics, cult favorites and most beloved films,” the CAPA website boasts.
If a quick trip to enjoy a day or two dedicated to banana splits sounds more appealing, on June 11-12 about an hour south from Columbus in Wilmington, Ohio, the 16th annual Banana Split Festival will occur. For two days, Wilmington immerses itself in celebrating the frozen dessert through carnival games, booths, music, a 5K run/walk, the “Big Banana Baseball Tournament” and even a banana split eating contest. Also, in a competition called “The Banana Split Masters Competition,” local chefs compete to make their own interpretation of the famous banana split.
Senior Sarah Dick is looking forward to the Banana Split Festival this year.
“I will for sure be going to the Banana Split Festival this year. It sounds like fun,” Dick said. “What can be better then spending the whole day with banana splits?”
Whether a road trip to meet the most dedicated cowboys in the Midwest or just a trip downtown to see the work of local artists, Ohio offers an array of events. When summer begins to feel routine, take advantage of the events that Ohio has to offer.