By Christine Bryant
Staff Writer
Summer is almost here, and with the warm weather comes a variety of events for the family to enjoy.
Perhaps the largest draw of the summer is the Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival, which this year is scheduled for Aug. 18 and 19 at Huber Park.
The event, which celebrates Reynoldsburg as the birthplace of the commercial tomato, includes tomato displays and contests, concessions, arts and crafts exhibits, live musical entertainment and children’s activities.
That’s not the only popular gathering planned this summer. Here are a few events to keep families busy.
Food trucks
The city will hold its annual Food Truck Festival from 5-9 p.m. June 9 at JFK Park, 7232 E. Main St. In addition to about a dozen food trucks to sample, the event also will include live music.
Throughout the summer on Wednesdays as well, Schmidt’s Sausage Truck will visit Reynoldsburg from 4-8 p.m. outside the city hall complex on Main Street.
Movie Night
Families are invited to “Movie Night in Huber Park,” an event held throughout the summer in the park off Davidson Drive.
The events kick off at 6 p.m. and include food vendors, family games and crafts. The June 10 movie night will feature “Moana,” while the June 24 event will show “The Secret Life of Pets.” On July 8, “Storks” will be featured, followed by “The Good Dinosaur” on July 22, “Tangled” on Aug. 12 and “Finding Dory” on Aug. 26.
Pioneer Day
Step back into life in the 1800s with the annual “Pioneer Day.” This year’s event will take place from noon to 4 p.m. June 17 at the Livingston House, 1792 Graham Road.
This free one day event, co-sponsored by the Livingston House Society and the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, features chores and tasks indicative of life in the early Ohio history of the 1800s. It includes activities such as butter churning, rag doll making, cooking, quill pen writing, book making, washing laundry on a wash board, white washing fence rails, and more.
Fourth of July
Reynoldsburg kicks off its Independence Day festivities at 6 p.m. July 3 at Civic Park, 6801 Daugherty Drive. The event will feature carnival games, inflatables and food vendors, followed by fireworks at 9:45 p.m.
The following day, the Independence Day Parade will begin at 10 a.m. July 4 and will run from the corner of Rosehill and Main, east on Main to Haft, finishing at Huber Park.
Taste of Reynoldsburg
Sample local restaurants at this year’s Taste of Reynoldsburg, which will take place from 4-8 p.m. July 18 at Huber Park.
The event offers the community the opportunity to taste a variety of foods from area restaurants, as well as enjoy live musical entertainment and children’s activities.
Livingston House Concerts
Bring a blanket and enjoy the sounds of summer during the Livingston House Concert. This summer’s concerts will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. July 23 and Aug. 27 at the historic Livingston House, 1792 Graham Road.
Community Concerts
Free community band concerts will be held June 11, July 9, and Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Senior Center, 1520 Davidson Drive, Reynoldsburg.
Heroes for Heroes
The 4th annual Heroes for Heroes 5K Obstacle Race Challenge will take place at 8 a.m. Sept. 10 at Civic Park, 6800 Daugherty Drive.
Participants will climb, crawl, run, lift and more during the intensive challenge. All proceeds will benefit the Hope for the Warriors Foundation.
Information
For information on any of these events, go to ci.reynoldsburg.oh.us or reynoldsburgchamber.com . To see more events this summer, go to visitreynoldsburg.com.
