Ten things to do this summer in Fairfield County

Addie Hedges
·7 min read

Although the first day of summer is officially June 21, Memorial Day weekend and the warm weather that follows mark the beginning of summer for many people. With an unofficial four months of summer to plan for, there are plenty of local activities and short trips to fill one’s calendar. The following activities are highly recommended by Lancaster residents and event planners, so put these events on your summer bucket list.

Lancaster Festival events

The Lancaster Festival, which runs from July 21- July 30, is a staple of summer for Lancaster residents. With over 70 events in 10 days to choose from, everyone can find something on the Festival’s schedule that will spark their interest. Whether it is a concert by Lady A or the Lancaster Festival Orchestra, or a fair day and a musical zoo, Deb Connell, the Executive Director of the Lancaster Festival recommends everyone make time to participate in the festivities.

The Lancaster Festival Orchestra and The Band Perry played for Festival goers at the Wendel Concert Stage during the Lancaster Festival in Lancaster, Ohio on July 24, 2021. The 10-day Lancaster Festival is a not-to-be-missed event during the summer.
The Lancaster Festival Orchestra and The Band Perry played for Festival goers at the Wendel Concert Stage during the Lancaster Festival in Lancaster, Ohio on July 24, 2021. The 10-day Lancaster Festival is a not-to-be-missed event during the summer.

“There's kid’s things and if you don't have kids, there's more grown up things,” Connell said. “There is truly something for everybody, and we don't expect everybody to love everything we do but the more you try, the more you might like something that you don't think you would like.”

To review the Lancaster Festival’s full schedule, register for events and buy tickets visit lancasterfestival.org.

Friday Night Bandstand

Everyone that lives in Lancaster is familiar with the Lancaster Parks and Recreation Department’s Friday Night Bandstand concerts  — whether they have attended the gathering downtown or have had to reroute around Zane Square to miss the large crowds. This year, take the time to venture downtown with a lawn chair and listen to songs by Pink Floyd, The Eagles and Fleetwood Mac.

The children's band "The Shazzbots" played for a crowd at the Downtown Bandstand on July 29, 2021. The Friday Night Bandstand concerts go on throughout the summer.
The children's band "The Shazzbots" played for a crowd at the Downtown Bandstand on July 29, 2021. The Friday Night Bandstand concerts go on throughout the summer.

“I love the live music downtown,” Fran Tiburzio, marketing director at Visit Fairfield County, said. “Everybody gathers, brings a chair and sits down; you sit by a stranger, and you talk through the evening. It's very friendly and it's uniting people in a cool way with music.”

Visit the Lancaster Parks and Recreation Department’s website to check out the full band schedule and occupy Friday nights for the rest of the summer.

Escape to Buckeye Lake

Looking for a mini getaway on a budget? No need to go further than Buckeye Lake. The lake offers a variety of recreational activities for people of all ages in and out of water. Local restaurants and ice cream shops perfectly accompany a day at the lake and Buckeye Lake has no shortage of them. Don’t even worry about having a boat or other personal gear, almost everything you will need can be rented!

Vehicles drive along State Route 79 into the village of Buckeye Lake, Ohio on Friday, February 11, 2022.
Vehicles drive along State Route 79 into the village of Buckeye Lake, Ohio on Friday, February 11, 2022.

For more information about spending a day, weekend or week at Buckeye Lake, visit Visit Fairfield County’s website to plan your trip’s itinerary.

Market shopping

Whether it is fresh fruit, baked goods or homemade crafts you have been searching for, you can expect to find the best quality of each at the farmers markets in Lancaster, Baltimore, Millersport and Olde Pickerington. If a weekend of vintage pieces of furniture, hand-poured candles and jewelry sound enticing, make sure to also attend the Round Barn Vintage & Made Market at the Fairfield County Fairground’s round barn on June 25-26.

A vendor assists a customer at the Lucky Kettle Korn tent during the Lancaster Farmers Market on Saturday, May 15, 2021. Farmers markets in Lancaster, Millersport and Pickerington are good places to stop and shop during the summer.
A vendor assists a customer at the Lucky Kettle Korn tent during the Lancaster Farmers Market on Saturday, May 15, 2021. Farmers markets in Lancaster, Millersport and Pickerington are good places to stop and shop during the summer.

More details about the Round Barn Vintage & Made Market can be found on Visit Fairfield County’s website or the event’s Facebook page.

Downtown Day

The downtown area of Lancaster is frequently passed through, but how often can one take the time to wander into the shops and restaurants that line Broad, Main and Columbus Street? Venture downtown this summer for the sole purpose of experiencing what Lancaster has to offer. Stop at L-City Coffee for an energy—and mood—booster before updating your summer wardrobe with finds from Merch Lancaster and A Season in Time. Wander down to STUMP, The Flower Pot and The Paperback Exchange to grow your garden and library. Then, make sure to stop at one of the restaurants downtown for a quick bite before painting pottery at Art&Clay, or throwing axes at Lancaster Axes, if that’s more your style.

Downtown Lancaster offers plenty of places to shop, eat or just gather together.
Downtown Lancaster offers plenty of places to shop, eat or just gather together.

“I love walking within the downtown district and seeing what pops up,” Amanda Everitt, Executive Director of Downtown Destination Lancaster, said. “We have so many different, beautiful patios and outdoor dining options where you have the opportunity to look at the historic architecture, hear some live music, run into friends … and make connections in the community.”

Skyview Drive-In Theater

Although one can watch movies year-round, there is only a certain amount of time in which the weather is ideal enough to watch a movie outside. The Skyview Drive-In Theater, one of few drive-in theaters left in Ohio, should be a major point on your summer bucket list. Whether you go with family, friends or a significant other, Skyview is the perfect spot to watch summer blockbusters and beloved classics. Tickets are only $9 for adults, $5 for children ages 4-11 and children 3 and under can attend for free. Make sure to visit the concession stand for popcorn, candy, pizza, burgers and more!

Visit Skyview Drive-In Theater’s website to purchase tickets.

Hiking

When one thinks of hiking in Ohio, it is rare that the Hocking Hills does not immediately come to mind. However, Fairfield County offers multiple locations for hiking other than Mount Pleasant in Rising Park. Serene views and challenging terrain can be found at Geneva Hills, Wahkeena State Nature Preserve, Shallenberger State Nature Preserve and many other locations all situated within a few miles of Lancaster.

Rising Park
Rising Park

Take the time to unwind in nature and find the perfect hiking location on Visit Fairfield County’s website.

Learn more about Lancaster’s history

Maybe increasing your knowledge about where you live is a personal goal this summer? If so, there are plenty historical locations to visit in Lancaster. Just in downtown Lancaster sit the Georgian Museum, the Sherman House Museum and the Ohio Glass Museum, which are each open Tuesday-Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. If architectural history sounds interesting, then you are in the right place! Fairfield County is home to 17 covered bridges, each with its own story. Visit Fairfield County has a trail to follow to hit all the covered bridges; Tiburzio said it is one of her favorite activities.

“The bridges hold so much history (about) the people who were involved in building them and the families on the property; it's just amazing,” Tiburzio said. “It's a cool thing to do and it's free. We have more original covered bridges than any other place in the state.”

Fairfield County District Library Summer Reading Program

A break from school doesn’t have to mean a break from reading. The Fairfield County Library’s 2022 Summer Reading Program rewards children, teens and adults for tracking the books they read over the summer. Participants can track their reading by downloading the Reader Zone app or filling out a paper copy from the library. All participants will earn a prize bag upon completing the challenge and teens and adults will also be entered into a raffle for a $100 cash prize in which one teen and one adult will win. The program will run from June 1- Aug. 7.

Visit the Fairfield County District Library for more information and to check out a book to start the challenge!

Pools and Parks

Maybe summer is all about relaxation to you; in that case, grab your bathing suit and sunscreen and head down to Miller and Tiki Pool. Both pools are great for catching rays and cooling off when it gets too hot. If it gets too crowded and is no longer a remedy for stress, visit one of Fairfield County’s many parks. Rising and Alley Park are local favorites, but if something new and more low-key is what you have in mind, visit Keller-Kirn Park, which has a disc-golf course and bouldering paths — and is highly recommended by Lancaster Mayor David Scheffler.

“It's a very popular place and it's actually known to Ohio rock climbers,” Mayor Scheffler said. “They come there to rock climb and nobody knows.”

Reilly Brant, 9, dives into Tiki Pool toward his neighbor Travis Keirns while Evan Keirns, 7, wipes water from his eye in this file photo from Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018, in Lancaster. The area pools are a popular escape from the summer heat.
Reilly Brant, 9, dives into Tiki Pool toward his neighbor Travis Keirns while Evan Keirns, 7, wipes water from his eye in this file photo from Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018, in Lancaster. The area pools are a popular escape from the summer heat.

To view a complete list of Fairfield County’s parks and pools visit the Parks and Recreation Department’s website.

If you now feel overwhelmed by how many different things there are to do in Fairfield County this summer, drop by the Visit Fairfield County visitor center, located at 158 W. Wheeling St., to speak with an expert in all things Fairfield County.

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Ten things to do this summer in Fairfield County