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Insider tips for visiting Ohio's herb capital.
As days become shorter and summer starts to dwindle down, the community comes together to celebrate what makes Gahanna a fantastic place to live, eat and play! Check out the wide variety of upcoming events that will be held right here in Gahanna.
Vettes, Rods & Classics Date/Time: 12-8 pm, Saturday, August 4 Where: Creekside Plaza, 117 Mill St., Gahanna, OH 43230 Description: The Capital City Corvette Club presents this popular annual car show--featuring classics, muscle cars, hot rods and more. Live music, food trucks, Silent Auction, Door Prizes and more.
National Night Out Date/Time: 6-8 pm, Tuesday, August 7 Where: Creekside Plaza, 117 Mill St., Gahanna, OH 43230 Description: Join the Gahanna Division of Police for a family night at Creekside Plaza for FREE activities and live music by Rendition, featuring Officer Carl Schmueckle.
Paws in the Plaza Date/Time: 4:30-7 pm, Thursday, August 2 and September 6 Where: Creekside Plaza, 117 Mill St., Gahanna, OH 43230 Description: Now celebrating its 10th year of pet networking fun, Paws in the Plaza offers together-time for you and your fur baby to meet up with like-minded, pet-loving friends and their dogs at Creekside Gahanna. Enjoy different vendors, giveaways, walking paths, local snacks, and of course, the wonderful company of other pet paw-rents. Up for an adventure and a FREE GIFT? Don’t forget to pick up a Waggin’ Trail form at the Paws in the Plaza booth. To play, just visit different vendors, post a picture on social media, and return the form to the Paws in the Plaza booth to receive your free gift! This year’s gift is a travel mug.
Check out the talented line-up:
August 7 - Dave Powers
August 14 - JT HIllier
August 21 - Blue Level Duo
August 28 - Bill Foley
101 Beer Kitchen - Hoppin’ Frog Beer Dinner Date/Time: 6:30-8:30 pm, Tuesday, August 7 Where: 101 Beer Kitchen Gahanna Description: Join in while Chef Chris creates a special 5 course and 6 beer pairing with Hoppin' Frog Brewing from Akron, OH! Rated as one of the top 100 breweries in the world; Hoppin’ Frog Brewery is a small, hands-on brewery, making very flavorful beers in the most flavorful styles. They brew the highest quality beer with an uncompromising focus on detail, from the ingredient selection to the brewing process. Price is $70 with tax & gratuity included. Book your reservation early! These events sell out quickly!
Creekside Live Concert Series Date/Time: 6 pm, Fridays, August 10 & August 24 Where: 117 Mill St., Creekside Plaza Description: Creekside comes alive the 2nd & 4th Fridays! Join in for a summer concert series featuring summer entertainment at Creekside Plaza, headlined by popular bands from Central Ohio. The event brings the community together celebrating in the heart of Gahanna. Come early and one of the many local restaurants. Onsite beverage sales available supported by the Gahanna parks & Recreation Foundation.
August 10: Hadden Sayers/ The The Fabulous Johnson Brothers August 24: The Andy Shaw Band/ Soul Kitch’n
Pool Boating Day Date/Time: 4-8 pm, Sunday, August 12 Where: Gahanna Swimming Pool Description: Gahanna Swimming Pool will play host to kayakers and canoers as they practice their skills such as strokes, rolls and rescue moves. The open sessions are for practice, not lessons, but experienced paddlers will be available to help. No advance registration is required. Participants can bring their own boats and equipment or borrow one from Gahanna Parks & Recreation. Proper swim attire is required. A helmet is required for those practicing rolls. Youth must be supervised by an adult.
Cost: Members Free / Non-members $5 per boat
Muddy Miler Date/Time: 1-3 pm, Sunday, August 19 Where: Gahanna Swimming Pool Description: Supported by the Gahanna Parks & Recreation Foundation. The Muddy Miler is a themed adventure run offering the entire family obstacles, mud and more! WARNING: You will get muddy from head to toe if you want to conquer the Muddy Miler! Explore the outdoors on the nature trail that winds through the Southwest Flood Plain (near the Gahanna Swimming Pool). The event is free for the entire family and for all ages. The first 200 participants will receive a Muddy Miler SWAG item. Please arrive between 12:30-3:30 pm.
Pedal and Smile Bicycle Ride Series/Gahanna History Bike Tour Date/Time: 1-3 pm, Sunday, August 26 Where: 1329 Cherry Way Dr, Gahanna, OH 43230 Description: The ride begins at Premier Periodontics and is a relaxed pace ride that will take approximately 2 hours. Please bring a helmet and water bottle. If you are under the age of 18, you must be accompanied by an adult. Please sign up two days before each ride. For additional information, please contact Tricia Kovacs, 614-476-9093 or pkovacs@att.net.
101 Beer Kitchen - Jackie O’s Farm to Table Beer Dinner Date/Time: 6:30-8:30 pm, August 28 Where: 101 Beer Kitchen Gahanna Description: Join in for the 2nd Annual Farm to Table beer dinner with Jackie O's Brewery. Brewing in Athens, OH since 2005, operations have expanded over the years & in addition to the brewpub & brewery Jackie O's also have a bakery & farm. Chef Julian will be creating 5 special courses using the bakery and fresh produce straight from the Jackie O's Farm. Price is $65 and includes all courses, plus tax & gratuity.
Taste of Gahanna Date/Time: 5:30-8:30 pm, Thursday, August 30 Where: Creekside Park & Plaza Description: The Gahanna Area Chamber of Commerce will be holding its annual “Taste of Gahanna” event this year on August 30. Join in for a fun evening filled with great entertainment, delicious food and mingling.
Creekside Hops & Vines Date/Time: 6-11 pm, Saturday, September 22 Where: Creekside Plaza, 117 Mill St, Gahanna, OH 43230 Description: Join the Gahanna Parks and Recreation Foundation for the 5th Annual Creekside Hops & Vines Fest. Enjoy Gahanna’s Creekside Park while sampling popular craft beers, wine, and liquor from Central Ohio breweries, wineries and distilleries. The event will feature live entertainment from JJ Snare and DJ Brad Hudson, free gourmet tacos provided by Local Cantina, BBQ from Barrel and Boar, and more amazing food from local vendors.
Big Walnut Creek Family Canoe & Kayak Float Date/Time: 9 am-3 pm, Saturday, September 29 Where: Friendship Park; 150 Oklahoma Ave. Gahanna, OH 43230 Description: Relax and enjoy the beauty of the Big Walnut Creek waterway. The day will start at the boat put-in at the corner of Morse and Stygler Roads with ODNR/American Canoe Association certified instructors providing a Padding SmartStart introduction to canoeing and kayaking. After the paddling instruction, the float will begin at the creek under the Morse Road bridge and conclude at Friendship Park. Participants 17 and under must be accompanied with an adult. A light lunch at Woodside Green Park will be included along with canoes, kayaks, life vests, paddles and guides to help along the float. Participants should be at Friendship Park, and transportation will be provided to the boat launch site. For ages 8+.
Gahanna Resident rate: $15 per person Non-resident rate: $20 per person.
Gahanna Flea Market Date/Time: 9 am-4 pm, Sunday, September 30 Where: Creekside Plaza, 117 Mill Street, Gahanna, OH 43230 Description: Located in the beautiful Creekside District, the Gahanna Flea Market will feature vendors with a variety of vintage antiques, primitives, home decor, handmade jewelry, crafts, toys, comics, sports cards, coins and other collectibles. Proceeds will benefit the Historical Society's three historical buildings: The Log House, The Clark House and the Lily Stone Bed & Breakfast. Nearly 160 vendors strong, this 52nd annual event offers a wide variety of food for purchase.
… … … Be sure to share your pictures using the hashtag #UniquelyGahanna on social media for a chance to be featured on Visit Gahanna’s social media channels and website!
One of the best things about summer is being able to enjoy a good meal and a drink on the patio of a fantastic neighborhood restaurant. Add to that some live music, a breathtaking picturesque location--and it just doesn’t get any better. One of Gahanna, Ohio’s most unique and popular dining experiences just became even better. The Barn at Rocky Fork Creek now offers Live Music Tuesdays, starting at 6:30 pm every Tuesday through August 28, 2018.
July 24 - Donna Mogavero Donna is a singer/songwriter/guitar player who has been performing music in Columbus for more than three decades. Donna’s play list is a collection of songs from her three original CDs as well as songs from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s to today’s artists.
July 31 & August 28 - Bill Foley Bill is a singer and guitarist, who performs the best music of the 50s, 60s and 70s, including early rock and roll favorites, "One Hit Wonders," folk and all of the best from those eras. Bill is a full-time musician, who tours nationally.
August 7 - Dave Powers For over 35 years, two-time EMMY® Award winning composer and performer Dave Powers has been a vital part of the Columbus, Ohio music scene as a pianist, keyboardist, vocalist, entertainer and educator. For the past six years, Dave has been hosting a jazz concert series at the Clintonville Woman’s Club called “The House Jazz Concert Series.”
August 14 - JT HIllier Based out of Central Ohio, JT Hillier began his career as a working musician at age 16. Since then he has nurtured his sound blending pop, alt-country, folk and soul. Lyrical verses, a soulful vocal presence and unique guitar playing styles are all crucial ingredients to JT’s music. JT is inspired by the works of contemporary recording artists & singer-songwriters like John Mayer, Michael Jackson, Ryan Adams, Ed Sheeran and Amos Lee, among others
August 21 - Blue Level Duo During the past decade, Trace Marie and Blue Level have established themselves as one of central Ohio's premier indie-pop bands. Presenting stylish originals as well as fresh interpretations of the classics, the live music of Blue Level is as versatile as the audiences they captivate. Performing as a duo/trio, the band builds an intimacy with the audience in smaller settings.
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For more details about live music venues and other events in Gahanna, go to VisitGahanna.com
Be sure to share your pictures using the hashtag #UniquelyGahanna on social media for a chance to be featured on Visit Gahanna’s social media channels and website!
The Mug & Brush Barber Shop Gahanna, together with Blank Slate Coffee, are bringing you another awesome summer night of live music, artists, food trucks and much more in the heart of Gahanna, Ohio! We had the opportunity to chat with Amanda from The Mug & Brush Barber Shop to learn more about this fun community event and why she cares so deeply for her community.
When is the Block Party and where is it located? The Block Party is this Saturday, July 14 from 6-9 pm. It is located in Olde Gahanna between the businesses that are co-hosting: The Mug & Brush Barber Shop (153 North High St.) and Blank Slate Coffee, (Mill St. & Carpenter Rd.) It’s a combined event that is just spread out between and behind the two businesses.
Is the event family-friendly? It is absolutely family-friendly! The goal is to bring the entire community together, and we mean all types of people--young and old. There will be craft-makers and artists geared towards children too. Two or three of the booths are run by kids, so this event is definitely NOT age restricted. There will even be middle school-aged kids and younger selling their handmade greeting cards, and a young man that makes and sells his own beef jerky!
We will also have an interactive art area in conjunction with the group Gahanna Rocks, which encourages the family-friendly activity of painting rocks and hiding them for others to find. We also will have the Fairy Godmother of the Gahanna Rock Garden that will teach children about rocks in the neighborhood.
What will be featured at the Block Party? We have a lot going on! Since this is a a small party that is dedicated to bringing the community together in the name of art, we will have music on several stages--switching out artists every half hour. The main stage will be at The Mug & Brush Barber Shop and the artists will play a longer set there.
There will be plenty of food, including offerings from Barrel & Boar and Sophie’s Gourmet Pierogi. We’ll have the Sweet Tooth Ice Cream Truck and other booths selling smaller bakery items, which are edible works of art!
In addition to the music and food, we’ll have more than 30 local-to-Columbus artists and makers. We wanted this event to be all about creativity in the attainable sense (since some art festivals can get pricey). We’re featuring different kinds of art, from wine glasses and body care, to wood carvings and painting on clothing - all of which won’t break the bank. You can feel good about the items and feel good supporting the vendors.
How did the Block Party come about? Our first Block Party was in June and it was just so much fun! There were kids playing together, running and laughing, while their parents were talking to each other. Everyone had a good time and got to know each other and learn more about their local businesses. I’m so proud of the Gahanna community for coming together, supporting these events and having a good time.We want the community to know that Gahanna businesses want to give back to the community that has treated them so well.
Is there admission? There is no admission to get into the Block Party.
Is there anything else you'd like for us to know about the Block Party? This Block Party is planned and put on by local businesses that really just want to serve our community. It’s truly about having a good time and giving back. This is a super relaxed community event that is planned with passion -- from the bottom of our hearts. :)
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Don’t forget to post pictures using the hashtag #UniquelyGahanna on social media for a chance to be featured on Visit Gahanna’s social media channels and website!
Looking for some ideas to embrace summer fun with your kids? Visit Gahanna has several suggestions for creating memories (inexpensively). We’re breaking down 8 fun things to do in Gahanna to spend a day with your kiddo that is guaranteed to deliver lots of smiles and great memories.
Herbal Adventure Family Fun Pass Grab your tribe and head out on an adventure to discover the “Herb Capital of Ohio!” The Herbal Adventure Family Fun Pass works like a Scavenger Hunt. Just pick up your Fun Pass at the Visit Gahanna Visitor Center (167 Mill St.) or any of the 11 partner businesses. Show your Fun Pass to receive exclusive offers AND to collect stickers for ANY purchase made at each partner business. Once you've collected 5 stickers, redeem your pass for a choice of gifts at the Visitor Center.
Lazer Kraze Lazer Kraze Gahanna offers a clean, family-friendly environment with awesome laser tag, Indoor Trampoline Park, and huge arcade. Lazer Kraze also features Cyber Sport, which is a competitive two-team game that combines lacrosse and basketball on custom-designed Cyber Cars. Two teams pass around a ball using one-handed scoops. Goals are scored by shooting the ball through the opposing team's goal. Sound fun enough for a birthday party too? Several party options are available to customize a party just for you!
Glow Putt Glow Putt offers a blacklight mini golf adventure! Experience the excitement of playing inside a prehistoric and safari themed indoor mini golf course, and navigate through 18 exciting holes. (Note: pick up the Herbal Adventure Family Fun Pass for a discount!)
The Story Trail This year’s Story Trail at Friendship Park, 150 Oklahoma Ave., continues the buzz about Gahanna’s status as a pollinator city with the story “The Littlest Bee.” The Story Trail offers a self-guided walking-reading adventure that is appropriate for readers of all ages. Storyboards are set low to the ground for children to explore each piece of framed art and the Ready-to-Read prompts are provided by the Gahanna library.
Gahanna Bead Studio What kid doesn't like to use their imagination and create their own jewelry or work of art? Gahanna Bead Studio offers several classes and events that will allow you child’s creativity to come to life. With several instructors and different class options, you’ll surely find a class that best fits your creative taste. The studio also offers private party rental at their new multi-purpose room at 1026 N. Hamilton Rd.
The Ohio Herb Education Center The Herb Center offers classes, workshops and products featuring the use of herbs for culinary, decorative, garden, and more. Whether you are looking for new culinary ideas, gardening advice, wellness information or ideas on how to use your herbs, The Herb Center offers programs that will inspire you to try something new.
Young Chefs Academy If you have a wanna-be Master Chef at your house, nurture their love for creative cooking with a class or workshop at Young Chef’s Academy Gahanna! From kindercooks to campers--there is a fun themed class for everyone!
SmallCakes Cupcakery - Gahanna Gahanna’s newest sweet spot is SmallCakes … where you can have your cake and eat it too (with ice cream, if you like)! The colorful selection of delicious gourmet cupcakes baked fresh daily is made even sweeter with small batch ice cream made in the store. Your tribe will have nothing but smiles on their faces after a stop here!
To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival (CBJF) in Gahanna, Ohio (June 15-17), we’re sharing some of our favorite stories through a #MyCBJFStory series.
The Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival has become a tradition for many, even our volunteers! We’re lucky enough to have some of the most dedicated volunteers in this community. Our vendor coordinator, Joe Callison, has dedicated many hours of his time to help make this festival one of the best in Ohio, and we took a walk down memory lane to learn about how he became involved with CBJF.
How did you become involved with the CBJF (and what was your first year)? 2004 was the first year that I volunteered at the festival, with the Gahanna Jaycees. I actually lived in Beavercreek (near Dayton) at the time and was a member of the Jaycees there. I was also a state officer with the Ohio Jaycees and I came up to help out the local chapter. Back then, the Gahanna Jaycees provided manpower for the VIP/Sponsor event in the parking lot of the old post office on Mill St.
What made you want to become involved with CBJF? In 2005, I had moved to Gahanna and joined the Jaycees here. Once again, we provide manpower for the VIP/Sponsors event. I became the President of the Gahanna Jaycees in January of 2006 and had a meeting with Mayor Stinchcomb. She put me in contact with her representative on the committee and he told me when the next meeting was being held. The committee meetings are during the day and I work nights, so I was available, and here we are 12+ years later.
How did you become the Vendor Coordinator? The first couple of years, I was just sort of a general committee member and helped out wherever it was needed. When we started having the service organizations manning the beverage booths, I became the coordinator for that. But I still helped with other areas of the festival, as well. I helped the Admissions Coordinator, and during set-up, I helped the Vendor Coordinator. So, I got to know many of the vendors and how that all worked. I was reluctant at first about taking on that much responsibility. But, I came to realize just how integral the vendors are to the overall festival experience and how important that is to the Gahanna community.
On average, how many hours per year would you say you volunteer as part of the festival? I tried to figure that out at one time. I should probably try to track it more closely. Nonetheless, if I had to guess, I’d say it’s easily 120 hours or more per year with all the meetings, planning sessions, and prep work. Of course, during the weekend of the festival, I probably put in at least 40 hours. As do many of the committee members and volunteers.
Rumor is that you met your wife, through volunteering at the Festival? That is actually not true. In fact, it’s the other way around. Kristi and I met through the Jaycees, long before I became involved with the festival and she is the reason I moved to Gahanna. I ended up getting her more involved with the festival committee, by convincing her to be the Volunteer Coordinator. She did that for the CBJF and Holiday Lights until about 5 years ago, after our daughter was born.
What’s your favorite thing about the Festival? It’s family. Not just my actual family, who come out and volunteer every year, but my fellow committee members and the volunteers who come back year after year. And, of course, the vendors who I’ve gotten to know so well. We all genuinely care about each other and we all care about the success of the event. Honestly, that’s what keeps me coming back each year. Plus, I love the music, food and the people.
What makes CBJF different than other Central Ohio music festivals? The biggest difference is the diversity of our programming. We have 6 stages with all different types of entertainment. Obviously we have blues and jazz music, but there is also some swing music; some bluegrass; some country; a little ska; maybe some rock; and some R & B. All of the other music festivals seem to focus on a single genre and do a lot less with bigger budgets. Another thing that I think sets us apart is our location in Olde Gahanna. I think there’s a hometown feel that you just don’t find at too many other festivals.
One of my favorite CBJF memories: One of the first years that the Gahanna Jaycees worked a beer booth. There was a serious shortage of $1 bills and we had to make change out of the tip jars. So, the Jaycees decided to have some fun with it. Every time a customer would pay with exact change or gave us a tip, we would give them a cheer. We were making a lot of noise and having a ton of fun. We actually had people who would walk from the other end of the festival, past other beer booths, just to buy beer from the Jaycees.
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Got a #CBJF story? Email it to info@creeksidebluesandjazz.com and you just might snag some complimentary event wristbands. Take advantage of early bird ticket discounts and buy your tickets online here!
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