Special Events

Enjoy the following special events sponsored by the Lorain County Metro Parks. For more information please call 1-800-LCM-PARK or view the latest Arrowhead online.

Learn more about
Summer Camps
for kids!

Big Birding Weekend
Dog Dayz
Kayaking Symposium
Winnie's Fun Day Garden Party
Music Under the Stars
Friends of the Metro Parks' Plant Sale
Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre
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BIG BIRDING WEEKEND

May 12th and 13th, 10am-4pm
Sandy Ridge Reservation

We’re celebrating the return of waterfowl, wading birds, shore birds, and song birds with our Big Birding Weekend. Activities at the Johnson Wetland Center include kids birding projects and games, Nature Nook Gift Shop, information from the Black River Audubon, and more.

From 6am to 2pm on Saturday, May 12, we will also have The Big Sit, which is where we wait for the birds to come to us and count how many we see. As in previous years, the Big Sit will be a fundraiser. This year funds will go to Citizen’s Committee for Lorain County Metro Parks. You can sponsor a volunteer in The Big Sit with either a lump sum donation or per bird (i.e. - $.50/species x 80 species= $40.00). All proceeds will go to the Citizens Committee and their support of the parks. Please stop by the mound and check out the progress. You can even join the count!

Schedule for Big Birding Weekend

6:00am-2:00 pm - Big Sit (May 12 only)

8:00am-10:00am - Birding Hike (Meet at Johnson Wetland Center)

10:00am-4:00pm - Johnson Wetland Center Open House

1:00pm-4:00pm - Tram Rides

If you are interested in volunteering, sponsoringthe Big Sit, or need more information about the Big Birding Weekend, call Senior Naturalist Tim Fairweather at (440)327-3626.

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DOG DAYZ

May 12th, 10:00am-4:00pm
Vermillion River Reservation

Bring your dog to the park for a fun day filled with activities. Also see dogs for adoption from many local animal shelters and check local vendors selling dog related goods. All programs and contests will take place in Shelter #1. Contests will be conducted by Sunny’s Tasty Treats. Contact Jannah at (440) 967-7310 with any questions.

Schedule

10:30 am - Dog Walk

11:00am - CONTEST - Tallest and Shortest Dog

11:30am - Sled Dog Presentation

Noon - CONTEST - Coolest Trick

1:00pm - CONTEST - Pet and Owner Look-a-like (physical attributes only, no costumes)

1:30pm - Sled Dog Presentation

2:00pm - CONTEST - Best Booty Wag

2:30pm - Police Dog Presentation - Scott Holmes, Vermillion PD

3:00pm - CONTEST - Pet and Owner Costumes (Best themed combination of a dressed up dog and owner)

3:30pm - Sled Dog Presentation

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KAYAKING SYMPOSIUM

May 20th, 10:00am-4:00pm
Lakeview Park

Join us for the 3rd Annual Kayaking Symposium at Lakeview Park. Various activities will take place throughout the day including on-water kayak demos and programs. Also find out more about local adventure opportunities by checking out information tables set up by organizations such as Visit Lorain County, Lorain Port Authority, Coastguard Auxiliary, and the Division of Watercraft.

Demo Schedule

10:00am-2:00pm - The Backpackers Shop will be hosting a “Kayaking Clinic”. Cost is $20. Preregister by calling the shop at (440) 934-5345.

10:00am-4:00pm - West River Kayak and Great Lakes Kayaking will be hosting free on-water kayaking demos. Open to ages 16 and up.

2:00pm-4:00pm - Kayaks from the “Kayaking Clinic” will be open to the public to demo, ages 16 and up.

Program Schedule

10:30am-11:15am - Division of Watercraft Safety Talk (behind Beach House)

11:30am-12:15pm - Flares Program (on beach)
Learn more about types of flares and bring expired flares to test on beach.

12:30pm-1:15pm - Packing a Kayak (behind Beach House)

1:30pm-2:15pm - Backcountry Cooking (behind Beach House)

2:30pm-3:15pm - Hull Design (behind Beach House)

3:15pm-4:00pm - 10 Tips in 30 minutes (on beach)

Bring your boat to the event for a safety inspection by the Division of Watercraft and Coastguard Auxiliary. Receive a boat decal for passing the inspection!

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WINNIE’S FUN DAY GARDEN PARTY

Saturday, June 16th, 1:00pm-4:00pm
Schoepfle Garden

Do you enjoy working with people?
Join us for a day of fun with crafts, games and activities that focus on the 100 acre woods residents including that honey loving bear. Make a kite for a blustery day, bounce your way around the garden, and make an owl costume and much more. Kids of all ages will enjoy a hike through our 40 acre woods, story-telling, a game of poohsticks, honey information and a live owl program! The carousel will be offering rides and there may be a red balloon or two as well. All the activities are free! Call (440) 965-7237 for more information.

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MUSIC UNDER THE STARS

Second Sunday of the month, 7:30pm
Lakeview Park

Join us the second Sunday of June, July, August and September for Music Under the Stars Concert Series at Lakeview Park. Concerts begin at 7:30pm (with the exception of the September 9th concert which begins at 7pm) and are free. Bring a blanket or lawn chair a picnic dinner and enjoy the music of local performers as the sun sets on the Shores of Lake Erie.

Schedule

June 10 - Agape Choir and Lion King In-Concert

July 8 - Sophistocated Swing

August 12 - Lorain County Jr. Idol Showcase

September 9 - TBA (7:00pm - 9:00pm)

MILL HOLLOW 2012 SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

Join us for the Annual Summer Concert Series at Vermilion River Reservation’s Amphitheatre. All concerts will be held from 6:30 - 8:00pm on Sundays. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy the music. Refreshments will be available for a small fee.

DATE	BAND	TYPE OF MUSIC
June 17	West Virginia Cut-Ups	Bluegrass
June 24th	Less than 88	60's and 70's
July 1st	Chardon Polka Band	Polka
July 8th	Womack Family Band	Folk/Americana
July 14th (Adventure Fest)	My Dude's Band	Blues/Rock/Reggae
July 15th	Kingbees	Blues/Jazz
July 22nd	Logan Wells & Jerry Colosimo	Variety music
July 29th	Brittany Reilly Band	Country/Bluegrass
August 5th	Bell Aires	Big Band
August 12th (Car Show)	Final Approach	50's and 60's
August 19th	Cletus Black Revue	Blues/Rock/Folk

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FRIENDS OF THE METRO PARKS’
PLANT SALE

May 19th, 9:00am-2:00pm
Schoepfle Garden

carousel Otto Schoepfle gave and traded plants with many other aspiring gardeners and we continue his tradition with the Friends of the Metro Parks Biannual Plant Sale on May 19th from 9am-2pm. Volunteers have dug and divided a number of plants from Schoepfle Garden that will be available for sale. Past sales have included a wide variety of plants including hosta, tulip bulbs, grasses, daylilies and a selection of perennials. Quantities will be limited, no early sales. Call (440) 965-7237 for more information.

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MURDER MYSTERY DINNER THEATRE

May 4, 5, 11, and 12
Carlisle Visitor Center

carousel Tickets are still available for Friends of the Metro Parks 7th annual Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre at Carlisle Visitor Center May 4, 5, 11 and 12. Seating is at 6:30pm with dinner served at 7pm. This year the Friends Workshop Players will perform an original play by local writers Lisa and Marian Carter of Grafton, Mystery in the Park. Three women compete for the coveted “2012 Woman of the Woods” award and audience votes in order to win the title and bragging rights but is everything as it seems? Play goers will see if they can solve the mystery by the end of the night. Tickets are $30 individual, $58 per couple, or $26 each for groups of 8 or more. For more information, or to order tickets, please call (216) 544-3865.

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Special Events