Events
Something for
EVERYONE
Middletown stays busy with a variety of events all yearlong BY DEBORAH RUTLEDGE
D
esigned to draw out the locals and attract out-of-towners, Middletown’s slate of events offers something for everyone, from kids and dogs to car enthusiasts. “We strive to get people excited about the unique character of our downtown,” says Jeff Payne, executive director of Downtown Middletown Inc. “Our real effort is to get people consistently downtown.” To that end, there are First Fridays, which are themed events often linked to the season, and scheduled for the first Fridays of the month. Downtown Middletown partners with businesses or institutions that take the lead on the month’s entertaining event. They feature a variety of activities, with events occurring indoors or outdoors depending on the season. On the third Saturdays from May through September, Downtown Middletown Inc. partners with the People’s Initiative Network to present Jazz on the Square at Governor’s Square. The event includes live entertainment featuring performers with regional popularity. Middletown also will host marquee events in July at Smith Park, “the heart of community gatherings in Middletown,” says Mary Huttlinger, executive director of the Middletown Visitors Bureau.
Hops in the Hangar
Those include fireworks commemorating Independence Day and the annual Ohio Challenge Balloon Festival, featuring tethered hot air balloon rides and a spectacular balloon glow at sunset. About 20 to 35 hot air balloons are included in the display, which is set off by the view of the Great Miami Riverway, Huttlinger says. These events not only serve as a community connector for residents, The Thunderfest Cruise-In roars into town in July. but also showcase the beaut y and histor y “unique to Middletown and the Midwestern region,” Huttlinger adds. plans to partner with the Holiday Hoopla comMiddletown events will hum through the mittee, which last year illuminated the town summer, beginning with a parade and African for a festive view with more than 300,000 American Cultural celebration commemorat- new holiday lights, Payne says. ing Juneteenth this June. Downtown MiddleAs a nonprofit, Downtown Middletown Inc. town Inc. will again partner with the People’s offers sponsorship package opportunities, Initiative Network for this event. and hosts a few of its own popular events to The popular Thunderfest Cruise-In will roar help support it and the work it does in Middleback to town in July. The event features classic town, Payne says. cars, hot rods, street rods, rat rods, pulling Those events include the Annual Women’s tractors, motorcycles and more. Unique prize Wine & Chocolate Walk in historic downtown categories and trophies will be awarded, and Middletown. The wine and chocolate tasting an hourly cackle fest gets every engine revving. event has a long reach, with up to 70% of its The quieter Port Middletown Arts Festi- ticket purchasers coming from outside Butler val and Dog Day Downtown Friday are also and Warren county zip codes, Payne says. The slated to return in September. Kids and fami- event takes place in May. lies are catered to during Middletown’s signaHops in the Hangar is another event hosted ture family event, Hocus Pocus, a Halloween- by Downtown Middletown Inc. Scheduled time festivity inspired by and based on the for August at the Middletown airport, the day Disney movie of the same name. will feature live entertainment, an air show For Small Business Saturday, which follows and sky diver event, plus beer tastings from Thanksgiving, Downtown Middletown Inc. more than 30 breweries. n M I D D L E T O W N • 2 0 2 2–2 0 2 3
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