Richland County offers a number of activities for residents and visitors this weekend. As the summer will only be here for a couple months, enjoy it full throttle, with some of the best food, and food for thought. The summer fun starts with the Bellville and Mansfield Cruise-Ins.
This Friday, July 19, cruise on over to the Bellville Cruise-In, which will feature a variety of cars and motorcycles, live entertainment, food, and family fun.
Bellville Mayor Darrell Banks stated, “There’s going to be a lot of cars, a lot of traffic, and everybody has a great time.” The event begins at 3 p.m. and continues until 8 p.m. Find the Cruise In located in the heart of downtown Bellville, and go early in case it rains.
The Mansfield Cruise-In happens on Saturday July 20, at 1 p.m. presented by the Cosby Educational Heritage Center. Cars and motorcycles will be found at Fourth and Main. Enjoy great music, food, and have a great time.
While you may reach your quota of fair food at the Cruise Ins, try the Shelby Farmers’ Market on Saturday. It provides an opportunity to buy fresh local produce and see “Farm to Plate”. The market continues every Saturday this summer. Located at Central Park in Shelby, the market offers food items like garden-fresh vegetables, fruits, and even items like candles, jewelry, and other handmade goods. This year there are cooking demonstrations, too, called “Farm to Plate” organized through the Farm Bureau in Richland County.
Coordinator of the market, Dave Ernst stated, “I like local businesses to get involved and I want people to have the ability to show off their items.” That’s why there is no charge for vendor space.
And enjoy some food for thought too, this Saturday afternoon from 2-4 p.m. Check out “Borderlands: Poetry On the Edge” the literary series that features poets invited from all over the state. July’s reading features John Burroughs from Cleveland, and Kate Westfall from Mansfield. These readings are hand-picked poets by Main Street Books, which will be followed by a brief open mic. Burroughs is the author of a full length poetry collection entitled “The Eater of the Absurd.” Mansfield’s own Kate Westfall earned her B.A. in Creative Writing from Miami of Ohio, and will be reading from “The Landlord Collection”, poems sent with the rent. Borderlands: Poetry on the Edge takes place on the third Saturday of every month from 2-4 p.m. at Main Street Books in Mansfield.
Saturday evening, the 2013 “Evening of Melodies” concert series will kick off at 7:30 p.m. at the Bellville Bandstand. In case of rain, all concerts will be held in the Township Building (old fire station).
The American Federation of Musicians Local 159 will provide “Big Band” sounds to delight and entertain. Bring your blanket, lawn chair and maybe even a picnic supper and enjoy an evening under the stars.
All day Saturday and Sunday, visit Mid-Ohio’s motorsports track, and experience the summer at full throttle. Over the last hundred or so years, motorcycles have undergone a massive amount of evolution to become the lightweight, fast, awesome-looking vehicles they are today. The American Motorcyclist Association brings experts to lectures, history to the infield, speed to the track, and value to the huge swap meet.
Mid-Ohio is located at 7721 Steam Corners Road Lexington, OH 44904. For additional event information, visit amavintagemotorcycledays.com.
