MANSFIELD — In addition to the rides, barns and eating your favorite fair food, visitors are encouraged to check out what’s happening at the Nature Park during the Richland County Fair, Aug. 7 to 13.
Fairgoers can enjoy a natural resource or environmental program and listen to live music on the Nature Park stage. Visitors can relax on seating shaded by large trees and surrounded by beautiful native plant gardens while at the Nature Park.
Programs and entertainment at the Nature Park are free with paid admission to the fair. The exhibit area, located in the building, offers the chance to learn about watersheds, gardening, recycling, soil and water health, beekeeping, turtles and snakes.
Here is an updated schedule of Nature Park events:
Sunday, Aug. 7
7 p.m. Live music with All for One: Southern Gospel
Monday, Aug. 8
3 p.m. “Composting,” Eric Larson, Richland County Master Gardener
4 p.m. “Malabar Farm: Today and Tomorrow,” Thomas Bachelder and Mark Sommers, Malabar Farm
7 p.m. Live music with Montage: Eclectic mix of 70’s, 80’s & 90’s
Tuesday, Aug. 9
2 p.m. “Owls of Ohio” Ohio Bird Sanctuary
3 p.m. “The Water Beneath Our Feet-Simple Steps to Clean Water,” Kim Hildreth, Program Coordinator, City of Mansfield Engineering Department
4 p.m. “Rainfall Demonstration: The Effect of Rain on the Land” Richland Soil and Water Conservation District. This program will take place behind the stage in the exhibit area.
7 p.m. Live music with 99 to Main: Classic and southern rock with a touch of country
Wednesday, Aug. 10
3 p.m. “Snakes of Richland County,” Richland County Park District-Gorman Nature Center
4 p.m. “Fishing Basics,” Greg Wasilewski, ODNR-Div. of Wildlife, Richland County Wildlife Officer
7 p.m. Live music with Devault Ridge Band: New age country music
Thursday, August 11
2 p.m. “Basic Beekeeping,” Sonny Barker, Richland Area Beekeepers Association
3 p.m. “Name That Tree: Identify Common Ohio Trees,” Jake Peer, Knox Soil and Water Conservation District, District Technician
4 p.m. “Gardening with Native Plants”, Bill Flanegan, Richland County Master Gardener
7 p.m. Live music with EKG: Eclectic mix of folk and rock & roll
Friday, Aug. 12
3 p.m. “Turtles of Richland County,” Richland County Park District-Gorman Nature Center
4 p.m. “Gardening with Native Plants”, Bill Flanegan, Richland County Master Gardener
7 p.m. Live music with Mule Skinners
Saturday, Aug. 13
7 p.m. Live music with The Back Porch Swing Band: Western Swing, Old Jazz, Country & Pop favorites from the 20’s, 30’s, 40’s and 50’s.
