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Montgomery County Fair

Seven Days of Fun at The Montgomery County Fair!

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The 171st Montgomery County Fair kicks off this Sunday, July 9th and will run through Saturday, July 15th.
It will be a week filled with the demolition derby, 4H, junior fair, livestock, petting zoo, dog show, circus, flower show, games, rides, awesome fair eats & treats, harness racing, rodeo, free entertainment with paid admission, plus much more!
Join us July 9-15 for the 171st Montgomery County Fair!  We will feature all the fair favorites: demolition derby, 4H, junior fair, livestock, petting zoo, dog show, circus, flower show, games, rides, awesome fair eats & treats, harness racing, rodeo, free entertainment with paid admission, plus much more!
Entertainment Highlights include:
Band of Flight Air Force Band: Mon 7-10pm
Truck/Tractor Pulls: Sun 6pm, Wed 7pm
Diesel Drag Racing: Tue 7pm
Tug-A-Trucks: Thur 5:30pm
Demolition Derby: Mon 7pm & Fri 7pm
Rodeo: Sat 7pm
Cincinnati Circus: nightly at 9pm
Draft Horses often referred to as Gentle Giants, will be on display this year at the fair and due to the generosity of Hagemeyer Homestead, the fair is offering free Draft Horse Rides at the Montgomery County Fair.
Come check out these gentle giants on
Sunday, July 9, from 1-4
Saturday, July 15, from 3-6.
And for the kids, the best part of the fair is often the carnival rides:
 

 

 

 

 

 

And of course, all your favorite fair food will be there, Soul food, tacos, ice cream,  fried pork tenderloins, deep fried desserts, you’ll find it all at the fair.

Montgomery County Fairgrounds
645 Infirmary Rd,
Dayton, OH 45417
 
Fair Hours: 
Sun noon to 10pm,
Mon – Thurs 10am – 10pm,
Fri & Sat 10am – 11pm
 

 

To help reduce lines we are asking you to purchase your tickets online.  $10 Admission Includes Grandstand Events, Free Parking. Kids 6 and Under are free with a paid adult. You also have the option to purchase your tickets at the gate by scanning the QR provided. Weeklong passes are available for $40

Ready For Some Fun at the Montgomery County Fair?

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Mackenzie Hoog was named Fair Queen in 2020 but due to the cancelation of the fair due to Covid-19 her reign has been extended so she’ll reign over the 2021 Fair that kicks off this Sunday and runs through July 17th.

The 169th edition offers a vast array of over 21 delicious fair food vendors offering up just about everything to tantalize the taste buds. Plus, this year ‘scooters’ are available for rent so you can zip around the fairgrounds. Safely of course.

Opening ceremonies are at noon on Sunday hosted by  Kristi Leigh of the Mix 107.7 Morning Show, followed by the judging of the pie baking contest. 

With rides provided by Big O’ Amusements, games, entertainment, demo-derby, Tug-A-Truck, tractor pulls, dog show, petting zoo, rodeo and of course the 4H programs and FFA (Future Farmers of America) plus, much more.  A new addition to the fun this year- pig races!

Admission $10 per person – includes track events & parking. Kids 6 and under free with paying adult.  You can buy your tickets in advance online, or at the gate.

$20 All Day Ride wristbands available. Rides open Sun 12-4pm, 5-10pm and; Mon – Sat from 1-5pm, 6-10pm.

Highlight include:

• Mon July 12th 7pm – Demolition Derby
• Tue July 13th 7pm – KOI Drag Racing
• Wed July 14th 8:30pm – Truck/Tractor Pull
• Wed July 14th 3:00pm – Goat Showmanship
• Thur July 15th 6:30pm – Tug A Truck
• Fri July 16th 12-5pm – Drill Team Competition
• Fri July 16th 7pm – Demolition Derby
• Fri July 16th 7-10pm – Flashback The Band
• Sat July 17th 7:30pm – Rodeo

And of course their’s the Fair Food!

A stop at Bite Me Corndogs for a bacon cheddar corndog, with some Potato Tornado Fries,  to be washed down with a frozen lemonade,  followed up with a little dessert from Rollie Polar’s Thia style rolled ice cream and some snacking on funnel cakes, elephant ears and deep fried oreos and of course you can’t leave the fair without some cotton candy!

 

 

Montgomery County Fair Kicks Off Week of Fun

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On Monday the 167th MONTGOMERY COUNTY FAIR opens its doors for a week of fun with food, entertainment, excitement and more at 645 Infirmary Road. U.S. Route 35W Connector (C.J. McLin Jr. Parkway) to Infirmary Road.

The 7-day run begins with opening ceremonies Monday, July 8, 10:30am including unveiling of our ‘Friends of the Fair’ donor wall. Monday is also Veteran’s/Senior Citizen’s Day (1/2 price admission all day!) and the popular ‘Pie Baking Contest’ at 11:30am with celebrity judges: WDAO’s Broadcast Hall of Famer Jim Johnson, FOX 45’s Elyse Coulter, and Montgomery County Agricultural Society Board President John Yancik.

Fair highlights include rides, games, food, rodeo, demo-derby, motocross, drag racing, truck/tractor pull, tug-a-truck, circus, fishing tank, musical entertainment and back by popular demand helicopter rides!  Check out the schedule here:

 

The Fairgrounds have been busy adding amenities to the grounds this year, including paved walking paths, handicap friendly automatic doors, picnic tables, benches and  two new barns have just been constructed. 

Admission is $10 per person which includes grandstand events and plenty of free parking. Youngsters 6 and under free with paying adult.

DMM Ticket Give Away:

We’ve got a couple of Family Fun Packs to give away which include”

      4 $20 ride vouchers
4 $10 food vouchers
4 cotton candy vouchers
4 $10 complimentary One Day Passes

Total Family Fun Pack Value is $176

For your chance to win, like and share this story and leave a comment below on why we should pick you to win.

The Fairgrounds & Event Center of Montgomery County  is located on a portion of Arthur O. Fisher Park. Named after the beloved judge and community leader.

The RTA will offer free rides from the Westown Hub to the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 645 Infirmary Road, Dayton, with Connect On-Demand when customers use the Lyft app to book their trip using the code “RTAZONE3GO.” Customers who do not have a smartphone to book their own trip through the Lyft app can call the RTA Call Center and speak to a customer service representative to book their trips.

Customers using RTA fixed-route services can connect to the RTA Zone 3, which includes the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, at the RTA Westown Hub, 122 Elmhurst Road, Dayton.

To schedule the trip in the Lyft app, input the code “RTAZONE3GO” under the “promos” tab of the app. Then set the Westown Hub as your pickup location, and the Montgomery County Fair as your drop-off location, or vice-versa for a trip from the fair back home.

For RTA Connect On-Demand rides to be free, the pickup and drop-off locations of the trip must be within the same Connect On-Demand zone. Free trips cannot be taken between zones. All zones and corresponding free codes can be found here: http://www.i-riderta.org/RTA-connect/on-demand.

Any customers with questions can call the RTA Call Center at 937-425-8300 from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday or 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays.

Fair-well to S. Main Street – Free Ticket Offer

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Montgomery County Fair opens this week

Next week will be the end of an era in Dayton.  The 165th Annual Montgomery County Fair will be historic, because it marks the last time the event will take place on 1043 South Main Street.  

2017 is the last time the fair will be held here

For multiple generations, the Montgomery County Fairgrounds has hosted this event. That all ends next Saturday July 15th.   So one last time, smell the funnel cakes and listen to the kids on the ferris wheel at the corner of main street.   But cheer up, this is one heck of a place for a Food Adventure.  So… Corn Dog lovers unite, this is your type of festival.  Farmers, carnival rides and special events will fill an action packed week.

 

Here are some old facts for you foodie history buffs….

FIRST FAIR HOSTED IN 1874
After Dayton failed to win a bid for the Ohio State Fair, the City decided to put on their own fair.  Dubbed the “Southern Ohio Fair,” the event started September 29th, 1874 at the place we all know as the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. The fairgrounds’ saw over 100,000 vistors that week.

Now for this year’s event ….

FAMOUS VISITORS to the MONTGOMERY COUNTY FAIR:
President Lyndon B Johnson in 1966, with First Lady – Ladybird Johnson

HERE’S THE SKINNY on THE 2017 MONTGOMERY COUNTY FAIR:

Lots of good food


— WHEN: Monday July 10th thru  Saturday July 15 (8am- 10pm, except Monday ends 8pm)

— WHERE: 1043 South Main Street, Dayton, Ohio 45409  (It is on South Main between Stewart and Apple Streets).

— COST: $8 per person, ages 6 and under are free, but the really BIG NEWS is FREE ADMISSION from 11am – 1pm Monday – Friday so you can eat lunch every day at the fair!    Also DMM has a $2 off coupon good on Thursday – just print and present at gate!

FREE TICKET OFFER:  Like and share this story and leave a comment below about your favorite fair food and we’ve got a few pairs of FREE ADMISSION tickets we’ll randomly give to those that comment below.

— WHAT: There will be swine, and horse races.  There are pie and cake auctions.  The fair even has  live bands, sheep judging and goat judging!  Rabbits, poultry, kiddie tractor pulls, a demolition derby, garden club and the list goes on and on.

 

Craft Booths

— FULL SCHEDULE:  For a list of EVERYTHING going on and to find what tickles your fancy, click on the link below.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENT
S

So what is happening in 2017’s fair?  You know the usual, livestock contests, pie contests, and 4-H activities. But we like to point out some of the favorites we are anticipating.  Horse races and Demolition Derby to name a couple!

HERE IS THE SKINNY on THE BIG EVENTS:

MONDAY – JULY 10th 
—7:00pm  501 Diesel Dirt Drags – at the Grandstands

TUESDAY – JULY 11TH

165th year

Good Food

—7:00pm TUG-A-TRUCK, at the Grandstands

WEDNESDAY, JULY 12TH
—7:00pm Truck/Tractor Pull, at the Grandstands

THURSDAY – JULY 13TH
—6:00pm Harness Racing, at the Grandstands
—7:00pm Live Music/Band “Shelby County Line,” in the Entertainment Tent

FRIDAY – JULY 14TH
—7:00pm Live Music/Band “Rolling Stone Rodeo, at the Grandstands”
—7:00pm Live Music/Band “Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers,” in the Entertainment Tent

SATURDAY – JULY 15TH
7:00pm: Demolition Derby at the Grandstands

 

This is a food blog. we would be remiss if we didnt give you our often imitated, but never duplicated “Must Eats.”

MUST EATS at the MONTGOMERY COUNTY FAIR:


— THE ASIAN CHICKEN WINGS at DAVE’S CONCESSIONS:
You can’t miss the huge “Broasted Chicken and Broasted Potatoes” sign that drapes this

Asian Wings

amazing booth.  Also, a huge grill teases the crowd with incredible aromas of chicken cooking.  But the thing to get here is the Chicken Wings.  Deep fried, served whole and drenched in any sauce you can’t go wrong.  Our suggestion is get the Asian Sauce.

 

The Donut Grilled cheese

— THE DONUT GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH at THE GOURMET GRILLED CHEESE BOOTH:
A glazed donut with cheese, pan grilled and with pickles and tomatoes.  It is sweet and a tad salty, but surprisingly good!  This kind of stuff is what Food Adventures is all about.  No rules, no whiners.


— THE BLACKBERRY COBBLER from JEAN’S HOME COOKING: 
Served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, this literally made our day.  It was like being

Cobbler

transported to your grandma’s house and the cobbler had just come out of the oven.  Get lost in this dish, and take in the taste.  The warm cobbler and the sun, melt the ice cream slowly for a creamy experience.  We promise you will be impressed.

 

— THE HUGE SWEET TEA’S:  
It is gonna be warm and humid, and nothing zaps that like an ice cold sweet tea.  They have a 99 cent size and a huge ass mega size.  Get the biggest one they have … you will kneel with thanks for this

99 cent Huge Sweet Teas

day saving item.

 

Don’t miss your chance to attend the event and say farewell to the memories in your own way.  Go ahead, party like its 1899.

In 2018 the  fair will move to Arthur O. Fisher Park in Jefferson Twp.   Go area and out it on your calendar for July 9-14, 2018.

Are you a Dayton Foodie? Then follow the food related antics of The Food Adventure Crew:  Chef House, Big Ragu and Hungry Jax as they open and explore every nook and cranny of Dayton related eats.   Love Food Pictures?  Then our Facebook site is your Graceland! – CLICK HERE TO “LIKE OUR PAGE

Dont Miss this chicken stand

 

 

 

Montgomery County Fair A ‘GO’ After Recent Wind Damage

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The 166th Annual Montgomery County Fair will start 7/10/17.

The Montgomery County Agricultural Society Board of Directors announce the July 10-15, 2017 Montgomery County Fair is ‘all systems go’ after some minor wind damage during last week’s storms.

 

“Our grandstands suffered a little damage which will be repaired in plenty of time before our #FAIRwellOnMain in July. Also, some older unused horse stables along shed row were damaged.” Says Montgomery County Agricultural Society President John Yancik.  “Wind gusts knocked down some siding and blew off a garage door at the grandstands with zero structural damage.” The popular Demo Derby, Rodeo and other events take place on the track in front of the grandstands during fair time.

“We encourage everyone to enjoy the fair, relive memories where many of us spent our childhood, July 10-15, for the final time on S. Main Street. Come celebrate as we look to the future with our new fairgrounds and event center at Arthur O. Fisher Park in Jefferson Township.” Yancik shares.

 

Again, the 2017 Montgomery County Fair is Monday, July 10, through Saturday, July 15, 2017 on South Main Street across from Miami Valley Hospital.

The ‘Fair’est of them All!

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moco_snakerideScreeching dragons spin out of control while the sounds of children screaming for help bellow; parents chew hot dogs, laughing through it all….yep, the Montgomery County Fair still has some life in her.

For many of us, fairs are the remnants of an era gone by, but not for hundreds of Dayton area residents. The fair is the best time of the year.

‘I have been attending my whole life,’ says Cindy. ‘I’m 63 now, and I can still remember climbing these trees and watching the crowds of people walk through the midway. It was a great fair then, and I think it’s great now.’ One of many returnees, Cindy has fears about what moving the fairgrounds might mean. ‘I would chain myself to a tree if it would keep the fair here. I can still see my grandma and mother walking me to games, animals and great food. Those memories are ones I want to share with my grandkids.’ And they are here, two adorable little girls pointing at the horses on the racetrack. ‘I want to ride a horse today,’ says the littlest. ‘Why? We can ride that instead,’ says her older sister, pointing to a contraption only a child could appreciate. ‘This is the heart of it,’ Cindy adds. ‘They are excited. They want to explore, like I did 60 some years ago! I grew up in Vandalia, but coming downtown for the fair….wow that was big time!’

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Cindy is not alone in her love for fair. Corinna, now in her early 70’s said, ‘My favorite memory was my late husband winning me a kewpie doll that was bigger than me. He was so proud, we showed everyone. That was in the day when you could pay 2 cents to play a fair game. He landed a wooden ring on a bottle. Everyone clapped and yelled. Imagine how I felt, I got to carry the prize around…my husband I mean!’ For Corinna, she understands change is necessary. ‘Oh, it’s all changed. This is not the fair I grew up going to, but that’s ok. They still have the animals and ice cream. I love ice cream.’ She says her daughter keeps her coming back. ‘I live in a retirement home, but my daughter, Corrinne comes and gets me every Labor Day weekend. I look forward to hearing the choirs, bands and instruments. Still good.’

For Amber and her family, residents of the city, it’s all about an affordable way to spend time with her kids and hubby. ‘This weather has been perfect. We have had such an amazing time. We’ll be back on Monday because we haven’t had time to see the piggies!’  Her daughter takes a bite of her corn and states, ‘Pigs are nice and give us bacon.’ She takes another bite and watched the ferris wheel in awe.

food-03‘It’s my first time, ever.’ says Christy sitting at a picnic table, covered with the finest of fair food. ‘Belgian waffles, elephant ears. What more do people want?’ Her husband nods in agreement. ‘Dayton should be very proud. The fair is great this year!’

For Jean of “Jean’s Home-Cooking” out of Franklin ‘It has been amazing! Business has been bustling.’ People stand patiently in line for her cabbage rolls and chicken and noodles. ‘There is something different this year, busy, busy, busy!’

She’s right. Nearly every food booth has repeated that sentiment. It may be the nostalgia that is bringing in the crowds. Maybe the fear of losing this island of fun sitting oddly on South Main Street. Or maybe….
‘My favorite part of the whole day is the bird that talks.’ says Brody. He’s 9. ‘His tongue feels weird. He can say “GO UD!” Isn’t that cool?’ Brody laughs and bites into a red, white and blue snow-cone. ‘If they want me to come back next year, this bird better be here.’

For all of these fair attendees, one thing seems clear, it’s all about wonder & fun.$2off
Cindy said it best, ‘Even if you lose at one of the games, you win having your family here to cheer you on! That’s the fair!’

Well, then….Montgomery County Fair…..we are cheering you ON!

The Montgomery County fair at 1043 S. Main St., is open from 8 am. to 10 pm Sunday and 8 am to 8 pm on Labor Day. Admission is $8 per person, age 6 and younger are free with a paying adult.

Use this coupon for $2 OFF on Monday. You must print out this coupon to use.

 

Our Montgomery County Fair Giveaway Winning Entry

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Our grand prize winner of the 2016 Montgomery County Fair package Shelley Meyers won:

A VIP PRIZE PACKAGE For 4   (value  $236)
4 $20 Ride Vouchers
4 $10 Food Vouchers
4 Cotton Candy Vouchers ($16 value)
4 Weekly Passes ($100 value)

Entrants were asked to tell us what they liked about  the fair.  Here’s Shelly’s  winning entry:

Cotton candy and sweet tea on ice.14192077_10153697172076583_8425007579976384721_n
Corn dogs and spinning rides all sound so nice.

All the fried food and bright flashing lights.
The midway and priceless people watching sights.

Demolition derby and goats in a barn.
Weird things old ladies still make out of yarn.

Admiring the things people sew bake and grow.
Blue ribbon winners lined up in a row.

Riding bikes to the tractor pull just sounds so right.
What better to do on a Saturday night?

Fun games of chance, you likely won’t win.
Yet my husband still tries again and again.

Feeling like a kid and having big fun.
Oh, big lemon shake ups, I can’t have just one.

Friends coming to town, we think they would love it.
Begging for free stuff? Nope, I’m not above it.

These things and more, we’d sure love to see.
C’mon, Dayton Most Metro, pick me! Pick me!

And so we did! 

Cover photo by  Jordan Freshour.  Please consider using him the next time you need photo’s taken.

Who’s Up For Fair Food? Montgomery County Fair Opens Sept 2

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state-fair-food_ss_001 County Fairs are notorious for over-the-top, gut-busting food. This is not the place to worry about keeping to your diet, but if it’s deep-fried, crazy food on-a-stick creations you crave, than the midway may be calling your name over the next 6 days!  The 163rd Montgomery County Fair opens this Wed and runs through Labor Day and they’d like to have you join them for lunch.  They even have a  special  FAIR FOR LUNCH’ FREE ADMISSION  deal that runs  Wed – Fri from  11am – 1pm so you can check out these vendors:

Albanese Concessions – Baklava, Walking Taco & Gourmet Grilled Cheese

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Foot long corn dogs on a stick

Bowman’s Concessions– Texas Tenderloins & Fresh Cut Fries

Bullen’s Food & Games – Stromboli, Italian & Polish Sausage, Zuchinni Chips

Flint’s Concessions – Frozen Lemonade

Jean’s Home Cooking – Breakfast – Fried Bologna & Egg Sandwich, Lunch & Dinner – Chicken/Beef & Noodles, Meatloaf, Fried Bologna, Ham & Beans

Kettle Fixins Kettle Corn – Kettle Corn & Mini Donuts

Little Chef – Deep Fried Pickles & Veggies, Bacon Ranch Cheese Fries, Bacon Dog, Donut Burger, Deep Fried Cheesecake

Martin’s Fine Foods – Bourbon Chicken & Rice, Bayou Billy’s Sweet Dixie Tea & Slushies, Fried Oreos, Twinkies, Buckeyes & Cookie Dough

Montgomery Co. Cattlemen’s – Ribeye Steak Sandwich & Sirloin Burger

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Little Piggy Pork Nachos

Nacho Pig – Smoked Pulled Pork Nachos, “The Big Big Pig Pig”, “Hippie Pig”, “Picky Pig”, “Aloha Pig”, “The Little Pig”, “Naked Pig”, Chocolate Covered Bacon

Potato Tornados – Potato Tornados, Sweet Potato Fries, Deep Fried Hot Dogs, Deep Fried Green Beans

Allen Rismiller Concessions – Fresh Baked Soft Pretzels, Chocolate Dipped Cheesecake, Strawberry Shortcake

T’s Freeze – Gourmet Ice Cream Treats: Reese Cup Sundae, Cookie Dough, Sundae, Cherry Crisp & Apple Dumpling Sundae, Smoothies

Tinman Concessions – Sugar Waffles, Homemade Elephant Ears, Cow Patty, Funnel Cakes

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Dixie Tea

Ullery’s Homemade Ice Cream – Homemade Ice Cream

Whatever Concessions – Kid’s Meals

Wood’s Family Concessions – Fried Cheese on a Stick, Candy & Caramel Apples

Yummy Snow – Shaved Ice/Snow Balls

 

 

FAIR Hours – gates open 8am – 10pm except for Monday, which closes at 8pm

Wed, Sept 2   ½ Price Admission Day ($4 ALL Day)logo-2

Thurs, Sept 3  Senior Citizens 1/2 price until 4pm, all others $8

Fri, Sept 4- Sun, Sept 6 $8

Mon, Sept 7th – Use our DMM coupon for $2 off

$2 off

 

 

Jane’s Best Bets (9/1 – 9/6)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

First of all, thank you for all the wonderful feedback with regard to the first edition of Jane’s Best Bets on DMM!  I feel so honored to have your support!  It just confirms what I already know…that the people in Dayton are truly the best!

Hopefully you had a terrific (beer) week last week…and a good DD.  Perhaps you were able to sample a new beer and learn a thing or two.  I personally learned that there are more beers than there are calories in a McDonald’s Big Mac.  To name a few, I discovered a blueberry beer, a raspberry beer, a watermelon beer, an apricot beer, and a banana bread beer.  Who knew that drinking could be so healthy?!?!  (Disclaimer 1:  I am not a registered dietician or MD.  You may want to talk to your healthcare professional before making these beverages a part of your daily diet.  Disclaimer 2:  I am not a lawyer either, so don’t trust that disclaimer 1 is properly worded.)

Anyways, with last week being such a busy week, you’re probably thinking there isn’t much going on this week.  Wrong!  Get ready to celebrate the beginning of September…and another wonderful week in Dayton!  Plus, it’s a holiday weekend to boot!

On Wednesday, head on over to the first day of the Montgomery County Fair.  Don’t worry, if you can’t make it, you’ll still have five more days to check it out!  Or bring the whole family to watch the Dayton Dragons play against the Bowling Green Hot Rods (I wonder if there is any relation to A-Rod) for their Friends and Family Night.  Also, give yourself a day off of cooking and don’t feel guilty about it because it will be for a good cause!  For every meal sold at Coco’s, $1 will be donated to the Victoria Theatre Association’s Physicians for Kids as part of the Coco’s Cares – Dine for a Cause Program.

If you have ever thought about starting your own business, head on over to “One-On-One Business Counseling” provided by the Dayton Area Chapter of SCORE at the Dayton Metro Library’s Main Branch on Thursday.  Also on Thursday, if you’re a fan of smooth jazz, check out the J.T. Fedrick Band as part of the Dayton Art Institute’s 2010 Vectren Just Jazz Series.  Kill two, three, or four birds with one stone by also visiting the Modern Masters Exhibit from the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Investigation Destination:  Science and Math in Art Exhibit, and/or the Prints from the Great Depression exhibit.  If you’re an animal lover like me and don’t feel like killing ANY birds, then head on over to The Greene to see First Call Acoustic.  And finally, if you like to sample delicious food, you MUST  head over to the Fraze for “The Taste”.  Experience multiple “tastes” from places like Tumbleweed, the Oakwood Club, Belmont Catering, and Fleming’s.

On Friday, learn what people are thinking about you without them having to say a word at Generation Dayton’s Lunch with Dan Edwards presenting “Body Language“.  I need to ask him how to improve my poker face, even though I have no intention of turning into Lady Gaga.  Speaking of ladies, later on in the evening, head on downtown for Ladyfest 2010 at c{space (which continues through Saturday) or Dayton’s First Friday, which will give you an opportunity to explore many of Dayton’s artistic offerings.  If you enjoy biking, join the Courteous Mass Ride with fellow cycling enthusiasts.  Or have fun listening to Stranger, a super fun 80s cover band that is playing at Sharkey’s.  I still remember what my parents said about talking to strangers, so if you go, just be careful or bring your mom and dad with you.

On Saturday, start your day off right by heading to the PNC Second Street Market for breakfast and a little shopping with some of their amazing vendors.  Another “must attend” event is Alterfest, which has been a Labor Day weekend staple in Dayton for many years.  No matter your age, there is something for you to do, from great live bands (Saturday’s lineup includes The Johnsons, The Fries, and This Side Up) to rides and games to their famous chicken dinners.  If you don’t feel like taking a chance with the weather at Alterfest, then check out the Producers at the Dayton Playhouse or get tickets to the Sandra Rutledge Jazz Show at Gilly’s.

On Sunday, the fun continues at Alterfest with several bands performing, including Spungewurthy and Last Call, along with the other festivities.  Or head on over to the Holiday at Home Festival where there will also be numerous things to do, including listening to live music, singing karaoke, and arts and crafts booths.  This is a family friendly event, as there will also be activities for the kids.  If you enjoy reggae music, head on over to the Michelob Dayton Reggae Festival. And if music from from the 50s, 60s, and 70s is more your style, then check out the band Legend at Stubbs Amphitheater in Centerville.

And finally on Monday, if you’re not having friends and family over for a cookout to celebrate Labor Day, Kettering is definitely the place to be.  You can still celebrate “at home” with the annual Holiday at Home Parade in Kettering.  Following the parade, again check out the numerous activities going on in Kettering as part of the Holiday at Home Festival, including an auto show (only on Monday), arts and crafts, and live music from The Fries, as well as music from some other great performers!  And, if you would like to BE one of the entertainers, you will have the opportunity to do so.  Just check out the karaoke going on there.  Or, if you haven’t had an opportunity to go to Alterfest or the Montgomery County Fair, this is your last chance for the year!   So, with so many great things to do, you have absolutely no excuse not to celebrate the holiday!  And if your boss is actually making you labor, let me know and I’ll see what I can do.  Just don’t count on anything.

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week.  Drum roll please…

Did you hear the joke about Labor Day?  It works for me.

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it – it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!   And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Have a great week Dayton!