Daytonians this weekend is shaping up to be a wonderful opportunity to get outside and be active! Extra bonus: two pet friendly events. There are a lot of unique things this weekend such as the Perseid meteor shower camp out, the doggie dash ‘n’ splash fest, and a dog day afternoon. Also, some very special 5K runs are taking place Saturday and Sunday that benefit incredible organizations and families.
On Friday, August 1
On Friday, August 14 take a journey out to Glen Helen Nature Preserve to camp, learn about stars, and most of all, watch the
sky during the Perseid meteor shower! The Perseid meteor shower, one of the brighter meteor showers of the year, occur every year between July 17 and August 24. The shower tends to peak around August 9-13.The best time to view the Perseids, or most other meteor showers, is when the sky is the darkest. August 14 marks a new moon and the perfect condition to view the meteor shower. Cost for this event for The Glen Helen Association and Astronomy Club Members: $10 for adults; $8 for children; nonmembers: $15. Start showing up at 7:00 pm for a magical evening and be sure to check with the Glen Helen Nature Center to ensure space is still available for this awesome event!
Saturday, August 15 is a fantastic day to do something active with your four legged companions! Greene County Parks & Trails brings you the annual Doggie Dash ‘n’Splash Fest. This fest is a community-wide celebration of your favorite friends. Bring your pooches to enjoy a one of a kind ‘splashground’, puppy pools, canine demonstrations, vendors, contests and a whole lot more fun! Proceeds from Doggie Dash ‘n Splash Benefit the Scout Burnell-Garbrecht Dog Park. The event is free of charge and located at the Greene County Fairgrounds.The Doggie Dash ‘n’ Splash Fest features fun canine activities including: canine sprayground, puppy pools, herding demonstrations, dog demonstrations, a mascot contest, silent auction, concessions, and many other pet related exhibitors.
Also, on Saturday, August 15 is Tails of Two Cities: A Dog Day Afternoon held at Eastwood Metro Park.
The event is free of charge from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. This is a joint fundraiser between Paw Patrol and The Backyard Dog Project. These two volunteer organizations help improve the quality of life for dogs in the Dayton community. There will be vendors, food trucks, raffle items, make-your-own-bone bar, and a doggie ice play area. There will be other non-profit rescue organizations with adoptable pets. Learn how to become active and volunteer with area rescues and other pet lovers. A great day to support two events focused on the best companions – our pets!
The third annual 5K for Kelli will take place on Saturday, August 15 at Wegerzyn Gardens. Registration begins at 7:30 am and the run/walk officially takes off at 9:00 am. The 5k for Kelli was created to honor Kelli James who passed away in 2006 at the age of 40. This event is a celebration of Kelli’s life and a remembrance of all those who, like her, lost their battle with breast cancer. 100% of the funds raised from this event will go to supporting local women living with breast cancer to help with nutrition, education, and medical expenses. All proceeds will go to Hospice of Dayton, The Good Samaritan Breast Health Center and The Noble Circle Project. Not only is this an exceptional cause to support, you even get to dress in fairy attire! Yes, that is correct, fairy attire! Kelli loved fairies, this year feel free to remember Kelli via your best fairy outfit. In addition to the 5K run/walk there will also be a costume contest and a raffle drawing as well as numerous vendors. What could be better – support a fabulous cause, exercise, and the option to dress up like a fairy? Sounds like one of the best events in town!
Another very special 5K will take place on Sunday, August 16. The Love4Ahmad 5K run/walk will take place at Kettering Middle School. This is free of charge, however, a donation is suggested to help support the family of this exceptional young man. Key Sports and the A-Team Runners are hosting a ‘Pave It Forward‘ event for Ahmad Doucet, a Kettering Fairmont High School wrestler who suffered a stroke while training for Team Ohio for the Junior National Duals. There will also be a raffle of several prizes from local businesses. Donations can be made payable to “Key Sports” and 100% of net proceeds will be contributed to the “Ahmad Doucet Charitable Fund” at Wright-Patt Credit Union. This is an excellent way to support a young person who was injured while doing what he loved, wrestling.
That’s wraps up the weekend line-up of some very unique and inspirational events. Hope you are able to attend at least one if not all of these activities. Get out and get active Dayton!
