Events

The annual Columbus Italian Festival, presented by Saint John the Baptist Italian Catholic Church, celebrates our Italian-American culture. Enjoy live entertainment, open-air markets, Italian dancing, a children’s area and plenty of fabulous Italian food – including a pizza cook-off. Plus, there’s an American-Italian Idol vocal contest with an adult and youth division and bocce ball tournaments.

The Wilds will close at the end of October for the season. Before we close up for the 2011 season, we wanted to give you one more reason to visit. In addition to your favorite tours, horseback riding, and zip-lining, we will be hosting WILDZFEST presented by the Hearst Foundations and Pepsi.

On October 1, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. there will be entertainment, food, drinks, games, crafts and other attractions for the young and the young at heart.

TOURS 

Reserve your spot today on one of the exciting tours that are offered:

- Open Air Safari

- Safari Transport

- Wildside Tour

- Animal Encounters Tour

These exciting tours are available the day of, but can be booked in advance by going to thewilds.org. Some tours are limited so booking early is recommended.

EXPERIENCES

There is more to do at the Wilds other than the tours. Guests can enjoy horseback riding, zip-lining and fishing. These experiences will also be available as well. Pre-registration on-line is also recommended at thewilds.org

ENTERTAINMENT

The hills will come alive with our entertainment line up:

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.    Timberline Band

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.        Up to Know Good

3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.        Dirty Mule

The Crystal City Chorus, Hound Dog Duo and Mark Snyder will also be there for your listening pleasure.

DORA THE EXPLORER

One of the most famous explorers will be on hand to meet and greet everyone. Be sure to bring your cameras to capture the moment.

ANIMALS

Other than the typical animals you see on your tours, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium will be on hand with some of their animal friends to join in the fun.

Presentation Times: 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m.

PUPPET SHOWS

The staff from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s Education Department will be on hand to present a kid-friendly animal puppet show that will entertain and educate the little ones.

Show Times: 10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.

* meet the show puppets and learn a few more fun facts before and after each show

KIDZ ZONE

Make something, learn something and most of all have fun! at these four stations that are presented by the Education Department at the Wilds.

- Ohio’s Golden Resource – CORN

- Ohio’s Orange Resource – PUMPKINS

- Wildlife in Ohio

- Nature All Around Us

GAMES / ATTRACTIONS

Try your hand at some games of skill or just plain good ol’ fashioned luck with the Pepsi Bottle Ring Toss, the Wild Mini Miniature Golf Course, Corn hole and more. Guests can also take a stroll through this kid-friendly hay maze. All these and more will add to the fall fun at WILDZFEST.

MARKETPLACE

Local vendors will also be on hand to assist you with your browsing, shopping, eating and drinking experience during the fall fest with some specialty items.

So whether you have already been to the Wilds or you have never been…. this event is a good reason to visit the Wilds. We hope to see you there!

Please don’t ever forget what they did. Honor those who fight for us. And celebrate each day we get to spend with our family and friends!!!

Farmer’s Market on 8/6/11

COSI will be hosting the Pearl Alley Growers Association with a weekly Farmer’s Market featuring fresh produce, local dairy products and baked goods. The Farmer’s Market at COSI will be at the West Entry and admission is not required to shop. Available on Saturdays, July 9 through September 3rd, 2011 from 1pm – 4pm.

Listen as music fills the air and witness the elegant grace of ballet in outdoor performances on select Friday evenings at the new Bicentennial Park Performing Arts Pavilion. Admission is FREE! This summer, we are pleased to welcome:

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver Friday, August 12 8 p.m. >>Known for their flawless musicianship and heart-stopping vocals, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver have won numerous awards, and Doyle has released nearly 40 albums and CDs. He has received fourteen International Bluegrass Music Awards, including seven Vocal Group of the Year and three Song of the Year awards, and has also been nominated for four Grammy’s and five Dove Awards. [Visit Artist Website]

Tony Monaco Tony Monaco Trio and a Community Blues Jam Session Friday, August 26 8 p.m. >>A Columbus native who began playing at local clubs in his teens, Tony Monaco has grown to be a jazz organ wizard who has played both nationally and internationally with legends such as Jimmy Smith and Pat Martino. Recently named “Best International Hammond Organist 2011” by Italian jazz magazine Jazzit, Monaco continues to balance teaching, playing, and recording in and around Columbus with producing for other organists and touring around the globe. Following the performance, you’ll experience a Community Blues Jam session like no other as the audience becomes the show. Hosted by Tony Monaco, musicians and vocalists of all skill levels are invited to sit in with some of the finest blues musicians around. Participants are encouraged to bring an instrument. Drums and amps will be provided. [Visit Artist Website]

BalletMet BalletMet Columbus Friday, September 2 8 p.m. >>Enjoy a preview of BalletMet’s upcoming season along with audience favorites set against the downtown skyline. Renowned for its versatility and innovative repertory, BalletMet Columbus ranks among the nation’s largest dance companies, and its Dance Academy ranks among the largest dance-training centers. Since its inception in 1978, BalletMet has added 157 company premieres to its repertoire and produced 129 world premieres. It has also developed DanceReach, a series of educational and outreach programs that serve nearly 30,000 people annually; through DanceReach, up to 70 scholarships each year give access to talented youth, many from minority and underserved groups, who cannot otherwise participate. [Visit Artist Website]