Events

What’s better in the fall than a chili cookoff? Nothing. Whether you want to share your amazing chili or just want to eat some, plan on coming out and joining us at Roadhouse 66 (www.roadhouse66.com) in Worthington. Besides the undoubtedly awesome chili, Roadhouse 66 will also have $2 bottles, $3 drafts, $3 UV Bombs, and $1 Natty Lights. Plus they might have something a little festive in time for fall.

Chili tasters: Festivities start at noon and go till 5p (or until the chili runs out). Come hungry.

Chili makers: Plan on being there and setup no later than noon. There will be three categories; tastiest, spiciest, and most unique. The winners will be decided by the tasters. Be sure to bring your chili in a crock-pot/slow cooker. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring a power strip if you have one to help with outlets.

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!

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]

Join us for FountainSide presented by Sunny 95 (94.7 FM) in Bicentennial Park on select Wednesdays throughout the summer for free children’s activities! While the fountain bubbles, jets, sprinkles, mists and fogs, an array of themed activities, games, arts and crafts await—get ready to dive deep under the sea, sail with some seafaring pirates, jump overboard into an underwater story, and more!

Finish the afternoon with free ice cream from the Sunny 95/Meijer Treat Truck, yum!

• Pirates on the Mile
  Wednesday, August 3 11:30 a.m.—1:30 p.m.
  Ahoy, me mateys! Leave the landlubbers behind and come FountainSide for a swashbucklin’ good time with the Pirates of the Scioto and the Columbus Museum of Art on Pirate Day. Find out how the Pirates defend themselves, what weapons they use, and hear about what kind of treasure and booty they look to capture. Mark my words, missing out on this would be worse than walking the plank!
• Water Colors and Crafts
  Wednesday, August 10 11:30 a.m.—1:30 p.m.
  Studio J will be helping us explore our artistic sides today! We will use water from the fountain to create interesting masterpieces— Art from the Heart of Water! Splasher the whale will be excited to see how your works of art turn out, so come prepared to get creative—and wet!
• Fountain Friends and Fun
  Wednesday, August 17 11:30 a.m.—1:30 p.m.
  Meet new Fountain Friends today! The Turtle Lady will be introducing her assembly of amphibious amigos, then learn about some creek critters from the Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District. Stick around for an interactive reading of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax and hop around with the friendly Fountain Frog before bidding adieu to the Fountain crew!
• Fishy Finale
  Wednesday, August 24 11:30 a.m.—1:30 p.m.
  At the final FountainSide of the season nothing will be held back—go overboard with Candace from Dramatic Impact! Put on a costume, get in character, and jump right into the story. Be on the lookout for everything from an octopus to mermaids, perhaps some pirates too. Stop by the Lowe’s How to Grow station one last time before saying goodbye for the summer!