London events

Aug. 16 — Registration 11:00 a.m. event starts at 12 p.m.Madison County Fairgrounds, 205 Elm St.This fundraiser features a poker run with multiple stops around London, plus a classic car show, Jeep rally, live music, food trucks, and a dignitary dunk tank. All proceeds benefit local Special Olympics programs.Community Unity GardenAug. 18 to Oct. 13 — Sunrise to SunsetLondon City Hall, 20 S. Walnut St. (beside bus lot)All ages are encourged to enjoy the outdoors and help make something beautiful, though 13 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, contact Belon.hill82@outlook.com.A Brighter Path: Overdose Awareness Color WalkAug. 23 — 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.Cowling Park, 175 N. Main St.This community event raising awareness about overdose and celebrating recovery. Participants walk a colorful route while being gently dusted with washable powder. The event includes family activities, food trucks, resource booths, free Naloxone training, and recovery speakers.The event is hosted by the Madison County Mental Health and Addiction Taskforce.Summer of Sins FestivalAug. 29–31Venue Thirty Eight, 4630 OH-38The Summer of Sins Festival is a three-day outdoor music and camping festival featuring live bands, tattoos, food, and a vibrant festival atmosphere. Open to all ages, but camping is restricted to those 21 and older. A must for fans of music and camping culture.Madison County Fish & Game 'Go Bucks' Chili Carry-InAug. 30 — Club opens at 11:00 a.m., Ohio State vs. Texas game starts at noonMadison County Fish & Game, 4700 Deer Creek Lane, LondonWatch the Ohio State season opener live on the big screen while enjoying a chili cookout. Attendees are encouraged to bring their favorite chili to share. A free, fun, social event open to members and the public. BYOB!Mt. Sterling eventsFree Shred Day & Food DriveAug. 16 — 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.North Valley Bank – Mount Sterling, 255 Yankeetown St.North Valley Bank and the Mount Sterling Community Center will host a drive-through paper shredding service provided by Confidential Mobile Shredding—secure off-site destruction. No need to exit your car. Bring up to 100 pounds per person.The hosts will also be collecting donations for the Bright Bites program and the local food pantry—items like kid-friendly snacks, pantry staples, and personal care products are appreciated.Open Highway BluegrassAug. 16 — Doors open at 5:00 p.m.; House band at 6:00 p.m.; Open Highway at 7:00 p.m.Sterling Bluegrass Jamboree, 26 E. Main St.A lively bluegrass performance by Open Highway. Family-friendly event with food for sale, a 50/50 raffle, and homemade pie.Cost $20.Party in the Park FundraiserAug. 16 — 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.Mason Park, 16900 St. Rte. 207Get ready for a day of family fun at Mount Sterling's Mason Park. The "Party in the Park" fundraiser features live music all day, a beer tent sponsored by American Legion Post #417, and the OSU vs. Texas football game streaming at noon.Enjoy activities for all ages: arcade games, dunk tank, round robin baseball, food trucks, raffles, TriCounty Fire's Touch-A-Truck, popcorn, cotton candy, and a showing of The Minecraft Movie at dusk!Bring chairs, blankets, and your best tailgate spirit—help raise funds to expand Mason Park's parking lot for future generations.Creek CrawlersAug. 17, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.Deer Creek State Park Nature Center, 20635 State Park Road 20Do you ever wonder why birds have different shaped bills and beaks? That variety is caused by the larger variety of food birds eat. Come experience the foraging techniques of different birds as we discuss their food preferences. K-9 Medo to visit libraryAug. 23 – 11 a.m. Mount Sterling Public Library, 60 W. Columbus St.Meet Madison County Sheriff's Deputy Mike Stone and K-9 Medo, a 3.5-year-old male Belgian Malinois. Visitors can see a demonstration of Medo's abilities, learn about his training, and explore the inside of his patrol vehicle. Labor Day CarnivalAug. 29-30, 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.Deer Creek Campground - Washhouse #4, 20635 State Park Road 20Food served by the Friends of Deer Creek including Carnival ribbon fries, slushies, corn dogs, cotton candy, and more. Carnival themed games for all ages to play including bean bag toss, skee ball, ring toss, and more! Bicycle and Golf Cart parade Saturday afternoon. Movies shown Friday - Sunday evening, weather permitting.Plain City eventsBark BashAug. 23, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.Darby Bend Lakes Area, Prairie Oaks Metro Park, 2755 Amity Rd., HilliardDog agility demos, sheriff canine units, paddling with your pup, vendor booths, treats, and games. (metroparks.net)Stream ExplorationAug. 26, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.McKitrick Park, 350 E Main St, Plain CityDetermine water quality by identifying stream critters. Learn what you can do to protect waterways while you observe the signs of a healthy stream environment. Walking in the river is optional, but required if training as a volunteer for the Ohio Scenic Rivers Program. Please wear closed-toe shoes.RSVP to CentralSQM@dnr.ohio.gov as the event is dependent on weather and water level. Try It! KayakingAug. 31, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.Prairie Oaks Metro Park, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Rd., West JeffersonOpportunity to try kayaking on Darby Bend Lakes; solo sit-in kayaks provided. (metroparks.net)Glow KayakingAug. 31, 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.Prairie Oaks Metro Park, 3225 Plain City-Georgesville Rd., West JeffersonEvening glowing kayaking experience; ages 10+ only.All Ohio Ford Show Sept. 14, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.Pastime Park, 370 N. Chillicothe St., Plain CityUnited Ford Owners present their Annual celebration of Ford vehicles with displays, family-friendly activities, and opportunities to connect with fellow enthusiasts. Cost $20. (unitedfordowners.com)Wolves 101! Live Wolf EncounterSept. 19, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.Pastime Park, 370 N. Chillicothe St., Plain CityThe Ohio Canid Center presents a free experience with live wolves; learn about biology, behavior, and conservation. (unioncountyoh.com)Depp Dash Family Fun Run & WalkSept. 19 - Mini Dash: 6:25 p.m. / 5K & 1-Mile: 6:30 p.m.Abraham Depp Elementary School, 9001 Gardenia Dr., Plain CityEnter a family-friendly 5K, 1-mile run/walk or the children's mini race for children, then join the finish line party with music and food trucks. The cost is $28.95 per participant. (findarace.com)Walk, Run and Roll 5K Sept. 27 - Packet Pickup: 8:00 a.m. Race Start: 9:00 a.m.Glacier Ridge Metro Park, 9801 Hyland-Croy Rd., Plain CityThe Central Ohio Spina Bifida Alliance presents this 5K to support Spina Bifida awareness. It is open to all abilities and costs $27.50 to enter. (findarace.comWest Jefferson eventsBat Brigade Aug. 19 – 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.Battelle Darby Creek, Indian Ridge, 2705 Darby Creek Drive, GallowayWe are the night. Well, let's at least explore the night with one of our most famous nocturnals, bats, on this 1-mile hike. Sweet Summer Splash Aug. 21 – 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.Battelle Darby Creek, Cedar Ridge, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, GallowayCelebrate the end of summer with creek fun and popsicles! Wade into the water, search for bugs, and enjoy a sweet treat after your adventure! Wear close-toed shoes. Meet at the Stream Side Classroom. Sweet Summer Splash Aug. 21 – 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.Battelle Darby Creek, Cedar Ridge, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, GallowayCelebrate the end of summer with creek fun and popsicles! Wade into the water, search for bugs, and enjoy a sweet treat after your adventure! Wear close-toed shoes. Meet at the Stream Side Classroom. Weird Nature Trivia NightAug. 23 – 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.Battelle Darby Creek Nature Center, 1415 Darby Creek Drive, GallowayThink you know nature? Think again! Join us for a fun evening of wacky, weird, and totally true nature trivia. Compete solo or as a team in this interactive challenge covering interesting natural phenomena—many of them found right here in Ohio! (Ages 18+).Summer Sunday SplashAug. 24 – 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.Battelle Darby Creek, Cedar Ridge, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, GallowayStop by anytime for some drop-by creeking. Join the Naturalists as we search for crawdads, fish, and aquatic bugs. Closed-toed shoes recommended. Creeking supplies provided. Follow signs from Ranger Station. Night HikeAug. 29 – 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.Battelle Darby Creek, Cedar Ridge, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, GallowayLight up the night on this short hike as we use some UV lights and search out nocturnal insects. Meet at the Ranger Station.West Jefferson Ox Roast Aug. 30 – Sept. 1Downtown West JeffersonThe Ox Roast is West Jefferson's signature Labor Day weekend festival, offering three days of small-town fun. Expect a big Saturday parade, pageants, contests (pie eating, watermelon eating, hot dog eating), bounce houses, live music, vendors, a church service, the Lighting of the Pit, and plenty of roast beef sandwiches. Monday features a car show, Oxy Baby & Sweethearts contest, and raffle drawing.Hosted by the West Jefferson Community Association (wjca.org)Summer Sunday SplashAug. 31 – 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.Battelle Darby Creek, Cedar Ridge, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, GallowayStop by anytime for some drop-by creeking. Join the Naturalists as we search for crawdads, fish, and aquatic bugs. Closed-toed shoes recommended. Creeking supplies provided. Follow signs from Ranger Station.Ox Roast Bicycle TourSept. 1 – 7:00 a.m. West Jefferson High School, 1 Roughrider Dr.This 34th annual cycling tradition lets riders choose from a family-friendly 33-mile ride, a 66-mile metric century, or a full 100-mile century route. Riders enjoy scenic rural routes, rest stops, and post-ride refreshments.Hosted by the West Jefferson Community Association (wjca.org)Vaccine ClinicSept. 17 – 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.Hurt/Battelle Memorial Library, 102 E. Main St., West JeffersonOld Village Pharmacy will be at the library offering several free vaccines, including: 2025 Flu Vaccine, Shingles, Pneumonia and COVID Boosters.Walk-ins are welcome. Attendees should bring their prescription insurance card. For questions, call the library Information Desk at (614) 879-8448.Build a Pull-Back Race CarSept. 20, 2025 – 11:00 a.m.Hurt/Battelle Memorial Library, 102 E. Main St., West JeffersonChildren and teens ages 9–18 are invited to build a free pull-back race car that they get to take home. Registration is required; to sign up, call the library's Information Desk at (614) 879-8448.