By Lacey Luce
I am not normally much of an outdoors person. I’m a girl who likes a 70-degree day, and we don’t get a lot of those. Once we hit the 80s it’s too hot for me. Why I stayed in my native Cbus is a mystery—perhaps I’m a weather masochist.
I’m giving you this TMI moment so that you can fully appreciate the fact that this whole blog is going to be dedicated to outdoorsy stuff. I love Memorial Day weekend, because more often than not it’s nice out (by my standards). Baby Friday through Saturday are shaping up to be pretty spectacular (knock on wood). Sunday and Monday may be a bit iffy, but so be it.
My favorite thing about Memorial weekend is a cookout. More specifically, me sitting on someone’s deck sipping an adult beverage, laughing with my friends, while someone wrangles the grill. Since this is on my mind, I was excited to see that Franklin Park Conservatory has Grilling 101 with Tom Hughes this Thursday!
While we are on the subject of the conservatory, I highly recommend the David Roger’s Big Bugs exhibition, and on Saturday they have a Family Fun: Build a Bug event.
Big Bugs at FPC!
Also at Franklin Park Saturday and Sunday is the Asian Festival. So if you are doing the family friendly thing, you can see the bugs, make a bug, then head over to the festival and see beautiful demonstrations and get some of the best festival food around. After that take the fam to Columbus Commons.
On Friday, at the Columbus Commons, the Columbus Alive Summer Concert Series kicks off with three local bands and FOOD TRUCKS. I love a good food truck. The food trucks and bar open at 5 p.m., music starts at 7 p.m.
On Saturday at the commons is the family friendly, summer movie night with Big Hero 6.
While I’m back on family friendly, I must note that the Ohio Village opens Saturday. I loved this as a kid.
OK, now I’m going to do something that will shock my friends. I’m going to plug sports. While I am not an avid sports fan, I do have a favorite: soccer. I don’t care that the scoring is low, I love that there is constant movement and action. This Friday the action will be between the Crew and the Chicago Fire GO CREW!
In keeping with my outdoors theme, the Clippers play Thursday and Saturday. I’m not going to lie, I’ve never been to a game. I don’t understand baseball enough to appreciate it. But, I’ve heard from people I trust that even non-baseball fans will love Huntington Park experience.
Finally, this Saturday is the PetPromise Rescue Run 5K.
And if 5K’s are your thing then go sign up for the first-ever Columbus Arts Festival 5K—not only will it be fun, but the medals to the first 500 to cross the finish line are the coolest I’ve ever seen.
I need to go buy sunscreen.
Happy Memorial Weekend.
@LaceyLuce is the marketing, communications and events strategist at the Greater Columbus Arts Council, she burns easily but brings great cookies to cookouts.
