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Events & Art Shows

Special Events Nights Out in the Parks

Our popular Nights Out series returns this summer with more live music and movies under the stars!

Live Music: Saturdays from 7 to 8:30 PM at Big Creek Park‘s amphitheater. Registration required this season; limited to 100 people per concert.

Movie Nights: Saturdays at Observatory Park. Arrive as early as 8:30 PM; movie shown at dusk. Sorry, no lemonade or popcorn this season, but enjoy free ice cream treats from a truck while supplies last!

Bring your own blankets, lawn chairs and snacks for your group. Cancelled or moved indoors by inclement weather; please check our website for status updates before coming out.

 

2021 Schedule

Movie Night: “Mary Poppins”
Saturday, August 7

Chardon Polka Band in Concert
Saturday, August 14 – registration required above under Programs & Events

The Pop Tarts in Concert
Saturday, August 28 – registration required above under Programs & Events

Need more information? Click the button below.

2021 Nights Out

Special Event Nature Arts Festival

Sunday, August 8 • 10 AM to 5 PM
at Big Creek Park

Facebook Event

Take in this 30th annual favorite featuring more than 30 exhibiting Nature artists, a farm market with locally produced/handcrafted goods, plus a variety of free family entertainment and food trucks!

Parking at Big Creek Park is limited, so you may like to take a FREE bus ride from Chardon Square, where the Chardon Arts Festival will also be ongoing.

Please scroll down for the day’s schedule of events, followed by a list of participating vendors.

 

All Day

Free Face Painting
Free Balloon Art
Free Watercolor 101 with Fairmount Center for the Arts
Free Painted Wood Butterfly with A Kid at Art Bus
 

Live Music/Events

10 AM – Noon — Victor Samalot
12:30-2:30 PM — Astrocats
3-5 PM — Sev & Starr
3-5 PM — Nature Writers’ Coffee House
Join us at the new Deep Woods Lodge, just a brief shuttle ride or walk from the festival’s main attractions, as winners of the 26th Annual Nature Writing Contest are celebrated, reading their winning works and receiving feedback from their esteemed judges.

 

Food for Purchase

The Cedar Grill
Freddie’s Fabulous Franks – sausage sandwiches, hot dogs, chili cheese dogs, walking tacos, lemonade, pop, water, chips
Snowie Shaved Ice – shaved ice

 

2021 VENDOR RESOURCES
Geauga Park District is currently accepting applications from interested vendors.
Overnight Accommodations • Promotional Ideas

Thanks to our 2021 sponsor, The News-Herald.

Nature Arts Festival Vendors (as of July 30)

ART VENDORS

Chandler Beatty Studio – acrylic painting
Jocelyn Beatty Studio – acrylic/watercolor paintings
Gerayln Cartor – mixed media, vintage bottles on driftwood
Studio Stacy – encaustic
Photography & Design Unlimited – photography
Debbie DiCarlo Photography – photography
Celebration Painting – paintings
Wood Butcher – wooden animal puzzles & wall art
Kaleidoscope Artisans Guild – glass art
HeinzArt – woodcarvings
MC Studio – paintings
Cynde H Designs – enamel patterns in nature
Watercolors by Lisa – watercolors
The Maple Palette – acrylic, pen & ink, prints, cards
Recycling Chix – birdfeeders, houses
Crafted with Care by Simone Majetich – oil finger paintings
Becca Mathews Photography – photography
Patt McClain & Susan Nelson – watercolor & oil paintings
Brian Niedermier – wooden spoons
Metalworks Jewelry Designs – jewelry
Nancy Nelson-Brotz & Candace Barr – oil pastels, needle felting, jewelry, silk scarves
Fanciful Heirlooms – garden/home décor, jewelry
Jack Paluh Arts, Inc. – canvas prints
Joshua Paluh Photography – wildlife & landscape photography
Prexta Customs – woodworking
Geauga Soil & Water Conservation District – painted rain barrels
Wolf Pup Studio LLC – encaustic
Tree Fibers – ecoprints/books
LAS Design – home decor
John & Amy Schultz – woodcarvings, paintings
Nature’s Gifts – leaf ornaments & jewelry
Jacobus Smit – paintings
Barbara Stine – watercolor
American Eagle Antiques – woodworking, furniture
Night Apple Creations – pastel, ink, colored pencil
Jennifer L. Worden Arts – glass
Marc Yanko – blacksmith

FARM MARKET VENDORS

Kezi Munka – tote bags, aprons, purses, misc.
Nicki Benesh – wood crafts, body scrubs, bracelets
Voytko Farms – produce, jams, eggs, lip balm, maple syrup
Designs by Leona – resin & leather items, phone holders, towels, scrunchies, hats
Hopewell Therapeutic Farm – syrup, candles, soup, bath soaks, lip balm, scarves, tea towels, pottery
St. Croix Farms – flowers, dried flowers, lavendar, botanicals
The McCune Family Apiaries – honey & beeswax products
Pet Wants – pet food, natural chews, treats, toys, handmade art
High Adventure Girl Scouts (H.A.G.S.) – wood door hangers
Olio Montecalvo – olive oil
Salo Maple Products – maple syrup, candy, cotton candy
Well Preserved Unique Jams & Jellies – jams/jellies, seasonings, rubs, mason jar mixes
The Sweets Geek – cupcakes, mini bundts, cookies

Special Event West Woods Wednesdays Farm Market

Wednesdays, August 11 & September 8
(Second Wednesdays, July through September)
4 to 7 PM at The West Woods Picnic Shelters

Facebook Event

Offering local shopping in one of the county’s most popular parks, West Woods Wednesdays are scheduled this year for the second Wednesday of each month, July to September – a one-stop shop for all your mid-week, farm-fresh needs.

On top of vendors providing all kinds of locally made/grown items, strolling musicians will provide ambient music, and an onsite concession trailer will provide snack and drink options for purchase. Come out after work and make it an evening in the park!

2021 VENDOR RESOURCES
Geauga Park District will accept applications from interested vendors until allocated space is full.

Vendor Application • Policies & Procedures

Special Event Moths & Meteors Overnight Event

Begins Wednesday, August 11, at 9 PM
Ends Thursday, August 12, at 6 AM
at Observatory Park

Facebook Event

Bring a tent and spend the night enjoying the Perseid Meteor Shower and the night-flying moths attracted by our black light and mercury vapor lamps! Best meteor viewing 1-3 AM. Naturalist on site sunset to sunrise. Whatever the weather, interact with moths and other nocturnal insects as you help sample and survey onsite wildlife.

Registration for Geauga County residents began June 20; out-of-county registration begins August 1. Cancelled in case of inclement weather. Overall event capacity is limited to 150 people. All participants must be registered; you may register up to six people per reservation. Guests may begin arriving at 4 PM and must show registration receipt prior to entering the park. Only those registered will be permitted entry to the event.

Camping Guidelines: Enjoy this once-a-year opportunity to pitch your tent at Observatory Park! TENTS ONLY may be SET UP WEDNESDAY AFTER 4 PM & REMOVED BY THURSDAY AT 9 AM. Thank you for understanding that no campers, trailers or generators will be permitted. NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, GRILLS OR OPEN FIRES. Pets must be leashed at all times.

Registration Link

Special Event Art Shows

This season at The West Woods Nature Center:

Geauga Arts Council Juried Art Show
Running August 20 through October 5, 2021

Come out to the park for this annual show, now in its 15th year, open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A reception to meet some of the artists on opening night is scheduled for Friday, August 20, from 7 to 9 p.m. Join us!

Special Event Caveman Crawl 5K Trail Run & 1-Mile Fun Walk

Sunday, September 12, 2021
at The West Woods
Registration 7 AM
Costume Contest 8:30 AM
Race 9 AM
Caveman garb encouraged!

Register: Paper Application • Online Registration • Facebook  Event

Course Map • Facebook  Event • Live Race Results (COMING SOON!)

The caveman missed running with you in 2020! But he’s been keeping in shape and feels ready this September to finally tackle the 10th anniversary run, complete with an option for virtual participation if you’d prefer.

Walkers are welcome in both the 5K and the 1-Mile Fun Walk. (Please note that no dogs are allowed in the race or walk.) As always, caveman garb is encouraged. And in special let’s-all-celebrate-our-anniversary-together fashion, everyone who finishes the course will receive a special 10th anniversary finishers medal! #winning

Photos: 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014 • 2013  (Video 2013) • 2012 • 2011

Thanks to our 2021 sponsors!
Junction Auto
John W. Rosenthal Capital Management Inc.
Kinetico
Sunrise Springs

Special Event Homespun Market Days

Saturday & Sunday, October 2 & 3 • 1 to 5 PM
at Swine Creek Reservation

Facebook Event (COMING SOON!)

Celebrate autumn with the “Homespun Market” featuring handmade and locally produced items for sale, live music, food vendors, horse-drawn wagon rides, balloon creations, Nature scavenger hunt and more.

Wagon rides are first come, first served 1 to 4 p.m. with limited seating. Please come back in September for a list of confirmed vendors!

2021 VENDOR RESOURCES
Geauga Park District is currently accepting applications from interested vendors.

Vendor Application • Policies & Procedures

Special Event Holly Days Artisan Boutique

TWO Saturdays, November 6 & 13 • 10 AM to 4 PM
at The West Woods Nature Center

Facebook Event (COMING SOON!)

Visit again this fall for lists of attending vendors!

Shoppers at Geauga Park District’s ever-popular Holly Days Artisan Boutique revel in a premier selection of juried Nature-themed gifts by regional artists. It’s the perfect place to find quality handmade items for everyone on your list!

Last year’s two-day format was such a hit, we’re doing it again this year, with a mix of different artisans available both Saturdays.

Come for The West Woods’ festive natural setting and outstanding quality of items for sale: any variety of ornaments and holiday décor, all-natural bath and beauty products, gourmet food and snack items, unique jewelry and accessories, beautiful and functional pottery and glass items, gifts hand-turned from wood, indoor planters and terrariums, and more.

Additionally, the Mistletoe Market returns this year, featuring youth artisans ages 18 and under selling items that they themselves have made at various price points.

All are welcome free of charge. The West Woods is wheelchair/stroller accessible. With questions, please contact Teresa Runion, special events coordinator, at trunion@geaugaparkdistrict.org or 440-279-0882.

2021 VENDOR RESOURCES
Geauga Park District is currently accepting applications from interested vendors.

Vendor Application • Youth Vendor Application