Tennis in the Land Tournament (photo by Nate Manley)
Travel

8 Ohio Events to See Before Summer Ends

Soak up the best of what the last stretch of the sunny season has to offer, from a Columbus comedy festival to tennis pros in Cleveland to to a historical re-enactment of D-Day. 

Columbus Comedy Festival | Aug. 14-18 
Get ready for a good laugh at the inaugural Columbus Comedy Festival. This five-day event features over 100 comedians at 10 different venues across the city. Attendees can create their own festival lineup by selecting individual tickets for each performer, which range from a handful of free shows to ticketed events. The festival features a mix of standup, sketch comedy and improv, promising something for every sense of humor.

Reenactor at D-Day Conneaut (photo courtesy of D-Day Conneaut)
D-Day Conneaut | Aug. 15-17

Since 1999, the lakeside town of Conneaut has honored those who served in World War II’s D-Day Invasion with one of the most notable re-enactments in the United States. Scheduled battles, including a beach landing on Saturday, will take place each day of the event. On Friday, visitors can also take in a baseball game played by the Allied troops. A USO dance on Saturday night rounds out the weekend.

Sara Sorribes Tormo at Tennis in the Land (photo by Lauren Bacho)
Tennis in the Land | Aug. 17-24

Enjoy a weekend of tennis at the Women’s Tennis Association 250 Tournament in Cleveland. Located in The Flats, the 2,000-seat venue ensures a close spot to watch the only professional women’s sporting event to visit the city. Past players include former U.S. Open champion, Sloane Stephens, and former Australian Open champion, Sofia Kenin. Kids get a special treat on the Aug. 18 Kids Day, which features autographs from the players, games and activities. 

Artist at Shaker Woods Festival (photo courtesy of Shaker Woods Festival)
Shaker Woods Festival | Aug. 17-18; 24-25

Explore an assortment of crafts and handmade goods from over 200 different vendors at the Shaker Woods Festival in Columbiana. Walk the festival grounds to browse pottery, jewelry, furniture and more. Each festival vendor is dressed in Shaker period garb, and live entertainment fills the weekend on three different stages throughout the grounds. Face painting and caricature artists are on-site both weekends.

The Doobie Brothers (courtesy of Riverbend Music Center)

The Doobie Brothers | Aug. 18
The Doobie Brothers bring their 50th Anniversary tour to Cincinnati’s Riverbend Music Center for a night of throwback fun. Original member Michael McDonald rejoins the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers this tour after a break from the band. Expect a night of classics such as  “What a Fool Believes,” “Listen to the Music” and “Long Train Runnin’” among others.

Bash on the Bay Music Fest | Aug. 21-22
Live music and Lake Erie are the themes of this two-day festival at Put-In-Bay Airport, where Jelly Roll and Hardy are the headlining performers and eight additional acts round out the schedule. Both the Jet Express and Miller Ferry will be running extra between the island and mainland to help transport festivalgoers to and from the event. 

Lee Greenwood (courtesy of Peoples Bank Theatre)
Lee Greenwood | Aug. 23 

Country music legend Lee Greenwood takes the stage at Peoples Bank Theatre in Marietta. His musical career spans 22 studio albums, eight compilation albums and seven No. 1 hits. His song “God Bless the USA” has reached the top five in the country music charts three separate times, and he won the 1985 Grammy Award for Top Male Vocal Performance.

Buffett's Margaritaville Cover Band Performers (photo courtesy of Buffett's Margaritaville)
Buffett's Margaritaville | Aug. 25

You won’t feel like you’re in Cincinnati anymore at this tropical beach-inspired Jimmy Buffett tribute show featuring a colorful stage design complete with palm trees and beach balls. Held at the Aronoff Center this show promises to encapsulate the laid-back energy the late Buffett sang about in his music. Expect an assortment of Buffett’s classic hits such as “Margaritaville” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise.”