Where do I begin with this amazing event? Let me start by saying the social media and website do…read morenot do justice for how much is truly here, and most everything is for FREE!
The Wagner Subaru Outdoor experience is a free festival held the first weekend of October at Dayton's Eastwood Metropark. It is a festival celebrating all things outdoors and aiming to offer everyone the chance to experience it.
Free parking. Free admission. Free activities.
At the entrance there is registration and waiver release to participate in all the activities. The first activity near the entrance is a whole course to try mountain biking! Theres also regular cycling! Next is try canoeing, kayaking, or SUP (stand up paddleboard). How about trying climbing, rowing, or fly fishing?! But wait, theres STILL MORE! Try backpacking, bmx, slacklining, disc golf, and even orienteering.
Already participate in outdoor activities? Bring your bikes, bring your kayaks or SUPs, and you can use your own gear. Theres even an entire campground that you can camp at for the weekend... for yep, free! Bring your dogs because theres a ton of fun activities for them. On Saturday AM there's a Dog 5k. Theres an agility course, treats, and in addition Subaru sets up an entire dog park and swim area (its huge!). Want dog petsitting while you participate? Theres pooch parking for free, for up to 90 mins! Bring your old gear for a swap, or find yourself some new to you stuff! Also many vendor booths are selling new gear.
Entertainment?! There's no shortage of that! There's dock diving dog shows, bmx shows, slackline high wire shows, whitewater shows and competitions, and live music all day long. Dont forget the obstacle courses or scavenger hunt! You can take classes at the adult or youth outdoor school (see schedule). Walk around to the many vendor booths for freebies, info, or things to purchase. Wildlife? Theres live animal demonstrations and a giant aquarium! Worked up an appetite after all this? Head over to food truck village for a wide array of options and top it off with a cold one from the beer garden!
Environment. The final special thing here is the focus on our planet. Theres no garbage cans, only waste stations with options for recycling, compost, or landfill. Theres no water bottles sold here, only free cold water fill stations with paper cups or bring your own. Beer cups? Nope. You must purchase a reusable stainless steel pint, which benefits the Mad River Ski mountain patrol. Several booths focus on info about how to help including compost at home, reusable straws for purchase, and the parks.
This festival is a must attend, and again did I mention free? GET. OUTSIDE.