Dayton’s atmosphere during Fall is matched only by a few places. The vibrant parade of oranges contrasts beautifully with the rustic vibe of Midwest living. But to truly experience it, you need to get out there. Below are a few events that truly capture the Gem City’s Autumn spirit.
Oktoberfest – Sep. 27-29
Oktoberfest celebrates the upcoming harvest with a seemingly endless supply of live music, lederhosen, and of course, beer. The South-East German festival has become a mainstay in many cities and Dayton is no exception. Dayton’s Oktoberfest has been a bastion of our city’s fall events for nearly half a century. If you want to experience Bavarian traditions and how those traditions influence our culture, head to the Dayton Art Institute. Tickets can be purchased online starting at $6.
Wright State Strings Festival and Solo Competition– Oct. 3-5
If you want to have a more auditory experience of the harvest season look no further than the Wright State Strings Festival and Solo Competition taking place Oct. 3-5. The competition showcases the talent of young and ambitious orchestral musicians from Southwest Ohio. Tickets are available on the Wright State University’s website.
Dayton Pumpkin Chuck – Oct. 19
Newton’s Third Law of Motion states that for each action there is an equal but opposite reaction, which has inspired inquisitive minds for generations. One of these minds read the Third Law of Motion and thought “let’s display such a foundational aspect of physics by using trebuchets to launch pumpkins”. Thus, the Pumpkin Chuck was born. So, what’s it all about? Engineering Students at WPAFB have had a nearly two-decade-long tradition of hurling pumpkins. If you want to see possibly the most absurd demonstration of STEM and Physics, the annual Dayton Pumpkin Chuck is open to the public with no entry fee. There will also be a wide variety of food trucks present.
Carter Cousino, Multimedia Specialist