💎 The Gem City Gets Eclipsed (Issue #31)

Good Morning,

And welcome to another issue of Miami Valley Memo. Every week, we share events, live shows, and news curated for the Miami Valley.

As I’m sure you’ve heard, Monday is the total solar eclipse. The Miami Valley is in the path of the totality, so we have prime viewing real estate right literally in our own backyards.

The partial eclipse will begin at 1:53 pm. The total eclipse will start at 3:10 pm and last 2 minutes and 43 seconds. Then the remaining partial eclipse will end at 4:25 pm as the Moon finishes passing the Sun.

The last time a total solar eclipse was visible from Ohio was in 1806, and the next time won’t be until 2099. So for most of us, this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Given the magnitude of this event and our prime location, the Miami Valley will be bumping. Whether you’re planning to watch from home, or at many of the events around town, we hope you enjoy this celestial event (while wearing your eclipse glasses of course 😎).

Here’s what we’ll be covering today:

• Upcoming events from fundraisers to festivals

• Live shows to catch this weekend

• Wapakoneta’s eclipse induced population boom

• Riverside’s planned state of emergency to manage eclipse traffic

Let’s get to it!

— Max

⚡ WEEKEND WEATHER

Friday

47° 🌡️ 30° | ☁️ | ☔ 10% | 💨 14 mph

Saturday

53° 🌡️ 31° | ⛅ | ☔ 10% | 💨 10 mph

Sunday

56° 🌡️ 44° | ⛅ | ☔ 20% | 💨 12 mph

⭐️ FEATURED ⭐️

🏆Boro Cornhole Classic

📅 Sat, Apr 20th: 12 pm
📍 7884 Bunnell Hill Road, Springboro
💰 Teams: $50 | Solo: $25

Join the Springboro community for the first-ever Boro Cornhole Classic! This fundraiser, organized by students at Springboro High, supports the great work of the Springboro Community Assistance Center (SCAC). SCAC is a local non-profit supporting families in need since 2007. 

Set in a spacious 20-acre field, this tournament unites the community for fun and philanthropy. The festivities are accompanied by food trucks, raffles, music, and more! 

The tournament has two divisions. A competitive division competing for $400 and a recreational one for $100. You can enter as a team or by yourself (and they'll match you up). The deadline to register is April 15, so sign up today!* 

Looking to contribute in another way? Consider volunteering or becoming a sponsor.* 

⚾ Dayton Dragons Opening Weekend

📅 Friday: 7 pm | Saturday & Sunday: 1 pm
📍 Day Air Ballpark, Downtown Dayton
💰 $6+

Baseball season is here! Come on out for Opening Weekend to see our Dayton Dragons take on the Lansing Lugnuts. Seats for tomorrow's Opening Day game are sold out, but there are some available spots in Lawn D.

As of writing this, there are some seats still open for the Saturday and Sunday games. Get your tickets here, grab a box of cracker jacks, and enjoy the game!

🎨 First Friday Art Hop

📅 Friday: 5 - 9 pm
📍 Front Street Art, Downtown Dayton
💰 Free

Dive into the creative heart of Dayton’s Arts District with a visit to Front Street! Explore studios, galleries, and boutiques, and meet over 250 artists, creatives, and curators.

Thinking about what you’ll eat? Treat your taste buds to a range of delicious options from Kool Beanz Cafe. Front Street is a family and pet-friendly space with free admission and parking. Learn more.

🚗 Grand Re-Opening & Car Meet

📅 Saturday: 2 - 4 pm
📍 Performance Wraps, Miamisburg
💰 Free

Excited for the beginning of car show season? Kick it off with Performance Wraps! As a part of their grand re-opening to the public, they're hosting a car meet on South 3rd Street.

So if you're looking to see some sweet rides or show yours off, swing by. And bring your appetite, because Miamisburg's beloved Hamburger Wagon will be on site. Learn more.

🦜 Birds Of A Feather

📅 Saturday: 2 - 3 pm
📍 Centerville Library, Centerville
💰 Free

Get ready for a feathered spectacle all up close and personal! The Cincinnati Zoo's Wings of Wonder birds will soar, swoop, and amaze in this interactive show.

Learn fun facts about these creatures, both big and small, and their unique stories. This is a family-friendly event, perfect for bird enthusiasts of all ages. Learn more about seeing these winged wonders here.

🥂 WSU Arts Gala

📅 Saturday: 7 pm
📍 WSU Creative Arts Center, Fairborn
💰 $300+

Experience an evening of arts and culture at WSU's ArtsGala. Immerse yourself in performances by acclaimed art students while enjoying gourmet food and drinks.

Now celebrating 25 years of artistic excellence, all proceeds from this event help fund student scholarships. Keep their arts scene going strong, get your tickets (which include drinks) here.

🍷 Perfect Pair: Art and Wine

📅 Sunday: 4 - 6 pm
📍 Dayton Society of Artists, Downtown Dayton
💰 $45

Celebrate spring at the Dayton Society of Artists' gallery with an art and wine evening. Sip on season-inspired wines selected by sommelier Lauren Gay from Joui Wine, paired with gourmet charcuterie.

Wander through the spring juried art show and enjoy the elegant ambiance. Dive into a world where art meets taste, in a tradition of supporting the arts community since 1938. Get your tickets.

✨ A Night In The Stars

📅 Sunday: 4:30 - 9:30 pm
📍 Prouty Plaza, Troy
💰 Free

Head up to Troy for a celestial celebration ahead of Monday's eclipse. It'll be an energizing evening full of music in Troy's scenic downtown. The Hanky Panks will be opening, followed by a headline performance from STRANGER at sunset. Learn more.

💼 Sinclair Job Fair

📅 Wed, Apr 10th: 12 - 3 pm
📍 Sinclair Conference Center, Downtown Dayton
💰 Free

Looking for your next opportunity? Head on down to Sinclair's career fair with nearly 100 employers from a wide range of industries. Discover full-time, part-time, seasonal, and temporary jobs, along with internships and apprenticeships.

It's a chance to explore opportunities and connect with companies ready to hire. Perfect for those eager to carve out their career paths or find their next role. Learn more.

⚜️ Boy Scouts Leadership Breakfast

📅 Thur, Apr 11th: 7:30 - 9 am
📍 Carillon Park, Dayton
💰 $150+

This Leadership Breakfast is one of the Miami Valley's top fundraising events. With a focus on the business community, it spotlights local business leaders for their contributions to our community. All while supporting our local Boy Scouts of America council.

This year's event is celebrating husband and wife duo, Deb and Bruce Feldman. Deb is the President and CEO of Dayton Children's Hospital, and Bruce is the President of Economy Linen. This is a great way to engage, network, and learn about community leadership. Get your tickets here.

🌄 Sunset At The Market

📅 Thur, Apr 11th: 5:30 - 8:30 pm
📍 2nd Street Market, Downtown Dayton
💰 Free

Step into a unique shopping experience at 2nd Street Market all under the evening sky. Browse the offerings of over 40 local businesses while enjoying live tunes from Jonathan Hamilton.

Play Market Bingo for a chance to win prizes from vendors. And, in celebration of it being Earth Month, check out their sustainability fair. Learn more.

🧀 Dayton Grilled Cheese Fest

📅 Fri, Apr 12th: 5 - 9 pm
📍 Yellow Cab Tavern, Downtown Dayton
💰 Free

Celebrate National Grilled Cheese Day at Yellow Cab Tavern. Savor unique takes on grilled cheese by numerous food trucks, alongside their standard menu favorites. Enjoy the warmer weather and relax in the beer garden patio or the covered party tent.

It's the beginning of their 11th year putting on these family-friendly events for foodies. Treat your taste buds and see who all is participating here.

🍷 Spring Wein Tasting & Food Pairing

📅 Sun, Apr 14th: 1 pm
📍 Dayton German Club, Downtown Dayton
💰 Advance: $30 | Doors: $45

Join the German Club for their seasonal Spring wine tasting. Savor seven exquisite wines from Germany and its neighbors, each paired with tasty small bites. And take your chance with the raffle to win one of two gift baskets.

Plus, get a complimentary wine glass to take home included with your ticket. Don't like wine? Don't worry, the bar is open with plenty of other options. Get your tickets here.

Events marked with an asterisk (*) in the “featured” section have been sponsored by our advertising or affiliate partners. Have an event you’d like to promote? Reply and let us know!

🎶 LIVE MUSIC 

Friday

Luke Wiggins | Bock Family Brewing | 7pm | Free

Nasty Bingo + The Rescue Radio | Hidden Gem Music Club | 7:30pm | $5

Nothing But Treble | Jayne's On Main | 7:30pm | Free

Michelle Robinson Band | Phone Booth Lounge | 8pm | Free

Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle - Cab Grass Concert Series | Yellow Cab Tavern | 8pm | Advance: $17, Doors: $21

Uncle Rico | Mr. Boro's Tavern | 8pm | Free

Stagger Lee Band | The Barrel | 8pm | Free

Heath Bowling | Good Time Charlie's | 8:30pm | Free

Rocko and Pat Acoustic | Courtyard Lounge | 9pm | Free

Saturday

The Luv Loca Experiment | Hidden Gem Music Club | 7pm | $5

Matt Scholp | Jayne's On Main | 7:30pm | Free

Crossfire Hurricane | Phone Booth Lounge | 8pm | Free

The Hanky Panks | Mr. Boro's Tavern | 8pm | Free

Weekend Effect | The Barrel | 8pm | Free

Jay Clark Band | Dublin Pub | 8:30pm | Free

The Boxcar Suite, Mayliner, Never Try | Yellow Cab Tavern | 9pm | Advance: $9, Doors: $12

Addison Johnson | Good Time Charlie's | 9pm | Free

Marshall Hiwatt Band | Courtyard Lounge | 9pm | $5

🎭️ LIVE THEATRE

Friday

West Side Story | La Comedia Dinner Theatre | 12:30pm & 7:30pm | $70+

JPT's High School Musical | Dayton Convention Center | 1pm & 7pm | $12+

Kettering Children's Theater's Robin Hood | Rosewood Arts Center | 7pm | $7

Five Lesbians Eating A Quiche | PNC Arts Annex | 7:30pm | $13 - $23

Flight Of The Lawnchair Man | Dayton Theatre Guild | 8pm | $21

Saturday

Five Lesbians Eating A Quiche | PNC Arts Annex | 2pm & 7:30pm | $13 - $23

Flight Of The Lawnchair Man | Dayton Theatre Guild | 5pm | $21

JPT's High School Musical | Dayton Convention Center | 7pm | $12+

West Side Story | La Comedia Dinner Theatre | 7:30pm | $70+

Sunday

West Side Story | La Comedia Dinner Theatre | 12:30pm & 7:30pm | $70+

Five Lesbians Eating A Quiche | PNC Arts Annex | 2pm | $13 - $23

Flight Of The Lawnchair Man | Dayton Theatre Guild | 3pm | $21

Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue | Schuster Center | 7pm | $39+

🗞️ LOCAL NEWS

🚀 Wapakoneta To 10x With Eclipse Visitors

Wapakoneta is gearing up for a massive population surge ahead of Monday's total solar eclipse. This small town of 10,000 people, just an hour north of Dayton, is expecting 100,000 visitors.

Why Wapakoneta? In addition to being in the path of totality, it's also the hometown of Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon. Thus, it's home to the Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum. To celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime event, the museum is hosting events from today through Monday.

The last time Wapakoneta saw a surge like this was in 1969. That year, over 70,000 folks joined to welcome Armstrong home after the moon landing.

Local businesses, like Crave Creamery, are in full preparation mode, creating special menus and merchandise to celebrate. Accommodations are booked solid, with visitors planning extended stays to savor the experience.

Monday's total solar eclipse isn't just a once-in-a-lifetime experience — it's a once-in-a-lifetime economic boom for countless communities across the Miami Valley and Ohio as a whole. [WDTN]

🌘 Riverside Preparing For Eclipse Influx

In preparation for the influx of visitors for the eclipse, Riverside is voting tonight to enact a week-long state of emergency that will run from Friday, April 5th, to April 12th.

The event is expected to more than double the city's population. This will cause heavy traffic near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the Air Force Museum.

Officials anticipate the need for altered traffic patterns, especially around the museum and Eastwood Metro Park, where all-day activities are scheduled. Riverside's police, fire, and public services are coordinating with base personnel to manage all this.

If you work at the base or are planning to go that way for the viewing events, expect heavy traffic on Monday. Honestly, we can probably expect lots of traffic all over the Miami Valley on Monday.

We're prime real estate for this once-in-a-lifetime event. And since we're much more dense than Wapakoneta — with viewing events all over — it's going to get packed. [Dayton Daily News]

🙏 THANKS!

That’s all for today. Thank you for reading this week’s memo!

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Hope you have a great weekend, and we look forward to seeing you next Thursday!