July comes in with a bang with Independence Day celebrations and fireworks in many area communities, but the fun doesn’t fizzle after the holiday festivities end…there are fairs, festivals and much more to enjoy throughout the month.

If you’re looking to celebrate the 4th with a bang, local celebrations include:

July 1-3: The Toledo Blade’s Red, White & Kaboom Fireworks with Taste of Toledo, Promenade and Festival Parks, Toledo. www.redwhitekaboom.com.

July 1-3: Woodville’s 4th of July Celebration, Trailmarker Park, Woodville. 5K race, car show, amusements, and fireworks. http://homes.amplex.net/fourth/index.htm.

July 2-4: Independence Day 1813, Fort Meigs Memorial, 29100 W. River Rd., Perrysburg. War of 1812 soldiers will recreate July 4, 1813 with cannon firings, demonstrations, hands-on kids’ activities and more. 800-283-8916 or www.fortmeigs.org.

July 2-4: Old-Fashioned 4th of July, Sauder Village, 22611 SR 2, Archbold. Special activities include reading of the Declaration of Independence, patriotic songs and more. 800-590-9755 or www.saudervillage.org.

A complete schedule of events is available at www.presspublications.com (click on the fireworks icon).

July
July 2-3: Toledo Mud Hens meet the Indianapolis Indians, Fifth Third Field, 406 Washington St., Toledo. Fireworks follow both games. 419-725-HENS or www.mudhens.com.

July 5: Sheryl Crow in concert, Centennial Terrace, 5773 Centennial, Sylvania, 8 p.m. www.ticketmaster.com.

July 6, 20: Verandah Concerts, Hayes Presidential Center, Spiegel Grove, Fremont, 6:45-8 p.m. The 80-foot verandah of home of President Hayes serves as the stage for performances ranging from Bluegrass to musical theater. An old-fashioned ice cream social precedes the concert. 800-998-PRES or www.rbhayes.org.

July 7, 14, 21, 28, : Jazz in the Garden, Toledo Botanical Garden, 5403 Elmer Dr., Toledo, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Enjoy cool jazz in the lush garden setting on Thursday evenings throughout the summer. 419-536-5566 or www.toledogarden.org.

July 8-10: Lagrange Street Polish Festival, Polish Village (Lagrange Street between Central and Mettler), Toledo. Featuring polka bands, Polish food and delicacies, Polish (Pivo) and American beer, a polka contest, a pierogi-eating contest, a children’s area with rides and games, and arts and craft vendors from across the region. 419-255-8406, ext. 304 or www.polishfestival.org.

July 8, 15, 22, 29: Friday Night Auto Racing, ARCA/Toledo Speedway, 5639 Benore Rd. Gates at 5 p.m.; time trials at 6:15 p.m., racing at 7:30 p.m. www.arcaracing.com or 419-727-1100.

July 8: Music in the Park and Farmer’s Market, Friendship Park, 27975 Cummings Rd., Lake Twp. Concert featuring “Just Us Two” (country music) starts at 6:30 p.m. Hot dogs, brats, and refreshments. Bring a lawn chair. Farmer’s market hours are 5-7 p.m.

July 9: Summer on the Farm, Sauder Village, 22611 SR 2, Archbold, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A fun-filled event that allows guests to experience life on a farm more than 100 year ago. Activities include ice cream-, butter- and rope-making demonstrations, a spelling bee, washing clothes on a scrub board and more. 800-590-9755 or www.saudervillage.org.

July 9-10: Toledo Harbor Lighthouse 107-Year Festival, Maumee Bay State Park, 1750 Park Rd. #2, Oregon. Island music, fireworks, sandcastle-making contest, food, boat rides around the lighthouse, nautical arts and crafts, children’s activities, lighthouse photo contest and more. An island experience on the mainland on the beaches of Lake Erie and an inland lake. 419-691-3788 or www.toledoharborlighthouse.org.

July 9-10: Glass City Con III, Owens Community College, Perrysburg. A convention celebrating Japanese animation and the culture of fans. www.glasscitycon.com.

July 9: The Toledo Music Festival, Headliners, 4500 N. Detroit Ave., Toledo, 2 p.m. Featuring more than 50 local and regional bands. 416-693-5300 or www.headlinerstoledo.com.

July 9-10: 7th Annual African American Festival, University of Toledo Scott Park Campus, Nebraska Avenue at Parkside. The Festival begins with gospel, live entertainment, vendors, rides, parade and commences with a citywide praise and worship gospel celebration. 419-255-8876

July 9-10: Toledo Mud Hens vs. Columbus Clippers, Fifth Third Field, Toledo. 419-725-HENS or www.mudhens.com.

July 9: Nature and Nautical Sale, Marblehead Lighthouse State Park, Marblehead, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 419-798-4877 or marbleheadlighthouseohio.org.

July 9: SCRAP Tractor Pulls, White Star Park, Gibsonburg, 9 a.m. SCRAP Tractor Pulls White Star Park Gibsonburg, Featuring 15 classes and awards in all classes. Weigh-In at 8 a.m.; pull at 9 a.m. Info: Elwood Dick at 419-307-4265/419-689-5498 or visit www.s-c-r-a-p.inc.org.

July 9: Fremont Speedway Fisher Performance Night, Sandusky Co. Fairgrounds, corner of Rawson and North St. Gates open at 4 p.m.; racing starts at 7 p.m. Featuring 410 & Plus 305 sprint cars and dirt trucks. 419-332-0478 or www.fremontohspeedway.com.

July 9: Stargazing at Wolf Creek Park Campground, 2701 SR 53, Fremont, sunset. All ages are welcome to view the night sky with telescopes set up by Sandusky Valley Amateur Astronomers. www.sanduskycounty.org.

July 9: North Coast Concert Band present a free outdoor concert at the Keeper’s House in Marblehead, 2 p.m. www.northcoastconcertband.com.

July 9-10: Fremont Flea Market, Sandusky Co. Fairgrounds, corner of Rawson and North, Fremont. Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. More than 200 vendors. Free admission and parking. Info: 419-332-5604 or www.sanduskycountyfair.com.

July 10: Classic Car Show on Main Street, downtown Bowling Green, noon-4 p.m. More than 250 cars ranging from pre-war to modified hot rods, domestic, and imports. Free. Rain or shine. 419-354-4332 or www.downtownbgohio.org.

July 10: Vintage Base Ball Games, Hayes Presidential Center, Spiegel Grove, Fremont, 2 p.m. Spiegel Grove Squires take on the Celebrity All Stars Base Ball Club in a free competitive demonstration of 1860s-style base ball. www.rbhayes.org.

July 14: Schedel’s 20th Anniversary Celebration and Clam Bake, Schedel Arboretum and Gardens, Elmore, 6 to 10 p.m. Cocktails, dinner, live music, dancing and fireworks at dark. www.schedel-gardens.org.

July 14: Third Thursday Art Walk, downtown Toledo, 6-9 p.m. Browse and purchase affordable local art while getting to know the artists, studios, and galleries that populate the Arts Zone, the Warehouse District, and other neighborhoods in the Downtown area. Download a map at www.acgt.org. 419-254-2787.

July 14-17: Young Rep Productions: “Godspell,” Toledo Repertoire Theatre, 16 Tenth St., Toledo. 419-243-9277 or www.toledorep.org.

July 14-17: Toledo Mud Hens vs. Scranton W/B Yankees, Fifth Third Field, 406 Washington St., Toledo. 419-725-HENS or www.mudhens.com.

July 15: Lady Antebellum in concert, Toledo Zoo Amphitheater, Toledo, 7:30 p.m. www.ticketmaster.com.

July 15: Music in the Park and Farmer’s Market, Friendship Park, 27975 Cummings Rd., Lake Twp. Concert featuring Polish American Concert Band starts at 6:30 p.m. Hot dogs, brats, and refreshments. Bring a lawn chair. Farmer’s market hours are 5-7 p.m.

July 15-16: Preserving Our Memories, Sauder Village, 22611 W. SR 2, Archbold. Learn fun and easy ways to preserve and tell your family story, from scrapbooking, photo quilts and more. 800-590-9755 or www.saudervillage.org.

July 18-24: Ottawa County Fair, Ottawa County Fairgrounds, 7870 W. SR 163, Oak Harbor. Food, entertainment, harness racing, tractor pulls, agricultural displays and more. www.ottawacountyfair.org/419-898-1971.

July 20: Steely Dan in concert, Toledo Zoo Amphitheater, Toledo, 7:30 p.m. www.ticketmaster.com.

July 21: White Star Beach Party, White Star Park, 925 S. Main St., Gibsonburg, noon-8 p.m. Free beach admission plus face painting, crafts, water balloon tosses and more from noon to 4 p.m. at the Sycamore Shelter. www.sanduskycounty.org.

July 22: Music in the Park and Farmer’s Market, Friendship Park, 27975 Cummings Rd., Lake Twp. Concert featuring Sneakers Band starts at 6:30 p.m. Hot dogs, brats, and refreshments. Bring a lawn chair. Farmer’s market hours are 5-7 p.m.

July 22: Downtown SoundTrek, St. Clair St., downtown Toledo, 7 p.m.-1 a.m. A one-night showcase of excellent local music and great local venues. 419-254-2787 or www.acgt.org.

July 22-23: Explore the Crafts, Sauder Village, 22611 SR 2, Archbold. Try weaving, woodworking, pottery, basket making, spinning, sewing, tinsmithing and more. 800-590-9755 or www.saudervillage.org.

July 22-24: Islandfest, various locations, Kelleys Island. A parade, waterfront craft fair, live entertainment, food and more. www.kelleysislandchamber.com.

July 22-24: Christmas in July, downtown Put-in-Bay. Downtown businesses decorate for the holiday season, food and beverages with a Christmas theme, entertainment and more. www.visitputinbay.com.

July 23: Great Maumee River Dragon Boat Festival, International Park, Toledo, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Children’s activities, live entertainment, festival food and competitive boat races. Proceeds benefit Partners in Education. 419-242-2122 or www.partnerstoledo.org.

July 23: Fremont Speedway Burns, Petroleum Night, Sandusky Co. Fairgrounds, corner of Rawson and North St., Fremont. Gates open 4 p.m.; racing at 7 p.m. Featuring 410 and Plus 305 sprint cars and dirt trucks. 419-332-0478 or www.fremontohspeedway.com.

July 23: North American Butterfly Association Count, Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, 13229 W. SR 2, Oak Harbor, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Join in the count of all the butterflies at Magee and Ottawa. Bring a hat, water and lunch. $3 fee.

July 24: Tedeschi Trucks Band, Centennial Terrace, 5773 Centennial, Sylvania, 7:30 p.m. www.ticketmaster.com.

July 24: Vintage Base Ball Game, Hayes Presidential Center, Spiegel Grove, Fremont, 2 p.m. Spiegel Grove Squires take on the Wood Co. Infirmary Inmates. Free. www.rbhayes.org.

July 25: ADA Day at the Zoo, Toledo Zoo, Toledo, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. An informational fair held in celebration of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Info: Ability Center of Greater Toledo, 419-885-5733 or www.abilitycenter.org.

July 25-31: 2011 U.S. Senior Open Championship, Inverness Country Club, 4601 Dorr St., Toledo. 419-578-9000.

July 26: Classic Car Show, downtown Genoa, 5-8 p.m. Come see a variety of old cars, enjoy the music from the `50s and `60s with Zeake and his Oldies Machine. www.genoachamber.com.

July 26-31: Lucas County Fair, Lucas County Fairgrounds, 2901 Key St., Maumee. www.lucascountyfair.com.

July 26-29: Toledo Mud Hens vs. Norfolk Tides, Fifth Third Field, 406 Washington St., Toledo. 419-725-HENS or www.mudhens.com.

July 28: The Beach Boys in concert, Centennial Terrace, 5773 Centennial, Sylvania, 7:30 p.m. www.ticketmaster.com or www.sylvaniarecreation.org.

July 28: Poison with Warrant, Toledo Zoo Amphitheater, 2700 Broadway, Toledo, 7 p.m. www.ticketmaster.com.

July 29: Music in the Park and Farmer’s Market, Friendship Park, 27975 Cummings Rd., Lake Twp. Concert featuring Ottawa County Bluegrass Band starts at 6:30 p.m. Hot dogs, brats, and refreshments. Bring a lawn chair. Farmer’s market hours are 5-7 p.m.

July 29: Keith Urban in concert, Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, 7:30 p.m. www.ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.

July 30: Vintage Base Ball Day, Sauder Village, 22611 SR 2, Archbold, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Watch as the Great Black Swamp Frogs from Toledo and the Ohio Village Muffins, of Columbus, along with a guest team play vintage base ball using late 19th century rules. 800-590-9755 or www.saudervillage.org.

July 30: Toledo Mud Hens vs. Syracuse Chiefs, Fifth Third Field, 406 Washington St., Toledo. 419-725-HENS or www.mudhens.com.

July 30-31: Fisher-Price Play Weekend, the Toledo Zoo, Toledo, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Kids are invited to come and check out the hottest new toys, meet friendly characters, and more. 419-385-4040 or www.toledozoo.org.

July 31: Art on the Mall, University of Toledo Centennial Mall, 2801 W. Bancroft St., Toledo. Showcasing the talents of the area’s best artists. Free. 419-530-2586, www.toledoalumni.org.

July 30: Fremont Speedway Kistler Engines Night, Sandusky Co. Fairgrounds Corner of Rawson and North St., Fremont. Gates open at 4 p.m.; racing starts at 7 p.m. Featuring 410 and Plus 305 sprint cars and dirt trucks. 419-332-0478 or www.fremontohspeedway.com.

August
Aug. 2-8: Wood County Fair, Wood County Fairgrounds, 13800 W. Poe Rd., Bowling Green. Featuring Chris Young & Steel Magnolia, demolition derby and more. www.woodcounty-fair.com.

Ongoing:
Through July 10: Ohio Kimono Exhibit, Schedel Arboretum & Gardens, 19225 W. Portage River S. Rd., Elmore. A sampling of recognized expert and renowned collector, Karrie Porter’s many different styles of Kimono in the McAlear Gallery in the Brown Welcome Center. www.schedel-gardens.org or 419-862-3182.

Through Sept. 18: Watch and Wager on Live Harness Racing, Raceway Park, 5700 Telegraph Rd., Toledo, 7 p.m. Saturdays and 6 p.m. Sundays. www.racewayparktoledo.com or 419-476-7751.

Through Sept. 18: Bodies Revealed exhibition, Imagination Station, One Discovery Way, downtown Toledo. Featuring real human bodies meticulously prepared and respectfully displayed. www.imaginationstationtoledo.com.

Through Jan. 29, 2012: Civil War: Battlefield & Homefront, Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center, Fremont. The exhibit interprets the war years using the letters of Northwest Ohio residents who served in the war and those who stayed behind. 412-332-2081 or www.rbhayes.org.

Toledo Museum of Art – Various exhibits at the museum, 2445 Monroe St., Toledo:

Through July 24: Frank Stella: Irregular Polygons, Canaday Gallery. A consistent innovator at the forefront of abstract art, Stella produces his works in series, immersing himself in visual thinking and creating -- according to his words -- “line, plane, volume, and point, within space.” Free.

Through Aug. 7: What’s Wrong with Me? Art and Disease, Hitchcock Gallery. Art history students at the University of Toledo selected works from the TMA collection and designed this exhibition that explores the relationships between art, disease, and human civilization.

Through May 13, 2012: “The Egypt Experience: Secrets of the Tomb” Exhibit, Lower Level Egyptian Gallery, Main Museum. TMA’s popular mummies return to public view for this exploration of ancient Egyptian beliefs about life and the afterlife.

For more information on these and other programs, call 419-255-8000 or www.toledomuseum.org.

For more events, be sure to visit www.presspublications.com, www.do-toledo.org, www.lake-erie.com or www.lakeeriesfavoriteneighbor.com. Submit event information to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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