February calendar: Orchid Show, related special events, return to the Toledo Zoo

      
        The Toledo Zoo will bloom this February with the popular annual Orchid Show, open weekends from Feb. 9-25 in the ProMedica Museum of Natural History.
        The show, featuring more than 1,800 plants, offers guests the opportunity to become immersed in vibrant colors and delightful scents, and learn interesting backstories of rare and exotic orchids from around the world.
        With ultraviolet fluorescence in the Mazza Gallery, visitors will see a “bee’s eye view” of what orchids look like to pollinators. Many orchids are ultraviolet fluorescent, primarily in their reproductive parts, in an attempt to focus the pollinator.
        The three-week show also includes a variety of classes, demonstrations, and workshops where guests can grow their horticulture knowledge and skills. The topics range from how to care for orchids to how to photograph one, building a terrarium and more.
        This year’s special events also offer an elevated Orchid Show experience. Enjoy Blooms & Bubbly for champagne tasting with small plates; venture into Venom Among the Vines with cocktails and an up-close view of snakes or savor Slow Brew with local coffee samples and live music. Special events and workshops are ticketed events.
        The Toledo Zoo’s Orchid Show runs 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from Feb. 9-25. The event is included with Zoo admission.
        To commemorate the show, there is also an opportunity for the public to purchase an orchid at the Orchid Show Plant Sale on Saturday, March 2. The Plant Sale will take place at the ProMedica Museum of Natural History Great Hall from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
        For more information, visit https://www.toledozoo.org/events/orchid-show
 
 
Ongoing
        Through April 14: “The Brilliance of Caravaggio: Four Paintings in Focus,” Toledo Museum of Art, Canaday Gallery. Landmark exhibition pairs four theatrical paintings by the renowned Italian artist with four works by Italian, French, Dutch and Spanish artists in TMA’s collection who found inspiration in his technique and subject matter. toledomuseum.org.
        Through Sept. 1: “Beth Lipman: ReGift,” Toledo Museum of Art, Gallery 18. Motivated by histories Lipman discovered in the archives at the TMA, the project features a three-quarter life-sized recreation of the parlor in Edward and Florence Libbey’s Old West End house. toledomuseum.org.
        Through Dec. 31,“Chasing Totality, The History of Science and Eclipses,” Hayes Presidential Library and Museums, Spiegel Grove, Fremont. On April 8, Spiegel Grove and the rest of Sandusky County will be plunged into total darkness as the moon completely blots out the sun. The “Chasing Totality” exhibit looks at the science behind eclipses and the history of astronomy’s attempts to understand that science and takes a look at one particular solar eclipse that drove Americans across the country to the western territories during Hayes’s presidency. Included with regular admission. rbhayes.org.
        Through Aug. 30, 2025: “Africa Unmasked,” Toledo Museum of Art, Gallery 1. Exhibition commemorates 65 years of African art collecting and exhibiting at TMA. Featuring 16 works, ranging from the oldest to the most recent acquisitions, the display invites viewers to appreciate the permanent collection as both an example of African innovation and as an outgrowth of evolving European-American ideas about African culture. toledomuseum.org
        Through Aug. 30, 2025: “Expanding Horizons: The Evolving Character of a Nation,” Toledo Museum of Art, New Media Gallery. Installation celebrates, complicates, and above all, aims to instill curiosity and inquiry about American art. toledomuseum.org.
        Various times: Ice skating at the Ribbon, Glass City Metropark, 983 Front St., Toledo. The Ribbon, supported by the Hylant Family Foundation, is a 1,000 foot loop trail featuring rolling hills and soft curves for a unique winter ice skating experience. The Ribbon is connected to a 5,000 square foot skating pond that offers a traditional ice rink experience for beginners and a series of special events and programs. metroparkstoledo.com/theribbon.
 
February
        Feb. 2: Opening of “Above and Beyond” Exhibit, Imagination Station Toledo. An immersive experience that offers a closer look at the advances that transformed aviation and aerospace – from the first powered flights to the latest inventions on Earth and in space. Featuring five galleries full of interactive, hands-on experiences. Combined with Imagination Station's new solar eclipse programming, “Above and Beyond” helps give visitors community a detailed understanding of outer space and the eclipse experience the region will experience on April 8. imaginationstationtoledo.org.
        Feb. 2-4: Greater Toledo Auto Show, Glass City Center, 401 Jefferson St., Toledo. The Toledo Automobile Dealers Association brings new vehicles and the latest interactive technologies to consumers and car enthusiasts. toledoautoshow.org.
        Feb. 2-4, 9-11: Fremont Community Theatre presents, “Tuna Does Vegas,” 1551 Dickenson St., Fremont. The comedy reunites the lovable and eccentric characters from the ‘third-smallest town in Texas” as they take a rambling romp in Sin City. Curtain times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Purchase tickets at showtix4u.com.
        Feb. 3: Toledo Walleye vs. Norfolk Admirals, Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, 7:15 p.m. toledowalleye.com.
        Feb. 6: Disturbed – Take Back Your Life Tour, Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m. ticketmaster.com.
        Feb. 9: Toledo Walleye vs. Kalamazoo Wings, Huntington Center, 7:15 p.m. toledowalleye.com.
        Feb. 10: Happy Hearts Day, Toledo Zoo, 2 Hippo Way, Toledo. Watch your favorite Zoo animals enjoy their Valentine treats. toledozoo.org/events/happy-hearts-day.
        Feb. 10: Cultural Cooking Series: A Taste of Congolese Cuisine, Toledo Lucas County Public Library, 325 N. Michigan St., 2 p.m. Join in a culinary journey celebrating the rich and diverse flavors of the Congo featuring Chef Mae (Merveilles Tshitenge). events.toledolibrary.org/event/9861598.
        Feb. 10: Winter Brewfest, Fifth Third Field, 406 Washington St., Toledo, 5-9 p.m. Rescheduled from Jan. 20. Sample pours from more than 30 different national, regional, and local craft breweries while enjoying food and live music. Open to ages 21 and older. hensvilletoledo.com/winter-brewfest.
        Feb. 10: Wine & Dine Valentine’s Dinner, Toledo Zoo Malawi Event Center, 2 Hippo Way, Toledo, 6:30-9 p.m. Enjoy an intimate, multi-course gourmet meal, complete with professionally paired wines, prepared by Toledo Zoo's award-winning catering staff. In addition, there will be live entertainment, an animal encounter and more. Open to ages 21 and older. toledozoo.org/events/wine.
        Feb. 10-11: Fremont Flea Market, Sandusky County Fairgrounds, 901 Rawson Ave., Fremont, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. 419-332-5604, sanduskycountyfair.com.
        Feb. 13: Birds at Home Virtual Program presented by Black Swamp Bird Observatory, 7 p.m. Join Erro Lehnert for a glimpse into the life of a condor biologist. Discussion will include an overview of condor biology, the captive breeding and reintroduction program, radio and GPS tracking data, wild nesting and fledgling success – and heartbreak. Register at bsbo.org.
        Feb. 16-18: Elevate the Stage, Glass City Center, 401 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, 8 a.m. daily. A podium-style gymnastics competition featuring youth competitors from all over the country. elevatethestage.com/tol.
        Feb. 16, 18: “Romeo & Juliet,” Valentine Theatre, 401 Adams St., Toledo. The world’s most celebrated love story finds new dimension in Charles Gounod’s classic retelling of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet.” toledoopera.org.
        Feb. 17: Presidents Day 5K, Hayes Presidential Library & Museums, Spiegel Grove, Fremont. Sponsored by Fremont Elite Runners Club. Put on your favorite patriotic and presidential garb and run or walk the Presidents’ Day 5K to raise money for Hayes Presidential. Registration begins at 9 a.m.; 5K starts at 10 a.m. Pre-registration is available online at https: fremonteliterunnersclub.com/events/presidents-day-5k.
        Feb. 17: Chili for Conservation: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge’s Chili Cookoff, Visitor Center, 14000 W. SR 2,  Oak Harbor, 12-3 p.m. Sponsored by Friends of ONWR. Bring a slow cooker full of your favorite chili and compete awards including Golden Ladle (Judge's Choice), Hot Stuff (Hottest Chili) and People's Choice. More into eating? Come and try them all and put in your vote for People's Choice. Free, family-friendly event. Registration begins at noon; judging begins at 1 p.m. friendsofottawanwr.org.
        Feb. 17-18: Swan Fest, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, 14000 W. SR 2, Oak Harbor, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. A celebration of swans with different educational activities, games, and crafts at the Visitor Center and opportunities to view swans along the hiking trails and Wildlife Drive. The Visitor Center will be open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with fun activities planned throughout the day. Wildlife drive will also be open, weather-permitting. Friendsofottawanwr.org.
        Feb. 19: Presidents Day Celebration, Hayes Presidential Library & Museums, Fremont, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free admission. A day of activities at America's First Presidential Library. rbhayes.org/events/2024/02/19/events/presidents-day-celebration/
        Feb. 20-25:  “Hadestown,” Stranahan Theater, 4645 Heatherdowns Boulevard, Toledo. “Hadestown” intertwines two mythic tales – that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone – as it invites audiences on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. americantheatreguild.com/toledo/shows/hadestown.
        Feb. 23-25: PRO Home & Garden Show, Glass City Center, 401 Jefferson Ave., Toledo. Hours are 3-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Featuring more than 100 exhibits with Professional Remodelers on hand to answer questions about interior home remodeling, roofing, landscaping, concrete and hardscape, pools and spas and more. hireaprotoday.com/pro-home-show.
        Feb. 23-24: Toledo Walleye vs. Maine Mariners, Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, 7:15 p.m. Players Weekend – the Fish will wear special nickname “Bonefish” jerseys. toledowalleye.com.
        Feb. 25: Slow Brew at the Zoo, Toledo Zoo, 2 Hippo Way, Toledo, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sample and celebrate all things coffee at Toledo Zoo. toledozoo.org/events/slow-brew.
        Feb. 25: Toledo Walleye vs. Fort Wayne Komets, Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, 5:15 p.m. Kids Takeover Night, Spike Squish Pillow Giveaway and Postgame Open Skate. toledowalleye.com.
        Feb. 26-March 3: Restaurant Week Toledo, featuring special meals at special prices from dozens of the Glass City’s best locally owned restaurants. A portion of all proceeds will be donated to Leadership Toledo’s high-impact programs designed to cultivate and empower aspiring young leaders. restaurantweektoledo.com.
        Feb. 28: Presidential History Book Club, Hayes Presidential Library & Museums, Spiegel Grove, Fremont, noon. All are invited to read and discuss books about the American presidency at this free book club. This month, the club is reading “A Man of Iron,” by Troy Senik (a continuation of the January discussion). Event will take place in person and online. For online login information, contact historian Dustin McLochlin at dmclochlin@rbhayes.org. Participants can bring their lunch. rbhayes.org.
        For more events, be sure to visit presspublications.com, visittoleddo.org, shoresandislands.com or sanduskycounty.org. Submit event information to twalro@presspublications.com.