Get ready to soak up the sunshine in Mansfield this May! The Destination Mansfield-Richland County calendar is busting out with big events as local businesses ramp up for Summer!
We are kicking off May with a journey back in time. Travel Richland County’s historical treasures on our RichHistory Weekend, May 6-7. Enjoy historical presentations, entertainment, tours and hands-on activities at various historical locations such as Malabar Farm State Park, Kingwood Center Gardens, The Richland County Museum and Oak Hill Cottage. Follow the sound of the canons to the Fairgrounds for the famous Ohio Civil War Show. See the battle reenactments, listen to Abraham Lincoln deliver his famous speeches and peruse the over 750 vendors of military memorabilia.
Racers start your engines at Mansfield Motor Speedway’s Monster Truck Mania on May 6th. Or come visit over Memorial Day weekend (May 28) for the all-star Memorial Classic race on the new dirt track.
May means the beginning of the summer season for The Ohio State Reformatory. Regular guided tours will be available Saturdays and Sundays 11-4 through August. Experience Haunted Mansfield public ghost hosted in the evenings at the Ohio State Reformatory and the haunted Bissman Building. Come back to the Reformatory for the Dropt-n-Destroyed Car Show May 27-28. The prison will be available for tours.
Visit the picturesque Malabar Farm State Park for Spring Plowing Days– May 20-21. See draft horses in action, play games and cheer for events. Check out the Malabar Farm Restaurant or take a “”Historic Hike.” Kick up your heels on May 27th for the traditional Barn Dance, featuring square and line dancing.
Downtown Mansfield is hopping in the warm weather. May marks the beginning of The Final Fridays Concert Series in the Brickyard beginning May 26. Check out the local stores with special events and goodies on First Fridays Shop Hops beginning May 5. Keep it local every Friday with our local Farmers Market beginning May 26. Check out behind the scenes of Downtown Mansfield with their self-guided Secret City Tour May 6. Attend literary events at Main Street Books, like this Book Talk on May 5.
Explore the “buyers paradise” that is The Mansfield Antique Bottle Show on May 13. See the unique finds across hundreds of tables of antiques, one day only.
Experience the arts this month at one of our many venues. Listen to concerts from our Mansfield Symphony Orchestra (Masterworks Concert May 13) as well as our Youth Orchestra (Spring Concert May 7). Wander the galleries and exhibits of local artists at the Mansfield Art Center 72nd Annual May Show (May 6-31). Laugh through the hilarious Adult Comedy Review Skits, Bits and Halfwits at the Mansfield Playhouse May 12-13, 19-20. Or see our historic Renaissance Theater perform Little Johnny Jones May 27-28.
Enjoy the sunshine! Check out one of our many outdoor venues. Attend the Kingwood Center Garden Discovery Days May 5-6. Take advantage of the first of seven Free Kayak and Canoeing Days at Pleasant Hill Lake on May 27. Come back in the evening and rock out at the “Beats By the Beach” local band contest. Explore the Gorman Nature Center on any beautiful day but be sure and attend their cool events in May: Frogs and Fairytales (May 10), Rock and Fossil Day (May 13), and The Night Sky (May 30).
Come to the Mansfield area this May for exciting moments and amazing memories.