Outdoor adventure for all ages at Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience
The Midwest's premier outdoor adventure festival returns Oct. 7 & 8
Outdoor adventure for all ages at Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience
Explore the active side of Dayton with the whole family at Five Rivers MetroParks’ 2017 Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience, presented by KIND. This event will feature two days of outdoor adventure from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Eastwood MetroPark, 1385 Harshman Road in Dayton. Admission and parking are free.
Last year, MetroParks offered extended event hours along with myriad opportunities to try new activities outdoors. This year, visitors can count on a new line-up of pros performing high flying demos, hands-on activities and more.
“This will be the second year for the Saturday through Sunday extended event hours,” said Margaret Mueller, Five Rivers MetroParks outdoor recreation event specialist. “Last year was a huge success, as we were able to engage more families and offer more of what people love: new, exciting ways to experience the outdoors.”
Try your hand at more than 25 outdoor activities, open to all ages and skill levels, in various experience areas throughout Eastwood MetroPark. Add to your knowledge at the Bike Village and get rolling on the pumptrack. Build outdoor living skills at the Backpacker Magazine Outdoor School, and then discover backcountry camping in the Great Miami Outfitters Outpost, part of the Osprey Backcountry Zone. Children can try a variety of outdoor activities at the Youth Adventure Zone, including animal encounters, climbing and nature play. Other activities include:
- Climbing
- Mountain Biking
- Dynamic Discs Disc Golf
- Fitness Programs
- Fishing Village
- Geocaching
- Inline Skating
- Skateboarding
- Slacklining
- Paddling
Festival-goers can view freestyle kayakers on the Mad River Run, thanks to support from Whitewater Warehouse. The Inspired Stunt Shows team will take BMX tricks to new heights, while the legendary Jeff Lenosky showcases his world record bunny hop and other mountain biking skills. Watch the Team Zoom disc dogs, presented by Best Breed, and bring your own pet to get in on the fun at the Bark Zone.
Attendees also can enter several competitions, including the State Champion 12-hour endurance run presented by ORRRC or the Disc Golf Challenge on a special course created just for the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience. Other competitions include:
- Ruff Run 5K
- Buckeye Kayak Fishing Tournament
- Cache In, Trash Out Geocaching
- Buckeye DockDogs
- UpDog Frisbee Dog Competition
- Princeton Tec Rock the Night Hunt (with a chance to win up to $500 in gear from Great Miami Outfitters)
On-site exhibitors will offer new equipment for purchase, and local clubs will link festival-goers with resources to get them outside. A used gear area will be available to those who wish to consign their old gear. Visitors also can enter the Gear Giveaway for a chance to win great products from Popticals.
Enjoy live music on the Dayton.com Music Stage. Programmed by 91.3-FM WYSO, the musical lineup features some of the best acts in the Dayton region. Fill up with a variety of options from local food trucks, and grab a beverage from the Great Lakes Brewing Company Food & Beer Garden.
This year’s vendors also have committed to the festival’s Waste Free initiative and will not sell plastic water bottles and will serve food on compostable or locally recyclable materials. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own water bottle and reusable pint mug. Steel pints also are available onsite for $5 with your first beer purchase.
Bring a tent and camp for the weekend on the banks of the Eastwood lagoon. Campsites are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Limited space will be available for small pop-up campers, too.
Take your involvement one step further and volunteer with the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience. Contact Jenny Hymans in volunteer services at 937-275-PARK (7275) or email volunteer.services@metroparks.org.
“This event has grown to become the Midwest’s premier outdoor adventure festival thanks to the dedication of our volunteers, staff, exhibitors and sponsors,” Brent Anslinger, Five Rivers MetroParks outdoor recreation program manager, said of OutdoorX. “Not only is this event a celebration that brings the outdoor community together, it is the perfect occasion for families to experience their natural surroundings and be inspired to learn new ways to play in Dayton, Ohio: The Outdoor Adventure Capital of the Midwest!”
Get the weekend’s complete schedule at metroparks.org/outdoorx. This event is presented by title sponsor Wagner Subaru and presenting sponsor, KIND, with additional sponsorship from Backpacker Magazine, Osprey, Princeton Tec, Subaru, Best Breed, Great Lakes Brewing Company, Great Miami Outfitters, Mad River Mountain, Popticals, Dynamic Discs, Whitewater Warehouse, Bonbright Distributors, Dayton.com, Dayton Cycling Club, Fisherman’s Headquarters, Miami Group Sierra Club, Crowne Plaza Dayton and WYSO.
ABOUT FIVE RIVERS METROPARKS
Celebrating more than 50 years of preserving green space and natural areas, Five Rivers MetroParks is a nationally renowned park system composed of natural area parks, gardens, high-quality river corridors, urban parks and a network of recreation trails. Five Rivers MetroParks protects the region’s natural heritage and provides outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature. Educational programs and recreational opportunities are offered year-round for all ages. Five Rivers MetroParks is accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies. To learn more about Five Rivers MetroParks, log onto www.metroparks.org or call 937-275-PARK (7275).
