Festivals

\# This meetup is around a third\-party organizer\, Focus Filmtheater\. You can either purchase your ticket online or right before the session\. **Seats are numbered**. # **Title**: Mama’ku **Language**: Dutch **Subtitles**: English **Length**: 75 min **Director**: Sven Peetoom, Aldo Agaatsz **More info**: https://www.focusarnhem.nl/agenda/english-subs-mamaku/ **Ticket link**: https://www.focusarnhem.nl/tickets/146153/ **Synopsis:** The new documentary by Sven Peetoom (*Tussen Wal en Schip – Geruisloos Indisch)*. An intimate film about choreographer and dancer Cheroney Pelupessy, who makes the journey to Indonesia for the first time together with her mother in search of a hidden family history. **How it works**: I will be at Focus around 18:30, where we can meet before the movie starts. You can message me to find us. Screening starts at 19:00. After the movie, we can have a drink together. Hope to see you soon!

**When:** Wednesday\, July 1st \| 🕒 Doors open at 19:00\, battle starts at 20:00 **Where:** De Ping Pong Club, Utrecht **Damage:** €4,07 (Buy your tickets in advance as spaces are limited! Secure your spot directly with the venue [here](https://shop.weeztix.com/37dc63d6-519c-11f0-a9cb-7e126431635e/events?shop_code=5rn36dck)!) **The Vibe:** I checked out De Ping Pong Club last week—it is an awesome location! They even have board games if you need a break from the action. I played there recently outside of a tournament, and let me tell you about the "athletic" standard: if you can hold two beers at the same time, you are officially qualified. This is not the Olympics, this is [around the table](https://depingpongclub.nl/agenda/). Leave your sports watch at home; this is a purely social event where your actual speaking time will easily outlast your playtime. **Pro Tip:** There are bonus points for costumes and alternative, non-paddle equipment. Fry-pans, textbooks, or flip-flops? Bring it. **Essential Training Routine:** If you actually want to take this seriously and lift the trophy, you *must* complete this strict two-step preparation: 1. Watch the [Balls of Fury Trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXR_NLDMUk8&t) to master the illegal underground table tennis mindset. 2. Blast [Armin van Buuren's Ping Pong](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8V5GfFeUDs) on repeat to get your hand-eye coordination synced to 138 BPM. **P.S.** Who is willing to play in my team **"ExBats"**? (Yes, a terrible pun merging "Expats" with *bat*, the Dutch word for racket). Drop a comment below if you're in!

Spots are limited: [https://tickets.voxxeddays.com/event/workshop-victor-rentea](https://tickets.voxxeddays.com/event/workshop-victor-rentea) **Build faster, smarter software with AI.** Join an exclusive, fully catered workshop with Victor Rentea on Agentic Engineering in a small, focused group of engineers. **Upgrade your development workflow to 2026.** A hands-on day on AI Coding Agents: prompt & context engineering, multi-agent orchestration, spec-driven development, and self-improving skills. Learn how engineers reach 2x–10x productivity and what it takes to get there. **For:** all engineers (backend, frontend, QA, data, ops) **Bring:** laptop with Claude Code + subscription (Pro is enough) **The agenda of the day** **Introduction** * LLM Fundamentals: Predictions, Tokens, Context Window, Compaction, System Prompt, Model vs Agent Harness * AI Pitfalls: Sycophancy, Hallucinations, Attention Dilution, Knowledge Cutoff, Premature Fixation * MCP Tools – best-of **Context Engineering** * Evolving a Token-Efficient Project Memory * AI Context Sharing across repos, teams, and company * Skills and Custom Agents that self-improve * Token-Efficiency Tricks: context hygiene, DRY, grep-logs antipattern **Prompt Engineering & Orchestration** * Prompt Engineering – does and dont’s * Brainstorm, plan & generate a non-trivial change with AI * Multi-Agent Orchestration Patterns: handover, reviewer, orchestrator, advisor,… **AI Guardrails & Security** * Functional Guardrails with State-of-the-art Acceptance Tests * ⁠Code Quality Guardrails AI cannot circumvent * ⁠Architecture Guardrails & Exact Summarisation * APIs, C4 Model, sequence diagrams * AI Supply-Chain Attacks Attacks and Agent Isolation Techniques **Date:** Wednesday, July 1st (09:00 - 17:00) **Location**: Utrecht (venue TBA) **Price**: € 395,- (incl. lunch & drinks) Spots are limited: [https://tickets.voxxeddays.com/event/workshop-victor-rentea](https://tickets.voxxeddays.com/event/workshop-victor-rentea)

Hi all! 🙂 On Wednesdays we welcome you to practice languages! If you want to practice a specific (uncommon) language, please send us a message so we can find some conversation partners for you on our mailing list! We hope to see you in Café Marktzicht! In the last year we had tables for the following languages: * Dutch * English * French * Italian * Spanish * Turkish\* * German\* * Portuguese\* * Danish\* * Norwegian\* * Russian\* * Arabic\* * Chinese\*\* * Japanese\*\* * Indonesian\*\* * * Most likely, but not every week present. \*\* - Rather rare ;-) If your language is not in this list, please let us know! We have a large database of Language Cafe visitors speaking 56 different languages! We might be able to connect you with a person that does speak the language you want to practice. In case you are not in our database yet, please use this form: http://goo.gl/forms/oSCn9Dn8m8

Welcome to our Volleyball community !! 🏐🎉 We are a community of volleyball enthusiasts who want to enjoy the game, improve their skills, and meet new friends. Our open play sessions offer a friendly, social environment where everyone can get some practice and have fun. Our sessions consist of mixed level play, however intermediate volleyball knowledge is mandatory. We try to have a balanced levels per team to ensure smooth play. If you aren’t familiar with basic volleyball rules and have no experience, sorry to say, but it's not your group. ❗❗ Meetup recently pops up their subscription option after you click on RSVP— you can dismiss it by clicking the "X" in the top left corner. ✅ RSVP & Attendance Attendance is limited to 14 people. If the RSVP list is full, join the waiting list—cancellations happen frequently. If the event appears full on the Meetup app, try using a web browser instead. ❌Cancellations & Refunds cancellation prior to 24h before the event, can be refunded. Can’t make it? Update your RSVP to "Not Going" ASAP so someone else can take your spot. 👟 What to Bring For your own safety and comfort, wear sport shoes and clothing (no street shoes—must change into sport shoes) and bring deodorant for ours. 💸 Payment & Contribution (€6.00 per person) Payment must be made in advance via Tikkie. Please only pay once you are added to the going list. In case you do not meet the payment deadline, you may be moved to the not going list. Looking forward to seeing you on the court! 🏐🔥 Let’s play, have fun, and make new friends!

Relaxed day a the nudist beach of the Maarsseveense lake near Utrecht. Let’s get this group going and enjoy the nice weather! 😎☀️🏊‍♂️

Are you an **expat** in **Utrecht** and do you want to **learn how to swim?** Look no further! Dive into **personalized swimming lessons** with **Your Personal Swim Coach**. Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn the basics or an advanced swimmer seeking to refine your technique, our expert coaches offer **tailored sessions** that fit your needs. **De Kwakel** is a great pool close to the city center, has free parking, and is easy to reach by bus. It's an **amazing learning environment!** **Don't wait any longer:** **[Sign up for a Try Out Lesson!](https://www.your-personal-swim-coach.nl/product/try-out-adult-swimming-lesson/)** Want to learn more first? Go to our **[website](https://www.your-personal-swim-coach.nl/)** or **[schedule a call!](https://calendly.com/ypsc/new-meeting)**

grassroots meet up for women / mothers / in Amsterdam who want to bring their children into their fun, spiritual and festival-going lives! this looks like a very family friendly festival, 30 minutes drive from Amsterdam and I do believe it is accessible by public transport. please note: I am not affiliated with this event, just a new mom / family who are finding our way back to events and spaces we loved pre-baby, now ready to enjoy them with our toddler and connecting with like-minded people along the way :) https://wonderfeel.nl

'THE SYMPATHIZER' by Viet Thanh Nguyen 'The winner of the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, as well as seven other awards, The Sympathizer is the breakthrough novel of the year. With the pace and suspense of a thriller and prose that has been compared to Graham Greene and Saul Bellow, The Sympathizer is a sweeping epic of love and betrayal. The narrator, a communist double agent, is a man of two minds, a half-French, half-Vietnamese army captain who arranges to come to America after the Fall of Saigon, and while building a new life with other Vietnamese refugees in Los Angeles is secretly reporting back to his communist superiors in Vietnam. The Sympathizer is a blistering exploration of identity and America, a gripping espionage novel, and a powerful story of love and friendship.' ***Please read the book and join us for a lively discussion (in English) about the contents during our afternoon book club meeting.*** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **PLEASE NOTE:** This is an IN-PERSON event in Amersfoort, The Netherlands. Please cancel your attendance in advance if you are unable to join, so that those on the waitlist can participate. Looking forward to seeing you all IN REAL LIFE then! Best regards, Sandra

Join us for a summer day trip to **Deventer Op Stelten**, one of the Netherlands’ most spectacular outdoor theatre festivals. For one weekend, the historic city centre of Deventer transforms into a giant open-air stage, filled with street theatre, circus, aerial performances, music, visual spectacle, and unexpected performances around every corner. The 2026 edition takes place from **3–5 July**, with Saturday 4 July running from **11:00 until midnight**. The festival includes more than 150 mostly free performances, though a few special shows may require a ticket or reservation. We’ll spend the afternoon wandering through the city, watching performances, exploring the festival atmosphere, and enjoying beautiful historic Deventer along the way. Expect a relaxed, social day with plenty of time to pause, chat, take photos, and follow whatever performances catch our attention. To finish the day, we’ll have dinner together at **El Popo**, a Mexican restaurant on **Brink 13** in Deventer. They describe themselves as serving fresh authentic Mexican food, American Tex-Mex, Mexican craft beers, cocktails, and a relaxed summer vibe. **Schedule** **13:00** – Meet at Deventer station **13:15–18:30** – Explore Deventer Op Stelten together **19:00** – Dinner at El Popo **After dinner** – Optional: drinks, more festival atmosphere, or head home **Practical information** The festival is mostly free to visit, but some performances may require a ticket or reservation. Everyone is responsible for their own travel, food, drinks, and any optional tickets. Please RSVP only if you genuinely intend to join, as we may need to reserve a table for dinner. Come for the theatre, the summer atmosphere, the beautiful city, and the tacos. 🌮🎪

Iedereen is welkom op onze open Freedom Friday Bitcoin Turnhout Meetup @ het super gezellige café Sint Pieter - Grote Markt 60, 2300 Turnhout Geen presentaties. Geen workshops. Gewoon 1 onderwerp: bitcoin. **Connect with Like-Minded Minds** Engage with the Bitcoin community and mingle with fellow enthusiasts. This meetup is your chance to discuss the future, share ideas, and network with pioneers in the decentralized money world. 🏢 **Central Location**: café Sint Pieter ligt perfect centraal, een ruim cafe op de grote markt van Turnhout. Mark your calendars and spread the word!

I'm excited to host the 25st edition of *Strangers to Friends*! Every event so far has been warm, fun and full of great connections. So we’re doing it again! Curious about our previous events? Check out our photo albums (only visible on the laptop version of Meetup). **What to expect** * A safe, relaxed environment to meet both locals and expats, whether you want to meet new people, experience an international atmosphere or talk about business, it’s all possible. * Start the evening with a few rounds of conversation cards: pair up with someone you don’t know, answer meaningful questions and rotate every 10 minutes. Within just one hour, you’ll get to know several people really well and enjoy meaningful conversations. * Everyone comes on their own, so it’s easy to connect. **Practical details** * Doors open at 20:00, after 30 minutes we start with conversation cards * Venue: Boekencafé Libertas, Klarendalseweg 477-1, Arnhem * 20 min walk from Arnhem Central * 7 min walk from Arnhem Velperpoort * You’ll receive 1 drink token for (beer/wine/soft drinks) and snacks all night! * Find us on the right side of the café at the bar, by the window and garden Bring a smile and join us for an evening where friendships grow, business ideas spark and real-life connections happen. Back to basics, away from screens, meeting face-to-face. Warm regards, Julia

The Dutch Heuvelrug is a hilly and sandy ridge, running from Hilversum in the north to Rhenen in the south. This National Park is covered in forest, heather and stretches of sand and dunes. On this hike, we will explore the Heuvelrug from Den Dolder. This area is mostly forested, perfect for a (hot) summer’s day! **Where to meet**: we will meet at **10 am** at train station Den Dolder. We will return to the same train station around 3pm. **This hike is fully booked.** [You may register on my website for a place on the waitlist.](https://rewildyourself.nu/dutch-nature-hikes/)

Hello all! Plan is to do this beautiful loop around Arnhem. Please check the route at the following link : https://www.komoot.com/smarttour/28541447?tour_origin=smart_tour_search Distance : \~80 km Climbs : Some climbing involved (I've never done this one). Pace : Chill endurance pace - 20-23 Km / h Start point : Arnhem centraal. Social ride! Let's try to be there for everyone and help each other out :) Please ignore the attendee limit. If you have a friend, bring them along Please bring your own food, repair equipment etc. Maybe if we have time we can find a place to have a bite to eat after the ride.

**Summary** The [Ohio State Fair](https://www.ohiostatefair.com/) is consistently ranked as one of the [best](https://www.realpropertymgt.com/expert-tips/top-5-state-fairs) ... [state](https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-state-fair/) ... [fairs](https://www.dispatch.com/story/entertainment/local/2025/08/06/ohio-state-fair-named-top-fair-nation-usa-today/85527343007/) ... [in](https://www.blueribbongroup.net/blue-ribbon-foodies/tag/what-are-the-best-state-fairs-in-the-united-states/) ... [America](https://614now.com/2025/explore-columbus/usa-today-names-the-ohio-state-fair-as-one-of-the-countrys-best-find-out-where-it-ranked-here). By [acreage](https://www.google.com/search?q=largest+state+fairs+in+us+by+acreage&client=firefox-b-1-d&sca_esv=5a1ec5f7868eb06c&prmd=ivns&sxsrf=AE3TifOrRyB0UF_zcJxuzJ2blALpROCfFA:1763485805100&source=lnms&fbs=AIIjpHxU7SXXniUZfeShr2fp4giZPH5QghoXViUOqdFyhkUfHhA90f6RZnLvcDKUWyhDavFJHvqNnhR_vnElk0C8uWstYqkR_Pamh3VQhx9plk87wYYnFhXCtQ6JPByPAvG0_LeyIQszFojQ7tWAfAvDzo6MwRJuWxS0jrzFWBkVvjkxbHuA6PTQnwEl88m-YBBItnTFmNlR9xZ9YLttetzKJB1GAWacLg&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiX3-rHmPyQAxU6_8kDHcKPH1gQ0pQJegQIBRAF&biw=1735&bih=926&dpr=1), it's one of the five largest fairs in the country. And a million people [visit](https://www.statenews.org/government-politics/2025-08-06/attendance-off-slightly-at-2025-ohio-state-fair-but-sales-of-champions-was-up-big) it each year. Last year's [attendees](https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/nearly-1-million-visitors-2025-ohio-state-fair-fun-facts-statistics/530-e6c7db59-e9ca-469b-9d3e-ef39011aca00) came from each of Ohio's 88 counties, from all 50 states, and from as far away as 26 other countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, and others, according to Ticketmaster sales data. **Map of the Fair** Here is a [map of the grounds](https://cdn.saffire.com/images.ashx?t=ig&rid=OhioStateFair&i=map2025.jpg&cb=0508a2a3). **Directions, Parking, Tickets, Timing** Take exit 111 (17th Avenue) off of I-71. Turn west (toward the McDonald's). [Parking is $10](https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/visit/pricing-hours) whether you pay in advance or on-site. It's generally not too bad getting in and out of the fair. You generally get an excellent spot, too, early in the mornings. There are cops everywhere and they will let you know where to park. [Tickets will be $13](https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/visit/pricing-hours), but through July 26, you can buy them online for $9. You can also buy 3- and 12-day admission tickets in advance for $24 and $84, respectively. I've scheduled this meetup from 9 to 3, but you can obviously come late or leave early if you want. They will also stamp your hand for free same-day re-admission if you want. The fair is a big place. You will get plenty of steps in at this event, so be prepared to do some walking! **Outside Items** From the [FAQ](https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/visit/faqs): * *Bags* "Purses, backpacks, book bags, coolers, strollers, etc. are permitted, but are subject to search. Bag searches will also be conducted for guests entering concerts and events in the WCOL Celeste Center." * *Outside Food and Beverage* "You may bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages. Glass bottles and containers are not permitted on grounds." I like to bring a disposable plastic bottle of water with me and refill it on the grounds as I go. **What's New at the Fair** They've spent the last couple years doing major construction at the fair, and most if not all of it should be completed by the start of this year's fair. They've been massively overhauling what's located at the heart of the fairgrounds just north of Kiddleland and just west of the Midway, they're supposed to also have completed improvements to the Dairy Building. In the center of the fairgrounds, there's supposed to be a new food hall, which I would consider to be the centerpiece of the whole shebang. It's supposed to [include](https://www.ohioexpocenter.com/p/about/expo-2050-master-plan) "multi-purpose dining and event space and incubator kitchens on the first floor, and additional dining and event space on the second story." Furthermore, "both levels [will] include outdoor dining on a patio or balcony." A new "Town Square" and surrounding area will also feature a permanent "Ohio-themed carousel" that will also be "complete with ample shade and seating." The new Dairy Building will be air-conditioned and add public restrooms, a universal changing table, and other new amenities. Four hundred and sixty million dollars have been spent on these improvements and renovations, and I expect they will be very cool! **Where We'll Meet** At no later than 9 a.m., I'll be standing by the giant cardinal just inside Cardinal Gate 1, then we'll wander down to Tracey's (see below). If you come late, Tracey's is where you'll find us (DM me or drop a note in the comments if you need help finding us after you arrive). *Note: There's a smaller Tracey's booth near the main entrance. This is not the Tracey's location we'll be meeting at. You will have to walk down to the Bricker Marketplace to get to the correct Tracey's. There's more information on this, below, in the "What We'll Do" section.* If you want to come later in the day, drop me a note and I'll help you navigate to us or I'll come find you if that's feasible. **What We'll Do** This will be sort of a soft itinerary, depending on the interests of the group. The following is based on last year's [fair schedule](https://www.ohiostatefair.com/events), and might need to be changed depending on this year's schedule. But the overall fair schedule doesn't normally change that radically year-over-year. * 9:00 a.m. - *Tracey's* Tracey's is located at the northernmost part of the "WNCI Food Highway," just south of Brown Arena and at the northern corner of the Bricker Marketplace. They have a covered area with picnic tables where you can sit. They have one of the most varied food selections at the fair. They serve breakfast in the mornings, including eggs, bacon, and pancakes. We'll meet here and start our day by socializing over coffee and, if you want, breakfast. Last year, the pancakes with bacon was $7. You got two pancakes that I would describe as average-sized, and a couple strips of bacon. They gave me extra syrup for free. Both the pancakes and the bacon were actually pretty good. Their coffee is generally good, too. They also serve their coffee in Styrofoam cups, which I like because good coffee is more important to me than the environment. I've posted pics, below, of last year's Tracey's menu, as well as a picture of the venue itself relative to the main entrance of the Bricker Marketplace (this entrance faces the Celeste Center). * 10:00 a.m. - *Kasich Hall* Here they have the Ohio State Fair history exhibit, which is very cool. This building also hosts the creative exhibits, including quilts, cakes and pastries, and fair posters. Finally, events like girls' baton competitions, girls' cheerleading, youth choir, and youth boxing (my favorite) are held here. * 11:00 a.m. - *Lausche Youth Exploration Space* This building features 4-H exhibits, Boy and Girl Scout exhibits, and various science exhibits, with the latter including exhibits from COSI and the Ohio State Physics Department. You can also buy Girl Scout cookies here! * 12:00 a.m. - *Bricker Marketplace* Bricker Marketplace is the fair's main flea market. It's a huge indoor shopping area with a food court at its center. The [ODOT](https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/) booth is here, and I always like to check and see if they have any maps I want. Because Bricker is air-conditioned, it's a good place to stop for lunch. There are booths here with burgers, pizza, chicken, Asian food, and alcoholic beverages. * 1:00 p.m. - *Cox Fine Arts* There are art displays here -- paintings, drawings, sculptures, and such. I always like going through here, and people usually like the displays here. * 2:00 p.m. - *Natural Resources Park* The Natural Resources Park is next to Kiddieland, and I think it's the best area of the fair. It's certainly a very popular area. The Timber Show is popular, though I confess to finding it slightly overrated. This area also includes youth fishing, a kayak pond, archery range, butterfly house, aviary, and animal exhibits -- and these are all free. You can also get free chap stick and pens in the [Oil & Gas building](https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/about-ODNR/oil-gas/oil-gas). The chap stick is functional, though perhaps a bit mediocre, but the pens are absolutely the best possible pens you can get anywhere, and I'm being completely serious about this. These are seriously my all-time favorite pens, so I encourage you to grab a few. **Other Things Along the Way** Again, the Ohio State Fair is a big place! So here are some of the other things we might check out along the way: * *The* *Cincinnati Circus Company, The Nerveless Nocks, Lady Houdini, or some other "death-defying" act* These typically start at 1:30 and run once every two hours in the afternoon. The show is generally decent and worth catching, whatever it happens to be. These used to run at the south end of the fair by the south gate on 11th Avenue, but a couple years ago they moved them to the south end of the Midway and next to Natural Resources Park. My guess is that this is where they will be again this year. * *Main Street Stage / Gazebo Stage* These stages are at opposite ends of the "WNCI Food Highway." They'll have shows like live music, magic, hypnosis, juggling, and the like. I usually end up seeing most of the shows, almost by accident, during my annual trips to the fair. If there's music at the Gazebo, though, it can be a little loud if the performer is using a big amp. But otherwise the shows are generally entertaining, if not spectacular. If [The Beach Geeks](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1440916777197254) are playing again this year, we are absolutely dropping everything to check them out. I'll fight people on this. * *The Midway* I'm not a big *riding*-the-rides person, and I doubt we will go through here though unless there's interest. However, I do really enjoy *watching* people ride rides, so I never have a problem taking a stroll down the Midway. I do like doing bumper cars, though, as well as some of the various haunted or fun houses. If you think there's a snowball's chance in hell I'm doing the [Defender](https://talleyamusements.com/attraction/defender/), though, then please put the bong down and slowly back away. * *The Dairy Building* This is where the famous Butter Cow is, and the exhibit is always popular. You can also get fairly overpriced ice cream and milkshakes here. Unless something changes here because of their renovations, there are cheaper places at the fair where you can get dairy desserts, and I can show you where they are. * *Taft Coliseum* An indoor arena where they have rodeo- or cowboy/cowgirl-type shows. Sometimes these shows are very good and entertaining and worth checking out. Note that, while you're out of the sun here and the seating is generally good, the arena is not air-conditioned. If trick riders [Tracie Spitznogle](https://www.tiktok.com/discover/tracie-lee-spitzongle) and [Carlie Hale](https://www.facebook.com/trickriderCarlie/) are here, you are likely to enjoy their show, and it will be free (and well-attended). * *The Petting Zoo* & *Pig Races* These used to be in Kiddieland, but in 2025 they were moved to "The Barnyard," next to the Gazebo Stage and the Celeste Center. I suspect they'll have moved again in 2026, but that they will otherwise be back. They're both free and generally popular, with the Pig Races being *extremely* popular. The woman who does the announcing for the Races always delivers the exact same script year after year, but she has so much charisma you won't care, even if you've seen it many times before. * *Central Park* Sometimes I like to just sit here, people-watch, and listen to the sounds of the fair. There are typically several beer vendors right next to Central Park if you want to relax and nurse a beverage while you do so, and the Dairy Building is also very close by. This area may end up being superseded in desirability by the new "Town Square." The Park does suffer from a paucity of shade, and the Square is supposed to rectify some of this. We will see! * *Live Music* There is likely to be some sort of band performing classic rock from something like 2p-5p either in the Taste of Ohio Pavilion next to the Natural Resources Park, or in the Pavilion's replacement/renovated area near the new Town Square. The show will be free and highly likely to be quite good. You should be able to get drinks and food here, too (wherever the ultimate location is), while you check out the band. * *Zultar - Fortune Teller* I saw this guy for the first time last year. He's one of the fair's "strolling entertainers," meaning he takes his act all over the fair and you never know where he will show up next. He's got a "booth" and he wears a costume and face paint that make him look exactly like one of those fortune-telling-booth mannequins. He is completely hilarious (particularly when dealing with children), and if we see him, we will stop and watch him. Don't make me fight you on this, too, people. * *Ohio History Center* Buying a ticket to enter the Ohio State Fair will automatically get you free admission to the [Ohio History Center](https://www.ohiohistory.org/visit/ohio-history-center/) and [Ohio Village](https://www.ohiohistory.org/visit/ohio-village/), which are located just outside the fairgrounds but otherwise are just next door. They've been doing major renovations of the Village, but these are supposed to be completed by the time the State Fair opens this year. You can walk from the fair to the History Center and the Village, or they have a free shuttle you can take. It's not a short walk, but it's also eminently doable. The History Center is a museum that's really not too terribly big, but is very interesting. And the Village is a living simulation of life in a small 19th-century Ohio town. I suspect most of the people who come out this Meetup would probably enjoy both the Center and the Village. Just keep in mind, though, that if we go, we'll probably be up there for at least a couple hours, which means less time at the fair. However, you won't have to twist my arm to get me to go up, because the whole History complex is actually pretty cool. **Conclusion** Come on out to the Ohio State Fair! 🥳 🎉 😄

🇺🇸 Red, White & BOOM: A Black Love Summer Social ❤️ Skip the downtown chaos and celebrate with great people instead! Join Black Love & Friends as we spend the evening together in the beautiful, historic King-Lincoln District, just steps from Mayme Moore Park, with an incredible view of the Red, White & BOOM fireworks. This isn't a formal event—it's a relaxed summer gathering. Come early or stop by later. Stay for an hour or stay all evening. We'll have our own private meetup space where you can kick back, meet new people, play a few games, enjoy light refreshments, and simply enjoy the holiday together. Throughout the evening we'll explore the King-Lincoln District, soak up the atmosphere, laugh, connect, and then settle in as the Columbus skyline lights up with one of the biggest fireworks shows of the year. ✨ What to expect: 🎆 Great views of the Red, White & BOOM fireworks 🏙️ Historic King-Lincoln District ⛺ Private Black Love & Friends meetup tent 🎲 Lawn games & conversation 🥤 Light refreshments 🤝 New friends & great vibes 📸 Perfect summer photo opportunities Event begins: 6:30 PM Fireworks begin later in the evening, so arrive whenever works for you. Feel free to come and go throughout the night. ⚠️ RSVP is required. Space at our tent is limited, so we'll only be able to accommodate those who register in advance. Bring a chair if you'd like, wear your favorite red, white, and blue, and come celebrate community, connection, and summer with Black Love & Friends. Good people. Great conversations. Amazing fireworks.

*The streets of Columbus are going French this July!* The **[Chouette Bastille Day Festival](https://www.chouetterestaurant.com/)** returns to N. High Street this summer for an afternoon of live French jazz, traditional French cuisine, and premium cocktails, wines, and craft beers from our DORA bar. Free cover, festive, and entirely French.⁠ **⁠When:** Sunday, July 12th, 12PM to 4 PM - we'll meet about 2pm. **Parking**: Metropolis Parking garage, one block west. Metropolis Parking lot, one block east. **Note**: Feel free to come by early and grab a sit down lunch at one of the great restaurants nearby, if you like. Once the fest begins, eats n drinks purchased are walkabout, round tables, or lean in high tops. *You just may find me at a barstool at Hank's ;)*

Make plans to celebrate the Homeland from the Heartland in Dublin, Ohio at the largest 3-day Irish Fest on the planet, #[DublinIrishFest](http://dublinirishfestival.org)! Wear a little green and join our festive bunch! **MEETUP**: We will form a circle of chairs as our landing spot on the grassy area just outside of the CELTIC ROCK STAGE (look for my Meetup chair in the middle). This area has easy access to food trucks and beer, wine and cocktail trucks. The Celtic Sports area is nearby (Highland Games). Lots of restroom trucks, too. **COST**: Purchase discount tickets now for only $20 ($30 general admission - age 10+ or $20 Seniors at the gate). Tickets are non-refundable. (I wait and get them at gate) **PARK & SHUTTLE**: [http://dublinirishfestival.org/parking-shuttles/](http://dublinirishfestival.org/parking-shuttles/) Metro Center, 555 Metro Place North, Dublin, Ohio 43017 A complimentary shuttle service runs continuously from Metro Place to the Festival. Shuttles begin each day one hour before the festival opens, and continue until one hour after the festival closes. **MUSIC**: This festival has variety, no matter your taste. I like evenings by the Celtic Rock stage because they have Irish Dancers, folk rock and solid celtic rock each evening. Please feel free to go early and wander to catch all the other cultural venues. **BRING**: Lawn chair or blanket. No coolers. Bags are inspected by security at Fest entrances. Most vendors accept cash or charge. **WEAR**: Summer Fest wear - nice t-shirt & shorts, comfy shoes (fest is on 38 acres of grass, trails and sidewalks). **NEWBIES**: This event is very freeform so I would suggest coming along with a buddy as members will be coming and going from our circle. News Facts: •More than 100,000 fans will experience Irish music ranging from traditional to Celtic rock. View the complete [Entertainment Schedule](http://dublinirishfestival.org/venue/celtic-rock/). (this page also has the festival map - we will base from the light green area, SOUTH) •Watch and learn from seasoned chefs as they serve traditional dishes at the Celtic Cooking Demonstrations. •Pet some paddy pups in the Celtic Canines Area—a must-see for animal lovers. •Find handmade arts and crafts at the Emerald Isle and Marketplace. More than 100 vendors offer the most diverse Irish shopping experience in the country. •Check out the beverage menu, featuring Jameson’s finest and their signature cocktail, Limerick Lemonade. And don’t miss out on a Jameson Whiskey Tasting hosted by their own Master of Whiskey.

Join us for the best **fireworks** show in the Columbus area, [Dublin Independence Day Celebration](https://www.visitdublinohio.com/event/independence-day-celebration/203/)! **7pm**: *We'll gather at **Urban's Pint House*** to meet n greet for a bit and grab some drinks and eats. **8:30pm**: *Head over the* **Bridge to Old Dublin** and **Getaway Brewing** (*second meetup spot*). **9:30pm**: *walk across the street to secure space on the* **top level of the Library Parking Garage.** **9:50pm**: **FIREWORKS SHOW!** **AFTERPARTY**: traffic is bad for a while so either get in line to exit the parking garage OR hang out at **PINS** (or Roosevelt Room) open til late back at Bridge Park. **PARKING**: the garages all around Bridge Park are free!

Tired of swiping? Join us in the **Beer Garden at Edision Brewing Company** for a fun Summer bash on the patio **100+ Columbus singles in one space** — all here to connect in real life. No speed dating. No pressure. Just real conversations, good vibes, and new connections. ## [TICKET & REGISTRATION LINKED HERE! ](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/singles-summer-bash-edison-beer-garden-tickets-1991203300674) \*\*\*\*\* ## 💫 What’s Included * Name tag + guided icebreaker card * “I’m Interested in You” cards * Giveaways throughout the night * Full bar + food available for purchase Whether you're new to the city, working from home, or just ready to meet new people — this is your crowd. ## 📍 Event Details **Who:** Singles 21+ (20s–40s) **Where:** Edison Beer Garden 785 Science Blvd, Gahanna, OH 43230 **When:** July 15th 6:30PM ## You never know who you’ll meet. Join us!