May Happenings and Events

It's time for a spring refresh! We're ready for out with the old and in with the new. New projects, new things to do, new events, and new routines. Our calendar of events is here to be your resource for shaking it up with craft fairs, vintage markets, a taco crawl, arts, and live entertainment.

Shop till you drop and revive your home, wardrobe, and more for spring! Shop the local merchants for special deals during the First Friday Shop Hop (May 7) in Downtown Mansfield. The Old Franklin Church, a charming new wedding and event venue, is hosting their first Sip and Shop (May 15). The Pickers Market (May 22) at Prairie Peddler Festival Grounds is going to be a DIY'ers dream with cool junk, farmhouse, vintage and handmade, industrial, antique and shabby chic goods. Other markets and events include the Shopping Market (May 22) at Heart Hill, the Mid-Ohio Home Show (May 21 - 23) at the Richland County Fairgrounds, and Mohican Arts and Crafts (May 29) in Downtown Loudonville.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with El Taco Crawl (May 4) at Tito's Cantina & Grill, DLX, El Campestre, Los 3 Mayas, Panchos Tacos, and Neveria Dulce Amor and Live Music at Tito's Cantina & Gril l (May 5) featuring karaoke, The Jimi Vincent Band, and The Red Ball Jets.

If you've never hunted ghosts before, don't miss your chance to get up close and personal with the paranormal at the Historic Ohio State Reformatory. Take a guided tour of the prison's most haunted hot spots on the Public Ghost Walk (May 7), or hunt ghosts for yourself at the Public Ghost Hunt (May 8, 29). Public Ghost Hunts are tailored to each participant's experience level to make sure everyone has a great hunting experience. You can learn even more from paranormal experts at ParaPsyCon 2021 (May 22-23), featuring paranormal teams, psychics, healers, authors, speakers, celebrities, and more!

See what's on display! The 76^th Annual May Show (May 11) is on at the Mansfield Art Center. This juried exhibition draws talented artists from a variety of mediums. For more art, mark your calendars for Art Under the Dome (May 8 & 9) at the historic Saint Matthews Church, where the work of 30 local artists will be displayed, and for sale. This is also a wonderful opportunity to come and see the beautiful architecture, stained glass windows, and the progress being made in the restoration.

See what's on stage! BEATLES VS. STONES: A Musical Showdown (May 8) will rock The Renaissance Theatre with a musical duel to solve the liveliest debate in rock history: which band is the greatest? See what's coming up with the Renaissance Performing Arts 2021-2022 Season Preview (May 11), both live and streaming. Also on stage: the Mansfield Symphony: Portrait of a Queen - Enduring Generations (May 15), Titanic: The Musical (May 21 - 23), and Singin' in the Rain (May 29 - 30).

Finally, don't miss the momentous return of motorsports to Richland County with the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Race (May 14-16) at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

What will you add to your calendar to shake up your May? For a full list of events including classes, workshops, and live music at your favorite local restaurants, visit our Calendar of Events.