BG Rotary to learn about 2026 Black Swamp Arts Festival plans on Thursday, June 4
On Thursday, June 4, Rotarians will learn about plans for the 2026 Black Swamp Arts Festival.
BSAF is a free arts and live music festival held in Bowling Green the first full weekend after Labor Day. This year, it will be held Sept. 11 – 13. The festival is organized and staffed 100% by more than 650 volunteers, and Rotary continues to provide annual support as a sponsor.
Rotary meets every Thursday at 11:45 a.m. at the Bowling Green Country Club. For more information, including membership, email bgrotary@icloud.com.
Pemberville to feature ‘Hometown Heroes Memorial Walk,’ May 24 – 31
A tribute to service and community pride will take shape this spring as Pemberville presents its Hometown Heroes Memorial Walk, a weeklong display honoring those who have dedicated their lives to protecting others.
From May 24 through May 31, Memorial Park, located off Memorial Drive in Pemberville, will showcase 335 commemorative signs, each featuring the photograph and service details of a military veteran, active duty service member, or first responder. Honorees include both Pemberville residents and members of the broader community.
This event is being organized by the Pemberville 150th/America 250th Anniversary Committee as part of a yearlong celebration marking Pemberville’s 150th anniversary of incorporation and the 250th anniversary of the United States. The committee has planned a number of events throughout the year, with the memorial walk serving as one of its most heartfelt tributes. For more information about events, visit https://sites.google.com/view/pemberville150th/events?authuser=0.
Each sign in the 90-feet by 120-feet space will be accompanied by a small flower arrangement, a flag, and a solar light. Once illuminated at night, the installation will resemble 335 glowing candles, offering a serene and reflective atmosphere for visitors.
The public is invited to view the display at any time during its weeklong run and organizers hope families, students, and visitors will take time to walk through the memorial and honor the individuals represented.
Beginning May 31 at noon, applicants who submitted names for inclusion may pick up their sign, flag, and solar light to keep as personal mementos.
For more information about the Hometown Heroes Memorial Walk, contact Sandy Leuck at 419-250-0130.
Wood County District Public Library to host ‘house history hunt’ throughout May
People that would like to learn more about their house or another property in the area are invited to the Wood County District Public Library. During the month of May, the library’s “house history hunt” will walk people through the process of researching properties.
The library will have worksheets available that guide participants through some of the basic steps in the process.
“A property’s history can be a bit of a mystery, but I also think that’s where the fun lies,” said Local Historian Librarian Marnie Pratt. “We hope this event will make people feel like a property detective.”
Property searches usually involve using the Wood County Auditor’s website, visiting the Recorder’s Office at the courthouse, and visiting the library’s local history collection.
Participation worksheets can be picked up at the second floor information desk from May 1 – 31. No registration is required and the worksheets are to keep as people explore properties at their own pace.
For more information, call 419-352-5050 or email woodref@wcdpl.org.
No registration is required. For more information, call (419) 352-5050 or email woodref@wcdpl.org.
Bowling Green to offer 100 free youth bike helmets, June 2, 4, & 6
To help prevent injuries and save lives, the Bowling Green Bicycle Safety Commission has partnered with the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in a statewide effort to remind children to “put a lid on it!” during the month of May – Ohio Bike Helmet Safety Awareness Month.
Bowling Green was one of several local communities to receive youth bike helmets for distribution through support from the Ohio AAP Foundation, Ohio Department of Transportation, and Honda USA Foundation. A total of 100 helmets will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. Those in need of a youth helmet may pick one up at the Bowling Green Community Center during the following hours:
- Tuesday, June 2, from 2 – 4 p.m.
- Thursday, June 4, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. – noon
Sizes and quantities are limited. Bicycle safety messages and directions for how to properly fit the helmet are included with each helmet.
Lunch in the Park to kick off Friday, June 5
The Parks & Recreation Department has announced the return of “Lunch in the Park,” bringing food, live music, and community atmosphere. Events will take place in June and July on Fridays at 11:30 a.m. at the Martin and Kiwanis Shelters in City Park, weather permitting. Lunch will be available for purchase from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., with live musical entertainment until 1 p.m.
Attendees can look forward to an expanded recreational area featuring activities for all ages. Guests can enjoy games such as cornhole, box hockey, giant Jenga, and more, offering an outing for families, coworkers, and friends to kick off the weekend early and enjoy a lunch outdoors.
In the event of inclement weather, activities will move indoors to the Veterans Building atrium.
On Friday, June 5, Tim Tegge will play guitar, Kabob It will have lunch available for purchase, and the event will be sponsored by Glass City Federal Credit Union, Bowling Green Community Foundation, and Brookdale Senior Living.
For a full schedule, click here.
For questions or information, contact Ivan at 419-354-6223 or ikovacevic@bgohio.gov.
Wood County District Public Library to host free book browsing party with mocktails and crafts, Friday, June 5
The summer reading fun for adults ages 18 and over will begin with a book browsing party on Friday, June 5, at 2 p.m. in the Bowling Green library’s atrium.
People are invited to come by and pick out books to start their summer reading. They are invited to spend some dedicated time flipping through the newest books and discovering new authors at a party for people who love books.
Wood County District Public Library will have signature literary mocktails, craft stations, and extra librarians on hand to offer recommendations. Music will be provided by JomJam Chirapa, an alumna of BGSU’s College of Musical Arts.
Adults who attend the party will earn an extra entry into the summer reads prize drawing by attending. For more information, check out the library calendar at wcdpl.org or call 419-352-5050.
Toledo Rep staging ‘Fiddler on the Roof,” weekends June 5-21
The Toledo Repertoire Theatre will present “Fiddler on the Roof,” at the Tenth Street Stage, 16 Tenth St. Toledo, weekends June 5-21.
Click for tickets and showtimes.
The award-winning tale of Tevye the Dairyman and his family’s struggles in a changing Russia is a true musical theatre tradition. Winner of nine Tony Awards when it debuted in 1964, Fiddler on the Roof is the brainchild of Broadway legends, Jerome Robbins and Harold Prince; songwriters, Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick; and bookwriter, Joseph Stein.
Set in the little village of Anatevka, the story centers on Tevye, a poor milkman, and his five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his daughters and instill them with traditional values in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia.
Pemberville to host free ‘Farm & Field’ event to celebrate anniversaries of village and country, Sunday, June 7
Pemberville is gearing up for a milestone celebration as the community honors both its 150th anniversary and the nation’s 250th anniversary with a day of festivities on Sunday, June 7, at Pemberville Memorial Park. The event, themed as a “Farm and Field” celebration, blends history, hometown pride, and small-town fun.
The day will begin at 10 a.m. with an antique tractor show hosted by the Power of Yesteryear Club. The display will be set up north of the American Legion, giving visitors a chance to admire restored machines that once powered local farms and families.
Starting at 11 a.m., attendees can enjoy food prepared by the Freedom Unit 183 American Legion Auxiliary, served at the Legion Hall. The auxiliary is known for its hearty, homemade offerings, making this a highlight for anyone arriving hungry.
At 1 p.m., the celebration will shift to the ballfield for a vintage baseball game in Pemberville Memorial Park. Spectators can expect old-style uniforms, classic rules, and a spirited nod to America’s pastime.
The day will conclude with a tractor parade beginning at 3 p.m. at the Legion Hall. From there, the parade will roll through town and into downtown Pemberville, offering a finale that blends community heritage with local pride.
Free concerts in the park to return Sunday, June 7
The Parks & Recreation Department has announced the return of its summer tradition, “Concerts in the Park,” now with an enhanced atmosphere for all ages.
The series will take place on select Sunday evenings in June and July, with performances beginning at 7 p.m. In addition to the live music, attendees can enjoy an expanded recreational area featuring interactive activities. Guests are invited to take part in games such as cornhole, box hockey, giant Jenga, and more.
To further enhance the experience, a variety of food trucks will be on-site, offering a selection of summer snacks and desserts. Concerts will be held at the Needle Hall Stage in City Park, weather permitting. In the event of inclement weather, performances and activities will move indoors to the Veterans Building atrium.
The Bowling Green Area Community Bands will kick-off the 2026 concert series on Sunday, June 7, and invites everyone to an evening of music celebrating the community and America’s 250th birthday. LeeAna’s BanAnas, LLC food truck will also be at the event. Sponsors include Glass City Federal Credit Union, Bowling Green Community Foundation, Ohio Logistics, and Lanny Milligan Donor Directed Pooled Fund of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation.
For a full schedule, click here.
Groundbreaking ceremony announced for Northwood Inclusive Playground at Brentwood Park, Monday, June 8
Wood County Plays, Miracle League of Northwest Ohio, the city of Northwood, and community partners will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Northwood Inclusive Playground at Brentwood Park on Monday, June 8, at 3 p.m.
The ceremony will take place at the future playground site off the Tracy Road entrance to Brentwood Park, adjacent to the Northwood fire station.
The Northwood Inclusive Playground will provide an accessible and inclusive space designed for children of all abilities to play together. Planned features include a playground zip line, large-shaded swings, a dedicated play area for children ages 2 – 5, and the region’s first wheelchair-accessible playground trampolines.
A community, volunteer-build for the Northwood Inclusive Playground is planned for later this summer, with an anticipated opening in September or October.
Community members are encouraged to attend the groundbreaking ceremony and celebrate the beginning of the project with local leaders, partner organizations, and supporters.
Walbridge Library to host free visit with ‘John Adams,’ Tuesday, June 9
President and and father of the sixth president, John Adams, was one of the leading voices of American independence. Storyteller Brian Ellis will bring Adams to life in a free program as the Walbridge Library celebrates America’s 250th anniversary.
The community is invited to the Walbridge Library on Tuesday, June 9, at 2 p.m., to learn about one of the founding fathers whose family roots go back to 1632, the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and the Mayflower.
Ellis is a storyteller, historian, and museum consultant who presents more than 300 programs annually.
Wood County District Public Library’s bookmobile to stop at BGSU, Tuesday, June 9
The second Tuesday of each month at 4 p.m., the WCDPL bookmobile will roll into Parking Lot N, next to Jerome Library, bringing popular reading materials for the entire campus community.
The bookmobile will offer popular best-sellers in fiction and nonfiction, a selection of youth materials, and staff can fill requests at the next visit. This new bookmobile stop will serve students on campus, or staff and faculty who might want to visit before leaving campus for the day. Patrons who visit the bookmobile can also use the library located at 251 N. Main St. in Bowling Green.
The next visit to Parking Lot N on BGSU’s campus will be Tuesday, June 9, at 4 p.m.
Wood County Committee on Aging to host Flag Day & Elder Abuse Awareness event, Friday, June 12
The Wood County Committee on Aging and Wood County Job & Family Services invite community members to attend a Flag Day and Elder Abuse Awareness event, bringing together patriotic recognition and education on protecting older adults in the community. The event will take place at the Wood County Senior Center, 140 S. Grove St., Bowling Green, on Friday, June 12, at 10 a.m.
The event will feature Zach Migura, executive director and county veterans service officer for the Wood County Veterans Service Office, as the keynote speaker. Migura will lead an observance of Flag Day while highlighting the importance of honoring those who have served our country.
In addition to the Flag Day recognition, the event will focus on raising awareness of elder abuse – an issue that continues to grow in Wood County. In 2025, there were 460 Adult Protective Services (APS) investigations, an increase of 72 cases from 2024, when 388 investigations were reported. These numbers underscore the need for education, awareness, and community involvement to help ensure the safety and dignity of older adults.
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn how to recognize signs of abuse, understand available resources, and explore ways to prevent mistreatment of seniors.
Light refreshments will be provided.
The Wood County Committee on Aging and Wood County Job & Family Services encourages residents, caregivers, and community partners to wear purple as they attend and join in this conversation.
For more information, click here.
Blooming Green invites community to participate in BG’s Front Porch Flower Pot Challenge, Sunday, June 14
Bowling Green residents are invited to participate in Blooming Green, a Front Porch Flower Pot Challenge on June 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Bowling Green City Park, 520 Conneaut Ave.
At the event prior to the free Concert in the Park, residents can create a free 10-inch planter to brighten their porch or steps. A total of 50 pots will be available, one per household, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Michael Dauterman received a City of Bowling Green microgrant to plan and implement an event to bring the community together. His goal is to add another fun, family-friendly activity to the city’s Concert in the Park night, bring more people out, give residents something positive to take home, and brighten Bowling Green one porch at a time.
First Sip Coffee Company will be on site, and Wolf’s Blooms and Berries and D&D Landscaping have provided support for the activity.
Wood County to host free America 250 Block Party at Courthouse Square, Tuesday, June 16
Wood County will host an America 250 Block Party at Courthouse Square on Tuesday, June 16, from 4 – 8 p.m., offering an opportunity to join the nationwide celebration of the Declaration of Independence’s 250th anniversary.
This community-wide event will include guided tours of the historic Wood County Courthouse – reservations required, live music from local veterans, food trucks along Court Street, kids games and activities, and treats served by Wood County elected officials. The evening will conclude with a patriotic concert by the Bowling Green Area Community Bands at 7 p.m. on the courthouse lawn.
Residents are encouraged to save the date, join the celebration, and bring a chair for the concert. Additional details will be announced.
Tours of the courthouse will feature access to both public areas and lesser-known spaces that are typically not available for viewing. Tour guides Judge Matthew Reger, Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn, and former Wood County Auditor Michael Sibbersen will share historical context and personal stories connected to this landmark.
Tours will depart every 30 minutes from 4 – 5:30 p.m., with advance reservations required and groups limited to 15 participants. To schedule a tour, email akrukowski@woodcountyohio.gov or call 419-354-9210.
The Block Party at Courthouse Square is part of Wood County’s ongoing America 250 festivities, supported by county government and the Wood County Economic Development Commission.
A list of America 250 events presented by communities and organizations across Wood County is available at www.WoodCountyOhio.gov.
Next Howard’s Club H free store to take place on Thursday, June 25
The BG Free Store take place at Howard’s Club H, 210 N. Main St., Bowling Green, and offers clothing, food, toiletries, books, kitchen items, and more for free. The store sets up on the third Thursday of every month from 6 – 9:30 p.m.
To donate, contact 440-296-6405.
Upcoming dates:
- June 25
- July 16
- Aug. 20
- Sept. 17
- Oct. 15
- Nov. 19
- Dec. 17
Indigenous Caldecott Medal winning author Rebecca Kunz to visit BG as In the Round guest, Friday, Sept. 18
This fall, In The Round welcomes illustrator Rebecca Kunz, 2025 Caldecott Medal winner for “Chooch Helped” for a presentation Sept. 18 at 5:30 p.m. at a location to be determined.
Kunz is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and of European descent, she earned a BFA in painting from the College of Santa Fe in 1998 and now lives in the foothills of Santa Fe County with her husband and three daughters. She grew up in Oklahoma and is a multi-media artist and the owner of Tree of Life Studi.
Kunz works at the intersection of climate justice and cultural awareness. Within her layered surfaces, she draws upon tribal mythology and archetypal symbolism. She infuses Cherokee mythology into her work where she is in conversation with each folk tale as a living and ever-changing story.
As these myths are woven into each of her pieces, they serve as hard-working and flourishing historical narratives. A visual storyteller, animist, and folklorist, she hopes to illuminate awareness about our shifting cultural climate and to inspire solutions to the social and environmental issues of today.
Kunz likes to push back against sentimental chronicles, and her goal is to spark a contemporary conversation about active myth.
Started in 2022, In the Round is a celebration of the creativity and persistence of indigenous people. It brings in noted indigenous speakers for talks both on campus and in the community.
Eastwood all-class reunion set for Saturday, Sept. 19
Eastwood’s Alumni Association (EAA) reunion committee has announced a save-the-date for the next Eastwood all-class reunion celebration on the evening of Saturday, September 19. All EHS 1959-2026 and pre-Eastwood alumni are invited. For more information, see the EAA link on the Eastwood website or the alumni Facebook page.
Weekly ‘Queer Coffee’ event to be hosted at Grounds For Thought on Sundays
“Queer Coffee” is held at Grounds For Thought, 174 S. Main St., every Sunday at 2 p.m. This event aims to be inclusive for anyone who is in the LGBTQ+ community, allies, friends, and family. Attendees can play board games, chat about life, and sip on coffee, tea, or lemonade.
Make new ‘Fiber Friends’ with weekly creative program at WCDPL on Tuesdays
The Wood County District Public Library, 251 N. Main St., invites all knitters and crocheters to join “Fiber Friends,” every Tuesday at 10 a.m., in the second floor programming room.
Fiber Friends is a social program that meets every week to chat and create. People of all skill levels are welcome. Even if someone has never picked up knitting needles or a crochet hook, they can learn the basics to get started on their newest hobby.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their current project or start a new one. Coffee will be provided.
No registration is required. For more information, call 419-352-5050 or email woodref@wcdpl.org.
Just Baby ‘N Me storytimes at library on Tuesdays
Just Baby ‘N Me is a lap-sit storytime ideal for babies. This unique storytime will be on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.in The Children’s Place at the Bowling Green Library.
This lap-sit storytime is great for babies from birth through early walkers (12 months). The focus during storytime is on rhymes, songs, finger plays, and exploring short books together, and is meant to facilitate interaction between you and your baby to develop their language and early literacy skills.
St. Mark’s hosts weekly community meals on Wednesdays
St. Mark’s hosts weekly community meals on Wednesdays. Doors open from 4:30 – 5 p.m., and the dinner is served from 5 – 6 p.m. There are trivia, devotion, and service presentations at 6 p.m. All are welcome.
Wood County District Public Library hosts family storytime on Thursdays
Families are invited to enjoy storytime indoors at the Wood County District Public Library on Thursdays from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Attendees can visit the Bowling Green library Children’s Place for picture book readings, songs, games, and activities.
For any questions, contact the Children’s Place at 419-352-8253 or email woodkids@wcdpl.org.
