City of Powell | Events Guide | 2024

GUIDE Events

INTRODUCTION

Nestled in the Scioto and Olentangy River valleys, the city of Powell—with 15,000 residents and growing—isn’t simply home to the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium, beautiful neighborhoods, a thriving school system and a wide range of retail and restaurants.

In fact, there’s plenty to do in Powell, no matter what time of the year it is. Whether that means taking in live music at a Lolli-Pops! Children’s Concert, snuggling under a blanket to watch the fireworks that conclude the annual Powell Festival or a winter stroll around Downtown illuminated by holiday lights, the city is full of fun, month after month.

This handy events guide will take you through the activities Powell has to offer in 2024, but it also stands as a quick look in at the city we residents know and love. In Powell, residents can walk or bike along our scenic, interconnecting trails to our downtown area or one of our award-winning parks. The city offers a thriving community of local merchants, delicious restaurants, and a variety of services, and is committed to the city’s economic development, and supports our local business with a wide range of resources to help them grow and succeed.

And we can’t wait for you to see this all.

Want to learn more? Click to view our social media profiles below ↓

Powell residents enjoy the fireworks at the annual Powell Festival →

JUL AUG

Third Friday: Chocolate Walk Friday, February 16

Third Friday: St. Patrick’s Day Pot of Gold Friday, March 15

Bunny Hop Saturday, March 23

Third Friday: Earth Day Friday, April 19

Arbor Day Tree Planting Friday, April 26

Beautify Powell Saturday, April 27

Touch-a-Truck

Friday, May 3

Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony Monday, May 27

Lolli-Pops! Children’s Concert Series

Monday, June 3

Powell Community Band Concert Series Sunday, June 9

Lolli-Pops! Children’s Concert Series

Monday, June 17

Powell Festival Friday, June 21 + Saturday, June 22

Lolli-Pops! Children’s Concert Series

Monday, July 1

Powell Community Band Concert Series Sunday, July 14

Lolli-Pops! Children’s Concert Series

Monday, July 15

Third Friday: A Summer Night to Remember Friday, July 19

Lolli-Pops! Children’s Concert Series Monday, July 29

National Night Out: Community Bike Ride Tuesday, August 6

Lolli-Pops! Children’s Concert Series

Saturday, August 10

Powell Community Band Concert Series Sunday, August 11

Third Friday: Passport to Powell Friday, August 16

Candy by the Carload

Veteran’s Day Ceremony

Holidays in Powell

Sunday, October 27

Friday, November 8

Saturday, December 7

ARBOR DAY

Friday, April 26

The City of Powell celebrates Arbor Day each year with a tree planting ceremony at one of our eight parks throughout the city. Powell is proud to have been recognized as a Tree City by the Arbor Day Foundation for 25 years! Our annual tree dedications have greatly enhanced the recreation environment around our city. Join us Fri., April 26 at 5 p.m. as we plant a tree to celebrate!

Arbor Day was first observed in 1872 after J. Sterling Morton founded the day in Nebraska to encourage others to set aside a specific day to plant trees and help the environment.

BEAUTIFY POWELL

Saturday, April 27

Join us for Beautify Powell - our annual outdoor clean-up day throughout the city! This event brings the community together to complete service projects that help make Powell a beautiful place to live, work and play. Volunteers check-in at the Municipal Building, located at 47 Hall Street. Teams pick up trash in Village Green Park, clean up our downtown area from winter, and countless other projects! When you check in, you will receive a yellow safety vest, gloves, and trash pick-up materials. If you join us, please plan on wearing clothes that can get messy!

Residents, scout troops and school groups are all welcome. If your group is interested in participating, please contact Melissa Hindman (mhindman@cityofpowell.us.)

THIRD FRIDAYS

February | March | April | July | August

Village Green Park comes alive with activity during our Third Friday events! Visit downtown Powell for music performances at the amphitheater and entertainment throughout the park. Grab a bite to eat from a featured food truck or any one of our delicious downtown eateries. Don’t forget something to drink! Our Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) is active throughout these events.

In August, take a walk though the past, present and future diversity of Powell with our annual Passport to Powell event. Experience the diverse and vibrant cultures of the Powell community through music and dance performances, food, and more. The Third Friday event will also offer food trucks, beer sales, and a DORA.

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE AND CEREMONY

Monday, May 27

The Memorial Day Parade is a longstanding City of Powell event. Residents line Liberty and Olentangy Streets in their patriotic best to welcome veterans, first responders, community organizations and music groups through downtown Powell each Memorial Day.

A special memorial ceremony is held immediately following the parade at the Greater Powell Veterans Memorial, located behind the Municipal Building at 47 Hall Street. The Memorial was built to honor all veterans past, present and future and is a place of reflection and remembrance.

Additionally, the Olentangy Rotary Club annually hosts the Field of Flags display in Village Green Park over Memorial Day weekend. Nearly 100 flags will be placed in Village Green Park, near the Greater Powell Veterans Memorial, to honor our fallen heroes. It is a sight to see!

TOUCH-A-TRUCK

Friday, May 3

Enjoy an afternoon of climbing, pretending and exploring different kinds of vehicles at this year’s Touch–a–Truck event. Dozens of vehicles will fill the parking lot for you to explore. The focus of Touch-a-Truck is to present children with an opportunity to touch, climb on, and pretend to drive vehicles they may see regularly in our community.

This event also does double duty by educating youngsters about various aspects of the vehicles, such as their size, function, and more! This is one of the most anticipated events of every spring in Powell and part of COSI’s Science Festival.

LOLLI-POPS! CHILDREN’S CONCERT SERIES

Monday, June 3 | Monday, June 17 | Monday, July 1

Monday, July 15 | Monday, July 29 | Saturday, Aug. 10

Our signature summer concert series provides entertainment for all ages at Village Green Park. Grab your blankets and dancing shoes and get ready for a morning of fun music. These interactive concerts promise miles of smiles from kids and parents alike! The 2024 Lolli-Pops! line-up is sweet. All concerts begin at 10:30 a.m.

• June 3: Columbus Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet family concert

• June 17: Paulette’s Princess Parties

• July 1: The Musical Magic Duel with Erica Carlson, Magic Nate & Mark Reinhart

• July 15: The Shazzbots

• July 29: Bring the Farm to You

• August 10: Paulette’s Princess Parties

POWELL COMMUNITY BAND CONCERT SERIES

Sunday, June 9 | Sunday, July 14 | Sunday, August 11

Summer Sunday evening concerts are a great time to join your family on the green! Bring blankets, chairs and your picnics to Village Green Park to enjoy marches and more in these free, outdoor concerts with the Powell Community Band.

The Powell Community band is an all-volunteer concert band comprised of more than 60 musicians!

POWELL FESTIVAL

Friday, June 21 & Saturday, June 22

Powell Festival is the annual, signature event for the City of Powell, Ohio! This familyfriendly, free event offers two days of live music, children’s activities, local shopping, more than a dozen food trucks, and our Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA.) There’s a little something for everyone, so come and enjoy!

This year is the 27th anniversary of this exciting community event! We invite you to explore the many wonderful shops and dining establishments lining the beautiful, tree-lined streets of downtown Powell.

Past Powell Festival performers include Smash Mouth, Sister Hazel, The Spin Doctors, Ryan Cabrera, Trent Harmon, the Reaganomics, and more!

CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR 2023 RECAP!

WHAT TO DO AT POWELL FEST

THE SOUND OF (LIVE) MUSIC

Each year, Powell Fest offers a packed schedule of live musical guests, and this year is no different. Multiple acts are lined up for both Friday and Saturday evening, and they’ll be followed by fireworks.

EXPLORING THE DORA

Not only does the festival offer more than a dozen different local food trucks, but a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) will also be available in the area of the festival from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

HITTING THE SHOPS

If shopping is more up your alley than live music, there’s plenty of it for you to enjoy at Powell Fest. Not only does the event offer an open-air marketplace packed with local makers and more, but you can check Downtown Powell’s numerous stores and restaurants as well.

FOR THE KIDS

This year’s Powell Festival will offer kid-friendly activities all day long on both Friday and Saturday. The Kids Zone (which does cost an admission fee), will provide an inflatable obstacle course, climbing wall and more.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT: COMMUNITY BIKE RIDE

Tuesday, August 6

In celebration of National Night Out, join the Powell Police Department for a community bike ride starting at Adventure Park. Ride (or walk) with Powell police officers to Seldom Seen Park or Kinsale Golf and Fitness, and collect a prize! All cyclists or walkers are welcome to join this family-friendly, outdoor event.

VETERAN’S DAY

Friday, November 8

Please join us for the 2024 Veterans Day Ceremony as we honor and remember the sacrifice of all who have served in the U.S. military, past and present. All are welcome to participate in this event, which is held outdoors at the Greater Powell Veterans Memorial in Village Green Park (weather permitting.) The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m.

Each year, the City of Powell commemorates brick dedications at the Greater Powell Veterans Memorial, and provides a program including remarks from the Mayor and a special guest speaker.

CANDY BY THE CARLOAD

Sunday, October 27

Join us for Powell Parks and Recreation’s annual Candy by the Carload event!

The parking lot will be transformed into a trick-or-treater’s treasure chest as local businesses and organizations set up booths and car trunks filled with candy, toys, and other Halloween goodies. Get into the spirit of the spooky season without getting too scary!

The event is free, but families will be required to register to participate by start time through Powell.RecDesk.Com. City residents will receive priority registration.

HOLIDAYS IN POWELL

Saturday, Dec. 7

Holidays in Powell is the official kickoff to the holiday season!

Take a photo with Santa Claus, shop local vendors and explore downtown stores, enjoy strolling entertainment throughout the park, or catch a horse-drawn carriage ride around the oval. The official tree-lighting ceremony takes place at 6 p.m. in Village Green Park, featuring Santa, the Mayor and the Powell Community Band.

Photos with Santa are free, but families will be required to register to participate by start time through Powell.RecDesk.Com. City residents will receive priority registration.