This Weekend in Columbus - July 23-25, 2010

The Jazz and Rib Fest is the centerpiece of this weekend, July 23-25, 2010 in Columbus.

Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, Jazz & Rib Fest will once again be held in the Arena District Friday and Saturday from 11:00 AM until 11:00 PM and on Sunday from 11:00 AM until 8:30 PM. Admission is free for this annual event featuring over 60 hours of jazz music at three venues.

The rib competition will feature 23 rib-burners from throughout the United States, Canada and Australia. Frequently featured on Food Network, the Texas Outlaws BBQ from Elizabethtown, KY will join local favorites The King of Bar-B-Que Ribs from Mansfield and Ray Ray's Hog Pit along Spring and Long Streets competing for the title of Best Ribs.

Surface parking is available throughout the Arena District. Plan ahead and reserve your parking spot of choice by visiting Arena District Events Parking.

Today is the beginning of the All Ohio Bike Fest in Marysville. Formerly known as the Honda HomeComing, several rides are planned. On Friday, Marysville rolls out the carpet with a number of special events including a Block Party starting at 7:00 PM featuring Terry Davidson & the Gears. The rides continue through the day on Saturday and the day ends with HomeComing Fest at Honda Motorsports.

On Saturday morning, visitors and locals alike can benefit from a 75-minute Capital City Walking Tour of Downtown Columbus. Gathering at the McKinley statue in front of the Capitol building at 10:00 AM, the tour will give you a different perspective on Downtown. The cost is $10 or $5 for those under age 10. Carried babies are free! Make reservations by calling Jean Hayward of Capital City Tours at 614-326-0942 or visit their website here.
Saturday

This weekend is also the final opportunity to see Columbus Children's Theater's "The Producers". Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children, students and seniors. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster or the CCT Box Office by calling 614-224-6672.

Saturday night's Picnic with the Pops at Chemical Abstracts feature 70's super group Kansas backed by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. Lawn seats are just $20 for the 8:15 PM show.

Finally, this weekend offers the first Summer Walking Tours sponsored by Columbus Landmarks. Saturday's tour will feature Hungarian Village and begin at the Hungarian Reformed Church, 365 Woodrow (off of Parsons Avenue) at 10:00 AM. This two-hour tour will travel through the neighborhood and end back at the Church as the annual Hungarian picnic featuring food sold by the Hungarian Cultural Association.

On Sunday, the tour will begin at the former North High School parking lot at 100 Arcadia Avenue and travel through the neighborhood formerly known as Old North Columbus. Once a separate town, street names were changed when the old village was incorporated into the growing city.

Each tour covers between 1-2 miles of Columbus' historical streets and by-ways. The cost is $15 or $7 for members of Columbus Landmarks. For tickets visit their website here.

If you would like to see your event featured here, send an e-mail to henthorn.columbusohevents@gmail.com - I'd love to hear from you!

Sources: Hot Ribs Cool Jazz ; AOBF ; Capital City Tours ; Columbus Children's Theater ; Columbus Landmarks ; Columbus Symphony Orchestra