Events Calendar Check out Middletown’s events this Summer

2022 Middletown

Ohio Challenge Balloon Fest

JULY 15–16, 2022 The Ohio Challenge Balloon Fest

TIME: 4:30 p.m.—11 p.m. (Both Days) LOCATION: Smith Park DESCRIPTION: Hot Air Balloons, Night Balloon Glow, Car Show, Firework Show, Balloon Rides, Plane Show & Rides, Skydivers, Carnival Rides, and MUCH MORE!! Please visit ohiochallenge.com for more information.

JULY 21–24, 2022 Freaky Friday the Musical

TIME: Thurs and Fri 8 p.m.—11 p.m., Saturday 3 p.m.—6 p.m., and 8 p.m.—11 p.m., Sunday 3 p.m.—6 p.m. LOCATION: Sorg Opera House DESCRIPTION: The new musical, Freaky Friday, is based on the beloved 1972 novel by Mary Rodgers and the hit Disney films. It is developed by Disney Theatrical Productions expressly for licensing to theatres, and features a book by Bridget Carpenter—the coexecutive producer and writer on the beloved TV hits, “Friday Night Lights” and “Parenthood.” Music and lyrics by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey - the Pulitzer Prize-winning composers of “Next to Normal” and “If/Then.” When an overworked mother and her teenage daughter magically swap bodies, they have just one day to put things right again. Freaky Friday, a new musical based on the celebrated novel by Mary Rodgers and the hit Disney films, is a heartfelt, comedic, and unexpectedly emotional update on an American classic. By spending a day in each other’s shoes, Katherine and Ellie come to appreciate one another’s struggles, learn self-acceptance, and realize the immeasurable love and mutual respect that bond a mother and daughter. This performance is presented by INNOVATheatre and made possible in part by generous grants from the Middletown Community Foundation and First Financial Bank.

Freaky Friday the Musical Jazz on the Square

JULY 23, 2022 Jazz on the Square featuring C. Baccus & Co.

TIME: 6 p.m.—9 p.m. LOCATION: Governor’s Square Park DESCRIPTION: Come join us at Governors Square on Saturday, July 23 for toe-tapping, head-bopping, and finger-snapping fun! C Baccus & Company are a jazz group from Dayton, Ohio, and they will be moving and grooving all night long. All are welcome!!! Bring a chair or blanket, limited seating.

JULY 30, 2022 Thunderfest Cruise In

TIME: 11 a.m.—4 p.m. LOCATION: Middletown Area Family Y DESCRIPTION: Join us for the 9th Annual Thunderfest Cruise-In in

LOCATION DOWNTOWN MIDDLETOWN 1120 CENTRAL AVENUE MIDDLETOWN, OH – 45044 WESTCENTRALWINE.COM

HOURS MON TO THUR 11AM – 11PM FRI TO SAT 11AM – 1AM 50+ BEERS | COCKTAILS | CHEESE + EATS

Summer Summer Events

Thunderfest Cruise First Friday—August Hops in the Hangar Simply Queen

downtown Middletown on July 30, 2022 from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. We will be in the parking lot of the downtown YMCA and behind the Pendleton Art Center. This event is a free family friendly event. Calling all classic cars, hot rods, street rods, rat roads, pulling tractors, motorcycles (soft colors only), Jeeps and MORE! Hourly cackle fest—ear plugs recommended! Flyover by a WWII era plane around noon. Come spend the day exploring unique cars, boutiques and eateries in historic Downtown Middletown!

AUGUST 5, 2022 Save the Date—First Friday: August

TIME: 5 p.m.—9 p.m. LOCATION: Downtown Middletown DESCRIPTION: In the Summer Time Theme! Join us the First Friday of every month when your downtown Middletown neighborhood businesses, boutiques, eateries, & galleries keep their doors open late, just for you! Explore all the new faces and places downtown, visit with your neighbors, and have a great time! The fun is from 5–9 p.m., we hope to see you here in downtown Middletown!

AUGUST 20, 2022 Hops in the Hangar 2022

TIME: 4 p.m.—9 p.m. LOCATION: 1701 Run Way, Middletown, Ohio 45042

DESCRIPTION: Check out hopsinthehangar.com for more information on this event!

AUGUST 27, 2022 Simply Queen

TIME: 8 p.m.—11 p.m. LOCATION: Sorg Opera House DESCRIPTION: SIMPLY QUEEN a world class act! This live tribute performs all the iconic songs that have made Queen one of the most legendary rock bands of all time and faithfully recreates the grand scope of Queen’s live shows, both musically and visually, capturing the amazing live Queen experience that has filled stadiums around the world. Canadian based from Windsor, Ontario, the band is fronted by Freddie Mercury impersonator extraordinaire Rick Rock (dynamic entertainer, vocalist, guitarist and pianist). Wayne Brauer (guitar/keyboards/vocal), Mitch Taylor (bass/vocal) & Phil Charrette (drums/vocals). All veteran musicians who have performed in festivals, theatres and arenas across North America and beyond!

SEPTEMBER 2, 2022 First Friday—September Fall In Love With Art

TIME: 5 p.m.—9 p.m. LOCATION: Downtown Middletown, Inc. DESCRIPTION: When the leaves start

Like You, We Care.

4435 MARIE DRIVE MIDDLETOWN, OHIO 45044 513-217-5444 MIDDLETOWN@YLACORP.COM

Care for Children 6 Weeks thru 12 Years of Age

BUSINESS HOURS: 6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

First Friday—September Port Middletown Arts Dog Day Downtown Night Fever

changing and the nights become cool & comfortable. That’s when it’s the perfect time to Fall in Love with Art! Head downtown for September First Friday where our eateries, boutiques, breweries, bars, art studios and shops will be open late for you! In addition, the PAC artists will be in full force and have activities inside and out. Come explore and support your downtown! This is the perfect time to check out our downtown businesses, show your favorites some love and win prizes at the same time! It’s time to FALL in love with ART and your downtown.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2022 7th Annual Port Middletown Arts & Music Festival

TIME: 11 a.m.–6 p.m. LOCATION: Governor’s Square Park DESCRIPTION: You are invited to come and explore the arts through all your senses at this epic event located in the historic, charming and revitalized downtown Middletown. This highly anticipated, annual festival draws three thousand plus participants from the tri-state area and beyond. Taking place in the center of the arts, shopping and entertainment district, this year’s festival will showcase handcrafted, fine artisans and vendors who will line the streets along Central Ave. between Main St. and Verity Parkway. We feature a varied selection of regional artisans, musicians, crafters, merchants, and performers. Plus live music, family friendly activities, consumable delights, food trucks, local shops and restaurants for our attendees to enjoy at the event and all that our downtown businesses have to offer. A fully immersive experience you won’t want to miss!

SEPTEMBER 16, 2022 Dog Day Downtown 2022

TIME: 5 p.m–8 p.m LOCATION: Downtown Middletown DESCRIPTION: Downtown Middletown is going to the dogs, again! Join us in downtown Middletown for the 7th Annual DOG DAY DOWNTOWN! This evening is all about you and your best friend! Bring your BFF’s (Best Furry Friends) to downtown Middletown to enjoy loads of free treats (trick or treat style for your pooch!). Stay tuned fur more information coming soon! We look forward to meeting your friendly, vaccinated and leashed dogs downtown! WOOF! YIP! ARF!

SEPTEMBER 17, 2022 Night Fever

TIME: 8 p.m–11 p.m LOCATION: Sorg Opera House DESCRIPTION: They sold out the Sorg the first time and now they’re returning! The Most Authentic Tribute to The Bee Gees in the world is drawing large crowds at Casinos, Festivals, and Corporate events. “Night Fever”— The Bee Gees Tribute is the largest production of the Bee Gees in the world. The group has been touring for the past ten years, from Disneyland to Russia, recreating the look and sound of the Bee Gees. Capturing a full history of the Bee Gees, “Night Fever” includes songs from “To Love Somebody,” “Massachusetts,” “I Got to Get A Message,” “I Started A Joke,” “Jive Talking,” “More Than A Woman,” “Night Fever,” “You Should Be Dancing,” “Tragedy,” “Stayin’ Alive,” and many more.

PROVIDING PROGRAMMING FOR THE CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION, EDUCATION, AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF MIDDLETOWN AND ITS REGION

63 SOUTH MAIN STREET MIDDLETOWN, OH, 45044 EINFO@SORGOPERA.ORG oWWW.SORGOPERAHOUSE.ORG I@SORGOPERAHOUSE