AUSTINTOWN, Ohio – The United Way Polo Cup, a fundraiser event that includes a polo game, will take place Aug. 1 at Chipper’s Practice Range, 2105 Canfield-Niles Road (state Route 46). 

Gates will open at 1 p.m., and the match will start at 4 p.m.

The event will include a food truck, live music by Andrew Slater and the Wickies and family activities.

Tailgate spots, which include four admission tickets, are available for $100 to $250 (additional tickets are $25 apiece). Purchasers can bring their own tent, tables, chairs and other items for a tailgate party. Click HERE for tickets.

General admission tickets are $25. Children under age 10 will be admitted free.

Van Nationals Return to Trumbull Fairgrounds

CORTLAND, Ohio – The Van Nationals will return to the Trumbull County Fairgrounds from July 29 to Aug. 2.

The event, presented by Northeast Ohio Van Congress, is now in its 53rd year. The Trumbull fairgrounds has hosted it three times already: 1979, 1983 and 2007.

The gathering is a place for van lovers to connect, camp and celebrate their passion. All vans are welcome. 

The fairgrounds will provide room to park, camp, shower and hang out with like-minded people.  Guests can pack their own food and drinks or support the onsite food and beverage vendors. 

Early camping opens July 27. The opening ceremony will be at 10 a.m. July 29. There will be live music, DJs, vendors, adult and kids games, van games, van show, van light and bright show, a huge van convoy around Mosquito Lake and other attractions.  

The van convoy will exit the fairgrounds at 11 a.m. Aug. 1. It will head north along the west side of Mosquito Lake, crossing the causeway, heading south on state Route 46, past the Turkey Run Trail staging area, around the southern dam of the lake back to the fairgrounds. Viewing the parade of hundreds of vans can be done by boat as they cross the causeway, or at Main Street/Youngstown Kingsville Road Northeast (between the intersection with North Mecca Street and McCleary Jacob) or at the Mecca circle east of the causeway.

The cost of entry to the event for all five days/four nights is $85 cash, or use Paypal at the gate for one van and two people. Guests can leave and reenter the fairgrounds at any time. Most people camp at the fairgrounds and stay overnight.

The van show will be open and free to the public from 10:30 a.m. July 31 until early afternoon, weather permitting.  

For more information, click HERE.

Dave Koz & Friends Jazz Christmas Concert

WARREN, Ohio – Dave Koz & Friends Christmas concert will come to the Robins Theatre on Dec. 13 for a 5 p.m. concert.

Tickets will go on sale Friday at RobinsTheatre.com and the box office, or by calling 330 391 2931.

The longest-running jazz-based Christmas tour is in its 29th year, with a lineup led by saxophonist Dave Koz, South African guitarist and vocalist Jonathan Butler and special guests Haley Reinhart, Dylan Chambers and Erin Stevenson.

“Hard to believe it, but this will be our 29th annual Christmas Tour,” Koz said in a press release. “What started years ago as a few scattered holiday concerts has become one of the greatest joys of my life. As this will be our second-to-last Christmas tour [the 30th and final tour will take place in 2027], I plan to savor every single moment.”

Earlier this year, the 2026 Dave Koz & Friends at Sea cruise raised a record $247,000 for Starlight Children’s Foundation, bringing the total charitable fundraising from Koz cruises to $2.5 million.

In addition to his holiday tours, Koz has earned 10 Grammy nominations, released 12 No. 1 contemporary jazz albums, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, performed for multiple U.S. presidents and was honored with the 2023 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.

International Club Presents Event on Turkey

BOARDMAN, Ohio – The Davis Family YMCA’s International Club’s A Taste of Turkey program in June featured a presentation by three young visitors from Turkey, an authentic Turkish coffee demonstration and sampling of Turkish treats.

The club’s next meeting, Coffee & Cookies, will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 25.

It will be a planning meeting to determine the direction the club will take as it goes forward.  Open to the community, attendees are invited to join in the discussion, offering ideas and a plate of their favorite cookies.

The Davis Family YMCA is at 45 McClurg Road.

Sharon Sets New Date for America 250 Event

SHARON, Pa. – Sharon’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States will take place Aug. 8.

The event, which was originally scheduled for July 25, will include a farmers market, sales at downtown stores, live music and art, historic walking tours and a shop-around passport contest, alongside a scavenger hunt running the full week leading up to the event.

“Every storefront downtown represents someone’s American Dream, a business owner who took a chance on Sharon and themselves,” said Evan Gruver, Main Street manager for the Sharon Community Development Corporation. “This day is really an invitation to come explore those stories for yourself. Walk the same streets that have shaped this city for generations, meet the people behind these businesses and, hopefully, leave with a new favorite spot and a memory or two along the way.”

Planned activities include:

  • Farmers Market: 8 a.m. to noon at Quaker Steak & Lube.
  • Downtown Shop Around and Flash Sales: 10 a.m. to 2:10 p.m., with 250-minute flash sales, special deals and shopping passports with giveaways at participating downtown businesses.
  • Art Demonstrations and Music: Musicians will perform throughout downtown while local artists create live art for visitors to watch.
  • Retail Ramble Walking Tours: New this year, the Sharon Historical Society and Sharon CDC present three historic walking tours (10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.) led by local historian Taylor Galaska, president of the Sharon Historical Society and author of “Lost Department Stores of Sharon, Pennsylvania,” exploring the stores and stories that shaped downtown Sharon. Tickets are $10; space is limited, and advance RSVP is recommended by calling 724 301 7942. Tours meet at 98 E. State St.
  • Star Scavenger Hunt: Running all week, the scavenger hunt gives participants a chance to win one of five $100 Sharon Community gift cards by finding hidden stars and scanning QR codes located inside participating businesses and near community landmarks around town.

The event is free and open to the public, with the exception of the Retail Ramble walking tours, which are $10 per person with advance RSVP recommended. Additional details, including a full list of participating businesses, are available at SharonPa.com.

Klezmer Music Concert at the JCC

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – As part of its J. Newman Levy Speaker Series, the Jewish Community Center of Youngstown will present “The Klezmer Orchestra: Klezmer’s Greatest Hits” at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 3 at the JCC, 505 Gypsy Lane.

Participants will enjoy an evening of lively Klezmer music with The Klezmer Orchestra. The ensemble features traditional contemporary songs from around the world in Yiddish, English, Russian and Hebrew.

The event is free, and dinner is included. Registration is required by July 30; click HERE.

Children’s Summer Arts Festival at Hoyt

NEW CASTLE, Pa. – Arts & Education at the Hoyt’s Children’s Summer Arts Festival will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 7. 

Families are invited to explore this free, fun-filled day of art, creativity and hands-on experiences held rain or shine on the Hoyt lawn.

For generations, the Children’s Summer Arts Festival has been a beloved community tradition, transforming the museum grounds into an outdoor playground where children can create, learn and explore alongside their families. This year, families can discover new programs, try new activities and experience the joy of creative exploration.

“We want every child who attends to feel inspired, curious and excited about what they can see, learn and do at their neighborhood museum,” said Kimberly Koller-Jones, executive director. 

Here is a look at what is planned:

  • 12:30 p.m.: Komara Outdoors Reptile Encounters. Get up close with some of nature’s most fascinating creatures. Founded from a lifelong passion for wildlife and more than 20 years of hands-on experience, Komara Outdoors brings reptiles to life through an engaging educational presentation designed to inspire appreciation for these remarkable animals.
  • 1:30 p.m.: Miss Cassidy Creates! Creator, educator and performer Miss Cassidy brings her signature blend of songs, smiles, creativity and silliness to the festival. Her interactive performance celebrates artistic expression through music, movement, storytelling and imagination.
  • 2:30 p.m.: Story Time with Mrs. D: Gather around for a special story time experience perfect for young readers and listeners.
  • 3 p.m.: America’s Country Dance Party: Help celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a lively country-style hoedown. Caller Eddie Powell will teach every stomp, spin, swing and step before leading families onto the dance floor for an unforgettable community dance party.

Families can also enjoy a wide variety of interactive activities throughout the day, including:

  • Mini golf.
  • Slackline challenge and climbing wall, provided by Elite Ninja Academy.
  • Caricature drawings by Richard DiGia.
  • Face painting.
  • Balloon animals.
  • Tie-dye station (bring your own white cotton T-shirt and it’s free.)
  • Bubble field, featuring giant bubbles and bubble-making fun.
  • Hands-on arts and crafts.
  • Annual scavenger hunt.
  • Food and beverages available for purchase.

Pictured at top: A scene from the 2025 Polo Cup at Chipper’s Practice Range in Austintown.