This was my 2nd year participating in the Pet Promise Rescue Run. It is an annual event (now in…read moreits 10th year) supporting animal rescue and fostering organization, Pet Promise (http://www.yelp.com/biz/pet-promise-grandview-heights). Entry is $25 and gets you entry into the run, a t-shirt, and post-race yummies. You can register either via mail or through the Premier Sports website (but be warned you'll have to pay a small convenience charge here). There is no prerace packet pick-up so make sure you leave a bit of time come race day to check in at registration. This year's registration process was easier than last year though. Last year, my friend and I waited in line for almost an hour to pick up our packets but this year they had a separate section for those who had preregistered which made us getting there super early...well, not so needed. So we spent the extra time walking around and checking out the vendors that were selling all sorts of pet related goodies such as treats, beds, bowls, and training services. There were also demonstrations by agility and training clubs and give-aways from sponsors (thanks Dean Insurance Group for my water bottle!). The route is an easy one. Its a fairly flat 2 lap course around the arena district (http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/us/oh/columbus/699124138190537295) with a water station. It is a really easy race route, which is why I thought it would be a good one to start one of friends out on. This is also a pet friendly race, so if you have a pup who likes to get out and about, this is a great one for them because there are more water stations for the dogs than the humans! They even have small wading pools for hot pups to cool off! That being said, because there are so many dogs, this might not be the best event for a serious runner. A few of my 'come-in-1st-at-every-race' friends do run this one, but make sure they are absolutely the 1st ones in line. Otherwise, you're going to get tangled up in leashes or dodging doggie... um... presents. (WARNING - This event isn't chip timed.) But its a great race for walkers which is why I started my friend out here. Its not intimidating, and with all the dogs, there's lots of conversations with other runners/walkers. After the race, make sure you stick around and check out some of the demonstrations, free water and bagels, and bananas, and free ice cream from the CD101 van. Ice Cream after a run is allowed right?

Rescue Run is my yearly Memorial Day tradition in Columbus. It's the longest running (pun intended)…read moreDog-friendly 5k race in the area, and all proceeds directly benefit foster dogs and cats in central Ohio. It's a good cause and a lot of fun downtown each year!

Independents' Day is a beautiful reminder of why I love Columbus -- it's weird, wonderful, quirky,…read moreartsy, and gritty. I loved ID back on Gay Street, but now we have Moonlight Market to fill that void. So I definitely celebrate the move to Franklinton. Franklinton Arts District is reminiscent of the Short North of yore -- it's so raw and alive and bursting with potential. That's exactly why ID belongs there. I swear each year the festival manages to up its game, with better art, more organization, and tastier food and drinks -- all while keeping the feeling that a bunch of friends threw it together overnight. To me, the image of simplicity means loads of well-orchestrated details happened behind the scenes. Some highlights for me: +the art -- it's truly spectacular and wonderfully bizarre. +the food/drinks -- so many local choices! +idea foundry -- this is such a seamless fit for ID; I loved watching all the local artisans working on their craft. +the craft show -- I'm not really a crafts person, and I couldn't get enough of this area. So many beautiful and affordable items! +the music -- several well-placed stages with awesome local bands. Independents' Day is my favorite festival of the year, and I can't wait to see it get better and weirder each year. It has great energy and is hosted by truly fantastic people.

Independents' Day is the background of Grand Theft Auto meets New Age wonderlust. It is Thrash…read moreMetal mixed with childhood innocence and unvarnish creativity. It is Gallery Hop circa 1994. In the ubex cool section of Franklinton ID decks the rusted industrial remains of Rich and Town streets and everything inbetween with gritty street paintings, dilapidated sculptures, wood works, and various other crafts from local artists and artisans; from hippies to hip-hop, from punk to pedestrian, from the quintessential quirky to the conspicuously clean, it seems everyone here is independent of the social memes dictating art and are free to be themselves. Sideshows and psychics add an out-of-the-margin and off-the-mainstream appeal, while a zone of mythic creature and exotic cultural performances add a wonderment even the most discerning fantasy geek will love. Other areas featured an off-the-wall future-seeing exhibits, a graffiti beautiful urban jungle, and an area dedicated to sustainability themed by the four elements of classic thought. A children section rounds up the zones of the 2016 ID. Art is everywhere: out in mud meadows, on sidewalks, down alleys, a visual feast of beauty and weirdness. The air is filled with music, live bands spanning hip-hop to grunge, from electric jazz to hot R&B. Beer tents of crafts, 20-some food truck including the best in town are there for hunger and thirst while venders with unique and fun products add a look-see rivaling art fest. Of quick escapes from the elements are The Rehab Pub, Land Grant brewers, and the stripped down environs of Strongwater. The Idea Foundry is good for a walk through as is 200 Rich. My first time experiencing Independence Day finally, after years of it, my schedule, and my motivation not being in the same place at the same time. I could kick myself for not forcing myself into going in years past. This goes on my yearly summer festival must-do list.

This annual costume contest and pet parade is held at Easton Town Center. There were about 150…read moreparticipants including a cat and guinea pig. Surprisingly all the animals got along and people and pets of all ages had a great time. Being an animal lover this event made my whole trip!!

Just got back from the arts festival a few minutes ago. I guess I'd say it's frankly OK. Not…read moregreat, not bad. My take on it is that it had more of a carnival atmosphere than anything else. There was not a lot of art there. I'd guess there were about 200 vendors with probably 75% selling jewelry. The rest were selling ceramics, glass, wood carvings, metal works and some Amish people selling the heck out of their handmade brooms. There were a decent number of food trucks with enough selections that you would not have any problem finding something you liked to eat. The place was packed! I'm not a crowds person so I got that claustrophobic feeling several times. It was pretty hard to get into many of the vendors to check out their goods. So, if you're into busy, crowded, hot and sticky, looking for some bling, this would be your thing.

This review is for the 2017 UA Arts Fest...ok, I have read the reviews and I don't think it is…read morefair....I just went to the UA labor day arts fest and I thought it had a lot of different things for different age groups....lets start with the artwork, I would say 200 + vendors selling all different types of mediums....I went right at 10, there was a crowd but it wasn't terrible, considering I had my 1 year old in tow....Some of the different items that can be purchased included: woodworking, ceramics, sculptures(metal for the yard or indoor sculptures for the house), necklaces, rings, bracelets and some of the most unique jewelry you will find, glass works (beautiful!!), t-shirts, cards, mixed media prints, watercolors, there was a Amish Vendor there from Carroll County selling homemade brooms, photographs...from what I saw most of the vendors were from Ohio....the tents are set up inside Northram Park in the middle of UA ...I liked the venue, especially since it backs up to the library, open fields with an awesome modern playground...there was a bandstand playing music, the UA high school band played as well as a host of different local artists...plenty of food trucks on both sides of the park, didn't eat there but you can get anything you want, i would say conservatively they had 40 trucks there....I also found a vendor who prints maps, including nautical maps of Lake Erie, light houses in Lake Erie and other nautical pieces (especially enjoyed his Chesapeake Bay entry - since I lived there for 8 years)....I picked up his card and plan on purchasing a piece for my home....I could see where the festival may get crowded, but I will say it is one of the best Art's Festival that I have attended in the midwest, maybe just behind the Ann Arbor festival.....do yourself a favor, next labor day plan on visiting the Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival - there is something for everyone!!

Fun expo for pets. There are diving/swimming competitions, frisbee catching demo, and lure course…read more Lots of vendors and freebies.

I am one of the rescues that is at the pet expo this is probably the best year that we've ever had…read morethe expo never seen so many people in my entire life almost everybody smiling all day long also great to see Shorty/the pit boss and all of his friends

I had a great experience at the Maize on Friday, October 3rd! A group of us met at the Maize (we…read morebought our own tickets in advance online) and grabbed some snacks/dinner while waiting for everyone to arrive. For those coming from metro Columbus, it was about a 30 minute drive on 161 West. I spent about 2.5 hours there total, but I could have stayed longer. The pricing of their food options was great, an apple cider slushy is $4 and I got one when I arrived and another before leaving. I also had a corndog, which was exactly as I expected - crispy breading on the outside and the correct temp. Others tried large pie slices, donuts, burgers, etc. I was also able to bring my dog! As of now, they allow dogs who are well behaved but they can be asked to leave. My dog loved sniffing all the things and she really enjoyed being in the corn maze. She slept so well that evening! Because I had her with me, I didn't do some of the activities, such as the hayride, laser tag, corn/pumpkin cannons, etc. The haunted trail was not open yet when we went, but I would not have taken her through there either. For the maze - I used the QR codes to start my timer and put in the 10 codes throughout the maze, then scanned the end QR code to stop my time. I thought this was a great way to track progress. The maze itself was in great condition, the corn was nice and tall, the maze paths were clear and easy to walk on. I appreciated that they have an employee outline some rules before going in (no running, throwing corn, going through the corn, children stick with an adult, etc) and we didn't witness any rule-breaking. We start right at sunset, so we could see at the beginning but it was dark by the end.

Owners have 0 customer service skills. Worst wedding experience ever. Would rate a ZERO if I could…read more Do not EVER book a wedding at this venue. Horribly disappointed.

What an amazing day! Alfred had a blast laying in the Ice Castle…read more This is a free event for dogs and their people. There were three sections of vendors with lots of pet food samples, treats, and toys. There are also vendors selling great pet products, local dog rescues and everything dog related you can think of. The line for the Kong bag was worth the wait.

WAG you have an event lover over here, that's my dog Bella. She was having the best time of her…read morelife at this event. I think it was the attention she got but I don't know, she enjoyed seeing all the vendors there that day too. Bella tells me her favorite vendors were the ones with the tennis balls they gave away. Those were her favorite toys at this event. She didn't care about the treats, that was an extra. (I know we have a strange dog here not caring too much about all the free treats at over 20 booths but she had fun!) Bella and I took home lots of treats, toys and food from vendors like Pet People, Mutts and Co, doggie day cares, etc. She was even kind enough to share her food and treats she received with her friends. See she does have a good heart sometimes! My girl even got a signature from the local news anchors Karina Nova and Molly Brewer from 10TV. I cannot wait to come back next year and experience all the vendors from pet stores to trainers, local media stations, etc. We had so much fun and appreciate all the time and attention these vendors put into this event to make it a great day!

What a great place to take your dog. The Dr .s will take care of any situation with alacrity. I…read morehad friends in town and their dog had seizures. The practice got them in within an hour! It was a Saturday so you know someone gave up some family time. The ladies who are the Vet techs are kind considerate and extremely helpful. While money is no object in pet care the rates are reasonable.