Check out these local events:  September 9-13

Northwest Ohio is heading into a packed September weekend! From community meals and outdoor adventures to live music, art, cultural festivals and family fun, Buzz Book advertisers and regional organizations are offering plenty of ways to explore, gather and connect.

Community Heart Café

Wednesday, September 9, and Friday, September 11 | 10–11 a.m.
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 428 N. Erie St., Toledo

Everyone is welcome to enjoy a hot brunch, conversation and meaningful community connections in the Social Room at St. Paul’s. When weather permits, additional seating is available outside.

To volunteer or contribute to the café, email cafe@stpaulstoledo.org.

View Community Heart Café details

Music at the Museum Season Finale

Thursday, September 10 | 6–9 p.m.
Wood County Museum, 13660 County Home Road, Bowling Green

Bring a chair or blanket for one final evening of free music on the lawn. The Pin Up Project performs at 6 p.m., followed by Distant Cousinz at 7:30 p.m. A beer garden and lawn games will also be available.

View Music at the Museum details

Learn to Play Dungeons & Dragons

Friday, September 11 | 2–4 p.m.
Checkmate Games, 6725 W. Central Ave., Suite L, Toledo

Curious about Dungeons & Dragons? Checkmate Games welcomes new players to this weekly learn-to-play session. No previous experience or gaming materials are required—just bring a pencil and a willingness to learn.

Admission is $5 and space may be limited.

Explore Checkmate Games’ weekly events

Black Swamp Arts Festival

Friday–Sunday, September 11–13
Main and Wooster streets, downtown Bowling Green

Downtown Bowling Green transforms into a celebration of creativity with more than 100 artists, free live music, food, Youth Arts, the Chalk Walk and interactive experiences.

The Juried Art Show runs Friday from 5–8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Festival admission is free.

Explore the festival schedule

54th Annual Greek-American Festival

Friday, September 11 | 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Saturday, September 12 | Noon–10 p.m.
Sunday, September 13 | Noon–6 p.m.
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 740 N. Superior St., Toledo

Enjoy Greek cuisine and pastries, traditional dancing, live music, cooking demonstrations, cultural presentations and tours of the Byzantine cathedral.

Admission is $5, with children 12 and younger admitted free with a parent. Friday admission is free from 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

View the complete festival schedule

Music in the Gardens

Saturday, September 12 | 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
The 577 Foundation, 577 E. Front St., Perrysburg

Celebrate the final Music in the Gardens concert of the season with Jeff Tucker, Sylvania Northview Tri-M and EZ PICKENZ. Visitors can also stop inside Virginia’s House to create an Artist Trading Card.

The event is free, family-friendly and held rain or shine. Bring a lawn chair or blanket for outdoor seating.

Plan your visit to Music in the Gardens

TMA Forever

Opening Saturday, September 12
Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion, Gallery 6, Toledo

Reconnect with familiar favorites and discover something new when TMA Forever opens at the Toledo Museum of Art. The exhibition brings together more than 40 works from the Museum’s collection and celebrates its enduring relationship with Toledo.

The exhibition runs through January 3, 2027. Admission and parking are free.

Learn more about TMA Forever

Day of Honor and Enrichment Day at the Toledo Zoo

Saturday, September 12 | Activities begin at 10 a.m.
Toledo Zoo & Aquarium, 2 Hippo Way, Toledo

The Zoo is combining two special experiences in one activity-filled day. Police officers, firefighters, EMTs, military personnel and hospital staff receive free admission with professional identification during Day of Honor.

Enrichment Day features animal feeds, keeper talks and demonstrations throughout the Zoo, plus hands-on activities in Skeldon Plaza from 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Day of Honor details | Enrichment Day schedule

Trees and Trails with Wood County Park District

Wood County Park District offers three free weekend programs:

• Trees and Woody Plants of the Great Black Swamp: Saturday, September 12, 2–4:30 p.m., at Bradner Preserve. Register by September 10
• Mountain Bike Skills Workshop: Sunday, September 13, 10–11:30 a.m., at Rudolph Bike Park. Participants must bring a mountain bike and properly fitted helmet. Register for the workshop
• History Talk Then Walk: The War of 1812: Sunday, September 13, 1–3 p.m., at William Henry Harrison Park in Pemberville. Register by September 11

Car Show and Concert in Downtown Fremont

Saturday, September 12 | 5–11 p.m.
Downtown Fremont and Fremont Community Amphitheater

Downtown Fremont’s free car show runs from 5–8 p.m. with vehicles of every year, food, music and a 50/50 raffle. Afterward, Lords of the Highway and Madison Crawl bring rockabilly and blues to the Amphitheater from 8–11 p.m.

Both events are free. Bring chairs or blankets for the concert.

Car show details | Concert details

Praise by the Lake

Saturday and Sunday, September 12–13
Lakeside Chautauqua, Lakeside Marblehead

Praise by the Lake brings nationally recognized Christian artists to Lakeside for a free weekend of inspirational music. The lineup includes Katy Nichole, David Leonard, Chris Byrd and Jabari Johnson, along with Sunday’s Sunset Praise.

Free advance ticket registration is requested.

View Praise by the Lake details | Reserve free tickets

Before heading out, check with each organizer for registration availability, weather updates and schedule changes. Follow The Buzz Book for more ways to explore Northwest Ohio and support the local organizations that help our community thrive.