What’s Happening

Check out these upcoming events but for the full list of available opportunities, visit our programs page.

HALLOWEEN FAIR
October 11-26, 2024*
*Fridays & Saturdays only
4:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Carlisle Visitor Center
12882 Diagonal Rd., LaGrange
$5/person | Pre-sale tickets only

Halloween Fair is back! This family-friendly spooktacular event brings back the haunted walking trail, train rides, food booths, games, and more! Tickets are limited and available by pre-sale only. Tickets are only $5 per person, with children three and under FREE! Tickets go on sale on September 24 and will be available for purchase online, by calling (440) 458-5121, or in person at the Carlisle Visitor Center 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily.

The non-spooky, family-friendly trail will be open from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Visitors will enjoy favorites like Pumpkin Lagoon before the larger spooky attractions begin. The haunted walking trail is CLOSED and will be cleared from 6:30-7:00 p.m. The trail turns scary from 7:00-9:30 p.m. The haunted trail invites guests to experience a number of walk-thru spooky and startling stations equipped with actors and other trail side scenes featuring mechanical scare props.

The Little Green Choo train will continuously run from 5:00-9:30 p.m. around the non-spooky Children’s Nature Discovery Trail. Riders will enjoy inflatable Halloween characters and other family-friendly displays. Each ride will last approximately 7 minutes. Lines close by 9:00 p.m. each night to accommodate waiting passengers.

Halloween Fair features plenty of low-cost children’s carnival games! These games are operated by the Friends of the Metro Parks, and visitors must purchase tickets separately from the game ticket booth (cash only). Entertainment during the event also includes a live DJ with fun dance music, face painters, balloon artists, and more! Entertainment acts vary depending on the night.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit our Halloween Fair webpage!

TRAM RIDES
Various park locations
Free (no registration required)

Enjoy the sights and sounds of the county’s most beautiful environments on our free tram rides! Tram rides take place annually, from June through September, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. No prior registration is required. These open-air tram rides take approximately 15 to 30 minutes and allow visitors to explore our gorgeous parks. The complete schedule is below, based on park location.

• Black River Reservation - Day’s Dam Picnic Area
  2720 East 31st St., Lorain, OH 44055

  Every Wednesday from June through September
  10:00 am - 12:00 pm
  Tram departs from the shelter at the Day’s Dam Picnice Area

• Cascade Park
  387 Furnace St., Elyria, OH 44035

  Every Tuesday from June through September
  10:00 am - 12:00 pm
  Tram departs from the Nature Center

• Kopf Family Reservation
  32649 Electric Blvd., Avon Lake, OH 44012

  Every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month from June through September (excluding holidays)
  5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
  Tram departs from the Avon Lake Public Library Trailhead

• Sandy Ridge Reservation
  6195 Otten Rd., North Ridgeville, OH 44039

  Every Saturday and Sunday from June through September
  1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
  Tram departs from the picnic shelter near the Visitor Center

• Schoepfle Garden
  11106 Market St., Wakeman, OH 44816

  Every Sunday from June through September from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
  Every Thursday from June through September from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
  Tram departs from the Visitor Center

• Wellington Reservation
  535 Jones Rd., Wellington, OH 44090

  May: Every Monday from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
  June: Every Saturday from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
  July: Every Wednesday from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
  August: Every Tuesday from 9:00 am - 11:00 am
  September: Every Sunday from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
  Tram departs from the Visitor Center

BOOS AND BREWS
Thur., October 3, 2024
6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Miller Nature Preserve
2739 Center Rd., Avon
Tickets: $45/$20

Join us for a delightful evening of autumnal charm! Embrace the cozy vibes of fall while getting into the spooky spirit of Halloween. Indulge in a selection of hearty soups and bread that will warm your soul, complemented by craft beers and hand-selected wines to enhance your experience. As you sip and savor, enjoy live acoustic music by Lou Cunningham that captures the essence of the season to set the perfect ambiance. Plus, enjoy a walk through the always enchanting Conservatory decorated for the season with a twisted Upside Down theme.

With cozy seating inside the Orchid Room, warm lighting, and seasonal décor, Boos and Brews promises to be an unforgettable evening filled with laughter, community, and a hint of spookiness. Bring your friends and family to celebrate the magic of fall as we embrace all the flavors and fun of this wonderful season!

Registration is required. Wine/beer flight tickets cost $45 per person ($7 discount for all Miller Nature Preserve members). Additional drink options (non-alcoholic and alcohol) will be available for purchase. Designated Driver/Non-Alcoholic tickets cost $20 per person. This event is for adults aged 21 years and older and includes admission into the conservatory.

HOMESCHOOL EXPLORERS:
Various park locations
$3 per child

Homeschool Explorers is geared for children learning at home. This program series (September through May) will travel to different park locations to engage your children in nature, science, history, the arts, and recreation!

Depending on the program’s topic and location, children will learn through educational biofacts, nature hikes, activities, games, crafts, or meeting a live animal!  Program fee is $3.00/child. To be able to accommodate as many students as possible only students within the age range listed in the program description (usually ages 7-12) will be permitted to attend and participation waivers are required.  Please dress for the weather.

Registration opens one month prior to the program date.

• SEPTEMBER: Open Gym
  Thursday, September 12, 2024 | 1:00-2:30 pm
  Splash Zone (Oberlin)

  For children ages 7-12. Register and pay $3/child by 9/10/24. Registration opens 8/15/2024.

• OCTOBER: Rainbow of Colors/Fall Foliage
  Wednesday, October 16, 2024 | 10:00-11:30 am
  Cascade Park (Elyria)

  Gear up for fall by learning about the weather, the seasons, and the changes in the colors of our environment! During this program, we will play group games, complete an art project, and do hands-on demonstrations of how to use weather tools. Take-home activities will also be provided. Please dress for going outside!

  For children ages 7-12. Register and pay $3/child by 10/15/24. Registration opens 9/15/2024.

• NOVEMBER: Rocks and Gems
  Wednesday, November 13, 2024 | 10:00-11:30 am
  Vermilion River Reservation, Mill Hollow

  Learn all about rocks, gems, and crystals with a naturalist-led lesson filled with activities! We will be outside for a portion of the program if weather permits, so please wear appropriate outdoor clothing.

  For children ages 7-12. Register and pay $3/child by 11/11/24. Registration opens 10/13/2024.

• DECEMBER: Animal Tracks, Homes, and Signs
  Thursday, December 5, 2024 | 1:00-2:30 pm
  French Creek Nature Center (Sheffield Village)

  Explore the French Creek Reservation and look for clues about the animals who live in the park. Learn how to find and identify different types of tracks, scat, homes, trails, and other animal signs.

  For children ages 7-12. Register and pay $3/child by 12/2/24. Registration opens 11/4/2024.

• JANUARY: Winter Survival Skills
  Wednesday, January 22, 2025 | 1:00-2:30 pm
  Wellington Reservation

  Test your skills with this winter survival program. Learn how early humans survived in the winter. Discuss the adaptations that allow animals to survive the winter.

  For children ages 7-12. Register and pay $3/child by 1/21/25. Registration opens 12/22/2024.

• FEBRUARY: Wildlife Forensics
  Thursday, February 13, 2025 | 10:00-11:30 am
  Columbia Reservation, Briarwood Lodge (Columbia Station)

  Learn how to apply forensic techniques to solve wildlife crimes through hands-on activities and crafts.

  For children ages 7-12. Register and pay $3/child by 2/8/25. Registration opens 1/8/2025.

• MARCH: Vernal Pool Critters
  Wednesday, March 26, 2025 | 1:00-2:30 pm
  Carlisle Visitor Center (LaGrange)

  Learn what a vernal pool is, meet various critters that use these temporary habitats, and then hike to a nearby pool to look and listen for more residents. For ages 7-12. $3 per child. If weather permits, we will be going outside so dress appropriately.

  For children ages 7-12. Register and pay $3/child by 3/24/25. Registration opens 2/26/2025.

• APRIL: Plants on the Menu
  Wednesday, April 16, 2025 | 10:00-11:30 am
  Miller Nature Preserve (Avon)

  From hungry herbivores and insect pests to humans growing & eating them, plants are an important part of many organisms’ diets and survival, therefore plants have evolved a myriad of helpful & amazing adaptations and strategies to defend themselves from becoming a meal.  Students will learn about some of these plants’ protective adaptations through a fun, engaging lesson and tour through the Conservatory.  For ages 7-12.  $3.00 per child.  This is a drop-off program, and a medical form is required to participate.  Registration is required by 3/16.

  For children ages 7-12. Register and pay $3/child by 4/14/25. Registration opens 3/16/2025.

• MAY: Birds and Their Habitats
  Tuesday, May 13, 2025 | 10:00-11:30 am
  Sandy Ridge Reservation (North Ridgeville)

  Join a naturalist to explore the bird species of Sandy Ridge Reservation.  We will hike through the woods looking and listening for warblers, thrushes, vireos, and more as we learn about spring songbird migration. Bring binoculars if you have them (binoculars available if needed). Meet at the Johnson Wetland Center. Dress for the weather as this program takes place outdoors.

  For children ages 7-12. Register and pay $3/child by 5/13/25. Registration opens 4/14/2025.