The next few weeks pack plenty of reasons to get off the couch in Loveland and Symmes Township. Here are five events worth marking on the calendar.
Story Time at Hopewell Meadows Park
When: Thursday, July 17, 10–10:30 a.m.
Where: Hopewell Meadows Park, 9131 Hopewell Rd., Cincinnati
Symmes Township is hosting a free outdoor story time for young children at Hopewell Meadows Park. It's a half-hour session with no registration required. Bring a blanket and a toddler.
Loveland Summer Race Series
When: Wednesday, July 22, 6:30 p.m. (continues weekly through the summer)
Where: Bike trail in downtown Loveland, hosted by Fleet Feet Cincinnati – Loveland
Lace up for a weekly run on the Little Miami Scenic Trail. Fleet Feet Cincinnati's Loveland location organizes the series, which continues every Wednesday evening. Check with Fleet Feet Loveland for distance and registration details.
Yoga in the Park
When: Wednesday, July 22, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Where: Hopewell Meadows Park, 9131 Hopewell Rd., Cincinnati
Symmes Township is offering a free outdoor yoga class at Hopewell Meadows Park. The hour-long session starts at 6:30 p.m. Contact Symmes Township at 513-683-6644 for more information.
Mahjong 101 at Lemons and Limes Boutique
When: Thursday, July 23, 6 p.m.
Where: Lemons and Limes Boutique, 301 W. Loveland Ave., downtown Loveland
Learn the basics of mahjong in a beginner-friendly session at Lemons and Limes Boutique in historic downtown Loveland. The event was nearly full on Eventbrite as of July 16, so check availability before signing up. A second session is scheduled for Wednesday, August 26, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the same location.
Loveland Shorts Film Festival
When: Thursday, July 31, through Saturday, August 2, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. daily
Where: Loveland Stage Company, 111 S. 2nd St., Loveland
Now in its third year, the Loveland Shorts Film Festival screens 43 independent short films from around the world in themed blocks across three days. The lineup features comedies, horror, documentaries, sci-fi, dramas and family films, all 20 minutes or shorter.
"One screening might make you laugh, another might move you to tears, and the next might completely surprise you," festival director Gary Giver said in a July 9 announcement. Workshops on music licensing, artificial intelligence and sound in film run between screenings.
Tickets start at $10 per screening block. A standard day pass is $25; VIP passes run $30. The Friday morning "Family Friendly" block is $5 for kids under 18. The awards ceremony closes the festival Saturday, August 2. Schedules and tickets are at lovelandfilmfest.org.
Coming up: Loveland Summer Race Series continues every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. on the bike trail. Mahjong 101 returns Wednesday, August 26, at Lemons and Limes Boutique. The Loveland Shorts Film Festival awards ceremony wraps up Saturday, August 2, at the Loveland Stage Company.
