Columbus Commons’ new season to launch
Harvest Fair: Sept. 7, 4-8 p.m.
If you need to pregame before Picnic with the Pops begins, more than 200 events, many of them free, are coming to the John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons when the 2024 season begins April 19.
The season is to kick off with free carousel rides and the reopening of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams and Tortilla Street Food on opening day.
Visitors can take a spin on the carousel from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Hours are to vary weekly at Jeni’s Scoop Shop and Tortilla Street Food.
Columbus Commons, 160 S. High St., is to offer daily, weekly and onetime events, as well as entertainment produced by other organizations. Here are some of the happenings below.
Weekly
Featuring nine food trucks throughout the summer, the food-truck court is to be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays from May 2 through Oct. 1. Two food trucks are to rotate monthly. Also, Local Matters’ Veggie Van is to be back to offer fresh produce to Columbus Commons visitors.
More events taking place each week include:
● Brews in the Bosque: Each Thursday in September, 5-8 p.m. Sip a brew or other beverage while listening to some tunes.
● Sunset Cinema: Thursdays in September, 8 p.m. Grab a blanket and enjoy a free flick from the CAPA Summer Movie Series.
● Local and Live Concert Series: Thursdays in August, 6 p.m. Bar and food trucks are to be available. See schedule at columbuscommons.org/ events/concerts.
One-time events
The Navigators, a fan favorite with members who have played with artists such as Jefferson Airplane and Jimmy Buffet, are to return to the Commons at 6 p.m. May 24 to play hits from the ‘60s to today. Plus, there is to be a bar and food trucks. Other nonrecurring events include:
● Family Fun Day: May 25, 4-8 p.m.
● The Song Remains (A Night of Led Zeppelin) and The Dead Revival Band (Grateful Dead tribute): Aug. 30, 6 p.m.
In addition to Picnic with the Pops, which runs June 15 through July 27 and is produced by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, several other organizations are to present events at the Commons including:
● Women of Color-owned (WOCO) summer market by Zora’s House: June 8, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The market is to feature works by Columbus women of color,
live music, food trucks, kids' activities and more.
● 614 Funk Fest concert by Fame Productions: Aug. 10, 4 p.m. Funk favorites Morris Day, ZAPP & Friends and Con Funk Shun come to the Commons. Tickets prices start at $35 and are available at bit.ly/3uhd0z7.
What’s new
Laughter has been added to the coming season's lineup and there will be plenty of it when Comedy at the Commons makes its debut Aug. 4 at 4 p.m.
Also, for the first time, visitors can celebrate the start of the entertainment season by purchasing the new Columbus Commons t-shirt for $20. There are a couple of ways to guarantee you'll be sporting one of these custom-designed shirts. You can purchase them:
● In person at Rewind Press, located in Blockfort at 162 N. Sixth St.
● By ordering at columbuscommons.org/about/merch.
The shirts also are to be sold at select events during the summer, while supplies last.
Another addition is to be the Special Improvement Districts' Pearl Market selling local goods during each foodtruck court Thursdays from May 16 through Oct. 10.
For more information about the 2024 season at Columbus Commons, visit columbuscommons.org.
bpaschal@dispatch.com