You can get a head start on the Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, Fall Hiking Spree this weekend.

The 45th annual event officially begins Sept. 1, but the park district will hold a kickoff on Sunday.

At 1 p.m., you can complete the first hike of the Fall Hiking Spree at Firestone Metro Park.

Meet at the Tuscarawas Meadows area off Harrington Road in South Akron.

You can pick up spree forms and maps. Naturalist Nicki Schneider will bring along some live spiders.

The popular fall event runs through Nov. 30.

Call 330-865-8065 for information.

Today

Photo show — The Cuyahoga Valley Photographic Society will stage its members show at 7 p.m. at the Happy Days Lodge in the Cuyahoga Valley park. That's off state Route 303 east of Peninsula in Boston Heights. Call 330-657-2909 for more information.

Spider fun — Metro Parks, Serving Summit County is staging Kinderealm programs on spiders for youngsters 3, 4 and 5 years old and accompanying adults. The programs will be held at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. The program will be repeated at 10:30 and 1 p.m. Friday and 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Call 330-865-8065 for reservations and information.

Bat fun — The Stark County Park District is presenting a program on bats at 6 p.m. at the Exploration Gateway, 5712 12th St. N.W., Perry Township. Call 330-477-3552 for reservations and information.

Stories for kids — The Medina County Park District is sponsoring stories for youngsters 3 to 6 years old and accompanying adults at 11:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. at Allardale Park. That's off Remsen Road in Granger Township. Some of the program will be outdoors. Call 330-722-9364 for more information.

Wild walk — The Wilderness Center off U.S. 250 near Wilmot will stage a wilderness walk at 2 p.m. Call 330-359-5235 for more information.

Ellet hike — The Akron Metro Parks Hiking Club will meet at 7 p.m. for a five-mile hike on sidewalks in Akron's Ellet neighborhood. Meet at the Eastgate Plaza off Canton Road. Call 330-733-3995 for more information.

Friday

Evening hike — Metro Parks, Serving Summit County is conducting an evening hike at 7 p.m. at Firestone Metro Park. It will be a 1.1-mile hike along Redwing Trail. Meet naturalist Nicki Schneider at the Tuscarawas Meadows area at 2620 Harrington Road, Akron. Call 330-865-8065 for more information.

Night songs — The Medina County Park District will present a nature program on night sounds at 7:30 p.m. at the Wolf Creek Environmental Center, 6100 Ridge Road (state Route 94), Sharon Township. Free. Call 330-722-9364 for information.

Learn about Africa — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources are presenting a program on Africa by ranger Ryan Rohrer. The program will be at 6:30 p.m. at the Michael J. Kirwan Dam and Reservoir's Visitor Center off Wayland Road east of Ravenna in Paris Township. Call 330-358-2370 for information.

Saturday

Bird walk — Meet ranger Paul Motts of the National Park Service for a bird walk at the Beaver Marsh from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Cuyahoga Valley. Meet at the Ira Trailhead off Riverview Road north of Ira Road in Cuyahoga Falls.

Ledges hike — The National Park Service is staging a hike of the Ledges in the Cuyahoga Valley park from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Meet at the Ledges Shelter parking lot off Truxell Road in Boston Township. It will be a 11/2-mile hike.

Drop-in demonstrations — The National Park Service is sponsoring drop-in demonstrations of quilting, knitting and embroidery from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Boston Store in the Cuyahoga Valley. That's off Boston Mills Road east of the Cuyahoga River in Boston Township.

Favorite places — The Cuyahoga Valley park's M.D. Garage will host an exhibit of favorite places by the Crooked River Gang, a group of local painters, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The show will continue from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The garage is off Boston Mills Road east of the Cuyahoga River in the hamlet of Boston.

Bike with Bachman — A bicycle ride of 30 miles will be held in Boston Township with Summit County Engineer Greg Bachman. Meet at 8 a.m. at the Boston Township Hall, 1775 Main St., Peninsula. Free. No sign-up. For information, go to http://www.engineer.co.summit.oh.us.

Tour de Akron — A 20-mile bicycle tour of historic Akron sponsored by the Akron Bicycle Club will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The ride begins and ends at Hardesty Park in West Akron. Helmets are required. For information, go to http://www.akronbike.org.

Bicycle workshop — League of American Bicyclists instructor Fred Oswald will conduct a workshop on how to safely ride the roads. A ride will follow. The program will run from noon to 4 p.m. at Akron's Lock 3 Park. Helmets required. Riders must be at least 10 years old and capable of riding for one hour. For information, contact Andy Davis at 330-375-2377.

Kids' fishing — Metro Parks, Serving Summit County is conducting a children's fishing program at 6 p.m. at Little Turtle Pond at Firestone Metro Park. That's at 2400 Harrington Road in South Akron. A few rods and reels will be available. Bait will be provided. Adults must supervise their children but cannot fish. Call 330-865-8065 for more information.

Family campfire — The Stark County Park District is hosting a family campfire from 6 to 8 p.m. at the David Fichtner Outdoor Education Center, 12833 Market Ave. N., Hartville. Call 330-477-3552 for more information.

Outdoor cooking — The Medina County Park District is offering an outdoor cooking class from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Allardale Park off Remsen Road in Granger Township. For ages 12 to adult. Those 12 to 17 must be accompanied by adults. The fee is $8 a person. Call 330-722-9364 for more information.

Jupiter peek — The Astronomy Club of Akron will present a program on Jupiter at 8 p.m. at the club's observatory at Portage Lakes State Park. That's at 5031 Manchester Road (state Route 93), New Franklin. A sky watch will follow the program. Call 330-837-5848 for more information.

Drop-in turtles — The Wilderness Center off U.S. 250 near Wilmot will present a walk-in program on turtles from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 330-359-5235 for more information.

Aurora hike — The Portage Trail Walkers hiking club will meet at 9 a.m. for a hike at Sunny Lake and the Audubon Society Sanctuary off East Mennonite Road in Aurora. Call 330-673-6896 for more information.

Dog Days — The Cleveland Museum of Natural History will celebrate Dog Days from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The celebration will continue from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. That includes a look at Balto, the dog that saved Nome, Alaska, and the evolution of dogs. The museum is at 1 Wade Oval in the University Circle area. Free with museum admission. Call 216-231-4600 for more information.

Creek walk — Cleveland Metroparks is sponsoring a family creek walk along Hemlock Creek from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Bedford Reservation. Meet at the Hemlock Creek Picnic Area off Button Road in Walton Hills. Not recommended for children under 6. Advance registration is required. Call 216-341-3152 for reservations and additional information.

Voyageur canoes — Cleveland Metroparks is sponsoring paddles in a 34-foot Voyageur canoe on Hinckley Lake in northern Medina County. The trips will be at 11 a.m. and 12:30, 2 and 3:30 p.m. They will be offered at those times on Sunday, too. The paddles will begin at the Hinckley Boathouse. That's off West Drive in Hinckley Township in Medina County. The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children 15 and under. Advance reservations are required. Call 440-786-8530 for more information.

Butterfly tagging — Cleveland Metroparks is sponsoring a monarch butterfly program including tagging butterflies from 10 a.m. to noon in the Brecksville Reservation. Meet at the Brecksville Nature Center off Chippewa Creek Drive. Advance registration is required. Call 440-526-1012 for reservations and additional information.

Doggie swim — Cleveland Metroparks is staging a doggie swim from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Ledge Pool in Hinckley Township in Medina County. The fee is $3 per dog to benefit the Medina County SPCA. The pool is at 1151 Ledge Road between Kellogg and State roads in Hinckley Township. For more information, call 330-239-2911.

Bat fun — Cleveland Metroparks is hosting a bat gala from 5 to 11 p.m. at the Shelterhouse Picnic Area in the South Chagrin Reservation in Bentleyville. There will be bat games, bat crafts, bat songs, bat stories, bat presentations. The movie Batman will be shown outdoors. The shelter is off Hawthorne Parkway. Call 440-247-7075 for more information.

Arcade tour — Cleveland Metroparks is staging a tour of Cleveland's historic arcades at 10 a.m. Advance registration is required. Call 216-206-1000 for reservations, directions and information.

Sunday

Park concert — Foster Brown and Mark Szabo will present a free outdoor concert at 5:30 p.m. at the Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. Sponsored by Metro Parks, Serving Summit County. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. The show will be moved indoors if it rains. Call 330-865-8065 for more information.

Nature walk — Metro Parks, Serving Summit County will stage a nature walk at 10 a.m. at Furnace Run Metro Park. Meet at the Brushwood Area off Townsend Road in Richfield Township. Call 330-865-8065 for more information.

Morning hike — The National Park Service is holding a beat-the-heat morning hike of five miles on the Ledges and Pine Grove trails in the Cuyahoga Valley. It will run from 8 to 10 a.m. Meet at the Ledges Shelter off Truxell Road in Boston Township.

Bike scavenger hunt — The University Park Bicycle Scavenger Hunt begins at 2 p.m. at Eddy's Bike Shop, 160 E. Exchange St. Registration opens at 1 p.m. Sponsored by the University Park Alliance to benefit bicycle programs at Leggett and Mason schools. The fee is $5. Participants must be at least 18 years old. Helmets are required. Please bring a driver's license. Liability waivers must be signed. For information, call 330-972-8859 or e-mail info@upakron.com.

Bike-train ride — The Family Bike-and-Train Ride begins at 1:30 p.m. Meet at the Mustill Store. Participants will then move to Akron's Northside Station and board the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Tickets are $2. Participants will get off the train at the Botzum Trailhead and pedal six miles back to the Northside Station.

Wildflower walk — The Medina County Park District is offering a wildflower walk at 3 p.m. at Allardale Park off Remsen Road in Granger Township. For ages 10 to adult. Call 330-722-9364 for more information.

Mustill hike — The Cascade Locks Park Association will present a history hike at 11 a.m. through the canal locks. Meet at the Mustill Store off West North Street near downtown Akron. Call 330-374-5625 for more information.

Valley hike — The Akron Metro Parks Hiking Club will meet at 2:30 p.m. for a hike of five or six miles in the Cuyahoga Valley. Meet at the Ira Railhead off Riverview Road north of Ira Road in Cuyahoga Falls. Call 330-733-3995 for more information.

Prairie hike — Quail Hollow State Park near Hartville will host a tall-grass prairie hike at 2 p.m. Meet at the park's Carriage House for a short slide show before the hike. The park is at 13480 Congress Lake Road N.E., Lake Township. Call 330-877-6652 for more information.

Nature walk — Mount Union College's John T. Huston-Dr. John B. Brumbaugh Nature Center will host a nature walk at 2 p.m. The center is on Daniel Street off state Route 183 six miles south of Alliance in Washington Township. Call 330-823-7487 for more information.

Portage Lakes rowing — The Portage Lakes Rowing Association will be rowing from 7 to 9 a.m. The rowers will also be out from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. The rowing continues until Nov. 16. For more information, call 330-807-4010 or check out http://www.portagelakesrowing.com.

Rising Valley exploration — Richfield Township and Cleveland Metroparks are offering a program exploring Rising Valley Park off Newton Road in the Hinckley Reservation. That's off Broadview Road north of state Route 303 in Hinckley Township. The trek along the East Branch of Rocky River is from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Call 440-526-1012 for more information.

Monday

Bike movie night — Bike Movie Night in University Park will run from 5 to 9 p.m. at the University of Akron student center. Breaking Away at 5 p.m.; the Yellow Bike Project at 7 p.m. and The Bicycle Thief (aka Ladri di Biciclette) at 7:15 p.m. Sponsored by Summa Foundation. Free. Bicycle valet service will be available. Bike helmets may be purchased for $7.50 through Akron Children's Hospital and Eddy's Bike Shop. For information, call 330-972-8859.

Tuesday

Commuting workshop — The How2Commute bicycle workshop will run from noon to 2 p.m. in room 2AB at the Summit-Akron Summit County Library. Lunch will be available from Hattie's Cafe for $5. Sponsored by the Downtown Akron Partnership. Call 330-762-9550 or check out http://www.downtownakron.com.

Bike ride — The Akron Bicycle Club is holding a 19-mile bike ride from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. Meet at the Botzum Trailhead off Riverview Road.

Wednesday

Pedaling fun — Tires and Train Outdoor Adventure Ride will run from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Meet at the Akron U Recreation and Wellness Center. A bike ride of 10 miles plus a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. The fee is $2. Riders must be at least 18 years old. Register by Aug. 26. Helmets required. A few bikes and helmets are available. Call 330-972-8028 for more information.

Akron hike — The Akron Metro Parks Hiking Club will meet at 9:30 a.m. for a four-mile hike on the Towpath Trail in northwest Akron. Meet at the trailhead at Memorial Parkway. Call 330-733-3995 for more information.

Gardening tips — Learn about planting and caring for flower bulbs from Lee Paulson, a member of the Master Gardeners of Summit County. His program will be at 7 p.m. at the Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. Sponsored by Metro Parks, Serving Summit County. Call 330-865-8065 for additional information.

Little Explorers — The Stark County Park District is presenting a program on animal sounds in its Little Explorers program for preschoolers. It will be staged at 11 a.m. at the Exploration Gateway, 5712 12th St. N.W., Perry Township. Call 330-477-3552 for reservations and information.

Butterfly hike — The Wilderness Center off U.S. 250 near Wilmot will host a butterfly hike and monarch tagging at 10:30 a.m. Call 330-359-5235 for more information.

Butterfly tagging — Cleveland Metroparks is sponsoring a monarch butterfly program including tagging butterflies from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Brecksville Reservation. Meet at the Brecksville Nature Center off Chippewa Creek Drive. Advance registration is required. Call 440-526-1012 for reservations and additional information.

Rocky River watershed — The Northeast Ohio Group of the Sierra Club will host a program on Rocky River and its watershed by the Rocky River Watershed Council at 7 p.m. at the Rocky River Nature Center, 24000 Valley parkway, North Olmsted. For more information, call 440-237-8836.

Sunrise hike — Cleveland Metroparks is conducting a morning hike at 8:30 a.m. Meet at the Brecksville Nature Center off Chippewa Creek Drive in Brecksville. Call 216-341-1704 for more information.

AsiaTown tour — Cleveland Metroparks is staging a tour of Cleveland's AsiaTown neighborhood at 6 p.m. Advance registration is required. Call 216-206-1000 for reservations, directions and additional information.