The Akron-based Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition is sponsoring its fourth annual Tour Du Towpath bicycle ride on Saturday.

There will be routes of eight, 18 and 31 miles that begin in Canal Fulton and run along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail.

In addition, there will be a 31-mile road route that also begins and ends in Canal Fulton at the Canalway Visitor Center, 125 Tuscarawas St.

The road cyclists will head to Doylestown and Clinton before returning to Canal Fulton.

The 31-mile trail ride goes from Canal Fulton to New Franklin to Massillon to Canal Fulton. The 18-miler goes from Canal Fulton to New Franklin to Lock 4 Park in Lawrence Township to Canal Fulton.

The eight-mile ride from Canal Fulton to Clinton to Canal Fulton is designed for families.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. for the two 31-mile rides. It will be at 9:30 a.m. for the 18 miler and 10 a.m. for the eight miler.

At the end of the rides, a barbecue lunch will be served starting at 11 a.m. at Canal Fulton's St. Helena Heritage Park. Music will be provided by Angelicus.

To date, 145 bicyclists have registered.

The entry fee is $25 for adults and $10 for children or $60 for families with two adults and two children under 12 ($5 for additional children). Proceeds will benefit the coalition.

Sponsors include PPG Industries, Dominion, Hammontree & Associates and Lindsay Concrete.

For registration forms, contact Bryan Edwards at 330-434-5657 or go to http://www.ohioeriecanal.org.

Today

Park concert — The Metro Parks Ensemble will present a free outdoor concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Coventry Oaks Pavilion at Firestone Metro Park, 40 Axline Road in South Akron. There will be kids' activities from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Friends of Metro Parks will serve free desserts, while supplies last. The concert will be canceled if it rains. Call 330-865-8060 after 4 p.m. for a concert update.

Friday

Evening hike — Naturalist Nicki Schneider of Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, will direct an evening hike along the 1.6-mile Willow Trail at Firestone Metro Park. Meet at 7 p.m. at the Tuscarawas Meadows area off Harrington Road in South Akron. Expect easy terrain. Call 330-865-8065 for information.

Olympic program — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources are presenting a program on the Summer Olympic opening ceremonies and Beijing by park ranger Ryan Rohrer. It 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.

Swim-in movie — Cleveland Metroparks will hold a dive-in movie with a screening of High School Musical at the Ledge Pool & Recreation Area in Hinckley Township. You can watch the movie from the lawn or from rented inner tubes in the heated pool. The doors open at 8 p.m. Cartoons start at 8:30 p.m. and the movie at 8:45 p.m. Children under 8 must be accompanied by adults. No outside flotation equipment is permitted. Inner tubes are available for $4 for a single tube or $6 for a double tube. Reservations for tubes are required at 330-239-2911. The Ledge Pool & Recreation Area is at 1511 Ledge Road between State and Kellogg roads in Hinckley Township.

Saturday

Family campfire — Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, is presenting a family campfire at 8 p.m. at Firestone Metro Park. You will learn about nighttime insects, test your nature knowledge and roast marshmallows. Meet at 2620 Harrington Road in South Akron. Call 330-865-8065 for information.

Meadow hike — Naturalist Meghan Doran will teach you how to identify insects on a meadow hike at 7 p.m. at Goodyear Heights Metro Park. Meet at the Pioneer Area off Frazier Avenue off Newton Street. The hike will be about one mile. Call 330-865-8065 for information.

Metro hike — Volunteer Pat Patterson will lead a five-mile hike at 10 a.m. at Schumacher Valley in the Cascade Valley Metro Park. That's off Cuyahoga Street on the Akron/Cuyahoga Falls border. The hike will be along parts of the Valley Link, Parcours and Towpath trails. It is a rugged hike. Call 330-865-8065 for information.

All about bats — The National Park Service will stage a program about bats by ranger Scott Van Houten from 7 to 9 p.m. Meet at the park's Boston Store off Boston Mills Road east of the Cuyahoga River in the hamlet of Boston. The program includes an easy 13/4-mile walk.

Ledges hike — You can join a 11/2-mile hike along the Ledges Trail from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Cuyahoga Valley park. Meet at the Ledges Shelter parking lot off Truxell Road 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.

Drop-in crafts — The Cuyahoga Valley National Park will host walk-in demonstrations of quilting, knitting and embroidery from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Boston Store. That's off Boston Mills Road east of the Cuyahoga River in the hamlet of Boston.

Civil War re-enactment — Hale Farm & Village, 2686 Oak Hill Road, Bath Township, will host a Civil War re-enactment with more than 500 participants from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will continue from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission. For information, call 330-666-3711 or go to http://www.wrhs.org.

Night bike ride — Century Cycle in Peninsula is organizing a night bike ride along the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail in the Cuyahoga Valley. Bicyclists will pedal 15 to 20 miles. The ride will start at 8 p.m. Helmets and bike lights are required. Meet at the bike shop on state Route 303 next to the Cuyahoga River. Call 800-201-7433 for information.

Healthy hike — The Stark County Park District is conducting a Healthy Hike from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Ohio & Erie Canalway in Canal Fulton. Call 330-477-3552 for information.

Fishing derby — The Stark County Park District is holding its Children's Fishing Derby from 9 to 11 a.m. at Whitacre Greer Park between Magnolia and Waynesburg. Call 330-477-3552 for information.

Star watch — Medina County's Letha House Park will host a public star watch from 8 to 11 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Medina County Park District and the Cuyahoga Astronomical Association. Telescopes will be set up, weather permitting. Dress for the weather. Free. The park is at 10311 Spencer Lake Road, Chatham Township. For all ages. Call 330-722-9364 for information.

Towpath hike — The Akron Metro Parks Hiking Club will meet at 9 a.m. at the Vanderhoof Road Trailhead west of Van Buren Road in New Franklin. You can hike from one to 10 miles on the Towpath Trail. Call 330-733-3995 for information.

Boston hike — The Portage Trail Walkers hiking club will meet at 9 a.m. for a hike on the Towpath Trail. The club will meet at the Boston Store, off Boston Mills Road east oo the Cuyahoga River, in Boston Township. Call 330-673-6896 for information.

Wilderness walk — The Wilderness Center off U.S. 250 near Wilmot will host a wilderness walk at 10 a.m. Call 330-359-5235 for information.

Astronomy program — The Wilderness Center is presenting a family astronomy program on the top six things to learn about stars. The program will be at 2 p.m. at the center's planetarium off Alabama Avenue Southwest in Sugar Creek Township. For fourth-graders and older. Free. Call 330-359-5235 for information.

Spider fun — Learn about spiders and their abilities in a program at 10 a.m. at Cleveland Metroparks' Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation. Meet at the CanalWay Center off East 49th Street south of Grant Avenue in Cuyahoga Heights. Call 216-206-1000 for information.

Space photos — A Smithsonian traveling exhibition, entitled Beyond: Visions of Planetary Landscapes, is on display today through Oct. 5 at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. The show includes 35 large-scale prints from American and European space missions. The museum is at 1 Wade Oval in the University Circle area. Free with admission. Call 216-231-4600 or 800-317-9155 for information.

Burning River Fest — Cleveland will be the site of the Burning River Fest from noon to 11 p.m. The event with music, displays, eco-discussions, kids' activities, tall ship tours, chef demonstrations and more will be held at the Nautica Entertainment Complex on the west bank of the Cuyahoga River in the Flats. Music will be provided by the Ark Band, Cats on Holiday, Mifune, Kristine Jackson, Prayer Warriors and the Dave Matthews Tribute Band. Tickets are $8 in advance and $12 at the door. Proceeds benefit the Burning River Foundation. Check out http://www.burningriverfest.org for details.

Sunday

Valley hike — The National Park Service is staging a beat-the-heat morning hike. It will be seven miles on the difficult Buckeye and Valley trails in the Cuyahoga Valley park. Meet at 8 a.m. at park headquarters at Vaughn and Riverview roads in Brecksville.

Park concert — American Indian musician Billy Crowbeak will perform in a free outdoor concert at 5:30 p.m. at the Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. The show will be moved indoors if it rains. Call 330-865-8065 for information.

Spider fun — Naturalist Nicki Schneider will present facts about spiders and then lead a hike to look for them. Meet at 1 p.m. at the Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road, Akron. Call 330-865-8065 for information.

Mansion tour — Quail Hollow State Park will host a guided tour of the 40-room Stewart mansion at 2 p.m. at 13480 Congress Lake Road N.E., Lake Township. Call 330-877-6652 for information.

Cascade Locks hike — The Cascade Locks Park Association is holding a history hike at 11 a.m. Meet at the Mustill Store off West North Street near downtown Akron. Call 330-374-5625 for 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 information, call 330-807-4010 or check out http://www.portagelakesrowing.com.

Hummingbird Day — The Medina County Park District will celebrate Hummingbird Day at 1 p.m. at the Wolf Creek Environmental Center, 6100 Ridge Road (state Route 94), Sharon Township. Make a hummingbird feeder to take home. One feeder per family. For ages 10 to adult. Free. Advance reservations are required. Call 330-722-9364 for reservations and information.

Ice cream hike — The Akron Metro Parks Hiking Club will meet at 2:30 p.m. at the FirstMerit Bank branch at Copley and Jacoby roads in Copley Township for a five-mile roads-and-sidewalks hike. There will be an ice cream stop. Call 330-733-3995 for information.

Learn about coyotes — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources are presenting a program about coyotes in Ohio. 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.

Prairie walk — The Wilderness Center off U.S. 250 near Wilmot will hold a prairie walk at 2 p.m. Call 330-359-5235 for information.

Nature walk — Mount Union College's John T. Huston-Dr. John B. Brumbaugh Nature Center will host a nature walk from 2 to 4 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 information.

Bat fun — Cleveland Metroparks is staging a program about bats at 7:45 p.m. at the Oak Grove Picnic Area in the Brecksville Reservation. That's off Valley Parkway between Chippewa Creek and Meadows drives in Brecksville. Call 440-526-1012 for information.

Monday

Junior Gardeners — The Stark County Park District is presenting a garden party for its Junior Gardeners program at 10 a.m. at the Exploration Gateway, 5712 12th St. N.W., Perry Township. Call 330-477-3552 for reservations and information.

Tuesday

Meteor shower — Quail Hollow State Park will sponsor a Perseid meteor shower starting at 9 p.m. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Meet at the Carriage House Nature Center and the field in front of the manor house. The park is at 13480 Congress Lake Road N.E., Lake Township. Call 330-877-6652 for information.

Stroller hike — The Medina County Park District is sponsoring a stroller hike at 10:30 a.m. at Allardale Park off Remsen Road in Granger Township. Children must be in strollers. Be prepared for unpaved trails. Full-size or jogger-style strollers are recommended. For youngsters newborn to age 3. Registration required. Call 330-722-9364 for reservations and information.

Songs of the Earth — The Medina County Park District will present a class on Songs of the Earth (Indian circles and sculpture, Japanese haiku, West African drumming and more) from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Wolf Creek Environmental Center, 6100 Ridge Road (state Route 94), Sharon Township. It will continue Aug. 13-14. For students in grades 3, 4 and 5. The fee is $20 per student. Advance registration is required. Call 330-722-9364 for information.

Mill tour — The Stark County Park District is offering a tour of the historic Magnolia Flouring Mill at 6 p.m. on Main Street in Magnolia. Call 330-477-3552 for information.

Wednesday

Park concert — Brigid's Cross will present a free outdoor concert at 6:30 p.m. at Howe Meadow off Riverview Road in Cuyahoga Valley. Sponsored by the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association with promotional support from Kent radio station WKSU (89.7-FM). Alcohol is prohibited. There will be lawn games and activities starting at 5:30 p.m. Bring plastic discs and kites. The rain location is the Happy Days Lodge off state Route 303 in Boston Heights.

Mustill cleanup — Volunteers are needed to clean up the Little Cuyahoga River and the Ohio & Erie Canal from 9 a.m. to noon. Meet at the Mustill Store off West North Street near downtown Akron. Volunteers should wear long pants, long sleeves, work gloves and rubber boots or shoes that can get wet and muddy. Bring dry clothes, socks and drinking water. Participants under 18 must have forms signed by parents or guardians. Sponsored by Metro Parks, Serving Summit County. Registration is required. For information, contact biologist Marlo Perdicas at 330-865-8057, Ext. 226.

Little Explorers — The Stark County Park District is holding a program about fish in its Little Explorers program for preschoolers at 11 a.m. at the Exploration Gateway, 5712 12th St. N.W., Perry Township. Call 330-477-3552 for reservations.

Valley hike — The Akron Metro Parks Hiking Club will meet at 9:30 a.m. for a three-mile hike in the Cuyahoga Valley. Meet at the Hunt Farm Visitor Information Center off Bolanz Road in Cuyahoga Falls. Call 330-733-3995 for information.

Bridges hike — Cleveland Metroparks is sponsoring a hike to look at bridges in the Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation. Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the West Canal Gateway off Canal Road between Rockside and Granger roads in Cuyahoga Heights. Call 216-206-1000 for information.