Today

Apollo's Fire concerts — The musical group Apollo's Fire will present a concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Happy Days Lodge off state Route 303 in Boston Heights. In addition, there will be a family concert at 3 p.m. and another concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Admission to the Friday afternoon show is $5 and for the other shows, $30 and $20. Call 216-320-0012 for reservations and information.

River hike — Naturalist Dee Casteel of Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, will direct a Year of the River hike along the Cuyahoga River. Meet at 7 p.m. at the Gorge Metro Park off Front Street in Cuyahoga Falls. Wear shoes that can get wet. Call 330-865-8065 for information.

Get up and go — A bike ride is on tap in the Get Up, Get Out & Go! program. The event will be staged from 7 to 9 p.m. at Stanford Hostel in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. For Akron youngsters 11 to 14 years old and their families. Sponsored by the National Park Service and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association. To register, call 330-657-2753, ext. 224, or go to http://www.cvnpa.org.

Junior Rangers — The National Park Service is presenting a Junior Rangers program about the Cuyahoga River for youngsters 7 to 12 years old in the Cuyahoga Valley park. It will run from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Fee is $8 per child. Call 800-642-3297, ext. 100, for reservations, location and information.

Junior Rangers II — The National Park Service is presenting a Junior Rangers nature program about butterflies for youngsters 4 to 6 years old in the Cuyahoga Valley park. It will run from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Fee is $8 per child. Call 800-642-3297, ext. 100, for reservations, location and information.

Tales for tots — The Medina County Park District will hold story hours about turtles for youngsters 3 to 6 years old and accompanying adults at 10 and 11:30 a.m. or 1 p.m. at River Styx Park off River Styx Road in Guilford Township. Story hour will also be held at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. Friday. Registration is required. Call 330-722-9364 for information.

Canoe classes — The Medina County Park District is holding canoeing classes at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. at River Styx Park off River Styx Road in Guilford Township. The classes are geared to two-person canoes. Fee is $10 per person. For ages 9 to adult. Call 330-722-9364 for reservations and information.

Mill tours — The Stark County Park District is sponsoring a tour of the Magnolia Flouring Mills in Magnolia at 6 p.m. Call 330-477-3552 for reservations and information.

Bird biology — Mount Union College's John T. Huston-Dr. John B. Brumbaugh Nature Center will host a bird biology lecture at 8 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.

Friday

Acoustic concert — The Metro Parks Ensemble will present an acoustic show at 7 p.m. at the Mingo Pavilion in Sand Run Metro Park off Sand Run Parkway in Northwest Akron. Sponsored by Metro Parks, Serving Summit County. The show will be canceled if it rains. Call 330-865-8060 after 4 p.m. for a weather update.

Firestone campfire — Drummer Rebekkah Brenner and Reiki master Carol Cushkin will stage a healing ceremony for Mother Earth at a campfire at 7 p.m. at Firestone Metro Park. Meet at the Tuscarawas Meadows Area off Harrington Road in South Akron. Bring chairs and marshmallow sticks. 330-865-8065.

Mustill lunch — Fiddler Bobbi Horvath will perform from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mustill Store off West North Street near downtown Akron. Beverages and snacks will be available. 330-374-5625.

Junior Rangers — The National Park Service is presenting a Junior Rangers nature program about ponds for youngsters 7 to 12 years old in the Cuyahoga Valley park. It will run from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Fee is $8 per child. Call 800-642-3297, ext. 100, for reservations, location and information.

Junior Rangers II — The National Park Service is presenting a Junior Rangers nature program and hike for youngsters 4 to 6 years old in the Cuyahoga Valley park. It will run from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Fee is $8 per child. Call 800-642-3297, ext. 100, for reservations, location and information.

Wine train — The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is sponsoring a wine-tasting train from 7 to 9 p.m. The train will depart from the Boston Mills station off Riverview Road in Boston Township. For 21 and older only. Reservations are required. Tickets are $55, $75 and $90. For reservations and information, call 800-468-4070.

Dances of peace — You can join in Dances of Universal Peace at 7 p.m. at Crown Point Ecology Center in Bath Township. The program embraces movement as prayer. No experience necessary. The center is at 3220 Ira Road. 330-668-8992.

Rail concert — The musical group Third Boxcar will perform at 8 p.m. at Cleveland Metroparks' CanalWay Center off East 49th Street south of Grant Avenue in Cuyahoga Heights. 216-206-1000.

Saturday

Summer Celebration — Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, is offering free swimming from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. during Summer Celebration at Silver Creek Metro Park in Norton and Munroe Falls Metro Park in Munroe Falls. Call 330-865-8065 for information.

Canoeing introduction — Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, is offering introduction to canoeing classes at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. at Silver Creek Metro Park. Meet at the boathouse off Medina Line Road in Norton. Registration is required. Call 330-865-8065 for reservations and information.

Nature drawing — Birds of prey will be the topic of nature-sketching classes sponsored by Metro Parks, Serving Summit County. There will be a class for children 6 to 12 years old from 2 to 4 p.m. and for adults from 6 to 8 p.m. Both will be held at Goodyear Heights Metro Park off Newton Street in East Akron. Call 330-865-8065 for reservations and information.

Warbler walk — Volunteer Dwight Chasar will direct a warbler walk from 7 to 10 a.m. in the Cuyahoga Valley park. Meet at the Horseshoe Pond Trailhead off Major Road, west of Riverview Road on the Peninsula-Boston Township border.

River festivities — The National Park Service will mark the Year of the River on the Cuyahoga River. There will be drop-in activities at the Boston Store Visitor Center, with hikes at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., water quality testing from 2 to 4 p.m. and green ideas for your home from 3 to 5 p.m. There will be Indian stories on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, with departures at 10:40 a.m. from Akron's Northside Station and 12:35 p.m. from the Rockside Station in Independence. Tickets are $10. In addition, there will be wildlife volunteers at the Beaver Marsh, the Bath Road heronry and Station Road Bridge. You can also drop in at Park Place in Peninsula from noon to 4 p.m.

Junior Rangers — The National Park Service is presenting a Junior Rangers nature program about birds for youngsters 4 to 6 years old in the Cuyahoga Valley park. It will run from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Fee is $8 per child. Call 800-642-3297, ext. 100, for reservations, location and information.

Trail tunes — Musician Dale Galgozy will entertain on the Towpath Trail from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Hunt Farm Visitor Information Center off Bolanz Road in Cuyahoga Falls.

Wild side — The Cuyahoga Valley park's M.D. Garage will host an exhibit of Walk on the Wild Side paintings 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.

Portage hike — The Portage Park District is staging a guided walk at 9 a.m. at the Chagrin Headwaters Preserve in Mantua. For information, call 330-297-7728.

Family fishing — The Medina County Park District is staging a family fishing program at 6 p.m. at the Wolf Creek Environmental Center at 6100 Ridge Road (state Route 94), Sharon Township. For ages 6 to adult. Free. Call 330-722-9364 for reservations and information.

Horse camping — The Stark County Park District is presenting a program about camping with your horse at 6:30 p.m. at the Exploration Gateway, 5712 12th St. NW, Perry Township. Call 330-477-3552 for reservations and information.

Open fishing — The Ohio Division of Wildlife is opening its fishing ponds to youth anglers from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The ponds will also be open Sunday at 912 Portage Lakes Drive, Coventry Township. Equipment, bait and assistance will be provided. Youths must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Adults cannot fish but can assist. Call 330-644-2293 for information.

Stow Fest— The Stow Parks and Recreation Department and the Stow Historical Society will stage the Joshua Stow Fest from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Silver Springs Park off Young Road. The event will continue from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The Akron Zoo will stage an animal show at 2 p.m. Sunday. Call 330-689-5100 for information.

Asteroid program — The Astronomy Club of Akron will present a program about asteroids and view the asteroid Ceres at 9 p.m. at the club's observatory at Portage Lakes State Park, 5031 Manchester Road (state Route 93), New Franklin. Call 330-837-5848 for information.

Drum circle— Mount Union College's John T. Huston-Dr. John B. Brumbaugh Nature Center will host a drum circle 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 information.

Bird walk — The Wilderness Center off U.S. 250 near Wilmot will hold a bird walk at 8 a.m. Call 330-359-5235 for information.

Star clusters — The Wilderness Center is holding a family astronomy program about star clusters at 2 p.m. Call 330-359-5235 for reservations and information.

Portage hike— The Portage Trail Walkers hiking club will meet at 9 a.m. for a hike at West Branch State Park east of Ravenna. Meet at the West Cable Line Road boat ramp off Rock Springs Road. Call 330-673-6896 for information.

Lorain County hike— The Akron Metro Parks Hiking Club will meet at 10 a.m. for a six-mile hike at Findley State Park near Wellington in Lorain County. Meet at the commissary parking lot. Call 330-655-5911 for information.

Dunes hike— The Headlands Dunes State Nature Preserve will hold a guided nature walk at 2 p.m. at the preserve, which is at the eastern end of Headlands Beach State Park east of Mentor off state Route 44. Sponsored by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' Division of Natural Areas and Preserves.

Train Day— Cleveland Metroparks is staging Train Day with displays, train rides for kids, model train exhibits, train movies, a hobo trail and more from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the CanalWay Center. That's off East 49th Street south of Grant Avenue in Cuyahoga Heights. Call 216-206-1000 for information.

Sunday

Adopt a trail — The Cuyahoga Valley National Park is seeking volunteers to help clean up and maintain trails. Volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Old Carriage Trail. Meet at 714 Fieldcrest Court, Sagamore Hills Township. Wear sturdy shoes or boots and dress for the weather. Bring a small pack with work, gloves, water and lunch. Call 330-467-9593 for information.

Stream walk — The National Park Service is sponsoring a stream walk along Sagamore Creek in the Cuyahoga Valley from 8 to 11 a.m.. It is a strenuous five-mile hike. Meet at the Sagamore Grove Picnic Area off Sagamore Road east of Canal Road in Valley View. Registration is required. Call 800-445-9667 for information.

Family fun — The National Park Service has special events planned from 1 to 3 p.m. at six park sites: the Beaver Marsh and the Hunt Farm Visitor Information Center, both in Cuyahoga Falls; Park Place in Peninsula; Trail Mix in Boston Township; and the Frazee House and the Canal Visitor Center, both in Valley View.

Kids' fishing— Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, is holding a learn-to-fish program for youngsters 15 and under at 1 p.m. at Little Turtle Pond at Firestone Metro Park. That's off 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 information.

Solstice celebration— Metro Parks, Serving Summit County, will hold a summer solstice campfire celebration at 7 p.m. at Goodyear Heights Metro Park off Newton Street in East Akron. Call 330-865-8065 for information.

Buckeye Martinfest — The Portage Lakes Purple Martin Association is hosting Buckeye Martinfest 2009, a tribute to the purple martin, an insect-eating songbird. There will be a talk by long-time purple martin advocate Larry Hunter at 1 p.m. at the Kiwanis Civic Center, 725 Portage Lakes Drive, Coventry Township. At 2 p.m., there will be an open house at the nesting boxes at the State Mill boat launch. At 4:30 p.m., there will be dinner at the Kiwanis Civic Center. The donation is $5, plus a covered dish or dessert. Speaker will be John Tautin, executive director of the Purple Martin Conservation Association. For information, call 330-644-1540.

Father's Day hike— The Stark County Park District is sponsoring a Father's Day hike at 1 p.m. Meet at the Craig Pittman Trailhead outside Navarre. Call 330-477-3552 for information.

Monday

Birds for kids — The Stark County Park District is presenting a Junior Rangers program about birds for youngsters at 10 a.m. at the Exploration Gateway, 5712 12th St. NW, Perry Township. Fee is $5. Call 330-477-3552 for reservations and information.

Tuesday

Get up and go — A history-filled lantern hike is on tap in the Get Up, Get Out & Go! program. The event will be staged from 7 to 9 p.m. at Akron's Mustill Store. For Akron youngsters 11 to 14 years old and their families. Sponsored by the National Park Service and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association. To register, call 330-657-2753, ext. 224, or go to http://www.cvnpa.org.

Junior Rangers — The National Park Service is presenting a Junior Rangers outdoor skills challenge for youngsters 7 to 12 years old in the Cuyahoga Valley park. It will run from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Fee is $8 per child. Call 800-642-3297, ext. 100, for reservations, location and information.

Pollinators walk — The Wilderness Center off U.S. 250 near Wilmot is hosting a pollinators walk at 2 p.m. Call 330-359-5235 for information.

Audubon potluck — The Greater Akron Audubon Society will hold a potluck picnic dinner at 6:30 p.m. at the Bath Nature Preserve off Ira Road in Bath Township. Dr. Bruce Cushing of the University of Akron biology department will speak about voles.

Advanced fishing — The Medina County Park District is staging a three-day advanced fishing program for youngsters 7 to 12 years old. It will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Buffalo Creek Retreat off Hubbard Valley Road in Guilford Township. The program is not for beginners. Sign-up is required. Call 330-722-9364 for information.

Canalway stories — The Stark County Park District is presenting a program about canalway stories at 6 p.m. at the Exploration Gateway, 5712 12th St. NW, Perry Township. Call 330-477-3552 for reservations and information.

Wednesday

Evening hike — The National Park Service is staging a 51/4-mile hike on the Old Carriage Trail from 7 to 9 p.m. Meet at the Red Lock Trailhead off West Highland Road in Sagamore Hills Township.

Boomerangs — Dave Boehm of the Cleveland Boomerang School will offer tips on tossing boomerangs from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Cuyahoga Valley. Meet at Howe Meadow off Riverview Road north of Ira Road in Cuyahoga Falls. For beginners on up. Boomerangs will be provided or bring your own.

Nature drawing — Flowers of the Metro parks will be the topic of nature-sketching classes sponsored by Metro Parks, Serving Summit County. There will be a class for children 6 to 12 years old from 2 to 4 p.m. and for adults from 6 to 8 p.m. Both classes will be held at Goodyear Heights Metro Park off Newton Street in East Akron. Call 330-865-8065 for reservations and information.

Firestone hike — The Akron Metro Parks Hiking Club will meet at 9:30 a.m. for a hike of four miles at Firestone Metro Park in South Akron. Meet at the Tuscarawas Meadows parking lot off Harrington Road. Call 330-655-5911 for information.

Water safety — The Medina County Park District will present a water safety program for children 4 to 6 years old at 10 a.m. at the Wolf Creek Environmental Center, 6100 Ridge Road (state Route 94), Sharon Township. Free. Call 330-722-9364 for reservations and information.

Bob Downing can be reached at 330-996-3745 or bdowning@thebeaconjournal.com.