Whether it’s browsing through paintings in a garden setting or enjoying big band music in a pretty park, summertime is ideal for enjoying the visual and performing arts. There’s no better example than the Cityfolk Festival in downtown Dayton, which wraps up today, from 1 to 10 p.m. at Riverscape MetroPark in downtown Dayton. The festive event offers a wide variety of ethnic music and dance performances, and everyone gets into the act. The event will culminate with the Dayton fireworks at 10 p.m.

This region offers a variety of outdoor arts experiences in June, July and August. While it may be most convenient to attend an event in your own neighborhood, there are plenty of unique outdoor arts options throughout the region worth the drive. Here’s a glimpse of some of the long-standing and unusual forms of outdoor summer entertainment worth adding to your summer calendar.

Free community arts events abound

Gary and Jacki Martindale began attending the free concerts at Stubbs Park in Centerville 15 years ago when they moved to the area.

You’ll often find kids running around at Stubbs Park in Centerville when the community gathers for jazz, country, pop, blues, ballroom and Celtic. This summer, the 20-year-old series features Jimmy Buffett and Beatles tributes.

Kristen Gopman, assistant to the city manager in Centerville, says people come from as far away as Cincinnati.

“People bring picnics, bring their dogs on leashes, the kids bring balls and play catch,” she says. “You’ll see grandparents with grandchildren, young parents with babies, seniors.

Jacki Martindale says she and her husband have met many nice people at the outdoor concerts and enjoy the camaraderie.

“Acoustics are good, sound systems are good, the lawns are always in great shape and it’s clean,” Jacki Martindale says. “It’s nice to bring a picnic some nights, spread a blanket, set up chairs and relax.”

“Relax” is the right word, says Tim Rowe, director of marketing for the Springfield Arts Council. He believes everyone looks forward to summer because it’s a more relaxing time of year.

“People can sometimes be intimidated by an event held at an indoor venue, but at our Summer Arts Festival people can dress casually,” he adds.

Springfield’s annual event, now in its 46th year, offers six weeks of admission-free entertainment under the stars. More than 60,000 patrons — many who come from a 50-mile radius — arrive with their lawn chairs for live music, dance and theater performances. Performers come from throughout the country and all over the world.

To learn more about the outdoor concerts in various communities, call or check out that town’s website. In Troy, for example, look at www.troyohio.gov, to find the city’s weekly Friday night summer concerts.

Enjoy outdoor artwork

If you haven’t yet walked through Patrick Dougherty’s giant stickwork sculpture “A Wiggle in Its Walk” at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark in Dayton, you’re missing something special. The whimsical structure was created by the internationally known artist in conjunction with local volunteers.

It’s also a great time to visit the famous Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum outside of Hamilton. The 265-acre park, open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, features an eclectic mix of artwork.

“It’s a park where art meets nature,” says public relations director Joe Statzer. “When you’re there, you feel like you’re a million miles away from anywhere else. It’s a remarkable setting that takes you to another place.”

Visitors can drive through the park, bike, rent an “art cart” or walk.

“On a really beautiful day, you can have a good time in nature, see incredible pieces of art and not even realize you’re exercising,” Statzer says. “Before you know it, you’ve walked a mile or two.”

It’s also ideal for families.

“You can take kids into a museum, and it’s a great experience, but on a beautiful day kids want to be outside, not walking in hallways,” he says. “When they’re here, they’re noticing trees and wildlife, and noticing the art more, too.”

At Pyramid Hill, kids can be as noisy as they want and they’re welcome to touch the artwork.

“We have a sculpture called The Bench that looks like a giant axle wheel, and the kids are allowed to climb all over it,” Statzer says.

Special events, festivals

Most of the summer arts events are geared toward families. Every other Tuesday morning at Riverscape MetroPark in Dayton, for example, preschoolers and their parents gather at 10 a.m. for Tuesday Tales, a free series of cultural programs. This week, it’s Zoot Tales, featuring the Zoot Theatre Company presenting “The Tortoise and the Hare.” No advance reservations are necessary.

RiverScape also hosts everything from cultural festivals like the Dayton Celtic Festival and Dayton African American Cultural Festival to the Jazz Series, Salsa Series, 92.1 WROU Summer Nights, Big Band Nights, 91.3 WYSO Concert and the Teen Music Slam.

Kettering’s Lincoln Park is chock full of summer arts activities — from outdoor concerts at Fraze Pavilion, drawing many big-name acts, to free festivals such as the July 28 Swamp Romp, featuring free music and food vendors, all themed around the Louisiana Bayou.

“It’s great to watch festival-goers bring their lawn chairs, find a place in the shade and listen to the bands performing in the park throughout the day,” says general manager Karen Durham. “The performance is enhanced by the natural beauty of the park — the trees, the flowers and the fountains.”

The annual Art on the Commons features 100 artists, offering artwork ranging from photography and paintings to ceramics and glass.

“It’s great because it gets people out into the fresh air,” says Shayna McConville, cultural arts manager for the city of Kettering. “There’s a bit of recreation involved — you stroll through a scenic place”

Contact this reporter at mmoss@DaytonDailyNews.com.