The weekend is finally here, and you know what that means: It’s time for your Friday Freebies.
There are a ton of free and discounted events happening in central Ohio this weekend. From free admission to Kings Island for first responders to the inaugural Columbus Taco Fest, here is your guide to inexpensive weekend fun.
All weekend:
How does taking the entire family bowling sound? KidsBowlFree.com gives kids ages 15 to 17 and under (age varies by location) two games of bowling for free every day at participating bowling alleys. Adults and older kids are can also get two free games a day (limit is four adult family members) for a one-time payment of $21.95 to $36.95. Participating alleys in central Ohio include Gahanna Lanes (Gahanna), Game Entertainment (Columbus), HP Lanes (Columbus), Shawnee Lanes (Chillicothe), Tiki Bowling Lanes (Lancaster), Madison Lanes (London), and Park Lanes (Heath). Click or tap here to see a full list of participating locations.
Free admission to Kings Island for police and EMS personnel
Kings Island is celebrating our first responders by offering free admission to all active fire, police and safety personnel from now until Sunday. You must provide a valid fire and/or police photo ID to take advantage of the offer. Fire and police badges are accepted if accompanied by a photo ID. IDs must reference specific fire or police duty. Click or tap here to see who qualifies for the offer.
Zoombezi Bay free preview weekend for military families
Join military families for a day of fun at Zoombezi Bay. Every 24-pack of Pepsi products purchased at Central Ohio Kroger locations through May 18 gives military families tickets to Zoombezi Bay’s Sneak Peek weekend. If you’re a member of the military and would like to get free tickets for your family, click or tap here.
Calling all foodies: The Easton Food Fest is where you want to be this weekend! The event kicks off with food truck Friday from 11am to 8pm with more than 20 food trucks and beer from World of Beer. The fun continues Saturday with the Around the Town Pub Crawl with specials from select Easton restaurants and bars. Close out the weekend with Sweet Sunday featuring delicious samples of desserts from Easton restaurant tents around the Town Square. Click or tap here for ticket information.
Saturday:
Columbus’ most-anticipated new festival is coming to Genoa Park on May 19. Enjoy the best tacos, tequila and music Columbus has to offer at this free event. Make sure you come hungry! (Not sure which taco vendors to try first? Check out a list of our favorite taco places in the Columbus area here.)
The 45th annual Delaware Arts Festival takes over downtown Delaware on May 19. This 100% volunteer-run event raises scholarship funds for Delaware County visual arts students and their teachers. Click or tap here for the full schedule.
Sunday:
Asian Festival Dragonboat Race
Get a preview of everything next weekend’s Asian Festival has to offer at the 2018 Dragonboat Race! The fun starts at 9am on Sunday at West Bank Park (181 S. Washington Blvd., Columbus) and goes until 4pm. In addition to the boat race, you’ll see the dragon dance, lion dance, and Asian kites and lanterns. Admission is free.
Need to get out of the house with your little ones Sunday afternoon? Head over to KidX Balloons and Butterflies at Polaris Fashion Place from noon to 1:30pm. There will be plenty of butterflies and balloons for the kids to play with, and it makes the perfect photo opportunity. Learn more about the event here.
Explore Gay Street, home to some of Columbus’ best restaurants and a diverse mix of local businesses. The Sunlight Market offers a variety of shopping, entertainment and dining options with life musicians, food vendors, pop-up shops and so much more. The market will be open from 11am to 3pm on Sunday.
