TOLEDO – Outside the Glass City Pavilion, the progress of the Glass City Metropark was on full display as Cheryl Hardy-Dillin spoke on improvements to Toledo’s downtown experience.
“We want downtown Toledo to be a place where you choose to come and enjoy yourself,” she said, highlighting the parks, sports events and musical happenings on the docket for this summer season.
“Events are not new to downtown,” Hardy-Dillin said, but admitted that the coordination between venues, businesses and other organizations has not always made the most of people’s time at the city center.
Hardy-Dillin, the community engagement specialist for ConnecToledo, spoke on economic development that could be easily accessed through creating reasons for people to come and stay — downtown.
“When you take the people that you bring to that entertainment venue, and then push them into the businesses and restaurants and buildings here intentionally…that then drives economic development.
For example, she said concerts in Promenade Park will begin at 6 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. which leads into other happenings. “We’re designing experiences that tie together.
“When the Metroparks has something going on over on this side of the river, we’ll be announcing what’s happening over here on our side of the river,” Hardy-Dillon said.
These planning initiatives were unveiled just as Toledo City Council approved $50,000 from the city’s general fund the day before for the 2025 Concert Series at Promenade park, under Oordinance 164-25.
The Promenade Park free concert series is a stimulus effort, in coordination with ConnecToledo, to get people downtown. City leaders and investors are hoping these kinds of events will lead to further revitalization of Toledo.
“Every concert, every gathering, every celebration, is intentional. It’s meant to draw people into the heart of the city and then push them into our local businesses,” Hardy-Dillin said, and then she pointed to the effect these kinds of coordinated programs could have.
“If we got a couple thousand people a week [downtown], and each person spent $35, we would reinvest a million and a half dollars [a year] into downtown Toledo.”
Matt Rubin, chairman of the Downtown Toledo Improvement District, said these kinds of reinvestments create civic pride for Toledo.
He noted that there’s been significant investment into downtown, over $2 billion over the last five years.
“We really need these events and activation efforts to bring people downtown so they can see and can be proud of their city,” he said.
Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz weighed in with his own experience about being ‘nagged’ to bring back Party in the Park.
Truly, for eight years: ‘When are we going to bring Party in the Park back?’ It takes a little coordination and momentum to pull it off, but we’re finally doing that. It’s more than just nostalgia: It’s forward looking.”
Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz
A number of new events are on the horizon, including Party in the Park, Lunch at Levis and Wellness at the Square schedules.
For a more expansive list of events happening in Toledo, checkout downtowntoledo.org
2025 Party in the Park Schedule
Free Concert Series & Family-Friendly Events
Where: Promenade Park | When: Friday Evenings
Opening Acts: 6–7 p.m., unless otherwise noted
Main Acts: 7:30 – 9:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted
Friday, May 30 | Zack Attack Band & Opener: Triplette’s
Friday, June 6 | Beef Carvers & Opener: The 25’s
Friday, June 13 | Hot Air Balloon Glow collaborative event at Promenade Park & Glass City Riverwalk Promenade Park: The Grape Smugglers (8-10 p.m.) & Opener: Mizer Vossen Project (6 p.m.);
Glass City Riverwalk: Hollywood Connection Band (7-10 p.m.)
Friday, June 20 | Distant Cousinz & Opener: Wall Music – Juneteenth Celebration presented by TARTA
Friday, June 27 | North of Nashville & Opener: J.T. Hayden
Friday, July 4 | City of Toledo Fireworks*
Friday, July 11 | Arctic Clam & Opener: Nikki D and the Sisters of Thunder
Friday, July 18 | The Day Drinkers & Opener: Funk Factory
Friday, July 25 | The Skittlebots & Opener: Daisy Chain – Christmas in July
Friday, Aug. 1 | Jeep Fest Activities*
Friday, Aug. 8 | Greggie and the Jets (Elton John Tribute) & Opener: Venyx
Friday, Aug. 15 | Toledo Pride Activities*
Friday, Aug. 22 | 90s R&B Jam – DJ Lyte N Rod, Wall Music & Friends, Hosted by Big Trice
Friday, Aug. 29 | The Ultimate Garth Brooks Tribute Band & Opener: Ashley Martin Band (8–10 p.m.); Drone Show at 10pm – “Thank You Toledo” Appreciation Night
*Note: Events marked with an asterisk are supported, but not directly programmed by ConnecToledo
20th Anniversary of Lunch at Levis
Grab takeout from a local restaurant or food truck and enjoy free live music and fun at this lunchtime event series!
When: June 5 to Oct. 2, 2025
Every Thursday afternoon from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Where: Levis Square Park
2025 Food Truck Lineup
Baba’s Eats, Beastro Burger, Deets BBQ, Falafel King, Fat Boyz, Lyles Crepes, The Loaded Chicken, Wanna Make ‘Er Loaded, Trip ‘n Biscuits, Stubborn Brother, Naan Stop Kebap, Better Than Yo Mama’s, Casero Kitchen, PM Frosted Fantasies, BD’s Lemonade King, Bean Crazy 419 & Guac Shop
Thursday, June 5 – Kickoff Event | DJ Jon Zenz
Thursday, June 12 | Michael Corwin
Thursday, June 19 – Juneteenth Celebration | Distant Cousinz Trio
Thursday, June 26 | Chris Knopp
Thursday, July 3 – Independence Day Event | Shane Piasecki
Thursday, July 10 | New Moon
Thursday, July 17 | Ben DeLong
Thursday, July 24 – Christmas in July Event | Arctic Clam
Thursday, July 31 | Chloe & The Steel Strings
Thursday, Aug. 7 | Mud Hens Hype Bash
Thursday, Aug. 14 | Chavar Dontae
Thursday, Aug. 21 – Local Vendor Market | Tim Oehlers
Thursday, Aug. 28 | Water Street Band
Thursday, Sept. 4 – UT Football Hype Bash | DJ Super Nathan
Thursday, Sept. 11 | Terry & Charlie
Thursday, Sept. 18 | Ora Pettaway
Thursday, Sept. 25 | Tony Salazar
Thursday, Oct. 2 | DJ Jon Zenz
Wellness at the Square Schedule
Free yoga and fitness classes. All fitness levels welcome!
When: Saturday Mornings from 11 a.m. – noon
Where: Levis Square Park
Saturday, Aug. 9 | Yoga led by Toledo Mindfulness Institute
Saturday, Aug. 16 | Strength Training led by The Standard Fitness Academy
Saturday, Aug. 23 | Yoga led by Danielle Nolff
Saturday, Aug. 30 | Strength Training led by Gamefit HQ
Saturday, Sept. 6 | Mindful Fitness led by Toledo Mindfulness Institute
Saturday, Sept. 13 | Yoga led by Parting Clouds Yoga
Saturday, Sept. 20 | Strength Training led by The Standard Fitness Academy
Saturday, Sept. 27 | Yoga led by Parting Clouds Yoga
