Check out our NEW Adventure Directory! Learn about adventures right here in Northeast Ohio. Learn more here.
Kara Lapso
Jun 2, 2026
Wowowow thank you to everyone who came to our 2nd Annual NEO Adventure Fest!! Despite rain (again!!) I think we still had a great turn out..
June Updates:Wowowow thank you to everyone who came to our 2nd Annual NEO Adventure Fest!! Despite rain (again!!) I think we still had a great turn out. With over 65 businesses and groups represented and a solid crowd throughout the day, we still accomplished our goal of promoting adventure in Northeast Ohio while advocating for a more inclusive, accessible, and collaborative outdoor industry. |
Some of my favorite highlights from this year's event were the amazing panel discussions, hands on activities ALLL around the festival ( how cool was the squeeze box challenge brought by Cleveland Grotto?!?), and the good vibes felt throughout the day despite the less than ideal weather. Meeting so many business owners, group leaders, and community members was certainly my top top top fav part.
Check out all of these photos of the NEOAF from our amazing photographers! Thank you Priyanka and Josh! Please feel free to use any of these photos for your personal or professional needs, just please shout out/tag the photographer(s) and OTC.
SURVEY If you attended this year's NEOAF, please please please take a few moments to complete this survey so we can grow and improve for future years. Your feedback is invaluable to us!
Thank you to our board, our volunteers and to YOU for making the day so great!
One last big thank you to our sponsors and partners! We seriously could not have done it without you all. Downtown Cuyahoga Falls Partnership Terrain Experiential • Appalachian Outfitters Conservancy for the CVNP • Dancing Paws Animal Wellness Center • Davey Resource Group The Jenks 1929 • Nikki Alden Realtor • Rockmill Climbing, Yoga & Fitness Bath Hollow Farm Wedding Venue • Dirty River Bicycle Works • Goldie's Donuts Lark Overland • Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia • Paddle the River • Rubber City Reuse • SailingCLE • UH Rainbow Babies and Childrens Hospital • Wayside Furniture • Wild Birds Unlimited of Cuyahoga Falls Cast It Forward • El Taconazo • Take a Hike Resale Shop • The Speech Nest • Trail Theory |
Keep the Adventure going!! Did you miss the NEO Adventure Fest or want MORE of what was going on at there? Check out our brand new NEO Adventure Directory!! This is a comprehensive digital directory built just for adventures in our backyard parks throughout Northeast Ohio! Find adventures to do solo, as a meet up, or for your own group (e.g. your class, church, work, etc). You can also search based on activity, county, or affinity group (e.g. BIPOC, LGBTQ+, diagnosis-specific, religion-specific, etc).
This is a great way to either find your people to adventure or to find adventures for your people! There are truly opportunities for every body.
Please reach out to kara@opentrailcollective.org for questions and to discusss sponsorship opportunities. We're looking to hit 100 groups, orgs, and businesses in the directory by the end of the year! We're more than half way there and would love to have your fave outdoor groups in it! |
Upcoming OTC Adventures
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Community Events in NE Ohio and beyond!
Cuyahoga Valley Farmers Market Visit this farmers market year round, rain or shine, every Saturday located in the Scenic Cuyahoga Valley National Park. With loads of vendors selling fresh and local fruits, veggies, meats, breads, desserts and more, it's the perfect place to stock up on everything you need for the week. And being that it's located in the middle of our national park, it is the perfect place to fuel up before a morning adventure or grab a snack afterwards. They constantly have live music, cultural events, food demos and more! Check out their robust list of vendors and programs here.
6/4 - All Forward CONNECTIONS: Kayaking on the Cuyahoga All Forward & Paddle the River are making CONNECTIONS on the River while we paddle the Cuyahoga 6/4 from 5-9 pm, 1570 Akron Peninsula Rd, Akron. All Forward CONNECTIONS provide unique, local shared experiences featuring our signature custom programming that sparks conversations and ideas for connecting.We will be in tandem kayaks to facilitate conversation as we paddle for 4 miles on the Cuyahoga River connecting and exchanging ideas, interests and resources. After our paddle, we will enjoy local snacks and hear the stories of starting Paddle the River and All Forward from their founders. Learn more here.
6/13 - Ohio BioBlitz 250 Join us for a full day celebrating Ohio’s incredible biodiversity and rich conservation history as part of the America 250 celebrations! This flagship BioBlitz event invites nature lovers of all ages to help us discover, identify, and record as many species as possible across Mosquito Lake State Park in just one day. Learn more here.
6/13/2026 - Lake to Plate at Mosquito Lake The Division of Wildlife is teaming up with Mosquito Lake to bring you and your families a three-part program that won’t leave you hungry First, either learn to fish or just join us to help teach new anglers. Then learn how to clean the fish from local fishermen who fish Mosquito Lake every year. Finally, let’s eat!!! Learn a few classic recipes and snack on the final product. Learn more here.
6/20/2026 - Fishing Derby Join us for a fishing derby at Mosquito Lake State Park provided by the Friends of Mosquito Lake State Park. Naturalist activities and prizes for the best anglers will also be awarded. This event is for ages 15 and under. Learn more here.
6/20/2026 - 6th Mosquito Lake Beach Bash FREE concert by local band(s). Food Trucks will be on hand to complete the experience. Bring lawn chairs and get ready to relax as the sun goes down on the lake. Bring money for the 50/50!!! It supports other fun programs at the lake. Learn more here.
6/21/2026 - Pride Summer Camp (New River Gorge, WV) Come hang for a weekend of queer joy! Camping, s'mores, kickball, crafts, drag, music, a dance party and more. June 19-21st at The Outpost in Fayetteville, WV. Learn more here.
8/20/2026 - Climbing & Yoga retreat (New River Gorge, WV) This is an immersive three-day climbing and yoga retreat designed to help you move with confidence, focus with clarity, and recover with intention. This experience blends professional rock climbing instruction with mindful yoga practices in a supportive, small-group setting. Whether you’re brand new or experienced, this retreat welcomes all levels. Learn more here.
8/25/2026 - Women Only Rowing Clinic (New River Gorge, WV) Women Only 3-day Rowing Clinic starting Auguts 25 at 8am in Oak Hill, WV. Develop your skills on the oars surrounded by women who want to do the same thing! Whether you are a brand new rafter looking for the basics or an experienced boater looking to advance your abilities, WILD is here for you. This course is designed for beginner and intermediate rowers to learn and solidify the techniques that will help you navigate a day trip on your class II backyard run or a 21-day expedition down the Grand Canyon. With a maximum ratio of 3 students to 1 instructor, you will get plenty of practice at the oars. Join us for 3 days of building camaraderie with fellow women paddlers, learning in a supportive and empowering space, and gaining confidence while feeling safe and comfortable with our female ACA-certified instructors in wild and wonderful West Virginia. Learn more here.
Please continue to send over your events so we can share them with the community! |
As always, if you want to support more adventure in our amazing community, you can make a tax deductible donation here. We appreciate your support SO MUCH!
Thanks for being a member of our awesome community! Seriously so thankful for each and every one of you.
Kara Lapso, LSW MSW 440-537-4849 |