If you like outdoor dining, great eats and live music, then you'll be excited to learn that the Old Worthington Partnership is hosting the first annual Picnic with the Partnership on June 25. For one night only, High Street will shut down from 6 to 10 p.m. for a celebration in honor of the many merchants and community members that make Old Worthington great.

“We’re really looking forward to the picnic,” said Annina Parini, executive director of the Old Worthington Partnership. “We’re excited to host an event that reflects our efforts to improve and promote the Old Worthington business district.”

Although High Street will be closed during the community-wide picnic, Old Worthington will be OPEN to:

• Dine with friends and neighbors. Round up your friends and family for a memorable evening around the table. You can bring your own food to the event or purchase a gourmet picnic dinner from The Whitney House or The Worthington Inn (purchased when you buy your seat at the table). With menu options like key lime chicken salad, ahi tuna or blackened chicken wraps—and PB&J on challah for the kids—you can’t go wrong.

• Raise a glass to Old Worthington. Cheers! You can’t have great food without great drinks, right? Thankfully, a wonderful selection of specialty beer and wine will be available in the parking lot in front of House Wine. 

• Enjoy fantastic live music. Picnic with the Partnership is excited to feature the music of Matt Steidle throughout the evening. From his original tunes to popular hits we all know and love, you’ll be tapping your feet and singing along to this high-energy performer and his band, Skin Tight.

• Show off your baking skills. Sign up to contribute a cake, cupcakes or brownies for this year’s old-fashioned cake walk, or enter the strawberry-themed dessert contest. In addition to huge bragging rights, the winning dessert will be featured on The Whitney House menu for the month of July.

Space is limited, so register now to reserve your spot at the picnic table. Purchase a ticket, sponsor the event or make a donation. All proceeds from the picnic will help support the Partnership’s many initiatives and events throughout the year, including the Worthington Farmers Market, the Worthington Wedding Walk, Holiday Open House and Illuminating Shopping.

In just a few weeks, more than 130 artisans from across the country will descend upon Worthington for the 24th annual Worthington Arts Festival. Hailed as one of the nation’s top art shows, the Worthington Arts Festival features a wide variety of artists and craftspeople exhibiting everything from sculptures and paintings to ceramics, furniture, jewelry, glass and mixed media.

This year, the Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center (MAC) will host the event, which is free and open to the public, and typically attracts about 10,000 people. Mark your calendar now for a fun-filled weekend featuring the arts. Here's a closer look at what you can expect:

• A New Location – In recent years, there's been a steady increase in exhibitors and attendees, and it's been a challenge to find enough space for the festival.  To help accommodate the growing crowds, this year’s festival will move from the sidewalks of downtown Worthington to the campus setting of the McConnell Arts Center and Thomas Worthington High School (corner of Dublin-Granville Road and Evening Street).

“Bringing the festival to the shaded grounds of the McConnell Arts Center and Thomas Worthington High School is going to greatly enhance the experience of the Worthington Arts Festival,” said Jon Cook, executive director of the McConnell Arts Center. “We are bringing in artists from across the country, and I believe attendees will be very impressed with the quality of artists and their wares.”

• Art All Day, Music All Night – Talk about a twofer! The MAC is thrilled to host this year’s art show in conjunction with the PNC Arts Alive Summer Music Festival. Attendees will have the opportunity to browse and shop for fantastic art all day, while enjoying outstanding, live musical performances in the evenings. From jazz and contemporary music to the MAC’s own Chamber Orchestra and the wildly popular Songs at the Center, folks will hear some of the best music Central Ohio has to offer.

The weekend’s festivities will kick off on Friday, June 17 at 5:30 p.m. with a special opening celebration filled with great friends, food and tunes. So grab your   blankets and lawn chairs, pre-order a gourmet picnic basket for two and head over to the MAC. 

If you go…

• The Worthington Arts Festival will take place on Saturday, June 18 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, June 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.  For a full list of this year’s exhibitors, visit www.worthingtonartsfestival.com.

• The PNC Arts Alive Summer Music Festival performances will take place Friday, June 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, June 18 from 6 to 11 p.m. and Sunday, June 19 from 6 to 9 p.m. Food and beverages will be available on-site.

• Free parking is available for both events behind the Thomas Worthington High School.

Little Eater Joins Worthington Farmers Market for Summer Cooking Series

The Worthington Farmers Market has returned to High Street in Old Worthington for the warm-weather months, and the booths are once again brimming with beautiful produce. If you’ve already been to the market, you’ve seen the wide variety of fruits and vegetables on display. No doubt you've also encountered some produce that is less familiar.

For some people, using new ingredients can be a bit intimidating. But don’t worry; the folks at the Farmers Market have devised a plan to help. They’ve teamed up with Columbus veggie guru Cara Mangini of Little Eater for Chef in the Market, a summer-long series of fun, produce-packed cooking demonstrations. 

Interested? Here’s the scoop:

What: 

Chef in the Market is designed to celebrate Ohio products and educate and inspire home cooks. Each of the six demonstrations will focus on a specific recipe that features produce available in the market that particular week. In addition to learning how to prepare a new dish, attendees will learn proper techniques for cutting and preparing fruits and vegetables. They will also be able to ask questions and learn from the knowledgeable Little Eater team.

Following the cooking demonstrations, folks will have the opportunity to hear from Colleen Luther, registered dietitian/nutritionist and certified personal trainer. Luther will be on hand to teach market-goers how to modify and improve their shopping, cooking and eating habits.

Who: 

The folks at Little Eater, which is part restaurant and part grocer, hope you'll be as obsessed with vegetables as they are. The restaurant, which is based in the North Market, features expertly prepared dishes made from locally grown produce. From decadent sandwiches to farm egg frittatas and delicious vegetables by the scoop, the Little Eater staff wants you to experience the very best that each ingredient has to offer. Their grocery store, Produce and Provisions, sells locally grown fruits and vegetables as well as house-made stocks, soups, salsas and spreads.

Little Eater is owned and operated by Chef Cara Mangini, author of the recently debuted book, The Vegetable Butcher. Prior to launching Little Eater in 2012, Mangini traveled the world cooking and training with the very best chefs. She is passionate about produce-centric meals and wants to inspire people to taste and see just how flavorful and delicious vegetables can be.

When:

Demonstrations will take place at the Worthington Farmers Market on May 21, June 11, July 9, August 13, September 10 and October 8. The hour-long presentations will begin at 10 a.m., with seating/standing room available on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

Stay tuned for more upcoming Farmers Market events, including Yoga at the Market.

From charming neighborhoods to outstanding food, music and art, there is so much to love about Worthington. Another, perhaps lesser-known, benefit to calling Worthington home is the city’s close proximity to the Olentangy Greenway Trail.

Stretching 13.6 miles from Worthington to Downtown Columbus, the Olentangy Trail provides an expansive scenic escape for cyclists and pedestrians alike. The trail meanders along the Olentangy River, allowing access to neighborhoods, parks, athletic facilities, playgrounds, natural areas and The Ohio State University campus.

Thanks to the Wilson Bridge Multi-Use Trail, which opened in 2014, Worthington residents can quickly and easily access the north section of the Greenway Trail. The city's growing community of biking enthusiasts quickly embraced the connector, and it continues to introduce visitors to all that Worthington has to offer.

If you’re new to cycling, need a tune up or simply want to connect with other riders in the area, stop by Ride Home, Worthington’s favorite local bike and coffee shop. The friendly staff knows a thing or two about Columbus’ many bike trails, and they're happy to answer any questions you might have.

If you’ve never had an opportunity to explore the Greenway Trail, we encourage you to dust off the old bike and check it out. Here are a few reasons Worthington folks love having the trail in their backyard. 

• Exercise – Whether you’re training for this year’s Pelotonia or just looking for a nice, smooth ride with the family, the Olentangy Greenway Trail is the perfect place to get some exercise. In addition to cycling, the path is also great for running, walking and rollerblading.

• Nature – Need a break from the hustle and bustle of city life? The Olentangy Trail offers a serene natural environment surrounded by wildlife, water, majestic woods and flowers of all varieties. In addition to the many family-friendly parks that line the path, boaters, kayakers and fisherman also enjoy direct access to the Olentangy River.

• Commuting – Tired of fighting traffic on your way to work? Why not put the “green” in Greenway and commute by bike? Thanks to the Olentangy Trail, Worthington residents who work in places like Clintonville, downtown Columbus or at Ohio State can now enjoy a calm, quiet and energizing trip back and forth to the office. Sounds good, doesn’t it?

It’s patio season, friends! What better way to soak up the warm, spring sun than to enjoy a delicious al fresco meal at one of Worthington’s most sought-after restaurants? Whether you’re looking for gourmet food and spectacular wine or out-of-this world pizza and local craft brews, trust us, there’s a patio with your name on it in Worthington.

Here’s a look at some of the city’s best outdoor dining:

If you’re into wining and dining… 

• The Worthington Inn – Known for its fresh local cuisine and 19th-century Victorian charm, The Worthington Inn makes it difficult to decide whether to enjoy the new spring menu on the restaurant’s historic porch or under the umbrellas of the lovely patio.

• La Chatelaine French Bakery and Bistro – Reminiscent of a Parisian café, the patio at La Chatelaine is the perfect place to meet friends for lattes and croissants or to enjoy a romantic meal under the stars. Nestled in the heart of Old Worthington, patrons can enjoy authentic French fare amid the comings and goings of bustling High Street.

• J. Liu – Featuring fusion-style fine dining and two patio terrace levels, an evening at J. Liu is your go-to date night. From tuna tartare or pork ragout and pappardelle to Mongolian beef, your taste buds will take a trip around the world while you relax in the open air, with cocktail in hand.

• Harold’s American Grille – Specializing in classic American dishes served alongside expertly paired wines, the folks at Harold’s American Grille invite you to enjoy a meal on their front or back patio. The restaurant frequently hosts wine and beer pairing dinners; simply follow them on Facebook for all the latest information.

• House Wine – Ask any wine enthusiast and they’ll agree, a crisp glass of rosé tastes better when you can enjoy it outside. The patio at House Wine has been open since late February and is a great place to gather for happy hour, enjoy a pizza with your favorite pour or host a wine and cheese party with friends. 

• The Old Bag of Nails Pub – Boasting dynamic surf and turf and an outstanding happy hour, the patio at The Old Bag of Nails is a great place to catch up with friends and let your worries drift away. Try the award-winning fish and chips – they’re the best in town!

If pizza and tunes are your jam…

• Natalie’s Coal-Fired Pizza and Live Music – If authentic, New York style coal-fired pizza and outstanding live music are up your alley, Natalie’s is for you. Seating is subject to availability before and during shows, but unlike inside, there’s no cover charge on the patio.

• Dewey’s Pizza – A self-described “hip, neighborhood pizza joint with great music, great beer and great pizza,” Dewey’s patio has all the makings of a perfect summer night. Featuring delicious specialty pies and a rapidly rotating selection of local brews, Dewey’s does not disappoint.