Fun Things to Do in Galion: Memorial Day Weekend 2026

 

AI image of a family enjoying a spring walk in the rain with colorful umbrellas, raincoats, and galoshes.

Memorial Day weekend in Galion looks a little soggy this year, but that does not mean you are stuck inside the whole time. A few worthwhile community events are happening, and one of them even has an indoor backup plan built in. Here is what is going on, plus a quick heads-up about the weather and one local park closure to keep in mind.

What's Happening This Weekend

The weekend kicks off Friday, May twenty-second and runs through Memorial Day on Monday, May twenty-fifth. Most of the planned community events land on Saturday, with the holiday itself staying pretty quiet around town. The closest car show is about an hour away, so if you are looking for something local and low-key, the picks below are your best bet.

Event 1: Nature Walk and Plant Identification

Screenshot of the Little Brown House Herbs Nature Walk flyer

If you have ever walked past a weed in your yard and wondered if it was actually a useful plant, this event is for you. Little Brown House Herbs is hosting a guided nature walk focused on medicinal plants of Ohio.

• When: Saturday, May twenty-third, from one to three in the afternoon 
• Where: 2222 Lake Galion Road, West Galion, Ohio 44833 
• Cost: Ten dollars per person (space is limited) 
• Who it is for: All ages welcome, family-friendly and beginner-friendly

The walk is led by experienced local herbalists, and the flyer points out that no woods or trail walking is required. You will learn to identify well over a dozen common medicinal plants in their natural habitat, including echinacea, goldenrod, mullein, yarrow, purslane, and plantain. Each of these has a different traditional use, from immune support to wound healing to skin care.

You will also get to see, touch, and smell the plants up close. Attendees go home with a field guide sheet, blotter paper and plant leaves for pressing, and practical knowledge about sustainable harvesting.

What to bring: comfortable walking shoes, a water bottle, a notebook and pen, sun protection, and bug spray. Given the rainy forecast, you may want to add a poncho or light rain jacket to that list.

Follow the event on Facebook in case of updates or cancellation. 

Event 2: Viewing the Night Sky

Cap off Saturday with some stargazing. The Crawford Park Astronomy Club is hosting a public night sky viewing at Lowe-Volk Park, and the spring sky has a lot to offer this time of year.

• When: Saturday, May twenty-third, starting at nine in the evening 
• Where: Lowe-Volk Park 
• Cost: Free

Targets for the night include Jupiter, Saturn, the Sombrero Galaxy, the Pinwheel Galaxy, and more. If the weather or sky conditions are unfavorable (which, looking at the forecast, is a real possibility), the program moves indoors to the Nature Center. So even if Saturday stays stormy, the event still happens.

This is a nice option for families, curious kids, and anyone who has been wanting to see what a real telescope shows beyond what you can spot with the naked eye.

A Heads-Up About Lowe-Volk Park on Monday

If you were planning a Memorial Day picnic or hike at Lowe-Volk Park, you will want to change those plans. According to the Crawford Park District's website, the park is closed Monday, May twenty-fifth in observance of the holiday. Most Crawford Park District facilities follow the same schedule, so it is worth double-checking before you head out.

If you want a quiet outdoor walk on Monday, you may want to look at city parks or other public green spaces instead.

About That Rainy Forecast

Here is the part that may shape your weekend more than anything else: it is going to rain. Friday brings showers and possible thunderstorms moving in by late afternoon, and Saturday is shaping up to be wet and stormy for much of the day, with thunderstorms continuing into the evening. Sunday warms up with a mix of sun and clouds but still carries a chance of afternoon thunderstorms, and Memorial Day itself looks mostly cloudy with a slight chance of scattered showers.

You can read the full Galion weekend forecast on Galionite here.

Since both of the events above are at least partly outdoors, it is a good idea to plan ahead. Here is what to have ready before you head out:

• A rain poncho or waterproof jacket. Ponchos are easy to throw in a bag and pull on if a shower hits while you are out at the plant walk.
• A compact umbrella. Useful for moving between your car and the venue, and small enough that it fits in a tote.
• Waterproof shoes or galoshes. The plant walk is outdoors, and even with no trail walking, the ground will likely be soggy. Wet feet for two hours is no fun.
• A dry bag or large zip-top bag. Handy for protecting your notebook, phone, or camera if you are bringing them along to either event.
• A hat with a brim. Keeps rain off your face better than a hood in some cases, and works for sun protection on Sunday and Monday if the clouds break.
• A small towel. For wiping down your seat in the car, drying your hands, or wrapping up gear before you toss it in the trunk.

If you do not have rain gear ready to go, now is a good time to grab some things to keep you dry, especially with more wet weather likely as we head into summer.

Looking Ahead to Next Weekend 

If this weekend is a wash and you want to mark your calendar for something else, the following week has a couple of fun events worth knowing about. Crawford County Plant Events is hosting Plant Bingo Night on Thursday, May twenty-eighth at Avita Hospice (admission is a two-inch potted plant), and the Galion History Center is unveiling a new Barbershop Exhibit on Friday, May twenty-ninth with a special presentation by Doctor Margaret Sumner of The Ohio State University at Marion. We will have more on both events in a separate post closer to the date.

Final Thoughts

It is not a packed weekend on the event calendar, but there is enough to do if you are willing to work around the weather. Saturday is the day to circle for the plant walk and stargazing, and bringing the right gear makes a big difference.

And keep in mind, just because the event list is short does not mean the town shuts down. Local restaurants, coffee shops, and stores are still open and running their regular hours, so a rainy Sunday is a great excuse to try somewhere new for lunch, grab a coffee, or do a little shopping. Memorial Day itself may have some businesses on holiday hours, so it is worth a quick call ahead if you are headed somewhere specific.

Stay dry, look up at the sky if it clears, and enjoy what Galion has going on.