Happy Tuesday Daytonians!

Thanks for spending another week with The Gem, where good times aren’t hard to find. Let’s take a look at what we’ll be covering in this edition…

• Did You Know: The Dayton Celtic Festival Is Back This Weekend

• Hidden Gems: redBERRY, Doubleday’s, Pho District

• Local Events: 7/21 – 7/28

• Computer Love: Dayton to Host One of the Nation's Biggest Defense Tech Events

• Money: $77M Marriott Hotel to Transform Downtown Dayton Convention District

• Sports:  Spain Beats the World, Dragons Update, Bengals Fan-Friendly Camp

— Tom

Did you know?

The Dayton Celtic Festival Is Back This Weekend ☘️

Did you know Dayton’s Celtic Festival began in 2002 with more than 25,000 visitors—and now welcomes over 90,000 people to RiverScape MetroPark each July? Powered by 500-plus volunteers, the free three-day celebration fills downtown with Irish and Scottish music, dance, food, crafts, cultural workshops, and plenty of kilts.

This year’s festival runs July 24–26, with headliners including Gaelic Storm, Socks in the Frying Pan, and The Elders. From bagpipes and genealogy activities to an instrument “petting zoo,” it’s one of Dayton’s liveliest traditions—and a spirited showcase of Celtic heritage.

Click here to learn more

Hidden Gems

Warm frosting, brisket, mimosa flights: redBERRY brunch 🍳

Troy’s strawberry pride shows up in more than a festival. At redBERRY, 914 N. Market St. becomes a cheerful hometown table where farmhouse touches and coffee chatter invite the morning to slow down. The independent concept took its name from the city’s long-running strawberry celebration, then built its identity around familiar food handled with extra care.

A cast-iron cinnamon roll arrives under warm cream-cheese frosting; chicken and waffles, benedicts, brisket sandwiches, and mimosa flights carry the day forward. It feels playful without chasing trends—an easy gathering place for families, old friends, and midweek conversations that deserve another cup.

Check them out on Facebook

Two towns, one home-team tavern: Doubleday’s 🍔

Baseball lingo runs through Doubleday’s, but the welcome extends well beyond game day. Its family-owned taverns at 101 E. Alex Bell Rd. in Centerville and 776 N. Main St. in Springboro pair TV-lined energy with the comfort of a hometown dining room.

Monster pizzas handle the big tables; burgers, steaks, wings, soups, bowls, and rotating specials give everyone else room to call their play. Team dinners and casual meetups fit naturally, helped by a staff accustomed to mixed ages and competing cravings. Two towns share the same dependable clubhouse—lively enough for the score, relaxed enough for conversation.

Check them out on Facebook

Pho District turns a Greene stop into a Vietnamese pause 🍲

Shopping bags can wait. Pho District gives The Greene a warmer rhythm at 4474 Glengarry Dr., where fragrant broth, fresh herbs, and quick counter movement create a compact Vietnamese escape. Its pho begins with a family recipe and stock simmered for 24 hours, then arrives ready for each guest’s preferred meats, vegetables, spice, and heat.

Banh mi, beef stew, rice plates, and stir-fried noodles broaden the table, while Vietnamese coffee and made-to-order boba cover the afternoon lift. Polished but unfussy, it works equally well as a solo lunch, family dinner, or lingering reset between errands.

Check them out on Facebook

THE BULLETIN 📌

Want to spread the good word about your business, a project you’re working on, a hire, or just want to say hi to 4800+ Daytonians?

Local Events

WARREN COUNTY FAIR OPENS SIX-DAY RUN

• What: Livestock, rides, exhibits, food and family entertainment launch six days of Warren County agricultural pride and summer tradition.

• When: Jul. 20–25

• Where: Warren County Fairgrounds, 665 N. Broadway Street, Lebanon

• How Much: $12+ 

RESOURCE FAIR CONNECTS NEIGHBORS TO SUPPORT

• What: Community organizations connect adults with housing, employment, mental-health, legal-aid, child-care and crisis-recovery resources during a welcoming drop-in fair.

• When: Jul. 21, 12–2 PM

• Where: Dayton Metro Library–Main Library, 215 E. Third Street, Dayton

• How Much: Free 

DAYTON’S SUSTAINABILITY FUTURE NEEDS YOUR VOICE

• What: Residents help shape Dayton’s next sustainability plan through conversation about climate impacts, public health, equity and neighborhood resilience.

• When: Jul. 21, 6–7:30 PM

• Where: Northwest Recreation Center, 1600 Princeton Drive, Dayton

• How Much: Free; registration requested 

PEDAL THROUGH MOUND HISTORY

• What: Discover how bicycling, Mound Laboratory, and Monsanto intersected through local innovation, recreation, and community history.

• When: Jul. 22, 7 PM

• Where: Mound Cold War Discovery Center, 1075 Mound Road, Miamisburg

• How Much: Free 

MOULIN ROUGE LIGHTS UP DAYTON

• What: Baz Luhrmann’s glittering romance becomes a Tony-winning pop-musical spectacle packed with bold choreography, musical mashups, and Parisian drama.

• When: Jul. 22–26; times vary

• Where: Schuster Center, 1 W. Second St., Dayton

• How Much: $45+ 

COMMUNICATORS MIX AT WARPED WING

• What: Public-relations professionals, students, and community storytellers gather for summer networking, conversation, and local drinks.

• When: Jul. 23, 4–6 PM

• Where: Warped Wing Brewing Company, 26 Wyandot St., Dayton

• How Much: Free; RSVP required 

LEGENDS OF LOVE AT FRAZE

• What: Classic R&B stars Johnny Gill, El DeBarge and Ruben Studdard perform an evening of romantic favorites, smooth harmonies, and nostalgic soul beneath the Fraze lights.

• When: Jul. 24, 7:30–10 PM

• Where: Fraze Pavilion, 695 Lincoln Park Blvd., Kettering

• How Much: $50+ 

CELTIC FEST FILLS RIVERSCAPE

• What: Three days of Celtic music, dance, workshops, food, and heritage turn RiverScape into Dayton’s liveliest village green.

• When: Jul. 24–26, times vary

• Where: RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E. Monument Ave., Dayton

• How Much: Free 

NATURAL BODYBUILDERS TAKE THE STAGE

• What: Drug-tested athletes compete across bodybuilding, physique, figure, bikini, and transformation divisions before judges and cheering supporters.

• When: Jul. 25, 9:30 AM – 5 PM

• Where: Dayton Convention Center, 22 E. Fifth St., Dayton

• How Much: $20+ 

JASON ISBELL ROCKS THE ROSE

• What: Grammy-winning songwriter Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit bring vivid storytelling, Southern rock, and sharply crafted songs to Huber Heights.

• When: Jul. 25, 7 PM; doors open at 6 PM

• Where: Rose Music Center, 6800 Executive Blvd., Huber Heights

• How Much: $58+ 

CLASSIC CARS MEET ICE CREAM

• What: Admire vintage vehicles, enjoy ice cream, and mingle with neighbors during a relaxed summer gathering.

• When: Jul. 26, 11:30 AM – 1 PM

• Where: Shiloh Church UCC, 5300 Philadelphia Drive, Dayton

• How Much: Free 

KIDZFEST BRINGS BIG-TOP FUN

• What: Youngsters meet performers, try circus-inspired activities, make crafts, and explore family entertainment throughout the Fraze grounds.

• When: Jul. 26, 1–5 PM

• Where: Fraze Pavilion, 695 Lincoln Park Blvd., Kettering

• How Much: Free 

MEET DAYTON’S SKY HUNTERS

• What: Meet live native raptors and learn how Ohio’s hawks, owls, and falcons rule the skies with Glen Helen experts.

• When: Jul. 27, 4:30–5:30 PM

• Where: Dayton Metro Library – Wilmington-Stroop Branch, 3980 Wilmington Pike, Kettering

• How Much: Free 

AIR FORCE INDUSTRY LEADERS CONNECT

• What: Defense, technology, and acquisition leaders discuss Air Force priorities, partnerships, innovation, and the future of lifecycle management.

• When: Jul. 27–29; times vary

• Where: Dayton Convention Center, 22 E. Fifth St., Dayton

• How Much: $795+; eligible government attendees free 

RENTERS KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

• What: Dayton Tenant Union and Legal Aid explain leases, renter protections, and housing-crisis resources in a practical community session.

• When: Jul. 28, 4:30 PM

• Where: Dayton Metro Library – West Branch, 300 Abbey Ave., Dayton

• How Much: Free

Computer Love

Dayton to Host One of the Nation's Biggest Defense Tech Events 👨‍💻

Thousands of leaders from the military, technology companies, and startups are headed to Dayton later this month for Life Cycle Industry Days (LCID) and the Wright Dialogue with Industry (WDI). The annual event gives businesses a chance to connect directly with the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Research Laboratory, explore future technology needs, and compete for upcoming defense contracts.

Topics will include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, autonomous systems, and next generation aerospace technology. For Dayton, it's another reminder that the region remains one of the country's most important hubs for defense innovation and high tech business growth.

Click here to learn more

Money

$77M Marriott Hotel to Transform Downtown Dayton Convention District 💰

Downtown Dayton is getting a major upgrade. City leaders have unveiled plans for a new $77 million Marriott hotel next to the Dayton Convention Center, a project designed to bring more visitors, bigger events, and new business to the heart of the city. Officials believe the hotel will make Dayton more competitive when bidding for multi-day conventions that bring guests who stay, eat, shop, and explore downtown.

The impact goes far beyond the building itself. The city estimates the project will generate about $1.2 million in new sales tax revenue every year, creating a steady boost for local businesses and helping fuel future downtown growth. As Dayton continues investing in its convention district, leaders see the Marriott as a key piece of a larger plan to attract tourism, strengthen the local economy, and keep momentum building for years to come.

Real Estate 🏠

Sports

SPAIN BEATS THE WORLD 🏆

Spain captured its second men’s World Cup July 19, edging defending champion Argentina 1–0 after extra time at New York New Jersey Stadium. Substitute Ferran Torres broke the deadlock in the 106th minute after Enzo Fernández’s stoppage-time dismissal left Argentina with 10 men.

Spain controlled the final, outshooting Argentina 20–2 and keeping Lionel Messi from influencing the match.

DRAGONS RALLY INTO HOMESTAND
After a four-day All-Star break, Dayton’s return at Lake County was shortened by an air-quality postponement. The Dragons dropped Saturday’s opener but answered Sunday when Marcus Smith’s two-out, two-strike triple in the ninth powered a 5–4 comeback and a series split.

Dayton now hosts Cedar Rapids July 21–26 before opening a road series at Quad Cities on July 28.

BENGALS SET FAN-FRIENDLY CAMP
Cincinnati announced its 2026 training camp schedule July 18, featuring six practices open to the public and four more reserved for season-ticket and waitlist members.

Camp begins July 29, while the free Friday Night Stadium Practice lands Aug. 7 at Paycor Stadium. Open field sessions start at 10 a.m., with player autographs scheduled afterward.