One more sleep

Hamilton, Ohio - Friday, August 15, is the day we've had circled on the calendar for months: Season Launch: Fun & Games. We throw open the doors and invite you and yours join us from 5 to 9 p.m. to enjoy our FREE open-house celebration of all that's coming to the Fitton Center for Creative Arts in the 2025-2026 season.

All are welcome.

Yes, it's a fun night to celebrate the arts. But just as importantly, it's an opportunity to celebrate community and the simple-yet-profound idea of being with family, friends and neighbors for an enjoyable evening. That's who we are and what we do. The art just happens to be our vehicle to bring us all together.

Just like there are a LOT of opportunities to get together at the Fitton Center all year long, Season Launch is an exciting distillation of all those reasons to celebrate. We've got it all mapped out for you on the adjacent chart.

The links below offer additional information about what's happening all over the building tomorrow, including:

- RIVERVIEW TERRACE, where you'll find live music by Five O'Clock Friday, a cash bar, food by Two Women in a Kitchen and giant games provided by 17Strong! and the CUBE2. (You can check out the Season Launch promo video if you need some help with your cornhole skills). - GALLERIES, where you'll see the Play Time exhibition and meet many of its artists. Don't miss the FUN exhibition in the Community Gallery, highlighting work by artists of all ages from Fitton Center classes, camps and educational outreach partner organizations.

- STUDIO CLASSROOMS, where you'll see live art demonstrations by our talented teaching artists, as well as an opportunity to make your own fully customizable board game - Animal Dash - created by our very own Director of Education and Outreach, Kate Rowekamp.

- FITTON FAMILY THEATER, where the glorious Golden Tappers show off their fancy footwork at 6 p.m., and where you can preview the seats you'll be occupying during the season. 

Of course, the box office will be open to secure seats for shows in the Celebrating Self, Fitton Family Fridays, Jazz & Cabaret and Fitton Showstoppers series. Register for fall classes and workshops. Buy gift items from the Bake Sale display cases. Renew or invest in a Fitton Center Membership, discounted 20% the entire month of August. (Don't want to wait in line? Click the membership page right here and get enrolled before you come.)

Pick up a Fitton Center Bingo Card as you arrive tomorrow, check off four in a row in any direction and enter a drawing for a FREE membership.

Forecasts say temperatures may reach the 90s, so dress for summer, dress for comfort, dress for casual. (We're pretty chill at the Fitton Center.)

We expect a big crowd and parking will be tight. Attendants out front will assist, but if our lot is full, look for additional parking at the Rapier & Bowling lot to our immediate south, in the Presbyterian Church lots on Monument Avenue to our east and the Primary Health Solutions parking lot on the corner of South Second & Ludlow. There also is street parking in the surrounding blocks. Of course, if you're in Hamilton and don't want to deal with parking at all, connect with our friends from Local Motive Hamilton and get a free curb-service ride to and from the Fitton Cener in one of their electric GEM vehicles. 

No need to reserve a spot, buy a ticket or even let us know you're coming. Pop in and say hi for 15 minutes or stay all four hours. Just come. And - if possible - bring a friend who has never experienced the Fitton Center. We promise to show them - and you - a good time.   

Can't wait to see you tomorrow for all the Fun & Games!