Columbus Curiosity - 15th August 2025

Hey Columbus crew—

Strap in. We chased “UFOs” that turned out to be Space Force exhaust, Ryan Day put the QB job in a quantum box, Kings Island is retiring Boo Blasters, and a 13-acre corn-maze proposal just won Ohio romance.

Then we eat: Ray Ray’s lands in Johnstown, Crispy Coop’s champion tenders, an AYCE K-BBQ/hotpot soft-open on Sawmill, and a Royale-with-cheese moment on High — all before cornhole at Zaftig and moonlit movie nights.

The Lineup:

🗞️ News You Missed – Bowtie “UFO” = rocket fuel plume, OSU’s Sayin vs. Kienholz QB stalemate, Boo Blasters closes Sept 1, and Circle S Farms pops the question via corn maze.

🔍 Hidden Gems – Peach Basil Fresca = summer sip; Pizza Box pop-up at Getaway (Aug 8–10); Newfangled Kitchen cracks Yelp’s Top 100; Red Mango + Smoothie Factory opens Aug 9 (Westerville).

🎟️ What’s On This Week – Jessie Murph; Paws & Pints; 934 Gallery + “I Do”; Once Upon Ohio, CrestFest, Replacements Tim tribute, Central Ohio Symphony; LCD Soundsystem; Zaftig Cornhole (Mon); Story Games + Clippers;

Let’s dive into this weeks chaos:

🚨 The Headlines

👽 Sky Swirls: Aliens? Nope, Just Uncle Sam’s $pace Cash

Tuesday night’s bowtie-shaped light show had Clintonville to Brooklyn screaming “UFO!” Turns out? Two rockets (Florida and French Guiana) tossed fuel into the atmosphere like confetti at a billionaire’s wedding.

ULA’s Vulcan rocket carried Space Force satellites—because nothing says “national security” like pretty sky glitter.

Cold takes:

• Professor quote: “Burning rocket fuel, folks.”

• ULA’s PR team: shrugs “Could’ve been us... or the French. Who cares?”

• Columbus Redditors: Disappointed it wasn’t aliens. Again.

→ Peep the science

🌽 Corn Maze Proposal: Peak Ohio Romance

Farmer Tim Sullivan carved “MARRY ME CAROLINE?” into 13 acres of corn. Flew her over it. She said yes. Slow clap. Circle S Farms wins “Best Use of Agriculture for Love” (unofficial category).

Unspoken rules:

• If she’d said no? Free haunted maze.

• Ohioans: “This beats a ring any day.”

→ Watch the swoon

🎢 Kings Island’s “Boo Blasters” Rides Into the Sunset

After 53 years (and 3 identity crises—Enchanted Voyage → Phantom Theater → Scooby-Doo ghost blaster), this OG ride closes Sept. 1. Pour one out for childhood memories... and brace for whatever “future development” means (cough $20 churros cough).

Mood:

• Gen X: “First The Beast, now this?!”

• Park’s tweet: cryptic silence

• Rumor mill: “It’s gonna be a Taylor Swift coaster.” (Not really. But imagine.)

→ Nostalgia trip

🏈 OSU’s QB Battle: Schrödinger’s Starter

Ryan Day’s refusing to name a QB for Texas. Why? Julian Sayin (arm talent) vs. Lincoln Kienholz (athleticism) = choosing your favorite child. Both have near-zero experience, so Day’s strategy: “Let ’em fight!”

Reality check:

• Sayin’s upside: Throws like he’s solving chess.

• Kienholz’s edge: Looks like he lifts tractors.

• Fans: Refresh Twitter like it’s a defibrillator.

→ Sweat the drama

🍖 Ray Ray’s Hog Pit: Johnstown Invasion

The smoke lords open their 3rd location Aug. 19 (49 ½ E. Main St.). Full bar + brisket = your new “I earned this” Monday ritual.

Pro tip: Order the burnt ends, whisper thank you to the pork gods.

→ Follow the smoke

🍽️ Places to Try

• Crispy Coop (Northwest Blvd. & Reynoldsburg): America’s best chicken fingers (per Family Destinations Guide). Hand-cut breasts, seven sauces, crunch that shames competitors.

• Erge Buffet (Sawmill Rd.): PJ’s Hotpot reborn! All-you-can-eat Korean BBQ + hotpot with "endless skewers." Soft open Aug 20–25 (15% off).

• Burger Royale (High St.): Pulp Fiction-themed glory. "Big Kahuna" burgers on butter-brioche, beef-tallow fries. Yeah, we said "royale with cheese."

☕ Coffee Shops for the vibes:

1. Stauf’s (Grandview): OG vibes + beans roasted daily.

2. Cafe Kerouac (Worthington): Beat poetry energy.

3. Coffee Connections (Hilliard): Feels like your cool aunt’s living room.

4. Java Central (Westerville): Community hub (new owners, same soul).

Friday 15TH August:

Jessie Murph — Worldwide Hysteria Tour — KEMBA LIVE!

Rising pop troublemaker with a stadium-sized voice.

→ Grab tickets

Cocktails at the Conservatory: Paws & Pints — Franklin Park Conservatory

Dogs, craft drinks, and garden strolls = elite Friday energy.

→ RSVP

934 Gallery Opening Reception — 934 Gallery (Franklinton)

Fresh exhibits + Franklinton Fridays vibe, food trucks, and DJs.

→ See the art

“I Do” Preview: A Wedding Experience — Vue Columbus

Trendy vendors, tastings, and planning inspo in one sleek room.

→ Check it out

Saturday 16TH August:

Once Upon Ohio — Ohio History Center

Live storytelling from real Ohioans—fun, weird, wonderfully human.

→ Details

CrestFest Block Party (14th Annual) — Crestview & Tulane

Neighborhood throwdown with bands, vendors, and porch hangs.

→ Join the block

Bastards of Young: Tim (’85) Tribute — Rumba Café

The Replacements’ classic album, start to finish—loud and messy.

→ Tickets

Central Ohio Symphony: Summer in Brass — The Avalon Theatre

Brassy, summery program in a historic hall.

→ Reserve seats

Sunday 17TH August:

LCD Soundsystem — KEMBA LIVE!

Dance-yourself-clean night with Brooklyn’s finest.

→ Snag tickets

Natasha Pearl Hansen — Columbus Funny Bone

Sharp, candid stand-up from the Future Role Model pod host.

→ Lock seats

Tea at Three: Celebrating Stevie Wonder — Bexley Public Library

Community sing-along + stories for the GOAT of groove.

→ Free RSVP

Monday 18TH August:

Zaftig Cornhole Drop-In Tournament — Zaftig Brewing Co., Worthington (Mon, Aug 18 • 6 PM)

One-night, all-levels tourney: $20 per team, 18+, check-in at 6. Cash prizes for the top 3 and the whole pot goes to winners. Pints + bragging rights highly likely.

→ Toss your bag in

Clintonville Books welcomes Heather McMahon — Clintonville Books (6 PM)

Author chat + Q&A in a cozy neighborhood nook. Brain fuel for a Monday.

→ Grab a chair

Daytime bonus: Columbus Murder Mystery: Death in the Shadows — Schiller Park (10 AM)

Outdoor whodunnit through German Village.

→ Join the hunt

Tuesday 19TH August:

Columbus Clippers vs. Omaha Storm Chasers — Huntington Park (7:05 PM)

AAA under the lights; skyline views and ballpark bites.

→ Snag seats

Story Games Columbus — Tabletop Game Café (6:30 PM)

Collaborative one-shot RPGs—no rulebooks required, just imagination and snacks.

→ Pull up a chair

Daytime bonus: Linocut Printmaking Class — Terra Gallery, Dublin (12:30 PM)

Carve, ink, press—leave with a frame-worthy print.

→ Carve & print your design

Lotería Night w/ Somos Latin-OH! — 400 West Rich (6 PM)

Mexican bingo, art-house vibes, prizes, and community energy in Franklinton.

→ Shout ¡Lotería!

Wednesday 20TH August:

After the Thin Man (1936) — Ohio Theatre

Powell & Loy’s screwball mystery on the big screen = peak Art Deco escapism.

→ Get tickets

Ekoh & Arankai — A&R Music Bar

Alt-rap meets rock catharsis—shout-along hooks and high energy.

→ Snag your spot

Max Wareham & the National Bluegrass Team w/ Adam Schlenker & Hayes Griffin — Natalie’s Grandview

Virtuoso picking and breakneck standards in an intimate room.

→ Reserve a table

Thursday 21ST August:

Moonstruck (1987) — Ohio Theatre

Cher + Cage on the big screen in Columbus’s gilded movie palace. Snap out of it and go.

→ Get tickets

Ryan Ellis — A&R Music Bar

Soulful pop/R&B hooks and a full-band lift-off—summer-night singalong fuel.

→ Snag your spot

Wonderlick (Tim & Jay from Too Much Joy) — Free Happening Hour — Natalie’s Grandview

Alt-rock nostalgia, sharp lyrics, zero cover. Grab a slice, catch the set.

→ Show up early for a seat

🖼️ Topic of the Week

“Columbus, Then vs. Now: A 20-Year Time Warp”

A former Victorian Village/Short North regular came back after two decades and barely recognized the place: shiny Short North, an unrecognizable campus, Clintonville crush (hello, Walhalla Ravine), and small businesses everywhere.

German Village still charms, UDF malts still slap, and the biggest culture shock wasn’t traffic, it was how nice everyone is compared to the Bay. Summer here felt easier; winter… TBD.

Reply with your “then vs. now” pics + hot takes, best ones make next week’s issue.

That’s a wrap: Rocket plumes, brisket fumes, dance-floor booms—hydrate, tip like a hero, and I’ll see you on the lawn.

Until next week,
Stay curious. Stay caffeinated.

— Nate
Columbus Curiosity