What was your favorite Ohio summer? Winning a blue ribbon at the Ohio State Fair? Riding the fastest coaster at Kings Island? Landing the biggest walleye at Geneva State Park?

Our family’s Ohio vacations back in the ’50s had no such excitement, but they were memorable nevertheless. Most years, we’d rent a cottage for a week at Madison-on-the-Lake. The ride in the back of the Studebaker was full of anticipation. The wind from the open windows slowly turned from city to country air – in my mind, at least — as dense neighborhood streets morphed into wide open spaces.

The week was filled with trips to the beach and dusty walks to the miniature golf course and general store. One year, there was a tree house in the back yard, and that was an adventure all its own. We played croquet and badminton, and every night there was a cookout. When the sun went down, we played card games — War was the best — at the kitchen table.

Life was peaceful and grand. Remember?

News flash: It still is.

Our editors here at Ohio Magazine find every story — in every issue in every year — a pleasure to create. But if there is a staff favorite, the annual cover story celebrating the days and nights of summer in Ohio is certainly a top contender. This year, editorial intern Laura Beans compiled the best of the best from our editors’ picks, and wrote the running commentary from the end of May to early September.

Here’s your calendar of things to do and places to see all season long. Create your own summer sampler:

In May, explore Asian culture and customs at the Columbus Asian Festival.

In June, take Laura’s suggestion and “channel your inner party animal” at Brew at the Zoo in Akron.

In July, experience “the biggest little fair in southern Ohio” with a visit to the Clinton County Fair.

In August, have dinner on a sternwheeler as you take the Lorena Dinner Cruise in Zanesville

In September, enjoy island life at the Annual Labor Day Bash at the Bay on Put-in-Bay.

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We’ve given you 102 choices. Surely your perfect Ohio summer experience is somewhere among them. So get in the car — Studebaker not required — and make it happen.