EXCITING EVENTS

Let’s Have Fun

Mark your calendar for these fun events throughout the city.

Clevelanders are always happy to honor our ethnic pride, come together as a neighborhood or show off our lake and lakefront. There is a festival or celebration for everyone.

CLEVELAND TALL SHIPS FESTIVAL

July 7 through July 10; 515 Erieside Ave., north of FirstEnergy Stadium

The Port of Cleveland was established for mighty ore freighters and tough tugboats. But you have to admire the eight beautiful and traditionally rigged ships from the United States, Canada and Spain that make this waterfront festival so special. You can catch a good glimpse of the ships’ arrival on July 7 from Wendy Park or Voinovich Bicentennial Park. The USS Cod will be part of the Tall Ships Festival, as will the Putzfrau, a tug that was used to clean up the Cuyahoga River decades ago and is now a vessel that promotes environmental education.

The restored and replica Tall Ships create a gorgeous backdrop for the festival’s live entertainment. Standard tickets for the festival include boarding each ship one time. Separate tickets are required for sailing or receptions. tallshipscle.com

METROHEALTH CLEVELAND JUNETEENTH FREEDOM FEST

June 18; Mall C, Downtown Cleveland

Cleveland’s proud heritage of African American arts and culture is spotlighted at this second annual event. Juneteenth is observed across America as the commemoration and celebration of slavery’s ending in this country on June 19, 1865. The family-friendly event features live music and spoken word performances, storytelling, food trucks, games, art demonstrations and more. A vendor village of black businesses and entrepreneurs, as well as community-sponsored booths, will be part of the festival, which runs from Noon to 10 p.m. The free event is a partnership of Karamu House, Downtown Cleveland Alliance, Ingenuity Cleveland and the Tri-C Jazz Fest. juneteenthcle.com

LARCHMERE PORCHFEST 2022

June 25; Larchmere neighborhood, Cleveland

It’s back! Twenty-two local bands on 22 porches will each perform approximately 35-minute sets at Larchmere Porchfest 2022. Bands begin playing at 2 p.m., with 10-minute breaks in between. Bring law chairs or blankets because you will be part of the audience in someone’s front (side or back) yard. Two finale concerts are scheduled for 6 and 7 p.m. But the toetapping doesn’t stop, because local restaurants with outdoor space will host musicians until 10 p.m. Also look for art displays and mini theatrical performances. larchmereporchfest.org

GLENVILLE FESTIVAL SUMMER SERIES

Sam Miller Park, East 88th St. and St. Clair Ave., across from Rockefeller Greenhouse

Dig out that polyester mint green pants suit in the back of your closet during Senior Appreciation Day on June 25 from noon to 4 p.m. The theme of this “grand barbeque” is the ’70s, and wearing favorite outfits from that decade is encouraged. Live music, festival food and games are featured at this celebration for those 60 and over. No children, please. Let their grandparents have this day.

Recess Cleveland brings hula hoops, Wiffle Ball, jump ropes, soccer, Pictionary and all sorts of fun during Back to School on Aug. 27, from 2 to 7 p.m. Activities are guaranteed to let kids forget about video games and are geared to promote fitness and community building. A school supply giveaway will help students get a good start in class this year. This free festival is hosted by Famicos Foundation and Cleveland Councilman Anthony Hairston. famicos.org

FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION

August 12-15; Little Italy, 12021 Mayfield Road, Cleveland

For 122 years, the Parish of Holy Rosary Church has celebrated the Feast of the Assumption as a sacred religious event. Mass is conducted, the Rosary is prayed daily at 6 p.m. and a candlelight procession to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary are among the activities observed by the area’s Catholics as well as others.

But the church also recognizes the Feast as a day for family, tradition and fun. This year, entertainment in the churchyard and along Mayfield Road includes the Italian Band of Cleveland, Primavera Band and the Swamp Boogie Band, as well as other musical groups. A cavatelli dinner, casino and other activities help support the education of Catholic children and maintenance of church buildings and grounds. holy-rosary.org

ONE WORLD DAY

August 28; Cleveland Cultural Gardens, Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard

Members of Cleveland’s Ukrainian community in traditional costumes will proudly carry their heritage country’s blue and yellow national flag during One World Day’s Parade of Flags down Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard at noon. Because of recent world events, other flag bearers and parade watchers are asked to respect and appreciate the event’s theme, “Peace through Mutual Understanding.” Additional flags and parade participants will represent the 38 countries that comprise the green spaces of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens, as well as other countries without gardens. clevelandoneworldday.org

2023 CLEVELAND ASIAN FESTIVAL

May 2023; Cleveland AsiaTown, east of Downtown, from E. 30th to E. 40th between St. Clair and Chester avenues

You have to be patient until 2023 for the next Cleveland Asian Festival, but good things come to those who wait. One of Cleveland’s fastest growing and most popular festivals, this event celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and helps support economic development in the neighborhood.

The celebration features free health screenings, numerous cultural performances and presentations on several stages, including the Color of Asia Fashion Show and Asian Pop Dance Competition. More than 100 vendors, plus at least two dozen local restaurants are represented. clevelandasianfestival.org

WALKABOUT TREMONT

Second Friday of each month; Professor Avenue and surrounding streets, Tremont

Tremont celebrates its heritage as a haven for artists who have lived and walked in a quirky neighborhood where homes, shops, studios and restaurants create a unique experience on every street. It makes Tremont a fascinating place. Walkabout Tremont presents a different theme each month with open galleries, music, artists and restaurant specials. June’s theme is Walkabout on the Wildside; July will highlight American Classics; August will have a Let’s Luau theme; and September’s theme is Walkabout Like a Pirate.

Tremont also hosts Arts in August, held in Lincoln Park on weekends, which has included everything from dance performances to Shakespeare. The 2022 Tremont Arts and Cultural Festival, Sept. 17 and 18 in Lincoln Park, is a free multiracial and multicultural festival. The weekend features fine art, sculpture, jewelry, children’s activities, musicians and performers. experiencetremont.com

WALNUT WEDNESDAY

Every Wednesday from May to September, Perk Plaza at Chester Commons, East 12th Street, Downtown Cleveland

Is it our imagination, or does eating outdoors make most food taste better? Judge for yourself at Walnut Wednesday, one of the area’s more diverse and biggest food truck rodeos. Pies, fries and definitely a few surprises are available. Downtown workers mingle with residents, tourists and shoppers who relax in this urban oasis while chowing down on vegetarian delights or thick burgers. Something is always going on, including live music, cornhole, chess and checkers games, impromptu poetry readings, giant Jenga and bubbles floating in the air.

THIRD FRIDAYS

Every Friday; 78th Street Studios, 1300 W. 78th Street

An event that now spans the Gordon Square Arts District, Third Fridays began in the early 2000s with humble roots spotlighting creative individuals inside the 78th Street Studios. Today the sprawling art and design complex is one of the largest of its kind in Greater Cleveland. From 5 to 9 p.m., check out four floors of galleries, visual displays, music, furniture and cuisine. An Open House, held every Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a handful of open galleries, is a quieter experience. 78thstreetstudios.com

— JILL SELL