We’re ‘vaxxed,’ unmasked (mostly) and ready to wrap up our summer with favorite seasonal staples — festivals and car shows. Boisterous parades, monster trucks, carnival rides in city parks — they’ve returned in all their clamorous glory. Twin contests? Muscle cars? Deep-fried Oreos? Yes. Yes. And more, please. It’s a fun-filled summer, far different than a year ago.
Cars & Coffee Cleveland, which scrambled to hold a full season of car shows using COVID-friendly outdoor sites, has amped up for shows and cruises, now through October. Their events draw hundreds of vintage and sports cars and many more enthusiasts each season, says Bradley Schey, the group’s vice president and owner of a Jaguar. Find an updated schedule at carsandcoffeecleveland.com.
Below are some of our other favorite festivals and car shows to fill your weekends before summer gives way to autumn:
8/19-21
Drive-Thru Greek Fest. Out of an abundance of caution, the St. Haralambos Parish Council will proceed with three, three-day drive-thru festivals similar to their festival last year. St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church, 251 25th St. NW, Canton, 330-454-7278, cantongreekfest.com
8/21
West Tech High School 4th Annual Classic Car Show. 12-4, 4427 Rocky River Dr., Cleveland.
Wheels 4 Wags 4 Warriors. This charity car show supports the local “Wags 4 Warriors” organization which helps local service men and women affected by their combat experience. They work with local rescue organizations to match the veteran with an appropriate dog, providing the training and support for the dog to become the veteran’s service dog at no cost to the veteran. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. $10 per ticket. Wheel Craft, 7750 Tyler Blvd., Mentor. See the Wheels 4 Wags 4 Warriors Charity Car Show Facebook page.
8/24
5th Annual Medina Car Show. 11-3, 1093 Medina Road, Medina.
8/28
Medina Fest. Kids’ activities and games, live musical entertainment, food and more. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Medina Square, 2 Public Square, Medina, mainstreetmedina.com/medina-fest-2021.html
Cleveland Pickle Fest. Don’t miss the 5K Run and 10K Bike Ride, amazing pickle vendors, music, games, contests and more. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School, 6380 Mill Rd., Broadview Hts., greaterclevelandvolunteers.org/pickle-fest/
8/28
4th Annual Newbury Township Vintage Car, Truck & Tractor. Annual show welcoming antique, classic, muscle, sports & tuner cars, as well as 4×4’s in a country park setting with pavilion and tented food areas. Live concert to follow, Shadow of Doubt — Ohio premier Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Tribute show. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oberland Park, 14661 Auburn Rd., Newbury. See Newbury Car Show Facebook page.
8/28-29
Cleveland Garlic Festival. Garlic cook-off, music, vendors, garlic fries, Mitchell’s Homemade garlic ice cream, Mighty Locavores area for kids, Ohio craft beers and more. North Union Farmers Market, 13111 Shaker Square, Cleveland, clevelandgarlicfestival.org
8/31
Annual Cruise-In. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., D&S Automotive Collision & Restyling, 7588 Tyler Blvd., Mentor.
9/3-6, 9/10-11
Cleveland Oktoberfest. A holiday family tradition, attracting fun-lovers from every walk of life, with an exciting menu of activities and entertainment to delight young and old. Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 19201 E. Bagley Rd., Middleburg Hts., clevelandoktoberfest.com
9/5
Cars in the Park ‘21.
Showcasing more than 50 exotic, classic and rare cars, this popular event is the next best thing to owning a cool vehicle. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Crocker Park, Westlake, crockerpark.com
9/11
Pinecrest Wine Festival 2021. Taste your way through Central Park and down Park Avenue, choosing from among 100+ different wines along with craft beer and spirit options. 2 p.m.-10 p.m. Park Avenue, Orange Village, discoverpinecrest.com/event/pinecrest-wine-festival-2021/
Photo courtesy Fairview Park Summerfest
