This is not a drill. It’s finally festival season, and arguably one of the best times of the year to be a Northeast Ohioan.
Odds are, you’ve got your sunscreen ready, a tank full of gas and your dancing shoes on. But before you hit the road and relish in your usual spots, give yourself a refresher course in the events we’ve compiled here.
You may discover that a few fabulous fests have flown under your radar. No worries; we’ve got you covered.
7/19-22
8×10 TheatreFest. Annual contest and festival of 10-minute plays. Weathervane Playhouse, 1301 Weathervane Lane, Akron, 330-836-2626, weathervaneplayhouse.com.
7/20-21
Uncorked Medina Wine Festival. Featuring over 80 wines from around the world and 16 craft beers along with entertainment for all to enjoy. 4-9 p.m. Friday and 2-9 p.m. Saturday. Buffalo Creek Retreat, 8708 Hubbard Valley Road, Seville, medinacountyparks.com.
7/20-22
Alive Festival. Christian music festival and summer destination for people of all ages. Atwood Lake Park, 9298 Atwood Lake Road, Mineral City, alive.org.
7/21
Willoughby ArtsFest. This one-day festival draws about 15,000 visitors. It’s not only a great opportunity to see and purchase a wide range of juried art, enjoy music and the quaint downtown Willoughby restaurants and local merchants, it’s also a fabulous event for the entire family. The legendary bubbleologist Dr. U R Awesome (the current Guinness World Record holder) will be in attendance. In addition to interacting with massive bubbles, kids get to enjoy face painting, kids yoga, crafting their own creations at a craft table, and even the opportunity to paint a car as well as their own T-shirts. This year’s fest will conclude with a boat parade, available to view 7:30-10 p.m.
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Downtown Willoughby, willoughbyartsfest.com.
Headlands BeachFest. Family-friendly celebration of wind, water and sand. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Headlands Beach State Park, 9601 Headlands Road, Mentor, 440-466-8400, cityofmentor.com.
Medina Bee Festival. Watch beekeepers open a hive, taste honey, learn about beekeeping, meet Buzz the Bee, get a balloon animal and more. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Medina County Library, 210 S. Broadway St., 330-725-0588, mcdl.info/beefest.
Cause & Effect Festival. Meet with Cleveland’s nonprofits and activist organizations, learn more about the work they’re doing in our community and how you can help. Enjoy live music and hands-on activities. Noon-5 p.m. Toby’s Plaza, 11440 Uptown Ave., Cleveland, universitycircle.org.
7/26-29
Streetsboro Family Days. Rides, food vendors galore and free admission for a huge family event. streetsborofamilydays.org.
7/27
Kids Fest. This evening of entertainment for children and families includes experiences with music, dance, art, craft-making, storytelling and interactive play. 4-8 p.m. Downtown Cuyahoga Falls Amphitheater & Pavilion, 2085 Front St., cityofcf.com.
7/28
Wizardly World of Kent. Wizard and magic fans of all ages come together and enjoy the wonders of downtown Kent, complete with costume contests for kids and adults, live music, crafts, potion classes, photo booths, vendors, face painting, delicious food and more. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Downtown Kent, mainstreetkent.org.
8/2
KidsFest & Flea Market. Flea Market 10 a.m.-1 p.m. KidsFest noon-3 p.m. Chardon Square, 101 S. Hambden St., chardonsquareassociation.org.
8/3-5
Twinsday Festival. Did you know that the world’s largest gathering of twins (and other multiples) takes place right here in Ohio? In Twinsburg, naturally. This annual festival is nothing short of fascinating. This year’s theme is “Two-Player Mode.” Twins are encouraged to dress up as their favorite characters from video, arcade or board games. 9825 Ravenna Road, Twinsburg, 330-425-3652, twinsdays.org.
8/4
40th Annual Lakewood Arts Fest. For 40 years, the Lakewood Arts Festival has brought local and national artists to the streets of Lakewood.10 a.m.-6 p.m. lakewoodartsfest.org.
8/4-5
Kent Lions Sweet Corn Festival. Fun, food, games, pony rides, entertainment and more. Noon-5 p.m. Beckwith Orchards Cider Mill, 1617 Lake Rockwell Road, Kent, mainstreetkent.org.
8/5
The FEST. Free family day of fun including performances by national Christian musical artists, Mom’s Relaxation Station, Dad’s Den and activities for children of every age. Center for Pastoral Leadership, 28700 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe, thefest.us.
Nature Arts Festival. Enjoy live music, family make-and-take projects, open mic and chalk. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Big Creek Park, 9160 Robinson Road, Chardon Township, geaugaparkdistrict.org.
8/7-12
Cuyahoga County Fair. Enjoy a day at the fair with rides, performances, games, music, exhibits, animals, arts & crafts and plenty of food. 19201 E. Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights, 440-243-0090, cuyfair.com.
8/11
Fun Fest. Free family festival with arts, crafts, music, petting zoo, balloons, games, train ride, inflatables, dancing, face painting, characters and more. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Downtown Massillon, massillonmuseum.org/fun-fest.
8/15-18
Little Italy’s Feast of the Assumption. Four days of festivities, booths featuring Italian foods and desserts, live music and rides for young children. Holy Rosary Church, 12021 Mayfield Road, Cleveland, holy-rosary.org.
8/17-18
Great Lakes Burning River Fest. Burning River Fest invites guests to discover and celebrate Cleveland’s historic Coast Guard Station with live music, fresh food from local farms and eateries, and chef demos. Also, have you ever been to a silent disco? And isn’t that an oxymoron? This relatively new phenomenon will take place in the PNC boathouse. Instead of music blasting through a PA system, this allows music lovers to wear wireless headphones and dance together in an otherwise hushed space; giving the illusion of dancing to silence. It’s an experience you’ve got to try at least once. Overall, this fest increases public awareness of the fading but historic Coast Guard Station and has given rise to a collaborative cleanup and restoration effort. Whiskey Island, West Bank of the Cuyahoga River, Cleveland,http://burningriverfest.org
8/18
Tallmadge Circle Festival. Entertainment, children’s area with magician and pony rides, fireworks and a parade. 5:30-11 p.m. Tallmadge Circle Green, 80 Community Road, 330-633-5417, tallmadgechamber.com.
8/31-9/2
Made in Ohio Arts & Crafts Festival. A two-day juried festival featuring over 120 Ohio artisans, local food, entertainment and all that Hale Farm & Village has to offer. Hale Farm & Village, 2686 Oak Hill Road, Bath, 330-666-3711, wrhs.org.
8/31-9/3
Cleveland Oktoberfest. Four exciting days of one of the country’s fastest growing and most authentic German Festivals. Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 19201 E. Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights, clevelandoktoberfest.com.
9/2-3
2018 Taste of Hudson. Food, music, exhibitors, children’s activities and family fun. Tasteofhudson.com.
9/14-15
Crocker Park Wine Festival. Featuring over 150 wines from local, national and international producers, select craft beers and spirits, music, exhibitors and delectable food. 4-10 p.m. Friday, 2-10 p.m. Saturday. Crocker Park, 189 Crocker Park Blvd., Westlake, crockerpark.com.
9/15
Rocky River Fall Arts Festival. Entertainment, food trucks, kids activities and 72 participating artists. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Old Detroit Area, Rocky River, rrcity.com.
9/15-16
Village Peddler Festival. Enjoy this American arts and crafts festival in a beautiful pastoral setting for the whole family. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Euclid-Chardon Road, Kirtland, villagepeddlerfestival.com.
Chalk Festival. Children and adults join professional artists in using the walkways around the Fine Arts Garden as a colorful canvas. Begun in 1990, this festival is a modern expression of a Renaissance tradition from 16th century Italy. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland, 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
Breanna Mona is an entertainment journalist and fanny pack enthusiast. She highly recommends sporting them, particularly during festival season.
