JUNE
WEST SIDE MARKET
CENTENNIAL KICKOFF
June 2 (Rain Date June 23)
1979 West 25th St.
216-664-3387, westsidemarket.org/centennial
The West Side Market has been a part of Cleveland culture for 100 years — and it doesn't look a day over 70. Come celebrate this momentous milestone starting at 6 p.m. The multi-cultural celebration will feature the usual fabulous fare, as well as a neighborhood fireworks display and an ice cream social.
36th ANNUAL COLUMBIA ANTIQUE ENGINE SHOW & FLEA MARKET
June 2-3
Columbia Park, 25540 Royalton Rd.,
Columbia Station
440-236-9053, columbiastation.com
LaGrange Engine Club parades antique and contemporary trains, tractors, and autos — and will even be auctioning off pieces for your collection or practical use. To see what's worth bidding on, take in the tractor pull. If you're in the market for something smaller and more miscellaneous, a flea market and craft tables offer unexpected treasures.
WEAPONS OF MASS CREATION
June 8-10
Gordon Square Arts District, Detroit Ave.
216-707-5033, wmcfest.com
It's basically what it sounds like. For three days in June, 1,000-plus attendees will descend on Cleveland to create and be inspired. With 20 speakers, 20 designers, and nearly 30 bands, there won't be any shortage of creativity. For the third year, this grassroots movement will gather entrepreneurs, musicians, artists, students, and fans together to learn, become inspired, collaborate, network, and celebrate. An all-access three day pass is $60 and is available on their website.
ZIPPITYZOODOO, ZOOLIN ROUGE
June 8
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo,
3900 Wildlife Way
216-635-3324, clevelandzoosociety.org
Zip down to the zoo for this zany benefit. The Cleveland Zoological Society sponsors the 39th annual event, which is expected to raise $250,000 in support of the zoo's conservation education mission. The Paris-themed party will feature the Wild Side silent auction, which offers many exclusive zoo experience packages, including an overnight at the zoo, private tour of African Elephant Crossing, and a dinner with zoo director Steve Taylor. Guests will spend the night enjoying cocktails and hors d'oeuvres as they dance under the stars to the sounds of the Jerry Bruno Orchestra. Tickets start at $250; visit the website above to make a reservation.
THE RIVERFRONT IRISH FESTIVAL
June 8-10
Falls River Square, Cuyahoga Falls
330-554-3083, riverfrontirishfest.com
The Irish are very popular — especially among themselves. Luckily, everyone at the Cuyahoga Falls Riverfront Fest has a little bit of Irish in them. Billed as the Midwest's largest free Irish fest, the celebration features three stages of music. The lineup includes Brigid's Cross, New Barleycorn, Callahan & O'Connor, and any other band that sounds remotely Irish (including plenty of pipe ensembles). Ramble from stage to stage until you find the Market Place, where you can load up on traditional Irish and American fare and catch some traditional jigs by the MacConmara Dance Academy. If you need to work off a few pounds, try running the 5K and one-mile Fun Run at 8 a.m. Saturday. There's a traditional Mass on Sunday, where all of your weekend sins will be forgiven. Admission is free.
PARADE THE CIRCLE
& CIRCLE VILLAGE
June 9
Wade Oval, 10820 East Blvd.
216-707-5033, universitycircle.org
Outside of The Music Man, most community marches bore us to tears, with one big exception — Parade the Circle. For more than two decades, Clevelanders have greeted the arrival of summer with a parade of giant puppets, stilt-walkers, colorful costume characters, one-of-a-kind performance ensembles, and awesomely constructed floats, all marching through University Circle. Before and after the parade (which steps off at noon), visit Circle Village's tents and booths featuring more than 30museums, schools, churches, and community organizations. Make a puppet, create a green-themed craft, or take part in numerous other activities. Oh yeah, it's free.
JONATHAN HALE PIONEER FESTIVAL
June 9-10
Hale Farm and Village
2686 Oak Hill Road, Bath
330-666-3711, wrhs.org
With the abundant amount of technology readily available to us today, sometimes a reminder of what life was like before your iPhone becomes necessary. Learn how the pioneers managed as you observe firsthand cooking demonstrations on a wood stove, household chores, tending livestock, and other practices that helped the Ohio communities we love and know grow and flourish!
CHEF JAM
June 10
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,
1 Key Plaza, rockhall.com
Cleveland rocks! Well, at least the chefs do. The annual who's-who of Cleveland's culinary scene will be returning to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this summer. Chefs will be dishing up specialties inspired by their rock icons — and dressing like them too. There will be live music performed by Ivan Neville and Dumpstaphunk and other special guests. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased on the website.
FESTIVAL OF THE FISH
June 15-17
Victory Park, SR 60, Vermilion
440-967-4477, vermilionohio.com
The 46th annual Festival of the Fish is all about pageantry (and, um, fish ... we think). This stately Vermilion celebration is one of the largest honoring Lake Erie culture on a grand scale, with parades, races, contests, food, and live entertainment. There will be a lot more live music acts this year, with everything from country to classic rock. There's a Festival of the Fish Pageant on Friday, where "young girls vie for the coveted title of princess or queen," says spokeswoman Sandy Grisel. Saturday kicks offwith a 5K run and one-mile walk, while nature engineers build spires in the Sand Castle Contest at Main Street Beach. It's all free.
AVON HERITAGE
DUCT TAPE FESTIVAL
June 15-17
Veteran's Memorial Park,
37001 Detroit Rd., Avon
866-818-1116, avonducttapefestival.com
Duct tape is a lot like the Force. With its light and dark sides, it holds the universe together. Avon (home to Duck-brand duct tape) celebrates this cohesive power every summer with the awesomely bizarre Avon Heritage Duct Tape Festival. This year's theme: "On Safari With Duct Tape." Celebrate Dad's favorite accessory Father's Day weekend with a three-day celebration hosted in the Duct Tape Capital of the World. It includes lots of traditional festival stuff (food, games, even a parade), but with crazy duct-tape displays (including sculptures and fashions).
OHIO SCOTTISH GAMES
June 21-23
Lorain County Fairgrounds, 23000Fairgrounds Rd., Wellington
440-835-9794, ohioscottishgames.com
There can be only one Ohio Scottish Games! Gather your friends, equip them with kilts, travel over rolling hills and glens, and watch countless competitions — ranging from pipe bands to crazy Scottish athletics like caber tossing and the hammer throw. See lads and lassies test their form in the Highland Dancing and Choreography Competitions, stepping the Sailor's Hornpipe, the Highland Fling, and (OMG!) the Sword Dance. Have a beer and watch the piping and drumming competitions. Then enjoy music throughout the day, with one of the most successful Celtic festival performers, Charlie Zahm, and Celtic rock and roll from Brother. Tickets are $13 for adults, $8 for kids ages 12-17; littler ones get in free.
LORAIN INTERNATIONAL BAZAAR
June 22-24
Black River Landing, Downtown Lorain
440-204-2269, loraininternational.com
For one weekend in June, Lorain County becomes the U.N. of northern Ohio festivals, serving up international foods and worldwide entertainment. The Lorain International Bazaar will cook up all types of global gastronomy — 40 food vendors serving Greek, Chinese, Dutch, Vietnamese, Mexican, Polish, German, Portuguese, British, American, and (of course) Hungarian food. The festival will also feature ethnic souvenirs and crafts, covered areas to sit and dine, children's activities, and more. Tickets are $2 for adults, free for children 12 & under.
GAY PRIDE PARADE
June 23
Voinovich Bicentennial Park,
Downtown Cleveland
216-226-0004, clevelandpride.org
With Cleveland slated to host the Gay Games in 2014, gay pride is building like never before. The 24th annual downtown parade starts at noon and features colorful floats and costumes, live music, a beer garden, children's pavilion, numerous vendors, and organizations from the Cleveland GLBT community. It's free and all are welcome to attend.
COLUMBIA HOMECOMING
FESTIVAL
June 29-July 1
Columbia Park, 25540 Royalton Rd.,
Columbia Station
440-236-9053, columbiastation.com
This small-town homecoming celebration packs a lot of magical moments into three days of festivities, but you can't miss the parade on Sunday or Saturday's fireworks — which will be some of the few happening in the region now that the PC police are worried about "noise pollution" and "fire safety" and nobody has any "money" to "pay for them."
