4th of July Fireworks Cruise on the Goodtime III
Enjoy fireworks on the river this year aboard the Goodtime III. Reservations are required for this event, with tickets starting at $63.95. Boarding for the complete package (dinner, fireworks, and dancing) starts at 6:00 p.m. on July 4, with the cruise going until 11:30 p.m.
Location: 825 E. Ninth Street Pier, North Coast Harbor, 216-861-5110
For some free views of the Cleveland fireworks, go downtown for the annual Light Up the Lake. Watch the sky light up over Lake Erie from the Flats, Voinovich Park, Whiskey Island, or Wendy Park, starting at sundown.
Rock and Boom
Watch Cleveland’s fireworks on the deck of the Steamship William G. Mather. Bring chairs and blankets to sit and enjoy the view while munching on food and drinks that you can buy from the family-friendly beer garden. Tickets are $16 and the event runs from 8-11 p.m.
Location: Steamship William G. Mather at Great Lakes Science Center, 601 Erieside Ave., 216-694-2000
Star Spangled Science
The Great Lakes Science Center is putting on a handful of fun activities for kids, such as a watermelon explosion and Alka-Seltzer rockets, running from July 2-4. For a full list of activities, times, and locations click the link above.
Location: Great Lakes Science Center, 601 Erieside Ave., 216-694-2000
The Greater Cleveland Aquarium will be open on July 4th with free parking until 4 p.m. if you’re looking for something to do before the fireworks go off. Active military and first responders (police, fire, and EMT) get free admission into the aquarium. There’s also a starfish kids’ craft and a red-white-and-blue scavenger hunt to participate in.
Location: Greater Cleveland Aquarium, 2000 Sycamore St., 216-862-8803
The Cleveland Orchestra will bring its free community concert back to downtown Cleveland this year starting at 9:00 p.m.
Location: Mall B, 300 St. Clair Ave.
Akron Rib White and Blue Festival
This year is the 41st annual Rib, White, and Blue Festival in downtown Akron starting on June 30th and running until July 4th. Gates open at 11:00 a.m. and admission is free all four days. There’s live music every night and plenty of barbecue to eat.
Location: Lock 3 200 S. Main St. Akron, 330-375-2877
Independence Day Celebration Fireworks
The city of Independence will be celebrating their Independence Day early on July 3rd. Their fireworks event starts at 7:00 p.m. and runs ’til 10:30 p.m.
Location: Elmwood Park, Independence
Lakewood Fourth of July Parade, Concert, and Fireworks
Lakewood will be starting its July Fourth festivities early, with a parade that kicks off at 10:00 a.m. on Lake Avenue at Kenneth Drive. It’ll conclude at Lakewood Park. Games and activities will continue in the park once the parade is finished. At 7:00 p.m., Lakewood High School’s Youth Rock Orchestra will perform at the bandstand. The day will end with a firework “extravaganza” at 9:45 p.m.
Location: Lakewood Park, 14532 Lake Ave.
If you can’t celebrate on Tuesday or just want to catch as many firework shows as possible, Avon Lake will be holding their event on Sunday, July 2nd at dusk.
Location: Weiss Field, 33401 Webber Rd.
Columbiana 4th of July Community Celebration
The folks in Columbiana take Fourth of July seriously and they start off their celebration at 8:30 a.m. with a fishing contest. Activities will continue to run throughout the day, including music in the gazebo, until 8:00 p.m.
Location: Firestone Park, 338 E Park Ave., Columbiana
Location: 1 Cedar Point Dr., Sandusky, 416-627-2350
Bay Days Festival
Bay Days Festival starts tomorrow and offers a single-price ticket for carnival rides from noon to 4:00 p.m. for $18 each day. On July 1st they’ll have a classic car cruise-in in Cahoon Park. Ending the festival on July 4th will be a Gala Fireworks Display.
Location: Cahoon Memorial Park West, Bay Village
This article appears in Jun 28 – Jul 4, 2017.
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band’s “Boston Tea Party” should be part of any musical blast on July Fourth.