JUNE
Wade Oval Wednesdays June 12-August 28
Bring a blanket or lawn chair as University Circle launches its series of Wednesday-evening outdoor festivals, with music, food vendors, and a farmers market.
Wade Oval, University Circle, 216-791-3900
Festival of the Fish
June 14-16
It's Vermilion's annual celebration of the sea, with parades, including a lighted boat parade, pet parade, and Father's Day parade — plus kids' queen and princess pageants, races, contests, and water fights.
5495 Liberty Ave., Vermilion, 440-967-4477
Cleveland Wine Festival
June 14-15
The annual celebration of wine, with tastings of more than 270 international, domestic, and Ohio wines, plus wine education, live music, cuisine from area restaurants, and a Belgian Beer Café (in Cleveland, there's always beer).
Voinovich Park, East 9th St., 877-772-5425
Avon Heritage Duct Tape Festival
June 14-16
The "Duct Tape Capital" of the world hosts its annual fest celebrating the adhesive. It also honors the city of Avon itself and includes attractions from sculptures and fashion to games and a parade — all of it involving duct tape.
3701 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Avon
Shaker Heights Arts & Music Festival
June 22-23
Formerly the Craftfair at Hathaway Brown, this annual arts and crafts show features works for sale by nearly 150 artists, including jewelry, clothing, paintings, and other media. There's also music and cuisine from local restaurants.
Farnsleigh Rd. and Van Aken Blvd., 216-916-9360
Gay Pride Parade
June 29
With Cleveland slated to host the Gay Games in 2014, interest is rising in gay pride. The annual downtown parade features colorful floats and costumes, live music, a beer garden, children's pavilion, numerous vendors, and organizations from the Cleveland GLBT community.
Voinovich Bicentennial Park, 216-226-0004
Waterloo Arts Fest
June 29
Presented by Arts Collinwood, this unique blend of art, food, live entertainment and activities for kids of all ages makes a great kick-off to the summer. Among the other highlights, don't miss the infamous Rock 'n' Roll Flea Market at the Beachland Ballroom.
Waterloo Road between East 156th and East 161st streets, 216-692-9500, waterlooartsfest.com
Summer Solstice Party
June 22
Celebrate the longest day of the year at this popular annual all-night party at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Highlights include jazz, soul, African, and electronic music, plus Mediterranean-inspired appetizers and beverages. It takes place from Saturday at 6 p.m. till Sunday at 2 a.m.
Cleveland Museum of Art,
Wade Oval, University Circle,
216-421-7340, clevelandart.org
JULY
Cain Park Arts Festival
July 13
Featuring work from 150 artists, this fine arts and crafts event offers a chance to purchase quality and award-winning art at a reasonable price. In addition to the paintings, photography, sculptures, and ceramics, enjoy top-notch food and entertainment.
14591 Superior Road, Cleveland Hts., cainpark.com
Cleveland Irish Festival
July 19-21
It's their 30th-annual celebration of Irish heritage, with bands, step dancers, children's activities, plays, food, and Irish exhibits.
Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 164 Eastland Rd., Berea, 440-243-0090, clevelandirish.org
Painesville Party in the Park
July 19-21
Ohio's largest free music festival, with more than 30 musical acts on three stages, plus activities and events for the whole family all day — plus delicious alcohol beverages!
Painesville Veterans Park. 7 Richmond St.
Painesville, parkpartyinfo.com
Burning River Fest
July 26-27
The Burning River Fest remembers the infamous 1969 burning of the Cuyahoga River and celebrates the renewed sense of environmental consciousness the infamous fire sparked. Expect educational exhibits, fresh food from local eateries, live music, and a special appearance by Great Lakes Brewing Company's Christmas Ale.
Whiskey Island, at the historic Coast Guard
Station, burningriverfest.org
Taste of Tremont
July 31
The annual street festival in the heart of Tremont's restaurant district showcases the best of Tremont cuisine. Among the festivities are art exhibits, a beer garden, dance performances, church tours, and live music.
Professor Ave., tasteoftremont.com
AUGUST
Vintage Ohio
August 2-3
Annual wine festival featuring samples from more than 20 area wineries, plus arts and crafts, food, children's entertainment and activities, a carryout store, and fireworks on Friday night.
Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Euclid
Chardon Rd., Kirtland, 800-227-6972
Twilight at the Zoo
August 2
It's the annual music festival and fund-raiser presented by your friends at Scene magazine — complete with food, drink, and dancing under the stars to music by 14 bands playing Motown, rock, salsa, swing, country, and blues.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way, 216-661-6500, clevelandzoosociety.org
Pro Football Hall of Fame
Game and Enshrinement
August 3-4
The NFL season doesn't start until Canton says so. The annual Hall of Fame Game marks the start of the preseason and a sort of Mardi Gras for the fine people of Canton.
Pro Football Hall of Fame,
2121 George Halas Dr. NW, Canton
330-456-7253
Lakewood Arts Festival
August 3
The annual juried arts and crafts show, now in its 35th (37th?) year, features works for sale by more than 160 selected artists from across the country, plus food and music.
Detroit Avenue between Belle and Elmwood
Avenues, Lakewood, lakewoodartsfest.org
Cuyahoga County Fair
August 5-11
After 115 years, it's no wonder they've got it down to a science. This year's festivities include midway rides, food stations, animals, countless exhibits, a haunted house, concerts, and the World's Largest Demolition Derby.
Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 164 Eastland Rd.
Berea, 440-243-0090, cuyfair.com
Midwest Reggae Fest
August 11-12
The Midwest Reggae Fest has become one of the longest-running and best-attended reggae festivals in the U.S., with a lineup that includes national and international talent. The first day takes place at Whiskey Island, and the second day takes place at the Beachland Ballroom, for those of you who aren't fans of islands.
2800 Whiskey Island, Cleveland, and 15711 Waterloo Rd., Cleveland, midwestreggaefest.com
Feast of the Assumption
August 15-18
More than 100,000 people descend on the Little Italy neighborhood for this signature Cleveland ethnic festival thrown in honor of the Catholic holy day. Unlike most holy days, this one features carnival rides, Italian food and drink, music, art, gaming, and parades.
12012 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland, 440-391-0386
Cleveland Oktoberfest
August 30-September 2
More than 40,000 have attended since its 2005 revival. There's ample food, arts, a Bier Garten (that's German for "drunk tank"), vintage car shows, ethnic costumes and dance, and, yes, a wiener dog race.
Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 164 Eastland Rd.,
Berea, 440-243-0090, clevelandoktoberfest.com
