Farmer's Markets in the Cleveland Area 2012

Farmers markets are FREE to attend, and a lot of them will offer free samples, tastings, demonstrations, and more! Buying local produce is not only better for you but is good for our local farmers and economy, so stop by one close to you! Here's a roundup of the markets in the area I'm aware of (special events are italicized):

Farmers Market at Farmpark

• Every Wednesday 3-6pm, May 18th-October 12th
• Located in the Lake Farmpark parking lot in Kirtland
• Featuring locally grown seasonal produce and products. Click here for a list of items, updated each week, that can be found at the market.

Geauga Fresh Farmers Market

• Every Saturday 9am-noon, rain or shine, starting May 19th
• Located at Rt. 306 and Bell St. in South Russell
• Featuring lots of fresh produce, herbs, flowering plants, honey and maple syrup, handmade soaps and lotions, meat, cheese, kettle corn, jewelry, crafts, and more!

Medina Farmers Market

• Every Saturday 9am-1pm, June 2nd-October
• Located in Medina Public Square
• Featuring fresh flowers, plants, herbs, produce, foccacia, cookies, pies, and more!

North Coast Harbor Farmers Market

• Every Thursday 11:30am-2:30pm, June 2nd-September 8th
• Located on the E 9th Street Pier
• Features produce, cheese, flowers, canned items, jewelry, clothing, cooking demonstrations, and much more!
• FREE parking

North Union Farmers Markets

• One of the top 20 Farmers Markets in the US and voted "Best Farmers Market" in Cleveland
• There are many North Union markets in the area:
• Shaker Square Market, Saturdays 8am-noon, April 7th-December 22nd. This will be followed by the Shaker Square Winter Indoor Market.
• Crocker Park Market, Saturdays 9am-1pm, April 14th-December 22nd
• Crocker Park Evening Market, Thursdays 4-7pm, June 14th-August 30th
• Chagrin Falls Market, Sundays 10am-1pm, June 3rd-October 21st
• Cleveland Clinic Main Campus Market, Wednesdays 10:30am-1:30pm, June 6th-October 24th
• Cleveland State University Market, Thursdays 11am-2pm, June 7th-September 27th
• Cleveland Clinic Beachwood Market, Wednesdays 11am-2pm, July 25th-September 26th
• Click each link for more information about each market, including location, vendors, and more!
• Flower Days at the Market on Saturday, May 19th from 9am-1pm at Crocker Park and again on Saturday, May 26th from 8am-noon at Shaker Square. It's an event focused on getting your garden and yard ready for summer. Win a FREE Troy-Bilt Lawnmower! Click here for more details.

Tremont Farmers Market

• Every Tuesday 4-7pm, May 1st-October 30th
• Located in Lincoln Park in Tremont
• Featuring eggs, cheese, produce, spices, coffee, tea, honey, meat, bread, salsa, local artisans, musicians, and more!
• Visit their website for more information on vendors and other weekly happenings at the market
• Flower Power Dance Workshop on Tuesday, June 5th from 5:00-5:45pm for ages 3-7. Children can participate in a FREE creative movement dance class with Tremont Moves. Wear play clothes and tennis shoes. Click here for more details. 

Don't see your local Farmers Market listed? Click here for an extensive list of Ohio Farmers Markets to find one near you! Enjoy!

75 {Mostly} FREE Things to Do with Kids in the Summer!

Are you ever stuck wondering, "what should we do today?" during the summer?? Look no further! Below is a list courtesy of Freebies2Deals that will make any summer fun and full of memories!

Something that my kids and I like to do when the weather is nice is sit outside and play the "Car Game." This gives the kids (well, my husband and I play, too!) something to do when you're sitting in the front yard, riding bikes, or having a picnic. It goes like this:

• The object of the game is to correctly guess what color car will drive down the road next.
• Everyone gets a chance to pick a different color, and whoever guesses the color of the car correctly (by pure luck) gets to choose the color of their car first for the next round. 
• The colors can be as simple (red, blue, green, etc.) or as complicated (navy blue, teal, tan, etc.) as you'd like!
• Whoever guesses the most correctly, wins!

This is a game that can be played anywhere, anytime, and doesn't require anything but participation. Hopefully you will have better luck then my daughter, who always guesses pink... Bless her heart, but she never wins!!! 

Here's a link to the 75 Kids Activities for Spring and Summer, and have a safe and happy summer!!

FREE Events on Memorial Day Weekend in Cleveland 2012

Lots of fun and FREE activities in Cleveland on Memorial Day weekend!


Tremont Greek Fest
Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunication, 2187 West 14th, Cleveland 44113
May 25-27th, 11am-11pm; May 28th, 11am-7pm
Enjoy authentic Greek food, pastries, dancing, and a Greek marketplace and beer tent! The festival is held over Memorial Weekend each year, and admission is free! Food and beer extra.

Chagrin Falls Blossom Time Festival
Riverside Park, Chagrin Falls
Thursday, May 24th - Monday, May 28th; check schedule of events for details.
What a great line-up of family-friendly events for the weekend! Carnival rides, pie eating contests, fair food, hot air balloons, and more! Come out on Saturday from from 9:30am-noon at the Big Top Tent for Kids Day, and make sure to catch one of the Heinen's Hot Air Balloon Races, held Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6:30-8:00pm.

Berea's National Rib Cook-off
Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, Berea
May 25th-28th; Friday noon-11pm, Sat & Sun 11am-11pm, Monday 11am-9pm
What is a holiday weekend in the summer without some great BBQ??? Offering a mechanical bull, inflatables, and a rock climbing wall, this event couldn't be more family friendly. Enjoy FREE admission all day on Friday only. Parking is FREE, as well, and kids ages 12 and under get free admission all weekend. Admission is $5/person (ages 12+) the rest of the weekend, and tickets can be purchased at the gate. Food and beverages are extra, of course, but worth every penny!

Outdoor Summer Concert Series Begin Friday, May 25th
Outdoor concerts start all over the Cleveland area on Memorial Day weekend. Some of the top locations include Mapleside Farms, Crocker Park, Legacy Village, Medina Square, and more! See this post for all the details!

Memorial Day Parades on Monday, May 28th
Make some memories by attending a parade in your local community this Memorial Day! Whatever you decide to do, please remember all the brave men and women who have fought, and who continue to fight, for the freedoms you are enjoying today!! For a complete list of local parades click here.

FREE Slider at Max & Erma's Restaurants on Memorial Day
In honor of National Hamburger Day on May 28th, Max & Erma's restaurants are giving away a FREE Slider to each person that comes in! One per person with beverage purchase, valid May 28th only.

Pools and Splash Pads open for the season!
Just another thing to keep in mind for Memorial Day weekend, especially if the weather is sunny and warm! Community pools and splash pads will open for the summer starting Memorial Day (when the weather hits 80 degrees) and will remain open through Labor Day. Information about Splash Pads in the area can be found in this previous post here.

Happy Memorial Day!!!

FREE Outdoor Concert Series in Cleveland for Summer 2012

Here is a round-up of all the great, local outdoor concert series that are starting for the summer! They start THIS WEEKEND and most run through early September. Hopefully you will take time to enjoy some of them! :)

Concerts Over the Valley at Mapleside Farm

(Photo Credit: Mapleside Farms)

• Every Friday night from May 25-September 28, 6-9:30pm (gates open at 5pm)
• Concerts feature a wide variety of genres and styles
• Admission is FREE, with the exception of June 15th, July 20th, August 31st (these are Premium Concerts and cost $2/person or $5/Family of 3 or more)
• Wine, beer, and food are available for purchase
• Bring your own chair or blanket, relax, and enjoy the view! 
• For the complete concert schedule, click here. 

Legacy Live at Legacy Village

• Every Friday & Saturday night from May 25-September 15, 6-9:30pm
• Concerts feature a wide variety of genres and styles
• Concerts take place on the Lawn, located between California Pizza Kitchen and Bar Louie
• Subject to change/cancellation due to weather when applicable
• For the concert schedule through June 30th, click here.

Music in the Park at Crocker Park

(Photo Credit: Crocker Park)

• Every Friday & Saturday from May 25-September 1, 6-8:30pm
• Enjoy a variety of musical talents
• Concerts take place behind GameStop by the large grassy area (off the roundabout)
• For the complete concert schedule, click here. 

Rally in the Alley in Medina Square

(Photo Credit: Main Street Cafe)

• Every Friday night starting May 25th and ending with a large event the entire Labor Day Weekend (September 1 & 2)
• Admission is FREE with the exception of Saturday and Sunday Labor Day weekend
• Wine, beer, spirits, and food are available for purchase
• For the complete concert schedule and other details, click here. 

Summer Concert Series at Shaker Square

• Every Saturday night from June 23-August 18, 6-9pm
• Admission is FREE
• Bring a chair or blanket, or you can listen from a restaurant patio while you enjoy dinner!
• There is currently no concert schedule posted

First & Main Music Nights in Hudson

• This concert series takes place on the Green at First & Main in Hudson
• Concerts run from July-August on Fridays and Saturdays, 7-9pm
• Schedule and more details will be posted when they become available

FREE Festivals in Cleveland This Weekend, May 19-20th

Well, summer is almost here and so are the wonderful, FREE festivals that come with it each year! Here are a few to get you started this weekend:

Pop UP Pearl
Located in the Old Brooklyn area of Cleveland on Pearl Rd, just south of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Come out and see all the unique, beautiful crafts by Images in Bloom and enjoy some amazing food and music at the Grace Church Blues and BBQ tent, just to name a few!




6th Annual Chalk Art Festival
Come out and see professional artists create beautiful chalk masterpieces, or sign up for your own space and create one yourself! This festival goes from 9am-5pm on May 19th and is located in Downtown Medina on the Square.

Hessler Street Fair
This street fair is an annual community arts and music event in University Circle, boasting to be one of Cleveland's most successful festivals! This family-friendly event will be celebrating is 43rd year and features a wide variety of local food, artists, musicians, and poets. This year’s fair will be held Saturday May 19 and Sunday May 20, 2012 from 11 am to dusk, rain or shine.

The Hessler Street Fair Committee
11326 Hessler Road
Cleveland, OH 44106

Cleveland Metroparks Annual Children's Fishing Derbies

If your kids (ages 4-15) like to fish, or if they've always wanted to try it, this annual fishing derby is for you! Bait (red worms, maggots and corn) will be available at no charge for derby participants. Bring a rod, tackle and a cooler with ice to store the “catch of the day.” While supplies last, loaner rods (fully rigged for bait fishing) are available for children who do not have their own. Rain or shine. Participation is FREE!

Saturday, May 19
Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation, Cuyahoga Heights

Sunday, May 20
Wallace Lake Mill Stream Run Reservation, Berea

Fishing Sessions:
Ages: 4-8 • 9 a.m. to noon (one rod per child)
Ages: 9-15 • 1 to 4 p.m. (one rod per child)

FREE Admission to the Cleveland Botanical Gardens, May 11th (tomorrow) ONLY!

Celebrate National Public Gardens Day at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens, for FREE!! Visit the Better Homes and Gardens website here to print out your coupon now! This coupon is valid tomorrow, May 11th only. Print out one for your family and friends, too! The other participating Ohio gardens are listed here. Enjoy!

FREE Annual Fishing Derbies This Weekend in the Metroparks

Kids can reel in the “big one” at the annual Cleveland Metroparks Children’s Fishing Derbies. Each day of Children’s Fishing Derbies is divided into two sessions: children, ages 4 to 8, can fish from 9 a.m. to noon, and youth, ages 9 to 15, fish from 1 to 4 p.m. Participants can also learn how to cast and test their skills at the casting challenge. Guidance will be available from experienced anglers to help those new to fishing.

Live bait is provided. Participants should bring a rod, tackle and a cooler with ice to store their “catch of the day.” A limited number of loaner fishing rods will be available for children who do not have their own. Prizes will be awarded at the end of each session for catching the largest trout, largest other fish, and smallest fish, plus best cast from the casting challenge. Prizes will be awarded at noon and 4 p.m. sharp. You must be present to win.

Saturday, May 14
Wallace Lake
Mill Stream Run Reservation
Berea

Sunday, May 15
Ohio & Erie Canal
Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation
Cuyahoga Heights

The event is rain or shine (hopefully the weather will cooperate!), no advanced sign-ups. Registration is on the day of the derby only. Please go to the big tent when you arrive.

2011 Mother's Day FREEbees in Cleveland

Here's a list of some places in Cleveland offering FREEbees this weekend to celebrate Mother's Day. Hope you find something to enjoy with the mom in your life!

Archiver's: Special FREE Mother's Day Crop on Saturday, May 7th. Local stores in Fairlawn and North Olmsted. See the website for details!

Beachwood Branch (CCPL): Mother's Day Music at the Library on Sunday, May 8th at 2 pm. Vocalist Diane Menges and guitarist Brian Kozak will present a program of works by John Dowland, John Jacob Niles, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Manuel De Falla and others. Sponsored by the Friends of theLibrary. Free tickets are required for admission and are available at the Library or by callling 216-831-6868.

Chagrin Falls Branch (CPPL): Make a Mother's Day Gift from Monday, May 2 through Saturday, May 7th from 9am-9pm. Drop in and use our craft materials to make a gift for mom any time the library is open during the week! We supply the supplies and general instructions, you supply the creativity for that special gift.

Champps': Treat Mom to Champps' this weekend from May 6-8th and receive a "Mom's Eat FREE" gift card for $10 off a $25 purchase that will automatically be loaded with $15 on the first day of each month, through April 2011 (you can register your card here to receive additional rewards). Combine this offer with a kids eat FREE night (every Tuesday after 4 p.m. with the purchase of a regularly priced adult meal) and you've got a pretty cheap family meal out each month for a year!!

Cleveland Metroparks: May is for Mothers. May is a month of newborn animals. Many animals have their young now that it is warmer and food becomes available. Bring mom out to see this year’s waterfowl babies. 1:30 - 3 p.m. at the North Chagrin Nature Center. Terrain: level, easy, 1 mile.
 
Cleveland Metorparks Zoo: Mother's get FREE admission to the Zoo on Mother's Day, open 10am-5pm!

Home Depot: Bring the kids in to build a planter as a Mother’s Day gift on Saturday, May 7, 2011 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Lowe's: Mother's Day is May 8th. Bring your child to Lowe's and they can build this great Heart Flower Vase! (Flower not included) Saturday, May 7th at 10 am.
 
Pottery Barn Kids: Celebrate Mother's Day at the Mother's Day Doll Tea Party on Saturday, May 7th. Put on your finest and bring your child's favorite doll or teddy bear in for some refreshments, crafting and more! RSVP required. Call your store to reserve a spot!

Ruby Tuesdays: Mom will receive a complimentary Red Velvet Gourmet Cupcake on Mother's Day. Make a reservation today!

TCBY: They are offering FREE frozen yogurt for all moms!! The local Cleveland store is located in Richmond Heights.
 
Know of any other great freebees? Please comment and let me know!

4th Annual Mother's Day Peace Party in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens

You and your mother are invited to the 4th Annual Mother's Day Peace Party on Sunday, May 8th from 2-4 pm at the Indian Cultural Garden (the one with the statue of Gandhi) on Martin Luther King Blvd. Joan Southgate, the founder of Restore Cleveland Hope, will be the main speaker. There will be a music, refreshments, activities for the children, framed photos of your family taken at the Gandhi statue, and all of it FREE! Bring your mother or the mothering person in your life and enjoy a peaceful afternoon. For more information call Raj at 440-724-4398 or the Peace Action website at http://www.peaceactioncleveland.org/.

Sign Up for FREE Admission to the Cleveland Botanical Gardens on May 6th

Celebrate National Public Gardens Day on Friday, May 6th 2011 by visiting the Cleveland Botanical Gardens (or the public garden near you) for FREE!! Visit the Better Homes and Gardens website to sign up and receive FREE admission for you and your party of up to 10 people. Be ready to print your voucher when you sign up, as you can only sign up once per email account (and they don't email the voucher to you). The Garden is open from 10am-5pm on Fridays. Enjoy and share the deal!

22nd Annual Blossom Time Balloon Festival, May 27-30th

In Chagrin Falls, Ohio, about 20 hot air balloons each morning and evening of the festival will be taking flight this weekend at the 22nd Annual Blossom Time Balloon Festival. "It is an amazing and impressive sight to see the tall, brightly colored and stately balloons launch and soar. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and a picnic, sit back and watch the show. This is a great family event, a fantastic photo opportunity, and it’s FREE! The weekend will also include the 11th annual Blossom Glow, to take place at 8:00 pm at Chagrin Falls High School, Thursday, May 27th. As dusk nears, the balloons will lay out and inflate, tethered to the ground, for a beautiful twinkling dance, sure to light up your evening! All events take place at Chagrin Falls High School, located on East Washington Street, unless otherwise noted." The schedule for the festival is as follows:

Thursday May 27th Blossom Glow at 8:00 PM at CFHS
Friday May 28th Mass balloon ascension 6:30 pm at CFHS
Saturday May 29th Balloons fly in to CFHS field – 6:30 AM
Balloon launch from CFHS – 6:30 PM
Sunday May 30th Balloons fly in to CFHS field – 6:30 AM
Balloon launch from CFHS – 6:30 PM

http://www.chagrinballoonfest.com/index.html

Mayfest, a FREE Fine Arts Show in Berea

If you like fine arts and crafts, come out to Coe Lake in Berea, Ohio for the Fine Arts Show on Saturday, May 29th from 10-5 pm. Admission is free, and there will also be food vendors and live music. See the link below for more details as well as other upcoming events in Berea.

http://culturemob.com/events/6129003-mayfest-oh-berea-berea-oh-venue?near_to_date=1275184800

FREE Amusement Park Admission for Those in the Military

"FREE regular admission ticket to any active or retired military personnel on Sunday and Monday of both the Memorial Day and July 4th weekends. Along with free admission, active and retired members of the military will be able to purchase discounted admission tickets for members of their immediate family (maximum of six) at a special military discount price."
Offer good at Cedar Point, Kings Island, and Geauga Lake's Wildwater Kingdom, among others. See the link for more details, and enjoy!

http://www.cedarfair.com/tributetothearmedforces/index.cfm

Legacy Live, a FREE Summer Concert Series, Begins Tonight!

Every weekend from now until September you can stop by Legacy Village in Lyndhurst, Ohio and enjoy some live music, family entertainment, and special events from 7-10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 3-6 pm on Sundays. The live music features a variety of genres, from Pop, Rock & Motown to Jazz, Swing and everything in between, so there's sure to be something for everyone to enjoy! See the link below for the concert schedule.

http://www.legacy-village.com/events/2010/5/LegacyLiveSummerConcertSeries.html

Kids Eat FREE at Stir Crazy on Tuesdays and Thursdays

Unfortunately, next week will be the last week of this event, so hurry in next Tuesday, May 25th or Thursday, May 27th! Stir Crazy is located at Legacy Village in Lyndhurst, Ohio. Kids eat free after 4 pm with the purchase of an accompanying adult meal, and children under 10 are eligible. See the link below for more details. Enjoy!

http://www.legacy-village.com/events/2010/5/StirCrazyKidsEatFREE.html

Thomas the Train Arrives in Peninsula This Weekend

Train lovers of all ages should come down to the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad in Peninsula, Ohio on May 22, 23, 28, 29 or 30th to see a life size Thomas the Train pull into the station. If you actually want to take a ride on Thomas and meet Sir Topham Hatt it'll cost some money, and tickets can be purchased at http://www.cvsr.com/. But to just stop by, get a great look at Thomas, snap a few pictures, do some shopping at the local stores, and walk on the many miles of trails in Peninsula, it's absolutely FREE. Enjoy!

FREE Pierogi Festival at Parmatown Mall

Whether you are Polish or just love Pierogi's, come out for the Pierogi Festival this Saturday, May 22nd at Parmatown Mall in Parma, Ohio. There will be at least fifteen vendors, a magic performance, and as much polka music as you can handle. See the link below for more details as well as a list of where you can buy authentic pierogi's in the Cleveland area. Enjoy!

http://www.cleveland.com/taste/index.ssf/2010/03/stores_and_festivals_where_you.html

FREE Family Fun at the 4th Annual Chalk Art Fest and Music Fest in Medina, Ohio

Walk up and down the square in historic Medina, Ohio on Saturday, May 22 from 9-5pm and watch as professionals and students alike create beautiful and unique works of chalk art. The chalk masterpieces will be judged and awarded prizes, and you can even register for a spot on the square and create your own work of art! Stick around for the Medina Music Fest, which will begin on the Square at 2 pm and end at 10 pm. The fest will feature local talent performing live sets of jazz and rock & roll. Certainly a day of fun for the whole family! For more details, as well as other FREE upcoming events in Medina Square, see the link below, and enjoy your weekend!

http://www.mainstreetmedina.com/

Buy a Sandwich, Get One FREE at Einstein Bros Bagels

Go to the Einstein Bros Bagels fan page on Facebook, click on the "offers" tab, Fan their bagels, and print out a coupon for a buy one get one free Bagel Thins lunch sandwich. Perfect for you and a friend, the coupon is good from May 17-30. Fan and enjoy!

Rally in the Alley, a FREE Weekly Outdoor Concert Series

Rally in the Alley is a free outdoor concert series that runs every Friday night throughout the summer, starting on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend and ending in September. Held in Medina, Ohio, right off Public Square, this event benefits a different Medina County charity every week. Food and drinks are available to accompany the fantastic entertainment, and it's a night the whole family will enjoy! The event will open every week at 4:30 pm with the opening band taking the stage at 5:30 pm. See the link below for more details and the concert schedule!

http://www.themainstreetcafe.com/rally.php