Cleveland Beats & Eats Starts Tomorrow, 8/21!

Admission is FREE and open to the public! Cleveland Beats & Eats is an mid-day outdoor celebration of the diversity found in Cleveland, featuring local food (restaurants and vendors), live music, art, and culture. Come out an see the best of Cleveland!

Art in the Village at Legacy Village, June 2 & 3

Saturday, June 2, 10am-8pm 
Sunday, June 3, 10am-6pm

Come and see this unique and talented display of artist, handpicked by experts from hundreds of applicants. All artwork is original and made in the United States. There will be live music throughout the event featuring several different styles of music. Visit the Kid's Art Zone from noon-4pm Saturday and Sunday where children can create a piece of art to take home! There will be a special wine tasting from noon-6pm both days, food, shopping, and more! Admission and parking are FREE. For more information click here.

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)

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/.

FREE Live Music at The Hard Rock Cafe Battle of the Bands 2011

March 17, 2011 @ 7pm
Location: Hard Rock Cafe - Grand Staircase of Skylight Concourse in the Avenue at Tower City
Address: 230 West Huron Road, Suite 8575, Cleveland, OH 44113
Phone: 216-830-7625

The Hard Rock Cafe: Cleveland is proud to present a night of extraordinary live music talent! The lineup will consist of our three Battle of the Bands finalists who are competing for the opportunity to perform on the "Hard Rock Calling" stage in Hyde Park, England. This performance will be video recorded live to be used for the internet voting process. The Headliner for the evening will be college favorite "The Clarks" from Pittsburg, PA. The event is FREE and open to all ages. See their website for more details!

FREE St. Patrick's Day Activities at the Library

Here are some fun and FREE activities at various Cuyahoga County Public Library Branches in the area on St. Patrick's Day!

An Irish Pot 'O Fun
Thursday, March 17 from 4-5:00 p.m.
Registration Starts: Wednesday, December 08, 2010 9:00 AM
Bay Village Branch: Meeting Room
For students in grades K-3.
Calling all leprechauns! Enjoy a St. Patrick's Day story, participate in fun activities and create a craft full of Irish magic. Registration required.

St.Patrick's Day Party
Thursday, March 17, 2011 4:15 PM
Registration Starts: Monday, February 07, 2011 9:00 AM
Solon Branch: Meeting Room
Join us for a celebration of everything Irish! Learn about Ireland through games, crafts, and music. For grades K - 3. Registration is required.

Irish Music with Terry McKnight
Thursday, March 17, 2011 7:00 PM
South Euclid - Lyndhurst Branch: great hall
Singer-songwriter/guitarist Terry McKnight will entertain with an evening of traditional Irish music and songs.
Please join us! Registration is requested.

For more information visit the CCPL website.

The 2011 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Downtown Cleveland

Join the festivities at this year's St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17th at 1:04 pm. The Parade will begin at the intersection of Superior Ave. and East 18th St. and end at Public Square. Don't miss all the dancers, live entertainment, bagpipers, and more! See the Cleveland's St. Patrick's Day Blog for more details!

FREE Winter Activities This Weekend at Fight the Frost Festival

Saturday, February 12, Canal Way Center in Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation in Cuyahoga Heights. Join in the fun to encourage Northeast Ohioans to quit hibernating and enjoy the winter season. The center staff has planned a fun-filled afternoon of FREE activities inside and outside. The “Fight the Frost Festival” features snowshoeing, winter hikes, nature crafts, bird watching, a puppet show, children’s nature music, and more. Plus, a great way to warm up will be sipping hot chocolate and munching on a few cookies. And while there, build and design a birdhouse with Earth Words Nature Shop. Choose from three different designs and use slotted natural wood for easy assembly. Earth Words will provide markers to decorate the birdhouse, twine to hang, and tips on where to hang it in backyards. Birdhouse kits are only $4. Canal Way Center is located on Whittlesey Way, off the East 49th Street entrance of Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation, between Grant Avenue and Canal Road in Cuyahoga Heights – just off the I-77/Grant Avenue exit. For more information, call 216-206-1000.

Visit this link to view other fun outdoor activities happening this week!

The FREE Holiday Event of the Season: CircleFest Is December 5th!

Start off the holiday season with a trip to the 17th Annual Holiday CircleFest. It’s the perfect way to experience University Circle, FREE of charge. From 1:00-5:30 p.m., more than 20 of University Circle’s renowned museums, gardens, galleries, churches, and schools open their doors and offer an afternoon of activities, food, and shopping.

Visitors can look forward to a gingerbread house competition, live music performances, trees with themed decorations, a singing Santa, and even live reindeer. This year, Wade Oval becomes Cleveland’s Central Park with free horse-drawn carriage rides. Or, for a slightly warmer mode of transportation, UCI will provide free shuttle buses to escort guests to the different activity sites. From 5:30-6:00 p.m., the activities conclude with The Cleveland Museum of Art’s dramatic Winter Lights Lantern Procession on Wade Oval. Perhaps the most highly anticipated activity of Holiday CircleFest is The Rink at Wade Oval. Admission to The Rink is free, and skate rentals are only $3.
 
Rough Schedule of Events:
The Rink at Wade Oval: 1:00-7:00 p.m.
Free horse-drawn carriage rides (Wade Oval): 1:00-5:00 p.m.
Activities: 1:00-5:30 p.m.
Winter Lights Lantern Procession on Wade Oval: 5:30 p.m.

Visit the website for the HUGE list of fun things to do! There is certainly something for everyone. Enjoy!

Holiday Program of Music and Lights in Wade Chapel

Dec. 4th from 1-4 p.m.
Join us for our 16th Annual Holiday Program of Music and Lights in Wade Chapel. With merry music, bright candles, and the lovely chapel surroundings, your spirits are sure to get a lift for the season. No charge, reservations are requested, as we have limited seating. Visit the website for more details!

Don't Miss Winterfest 2010 in Public Square This Saturday!

This year, Public Square will be packed with concerts and activities for the whole family leading up to the Official Winterfest Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:00 pm! The fun kicks off on the Square at 12 noon this Saturday, November 27th.

The schedule of events is as follows:
12:00-3:30p.m., Live Broadcast of OSU/Michigan Game
1:00-5:00p.m., Free Horse-Drawn Carriage rides
3:00-7:00p.m., Winterfest Village, including family-friendly activities, food, music & more!
3:00-6:00p.m., Stage Show & Radio Disney Holiday Concert
6:00-7:30p.m., Official Public Square Lighting Ceremony, Concert and Fireworks
7:30-8:30p.m., Public After Party at the Higbee Building. Visit with Santa, free refreshments, and live music!

Visit the link for more details, and enjoy your holiday weekend!!

FREE Veggie Tales Christmas Album Download at Amazon

Download an MP3 of the Veggie Tales Christmas Album The Incredible Singing Christmas Tree at Amazon.com while supplies last!

FREE Songs for Your MP3 Player

Amazon.com features a FREE Song of the Day that will play on any MP3 Player. It also offers hundreds of free songs and albums in the Free Songs & Special Deals Section of its site.

Starbucks offers a FREE Pick of the Week each week at it's stores. Here's how to get it:
1.Come into one of our stores and log on our free Wi-Fi
2.Click into the Starbucks Digital Network
3.Find the Entertainment section
4.Locate iTunes Pick of the Week and Download it.

Kids Eat FREE at Claddagh on Halloween

Kids Eat Free at Claddagh on Halloween, Sunday, October 31 - All Day (11:00 AM - 11:30 PM). Check out Haunted Claddagh! Claddagh has transformed into a "haunted pub" for Halloween. Come on in for our Trick or Treat too! Coloring Contest for the kids. Live Irish band from 6-9pm. Claddagh Irish Pub is located in Legacy Village.

Your Guide to Fun & FREE Halloween Events in Cleveland

Northeast Ohio Halloween Trick-or-Treat Times
Click here to find out when trick-or-treating is scheduled near you!

Trick-or-Treating at Parmatown Mall
Friday, October 22, 5-7 pm
Trick-or-Treating comes early this year at Parmatown Mall! Dress your little monster up to trick-or-treat throughout Parmatown Mall on Friday, October 22 from 6-7 pm. Come early for a costume contest with prizes from 5-6 pm at the main stage. The Rockin Kids Club is unable to perform before mall trick or treating. For Children 10 and under please. Trick-or-Treating at Parmatown Mall is sponsored by Parma Community General Hospital.

Storytime: Halloween
Saturday, October 23 at 11:00am
Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Legacy Village
Trick or Treat?! Come in costume, if you’d like, for this spooky storytime! We’ll read some fun Halloween books, sing scary songs, and snack on candy corn! Children are welcome to stay for a special Halloween craft following storytime!

Old Brooklyn Community Fall-O-Ween Festival
Saturday, October 23, 2010, 12-4 pm
4229 Pearl Rd. on Devonshire
Trick-or-Treat bags and refreshments for the first 500 children that sign in! Loads of family fun, entertainment, 50/50 raffle, magician, zoo animal games, music, and best costume contest! All ages welcome.

Great Pumpkin Party
Saturday, October 23, 1-4 pm
South Chagrin Reservation, Look About Lodge
Come anytime between the hours below to Look About Lodge for a celebration of pumpkin proportions! Wear your costume, bring a pumpkin to decorate, and sample sweet and savory pumpkin platters. Be ready for the “Great Pumpkin Fling” of 2010. Great gourds! It’s fun for everyone!

Westfield Family Spooktacular
Join us for what is sure to be the most Spooktacular event of the Halloween season at Southpark Mall. WFamily members will enjoy this free event, featuring:

Saturday, October 23, 12pm–5pm
• Halloween Costume Parade*
• Arts & Crafts Activities
• "Boo Book" of Savings
• Enter to Win an Entertainment System
*RSVP by 10.21 to participate in the Halloween Costume Parade and receive a free Halloween gift.

Sunday, October 24, 11am–3pm
• Spooky Kooky Charity Carnival
• “Boo Book” of Savings
• Enter to Win an Entertainment System
• Trick-or-Treat Scavenger Hunt
(To participate, donate 1 can of food to the Cleveland Food Bank and help "Scare Away Hunger.")

Take a moment and join WFamily (it's FREE!). RSVP for this event at Westfield Concierge or by calling 440.238.9000.
*Spend $150 at Westfield retailers on 10.30 and 10.31 and receive a $15 gift card.

Family Night Halloween Festival at Chick-fil-A
Tuesday, October 26, 5:30-7:30 pm
Chick-fil-A in North Olmsted
Come for the free Halloween Festival featuring face painting with Tracey, crafts, games, "Sneakers the Clown," balloons & tattoo's, decorate your own treat bag and pumpkin, and make your own ice cream sundae! And as always, kids get a FREE 4-count Kid's Nugget Meal with the purchase of an adult meal.

Harvest Party & Bible Heroes Costume Party
Wednesday, October 27 2010, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Grace Church, in the Activity Center
Harvest Party is for children in grades 1-6. Children must be accopanied by an adult. Invite family, friends and neighbor's kids to this safe evening filled with games, giant slide, candy and lots of FUN! Cute and creative costumes are welcome.
Bible Heroes Costume Party is for children 4 years old, Pre-K and Kindergarten. Dress in your favorite Bible hero costume. Enjoy an evening with special surprises, candy, prizes, games and lot of fun.

Family Fun Day: Pumpkins & Scarecrows
Friday, October 29, 3-7 pm
Ages: kids at heart!
Come make a mess at the Garfield Park Nature Center! You can make a jack-o-lantern, painted pumpkin or scarecrow. We will have the leaves (for stuffing), the patterns, paints and safety knives. We will also have samples of pumpkin snacks. You just bring the pumpkin, old clothes and your imagination. Time slots are available every half hour. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture the memories! Registration recommended/walk-ins will be fit in as space allows: 216-341-3152.

How to Draw Something Spooky
Friday, October 29, 2010 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Brooklyn Branch of the CCPL
In the mood for drawing something creepy and spooky? Come to our class and draw something just in time for Halloween. Space is limited. For grades 5-8 only.

Family Friday Night: Pumpkin Carving
Friday, October 29, 6:30-8:30 pm
North Chagrin Nature Center
Ages: 5 years & older with adult, adults
Bring a pumpkin to carve and have fun as you make a mess being creative. We’ll supply the patterns and safe knives. Register beginning October 1: 440-473-3370.

Family Halloween Event at Michael's Craft Stores
Saturday, Oct. 30 from 10 AM to 2 PM
Includes Duck Tape Cuff Make-It Take-Its, Face Painting and Halloween Parade.

Parma Heights Baptist Church Fall Festival
Saturday, October 30 from 12:30-3pm
Come join families in our community for a FREE fall festival as an alternative to Trick-or-treating at Parma Heights Baptist Church. There will be tons of games, candy, movies and popcorn, doughnuts and cider, a craft, and so much more! Bring your children for this free event! Friendly costumes are encouraged.

Halloween Spooktacular
Saturday, October 30, 11am-12pm
Registration Starts: Wednesday, September 08, 2010 9:00 AM
Parma-Ridge Branch of the CCPL: storyroom
Halloween Party for Ages 3-8. Registration required.
Come for a spooky- but not too spooky party. Kids are encouraged to wear their costumes. Children must have a release form signed by a parent or legel guardian prior to the program to have the snack.

Halloween Magic and More
Saturday, October 30, 2010 10:00 AM
Registration Starts: Thursday, September 16, 2010 9:00 AM
Parma-Snow Branch of the CCPL
Enjoy a spectacular magic show with the fantastic Rick Smith, Jr., at 10:00 AM. Then trick-or-treat around the library for cool (although non-edible) treats and make some spooky walk-in crafts. Make sure to wear your costume--optional costume contest at 11:30 AM with fun prizes for various age groups.
All ages. Registration required.

Family Halloween Celebration
Saturday, October 30, 2010 11:30 AM
Registration Starts: Wednesday, September 08, 2010 9:00 AM
Solon Branch of the CCPL: Meeting Room
Families with children ages 3-6 may join us for some not so scary Halloween fun! Registration required. Click on program name for details.

Joseph-Beth Halloween Party!
Saturday, October 30 at 12:00-3:00PM
Join us for our annual Joseph-Beth Booksellers Halloween party! Throughout the event kids can trick-or-treat, get their face painted, make crafts, play games, win prizes and explore our spooky “Goosebumps” inspired haunted room. Show up in costume to receive a special discount coupon and Bronte Bistro specials. All ages welcome!

Halloween Hoopla
Saturday, October 30, 1-4 pm
Rocky River Nature Center
Ages: 12 years & under with adult
Get into your costumes early and come to Rocky River Nature Center for lots of fun activities to get you geared up for an evening of trick or treating in your neighborhood. Stories, live animals, crafts, and scavenger hunts are part of the celebration.

2nd Annual Crocker Park Pet Parade and Costume Contest
Sunday, October 31, 12-4pm
Featuring trick-or-treating, games and more, the afternoon event is fun for both kids and their four-legged friends at Crocker Park. The Pet Parade begins at 12:30 p.m., and winners are crowned at 1 p.m. Owners may register their costumed pets starting at noon. Registration is $5. All proceeds benefit the Cleveland Animal Protective League.
The schedule of events at the Crocker Park Pet Parade and Costume Contest is as follows:
12 p.m. Registration for participating costumed pets
12:30 p.m. Pet Costume Parade
1 p.m. Contest awards
2:00-4:00 p.m. Trick-or-Treating (at participating stores)
Brain Drain Prize Game (at Learning Express Toys)
4:15 p.m. Announcement of Coloring Contest Winner at Nicky Nicole (Contest begins a week prior at Nicky Nicole, call 440-835-1223 for details)
For more information about this event contact Guest Services at 440-871-6880.

If you know of any family-friendly events or activities that aren't mentioned, please post them on facebook so we can get a good list going! Thanks!

Bay Village Bicentennial on 10/10/10

A full weekend of FREE activities has been planned to celebrate Bay Village's 200th anniversary, the weekend of October 10, or "10.10.10." Mark your calendar for the "Family Fun Day" in Cahoon Memorial Park on Saturday, October 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (food, games, demonstrations and children's activities in Cahoon Memorial Park all day, plus encampment groups with demonstrations and re-enactments in the Cahoon Creek valley), and Sunday, October 10, for the grand parade and official "Lighting of Bay" ceremonies from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be continuous FREE trolley shuttle service from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Cahoon Memorial Park to activities at the library, BAYarts, Lake Erie Nature & Science enter and Lakeside Cemetery. View the LENSC Itinerary here for other fun FREE-bees http://www.lensc.org/documents/BayBicentennial.pdf. Visit http://baybicentennial.com/?page=itinerary to view the complete weekend itinerary and for other details. Enjoy!

Mums, Music, and More at the Annual Barberton Mum Fest This Weekend

The 20th Annual Barberton Mum Fest featuring MUMS, MUSIC and MORE! 20,000 mums in full bloom - more than one million blooms, plus FREE ADMISSION, Fabulous Food, FREE Musical Entertainment, Historical Displays, Kid's Place, Water Ski Shows, Canoe Races, Arts and Crafts, and Sand Sculpting.
It all takes place this weekend, September 25 & 26, from 10am-6pm at Lake Anna Park. See the link below for directions and the schedule of events, and enjoy!

http://www.cityofbarberton.com/govt/MumFest/

Murray Hill Art Walk, October 1-3

It’s that time for the year’s second Art Walk in Little Italy! Wine, Dine and Shop your way through the famous galleries in Little Italy for three full days! Meet visiting artists from around the world and local artists. Receptions, entertainment and beautiful art all weekend starting Friday, October first. Valet parking starts Friday night on Mayfield Rd. for visitor’s convenience. This event is FREE, and the Art Walk hours are as follows:

Friday, October 1: Noon to 9PM
Saturday, October 2: Noon to 9PM
Sunday, October 3: Noon to 6PM

Visit the webiste for more details, and enjoy! http://clevelandlittleitaly.com/art-walk/

7th Annual Fall Festival in Old Brooklyn on September 25th

Come join hundreds of other Clevelanders for a completely FREE Fall Festival at Grace Church in Old Brooklyn on Saturday, September 25 from 12-4 pm. Lunch, games, and music are all FREE for kids and adults alike, so bring your friends and family for some fun! This year's event features bouncy houses, arts and crafts, basketball, balloon animals, haircuts, massages, and more! Grace church is located at 2503 Broadview Rd, Cleveland OH 44109. Enjoy!