Hand Feed a Chickadee Every Weekend at the Brecksville Nature Center

Generations of visitors have experienced the thrill of feeding a free-flying bird that lands in your hand. Now it’s your turn! We’ll provide a handful of sunflower seeds and instructions. Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. - noon at the Brecksville Nature Center.

FallFest: A FREE 18th Century Festival in the Cleveland Metroparks

No radio, cell phones, TV, Playstation, not even telephones – how did colonial people get by? Experience a day-in-the-life of an 18th century colony at the free “FallFest: 18th Century Festival”. Enjoy a variety of hands-on early settlers arts and crafts, including: candle dipping, quilting, stenciling, quill pen writing, reed ornaments, carding wool, dying wool with natural dyes, and more. Event-goers can also sample a variety of 18th century traditional foods, such as fresh-pressed apple cider, butter, cornbread, honey, and more.

Sunday, September 26
11 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Meadows Picnic Area
Brecksville Reservation • Brecksville

Calling All Kids 12 and Under! Print out and color in the FallFest logo coloring page and redeem the finished coloring page at The Big Show Catering concession stand at FallFest for a FREE treat! And, redeem the attached coupon to The Big Show catering concession stand for a Buy One Hot Dog, and Get One FREE at FallFest! Visit http://www.clemetparks.com/events/fall_fest2.asp for the coloring page and other details.

Chalk Festival at the Cleveland Museum of Art, Septemeber 18 & 19

"Children and adults enjoy this annual event where community members join professional artists in using the walkways around the Fine Arts Garden as a colorful canvas. Begun in 1990, our festival is a modern expression of a Renaissance tradition from 16th-century Italy, in which beggars copied paintings of the Madonna by Raphael and his contemporaries, using chalk on the plazas outside cathedrals. Watching the chalk artists and enjoying the entertainment is FREE." See the link for more details, and enjoy!
http://www.clevelandart.org/

FREE Admission to Cleveland's Ingenuity Fest

September 24-26 at the Detroit Superior Bridge. "The Ingenuity Festival is Cleveland’s annual weekend-long celebration of art and technology, designed for audiences of any age and experience, staged in Downtown Cleveland. Prominent international masters present original works alongside the finest of Northeast Ohio’s performing and visual artists. High technology firms and major colleges and universities are presented alongside acclaimed artists to create a dazzling display of exciting and immersive new work. Ingenuity pushes boundaries, creating a unique festival experience that draws and celebrates diversity, and involves the audience as both spectator and participant." See the link for the schedule and more details.
http://ingenuitycleveland.com/

Learn How to Throw a Boomerang for FREE

Come learn about boomerangs and how to throw them at Howe Meadow in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, located at 4040 Riverview Rd in Peninsula. Class dates are June 30th, 6-8pm; July 18th, 2-4pm; Aug 21st, 2-4pm; and Aug 22nd, 11am-4pm. Bring your own boomerang or use the ones provided.

Check out http://www.nps.gov/cuva/index.htm for other things to do and enjoy while spending time in the CVNP.

The FREE Summer in the City Festival in Middleburg Heights

This festival takes place from June 25-27th on Smith Road (between W 130th and Pearl) in Middleburg Heights. Enjoy a wide variety of family-friendly activities, including parades, fireworks, a car show, food, live concerts, rides and games. Free admission and parking. See the link for a schedule of events and times. Enjoy!

http://www.summerinthecityfest.com/

The 7th Annual Avon Heritage Duct Tape Festival Father's Day Weekend

"The seventh annual Avon Heritage Duct Tape Festival will kick off on June 18, 2010, just in time to celebrate Father’s Day. The festival will be an all-weekend event starting Friday at 4:00 p.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Avon, Ohio. This three-day event celebrates duct tape, its enthusiasts and its wacky and fun uses. The festival also honors the history and heritage of the city that is proclaimed the “Duct Tape Capital” of the world—Avon, Ohio—the home of Duck brand duct tape. From sculptures and fashion to games and a parade, everything at the festival revolves around duct tape and the wonderful City of Avon."

See http://avonducttapefestival.com/ for more information, and enjoy!

27th Annual Art by the Falls on June 12th and 13th

"The annual Art by the Falls outdoor fine art and fine craft festival is held every summer at Riverside Park in downtown Chagrin Falls. This year's festival will be held June 12th from 10am to 7pm and June 13th from 11am to 5pm. Each year, VAC presents a diverse group of talented artists working in a variety of media including ceramics, drawing, painting, glass, jewelry, apparel, metal sculpture, photography, prints, weaving and woodcarving." Visit http://valleyartcenter.org/artbythefalls.htm for more details.

Check out http://www.artfaircalendar.com/ for art fair event listings nationwide, including fine art shows in Ohio. Subscribe to their mailing list and be notified of all the free art shows in the area!

Art and Play Family Day, FREE Family Fun at the Cleveland Museum of Art

"Celebrate the newly opened galleries with a free event for families and the young at heart. Art making, gallery adventures, storytellers, drumming and dancing, and an artist carving demonstration by Yacouba Bonde and his assistant, Aboulaye Ouedrango." Event takes place on Sunday, June 27th from 12:30-4 pm. http://www.clevelandart.org/

"Knee High Naturalists," a FREE Nature Event for Preschoolers on June 13th

"Most young children want to explore and try new things, but are often told they are too young. But, not this time! Cleveland Metroparks encourages young children to explore, play, learn, and more at the “Knee-High Naturalists” event. The event is geared towards preschoolers, ages 2 to 6. The “knee-high naturalists” will play and learn all afternoon with many fun-filled and educational activities. They can play nature games, make nature crafts, play in the “discovery sandbox,” or have their face painted, refreshments for sale, and more!"
This event takes place on Sunday, June 13th from 12-4pm at the Arboretum, located off Arbor Lane in South Chagrin Reservation, north of Cannon Road in Bentleyville. See the link below for more details!

http://www.clemetparks.com/events/kneehigh.asp

Cars, Crafts, and Strawberry Fest at Mapleside Farms

Come to this Festival at Mapleside Farms in Brunswick, Ohio on Sunday, June 13th from 10am-4pm to see over 40 vendors and enjoy foods like Apple Butter Barbeque Ribs, Sausage Sandwiches, Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Homegrown Strawberries & Ice Cream, Strawberry Shortcake, and Strawberry Pie. Admission is FREE. See the link for more details. Enjoy!

http://www.mapleside.com/Car%20Show%20poster%202010.pdf

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

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

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!