FREE Swimming Lessons in Cleveland 2012

(Photo Credit)

Did you know that there are many places around the Cleveland area where your kids can learn to swim for FREE?? That would save you an average of $40/session, but the free sessions will probably be more crowded. If you would rather avoid the crowds and pay, check with your local recreation center for their swimming schedule.

The City of Cleveland offers FREE Learn to Swim Classes for kids ages 8-17. There are youth an adult programs available. Click here to view the flyer and find a pool near you! Click here to view the complete schedules of local Recreation Centers and Pools in Cleveland.

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 Fun in the Water at Splash Pads in Cleveland

(Photo Credit: Crocker Park)

There are several Splash Pads in the Greater Cleveland area, and they are a free, safe way to have fun in the water this summer! They are open for the season starting Memorial Day (when the temperature reaches 80 degrees) and close on Labor Day. These are the ones that I'm aware of, and the details are as follows:

North Ridgeville Splash Pad, located in South Central Park. This splash park is completely fenced in and good for small children. Open daily from 10am-9pm, Memorial Day to Labor Day. Click here for more details. As of this summer in 2012, this splash pad is now open only to residents of North Ridgeville.

Medina Splash Pad, located in Fred Greenwood Park on West Sturbridge Drive across from A.I. Root Middle School. Open 11am-8pm, Memorial Day to Labor Day. Click here for more details.

Lake Ridge Academy Splash Zone in Westlake, located in Crocker Park off the roundabout right behind Game Stop. Open Memorial Day to Labor Day, from 10am-4pm and again from 7pm-10pm every day (Sunday hours are 11am-4pm only). Children must wear shoes.

Old Brooklyn Splash Pad, located in Loew Park. Newly constructed in 2011. Splash pad and 3 ft. pool open daily at 12pm.

There are many other Splash Pads located in parks throughout the Cleveland area. They are open when the weather hits 80 degrees from 11am-6pm, Memorial Day thru Labor Day. The parks are listed below:

Arthur Johnston Park (E. 147th & Seville)
Carol McClendon (East 98 & Union)
Charles Orr (Ansel & Lamont)
Easton (E. 88th & Union)
Emery (West 130 & I - 71)
Fairview Park (W. 38th & Franklin)
Grant (E. 38th & Central)
Halloran Park (West 117th & Linnet)
Irma (E. 74th & Irma)
Lincoln Park (Tremont)
Mercedes Cotner (W. 95th & Maywood)
Moulton/Scoutway (E. 115th & Moulton)
R.J. Taylor (Melville Rd. & Nottingham)
Regent (E. 70th & Regent)
Roberto Clemente (West 38th & Seymour)
Rockefeller Park (East 105 & MLK Blvd)
Trent (W. 40th & Trent)
Village Green (Olmsted Falls)

Enjoy!