Ohioans love to celebrate just about everything – from fruits and vegetables to rock-and-roll to pro football. With a fun-loving culture infused with influences and traditions from all over the world, Ohioans gather and party like no one else can.
Summer is a busy festival season all over the Buckeye State, as locals and visitors treat themselves to a series of fun events.
In Metro Cleveland alone, there are dozens of fairs, festivals and other events offering something for everyone. Here are just a few of them:
Summer Solstice Party
For the eight year in a row, the Cleveland Museum of Art will be hosting Solstice, an art and music festival celebrating the official start of summer. This year, the event takes place on Saturday, June 25, within the museum grounds.
Several musical acts from around the world are scheduled to perform in two center stages. This year’s Solstice is an even more special occasion as it coincides with the museum’s Centennial Festival Weekend.
Ohio Scottish Games
Many Ohioans have a strong Scottish heritage, and they take to the highlands in the annual Ohio Scottish Games. To be held at the Lorain County Fairgrounds on June 24 and 25 this year, the event will feature competitions on highland dancing, fiddle, harp, and pipes and drums.
The festival’s highlight is a sporting competition featuring original Highland Games events, such as the caber toss, the Scottish hammer throw, and the weight throw.
Annual Irish Cultural Festival
On its 34th year, Cleveland’s Irish Cultural Festival celebrates the locals’ pride in their Irish roots. To be held on July 22 to 24 at the Cuyahoga County Fair Grounds, the festival features various activities for the entire family, such as the Tir Na nOg Children’s Area and the Byrne McCaffrey Workshops & Stage.
As in previous years, there will be plenty of Irish dancing, Celtic music, Irish plays, and Irish food and crafts.
The Family Unity in the Park
This annual one-day event celebrates what its name says: family unity. Featuring day-long activities for the entire family and a free concert, the event is a community-wide family picnic. Attendees can bring their own picnic baskets and grills, but they can also buy food from the wide array of vendors at the event.
To be held at Luke Easter Park on July 30 this year, the Festival will feature a health fair with free screening services by the Cleveland Clinic and the City of Cleveland Mobile Health Care unit.
Cuyahoga County Fair
Celebrating its 120th year, the Cuyahoga County Fair is set to open its doors for a week-long of fun and festivities on August 8 to 12. The fair is widely-anticipated each year by county residents and visitors alike. It features dozens of rides, attractions, food vendors, live music, crafts and many more, spread across various venues on the sprawling Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds.
Warehouse District Festival
Happening on August 7th, the annual Warehouse District Festival is a day-long celebration featuring food and drinks from Cleveland’s best restaurants and bars, live music, circus acts and other performances, art demos, an architectural walking tour, residential open houses, and many more.
Warehouse District is Cleveland’s first neighborhood and oldest commercial center. The festival gives attendees a chance to explore and learn more about the area’s rich history and culture.