Lake Erie Wine Festival

Today is the Summer Solstice, better known as the first day of summer, and the weather seems to be (so far) cooperating beautifully. If you're looking for a fun day trip this weekend, take a drive out to Geneva for the Lake Erie Wine Festival.

Held on the shores of Lake Erie at Geneva-on-the-Lake, visitors will be able to take in the sights while sampling some of the finest wine in Northeast Ohio. Sixteen Ohio-based wineries will bring their best red and white wines with them to be sampled during the weekend.

New to the festival is a wine tasting adventure. For an additional $5, guests will have the chance to participate in a brief wine class and learn the basics of making quality wine and how to use a wine wheel. Visitors will be able to explore the wineries and sample special wines in one of three different "adventure flights."

Wine related artists and crafters will also have their wares on display throughout the festival.

Adult wine tasting tickets cost $25 and include admission, one wine glass, one tasting guide and 15 sampling tickets. Designated drivers and guests under 21 can purchase tickets for $10.

Lake Erie Wine Festival hours:
Saturday, June 22 from 1-8 p.m.
Sunday, June 23 from 1-8 p.m.

For more information or directions, visit Geneva Landing.

Strongsville City Club Rib Burnoff

Now in its 27th year, the Rib Burnoff will return to Strongsville tomorrow and will last into the weekend.

Although not the biggest rib burnoff in Northeast Ohio, the event usually draws around 20,000 visitors to Strongsville. About a dozen local rib vendors will cook up their best ribs to be entered into competitions and sampled by hungry visitors. Judges from the Culinary Institute will name winners for "Best Ribs," "Best Sauce" and "People's Choice" Saturday night.

The festival is geared toward carnivores, but vegetarians will be able to enjoy some of the food as well. Grilled vegetables, sweet potato fries, roasted corn, bloomin' onions, pierogies, funnel cakes and chocolate covered strawberries will all be sold throughout the weekend.

Besides food, the event also boasts musical acts. Midnight Groove will take the stage Thursday night, while Funkology will perform Friday evening. Saturday's line-up features Victor Samalot, the Olmsted Performing Arts Dance Company and Dr. Mo with Monica Robins.

Tickets for adults are $2 each. Kids 10 and under and all active members of the Armed Services are free. All visitors can receive free admission on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Strongsville City Club.

The rib burnoff takes place on the Strongsville Commons located at the corner of State Route 82/Royalton Road and State Route 42/Pearl Road.

Strongsville City Club Rib Burnoff hours:
Thursday, June 20 from 4-11 p.m.
Friday, June 21 from 3-11 p.m.
Saturday, June 22 from noon-11 p.m.

For more information or directions, visit Strongsville City Club.

53rd annual Kirtland Kiwanis Strawberry Festival

It's Father's Day weekend, which means the Strawberry Festival is once again returning to Lake County.

Held annually in June at Kirtland High School, the festival celebrates all things strawberry. From strawberry shortcakes to hand dipped chocolate covered strawberries to strawberry sundaes, this festival will have plenty of treats for everybody.

Like most carnivals, the festival will feature carnival rides and games for children. A parade will course through Kirtland at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Miss Kirtland will be crowned Saturday night and live entertainment will be performed throughout the weekend. A flea market also will be set up each day of the festival with antiques and unique household items for sale.

Proceeds from the festival benefit the Kiwanis Club of Kirtland to provide student scholarships, educational materials, and support for community recreational groups and the less fortunate.

Admission to the festival is free.

Kirtland Kiwanis Strawberry Festival hours:
Thursday, June 13 from 6-11 p.m.
Friday, June 14 from 6-11 p.m.
Saturday, June 15 from noon-11 p.m.
Sunday, June 16 from noon-6 p.m.

For more information or directions visit Kirtland Ohio.

Shoes 'n Brews

Ready to drink for a good cause?

Glenwillow Grille in Solon will host the first ever Shoes 'n Brews fundraiser this Thursday. Proceeds from the evening will benefit Peach's Neet Feet. Started in 2011, the non-profit organization donates hand-painted shoes to children with disabilities or children who are fighting serious illnesses. Each pair of shoes is customized to reflect that child's interests and passion.

Six area artists will be selling their artwork at the event with a portion of the proceeds going toward Peach's Neet Feet. Jonah Koslin, an original member of the Michael Stanley band, will give a special performance and the Sugarcreek Acoustic duo will provide live music throughout the night. The event will also include a raffle and silent auction, with prizes such as a private dinner and brewery tour at Great Lakes Brewing Co. and original artwork by local artists up for bid.

Tickets for the event are $25 each and include a raffle ticket, appetizers and one Great Lakes Brewing Co. beer or glass of select wine.

Shoes 'n Brews hours:
Thursday, June 13 from 5:30-9:30 p.m.

To purchase tickets, call the Glenwillow Grille and ask for Jen at 440-786-0100 or email catering@glenwillowgrille.com. For more information visit Peach's Neet Feet.

24th Parade the Circle

Photo courtesy beckcenter.org.

University Circle's biggest and brightest event of the summer is coming to Wade Oval this Saturday.

For more than 20 years, the Cleveland Museum of Art has been hosting the annual Parade the Circle. The event brings together art, music and live entertainment for all ages.

The highlight of the event is the parade that kicks off at noon at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Hundreds of participants will be dressed in intricate costumes and colorful masks. Unique artwork will come alive as puppets, floats and stilt-dancers make their way along Wade Oval. The theme for this year's parade is Sol de Luna Nueva, or Sunshine of the New Moon.

After the parade be sure to stick around the neighborhood for more activities. Local businesses will set up booths and offer a variety of workshops. Four bands will provide live entertainment on the Kulas Stage throughout the day, and numerous food vendors will be selling lunch and dessert. All of the area's museums will be open on Saturday.

Can't make it to the parade? Check out the parade's livestream at clevelandart.org. with encore showings all weekend.

The parade and activities are free and open to the public. Parking is available at the Cleveland Museum of Art for $10.

Parade the Circle hours:
Saturday, June 8 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

For more information or directions, visit Cleveland Art.

Side note:This post marks my 100th post as a blogger for Days of Youth. I'd like to give a special thanks to everyone who continues to read my blog. I hope you continue to read and please share with your friends!

Little Italy Art Walk and Venetian Carnival

Cleveland's historic Little Italy neighborhood is gearing up for this month's art walk and adding a special twist this time around.

Art walks take place on weekends throughout the year and provide the boutiques and restaurants that line Mayfield Road with a chance to showcase their products and services. This month's art walk will be no different.

Many of the boutiques and art galleries located in Little Italy are bringing in artwork and jewelry made by nationally recognized artists for this weekend only. The neighborhood's restaurants, many of them family-owned, will offer wine and food specials. Most stores will offer extended hours through the weekend.

New to this year's art walk is the addition of a Venetian Carnival. Mayfield Road and Murray Hill will be filled with period Venetian masks and costumes depicting the historic Venetian Carnival that takes place each year in Venice, Italy. Visitors will be able to take part in the carnival by making masks or helping to paint a special community mural.

This cultural art festival is free and open to the public. Valet parking begins at 5 p.m. on Friday and will be available throughout the weekend.

Little Italy Art Walk and Venetian Carnival hours:
Friday, June 7 from noon-9 p.m.
Saturday, June 8 from noon-9 p.m.
Sunday, June 9 from noon-6 p.m.

For more information or directions visit Little Italy Cleveland.