Martin Luther King Jr. Day Events

Martin Luther King Jr. was an extraordinary orator, influential leader and a true visionary. Due to his great achievements, we observe an official holiday every third Monday in January in honor of Dr. King. Since it's an official holiday, many of us will have the day off from school and work. If you're looking for a fun way to spend MLK Day this year, check out some of the events below.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast Celebration. This is the 13th year that the Marriott Hotel in downtown Cleveland has hosted this celebration. This year's keynote speaker will be Cleveland Browns linebacker James-Michael Johnson. For ticket information, call 216-229-0306 no later than noon Sunday. 7:30 a.m.

Great Lakes Science Center. Free admission all day. OMNIMAX rates still apply. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage. Free admission, musical performance and a screening of the award-winning play "A Conversation After a Funeral." 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Cleveland Museum of Art. Free admission, family-friendly activities and the opening of the new interactive gallery, Gallery One. 11 a.m.

Cleveland Botanical Garden. Free admission to the public. 1-4 p.m.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. The Rock Hall will offer free admission for the 12th straight year. A continuous screening of the "I Have a Dream" speech will take place inside the Foster Theater. A handful of live bands will perform on the main stage, including the Distinguished Gentlemen of the Spoken Word, all-female band Women in the Spirit, cover band Tra-la-la, Antioch Spiritual Arts Choir, R&B artist Diamond Carter and multi-platinum artist Bobby V. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Tribe Fest 2013

Even though opening day isn't for a few more months, the Indians are celebrating baseball season early this year with a new event, Tribe Fest.

This is the first year the Indians will be hosting Tribe Fest. The two-day event is designed as a way to connect fans with the players on the team and give them exclusive access to the field and its facilities. Activities will include youth baseball clinics, tours of the Indian's clubhouse and indoor batting cages, and a chance to meet players on the team, including Vinnie Pestano, Jason Kipnis, Carlos Santana, Lonnie Chisenhall and manager Terry Francona.

Tribe Fest will be held at Progressive Field. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 years old and under.

Tribe Fest 2013 hours:
Saturday, Jan. 19 from noon-6 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 20 from noon-6 p.m.

For more information about this event, visit Cleveland Indians.

Cleveland Ohio Bridal Show

With a new year comes new beginnings. For many women, the new year is the start of wedding planning season. Planning an entire wedding can be a daunting task. Fortunately for future brides in Northeast Ohio, wedding planning has been turned into a fun, entertainment-filled weekend.


The Cleveland Ohio Bridal Show is taking over the I-X Center this Saturday and Sunday. The bridal show is a one stop shop for brides. The show will feature more than 100 exhibitors, ranging from jewelery vendors to caterers to flowers. Exhibitors will set up tables throughout the event, showcasing their products and services.

Besides exhibitors, the bridal show will feature a number of special events. Fashion shows will take place on both Saturday and Sunday with models showcasing the newest fashion for brides and grooms. A gallery of reception table ideas will showoff centerpieces, china and linen. Local bakeries will have their wedding cakes on display and the most luxurious limos will be featured in limousine row. If you get tired and feel like you need a break during the event, stop by the Umbrella Lounge, sponsored by Event Source, for a cocktail and specialty food items.

This is the largest collection of all things bridal, so don't miss out on this exciting weekend!

Tickets for each day are just $10 per person. Parking is available in the I-X Center lot for $8.

Cleveland Ohio Bridal Show hours:
Saturday, Jan. 12 from 2-8 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 13 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Fashion Show hours:
Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and 5::30 p.m.
Sunday at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

For more information about the event, or directions to the I-X Center, visit Today's Bride.

Cheers to 2013!

As the year winds down, I'd like to take a moment to say a special thank you to all who have read my blog over the past year. This blog started out on a whim, and I've been surprised and grateful for the positive feedback I've received. I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it!

Here's to many more fun events in 2013 and a very happy new year. Cheers to 2013!

Glow at the Garden

 

If you're looking for a family-friendly holiday event this weekend, check out "Glow" at the Cleveland Botanical Garden.

Glow is the garden's annual holiday event. Glow is designed to entertain both adults and children during the holiday season. The garden is completely transformed to entice all the senses. Twinkling lights, gingerbread houses and live poinsettias are just a few of the decorations that adorn the garden's various buildings. Make sure to stop by the two-story Christmas tree for a family holiday photo or listen to live festive music performed throughout the garden.

Glow has plenty of activities for children as well. Children can take a ride on the Garden Express for a magical train ride, decorate their very own gingerbread house, leave a wish on the garden's Wishing Tree, or shop for presents at the kid-sized Tree Top Shop.

Glow celebrates all that is good during the holiday season. If you don't have enough time to stop by before Christmas, don't worry! Glow will remain at the garden until Monday, Dec. 31.

Glow at the Garden hours:
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.

*Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
*Closed Mondays, Christmas and New Year's Day

For more information about Glow, visit Cleveland Botanical Garden.

Festivus Party at Market Garden Brewery

This event is perfect for any "Seinfeld" fanatic. Fans will recall that one year instead of celebrating Christmas, the characters partook in a different kind of holiday -- Festivus.

Festivus was first introduced to the world on "Seinfeld." Celebrated on Dec. 23, Festivus is a way to celebrate the holidays without giving in to commercialism. The holiday consists of the Airing of Grievances, in which friends and families state the problems they've had with each other throughout the past year, and the Feats of Strength, where the winner must pin other family members to the floor.

Don't expect to spot a Christmas tree anywhere in a home celebrating Festivus. Instead, an unadorned aluminum pole is the only decoration seen.

Market Garden Brewery in Ohio City is celebrating Festivus early this year on Wednesday, Dec. 12. The brewery has even concocted its very own Festivus Ale -- a smooth and spicy beer that's fit for this holiday. The organizers of the event are also collecting toys for Toys For Tots. Each person who brings a toy to the Festivus Party will get their first beer on the house.

Festivus Party hours:
Wednesday, Dec. 12 from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.

For more information about this event, visit Market Garden Brewery.

Wrapped in Tradition: A Gordon Square Holiday

In the past few years, Gordon Square has revived itself and become a center for the arts. This Saturday Gordon Square is combining art with holiday festivities for their "Wrapped in Tradition" event.

This event serves as Gordon Square's kickoff to the holiday season. The afternoon will feature carriage rides, ice sculpting contests, Christmas trees for sale, roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate and a visit by Santa. A special appearance will also be made by Mr. Jingeling, a Cleveland holiday favorite who first appeared in Halle Brothers Department Store in the '50s.

Besides the holiday festivities, the shops and boutiques that line the streets of Gordon Square will be open for holiday shopping. Many of these stories will be offering special deals and discounts for the day.

This event is free and open to the public.

Wrapped in Tradition: A Gordon Square Holiday
Saturday, Dec. 8 from noon to 6 p.m.

For more information about this event, or driving directions, visit Positively Cleveland.