10th Annual Taste of Legacy Village

Photo courtesy legacy-village.com.

 

Throughout the past decade, Northeast Ohio has become a food destination. With innovative restaurants opening up left and right, many suburbs have created their own events to showcase their city's culinary talents.

This weekend it's Lyndhurst's turn to show off its culinary skills as the 10th annual Taste of Legacy Village takes place on Sunday.

The event, which will be held throughout Legacy Village, features food samples from restaurants and food retailers. Participating restaurants include Bar Louie, Brio Tuscan Grille, The Melting Pot, Gia Lai, Stir Crazy, The Claddagh Irish Pub and more. Granite City Food and Brewery, which is set to open at Legacy Village Nov. 6, will also have a table at the event.

Adults can sample an assortment of Ohio wines with wineries on-site from the Ohio Wine Wine Producers Association. Wine sample tickets are $1 each.

The band TWIST! will perform live during the afternoon and children can have some fun at Kids Zone, complete with balloon artists, face painters and a DJ.

Ticket packs are $10 each and include Taste Dollars, which are redeemable for food samples. Additional tickets can be purchased during the event. Tickets may be purchased with cash only.

10th annual Taste of Legacy Village hours:
Sunday, Aug. 25 from noon-5 p.m.

For more information visit Legacy Village.

Scene Magazine's Alefest

Summer is prime time for wine festivals, but Scene Magazine is switching it up this Saturday by hosting the 5th annual Alefest.

Held annually at Lincoln Park in the heart of  Tremont, more than 100 beers are available to sample, along with a few beer cocktails. Patrons will receive an 8 oz. cup and 10 drink tickets with admission. Local food vendors will be dishing up tasty snacks to pair with the beer, and a handful of bands will perform live music throughout the afteroon.

General admission tickets are $30. VIP tickets, which include early entry at noon and food, cost $55. Designated driver tickets are also available for $10.

Scene Magazine's Alfest hours:
Saturday, July 20 from 1 to 5 p.m.

Lincoln Park is located off W. 14th St. in Cleveland. For more information about the festival visit Scene Magazine.

Forth of July Fireworks

Tomorrow is a celebration of our nation. Millions of Americans will be grilling, drinking and spending time with family and friends to recognize the independence of our nation. At night, the sky will light up with dazzling fireworks displays as it does each year.

For those of you looking for fireworks shows near your home, check out this list, courtesy cleveland.com: 2013 Fireworks Schedule.

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.