Hale Farm and Village Civil War Re-enactment
Take a break from the present-day presidential race and spend your weekend schmoozing with President Lincoln at the Hale Farm and Village annual Civil War reenactment. The whole family can watch in awe as the Union takes on the Confederacy in the 1861 Battle of Big Bethel. Stroll through an authentic mid-nineteenth century encampment amid canon- and gun-fire, chatting with the seven hundred soldiers and civilians from yesteryear while watching foot soldier drills and artillery demonstrations. Ride the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad there and back to really spend a day outside time. $15 weekend ticket, $7.50 for children. Aug. 13, 2:30 p.m., Aug. 14, 2 p.m., Hale Farm & Village, 2686 Oak Hill Road, Bath, wrhs.org
Public Square
The new Public Square is shaping up to be Cleveland’s hottest destination this summer, boasting free events and activities for all ages nearly every day of the week. On Aug. 12, enjoy live music on the lawn by Cleveland Magazine’s 2013 Best Local Singer Brent Kirby from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — or make your dinner date a picnic while singer-songwriter Alex Bevan croons at 5 p.m. Wake up early on Aug. 13 for yoga led by GroundSwell beneath the shadow of the Terminal Tower at 9 a.m. Turn up the heat with Cleveland’s LGBT community as they march on Public Square for Pride in the CLE at 1 p.m., where festivities for this year’s pride festival concludes with live entertainment and a beer garden. Free. Aug. 12-14, 1 Public Square, Cleveland
Cuyahoga County Fair
The Cuyahoga Country Fair celebrates its 120th birthday this weekend by amping up the usual plethora of food and fun with new features like Hoopernova, professional hula hoop dancers who spin through fire at night, and the West Texas Rattlesnake Exhibition where wranglers wrestle with venomous snakes. The McCartney Project takes center stage Friday night at 8 p.m. with covers of the Beatle’s hits, setting you up for Paul McCartney’s stop in Cleveland next week on Aug. 17. Tickets for the show are $20 at the door. On Sunday, the fair finishes with a literal bang as cars clash in the Championship Final of the Demolition Derby at 7 p.m. Aug.12. Noon-11 p.m., Aug. 13, 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Aug. 14, 12 p.m.-10 p.m., 19201 E. Bagley Road, Berea, cuyfair.com
Cleveland Flea
If your summer has been booked, here's your chance to check out what’s hot and happening at the Cleveland Flea. Keep cool with a selection of mason jar cocktails — including the limited edition Frozen Dr. J, a refreshing mix of rum and citrus flavors, — as well as a hammock-filled patio, hypnotic rock from the Bad Hounds and 135 local vendors. Jen Husted-Goss of Arthur’s Plaid Pants is one of 13 new vendors this month, specializing in hand-drawn, pop culture illustrations. Pick up her Prince enamel pin to jazz up your jacket as you head into fall. Free. Aug. 13, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Tyler Village, 3615 Superior Ave., Cleveland, theclevelandflea.com
#BikeLife Cultural Festival
Step inside a world of revving motors and spinning wheels Aug. 13 at the #BikeLife Cultural Festival, which hopes to unite the city of Cleveland in thrill-seeking delight. As dirt bikes, motorcycles and four-wheelers flip through the air, spectators at this day-long extravaganza of biking culture can nosh at local food trucks, rock to beats by MJ the DJ and do some jumping themselves sans bike in bouncy houses. Hosted by Unheard Voices, a foundation that focuses on inner-city youth, along with the Cleveland Police, EMT and Fire departments, the event aims to welcome the biking subculture into the larger community of Cleveland by offering attendees the opportunity to chat with city officials such as Mayor Frank Jackson throughout the day. $20 adults, $10 children. Aug. 13, Noon-8 p.m., Cleveland Municipal Lot, 1500 S. Marginal Road, Cleveland, bikelifecle.com
The Weekender: 5 Things to Do Aug. 12-14
Brave the heat (and rain) for these events filled with cheap thrills, old time charm and fabulous festivities.
entertainment
11:00 AM EST
August 12, 2016