Paw-Ject Runway
At Legacy Village, there’s a new type of swimsuit model strutting across the runway: pups. That’s right your four-legged friends are donning bikinis to raise money for the Dick Goddard Bes Friend’s Medical Relief Fund. Fox 8’s Jessica Dill emcees and DJ N8te provides the tunes. Winning doggies stay in the spotlight with photos in the 2018 Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter calendar. If you don’t have a pooch to enter in the contest, meet the dogs that are up for adoption. You just might go home with a new best friend. Free, $25 registration for dogs; Aug. 19, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 25001 Cedar Road, Lyndhurst, cuyahogadogs.com
Burning River Fest
Although Cleveland has finally overcome its burning river image, this fest reminds us of flaming Cuyahoga River to promote environmental awareness and advocate for cleanups. Electronica energizer Robert DeLong and the soulful, smooth Wesley Bright & the Honeytones pave the way for 17 local and regional acts. Great Lakes Brewing Co.’s beer comes in compostable corn cups, sustainable snacks are available and no-waste zones are scattered throughout the Whiskey Island festival grounds. Proceeds go to the Burning River Foundation’s clean water efforts. $15, Aug. 18 & 19, 6 p.m., 2800 Whiskey Island Drive, Cleveland, burningriverfest.org
Stellar Eclipse Weekend
Solar eclipses are rare, but the chance to watch them with a NASA scientist is nearly unheard of. The Great Lakes Science Center is partnering with the NASA Glenn Research Center to put on a weekend of astronomical proportions. Hands-on activities, demonstrations and even a sun salutations yoga class prepares you for the big event this Monday. NASA scientists are set to sit with budding astronauts on the center’s garage rooftop lawn as they watch the sun disappear from the sky. Once the moment passes, stay tuned for live eclipse coverage from all over the U.S. on the NASA TV. $15 museum admission, Aug. 19-21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland, greatscience.com
Cleveland Kite Festival
You don’t have to be a pro to fly a kite, but it sure helps. This weekend at Edgewater Park, watch members of the Ohio Society for the Elevation of Kites and the Windjammers International Kite Team show off their skills during air shows or knock each other out of the sky in kite battles. Even if you’re a newbie, there’s something for you – from kite crafting to air show judging. And once you’ve gotten the hang of it, try your hand at a Wind Sprint contest. Free, Aug. 19-20, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., 6500 Memorial Shoreway, Cleveland, osekcleveland.org
Yestival
Yes, we’re so happy that the Rock Hall inductees are coming to Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica this Sunday. As if hearing the Grammy Award-winning rock group perform fan-favorites “Roundabout” and “Starship Trooper” live isn’t good enough, a special guest appearance from Todd Rundgren and an opening number from Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy are also on the set list. But before you head to Jacobs Pavilion, make a stop at the Rock Hall. In the days leading up to the show, they’re hosting a series of events—documentary screenings, album listening parties, trivia contests and even a VIP pre-concert event — to get everyone ready to jam all night. Prices vary, Aug. 20, 7 p.m., 2014 Sycamore St., Cleveland, rockhall.com/yestival