PARADE THE CIRCLE
For one weekend day, University Circle swells with more than 50,000 people and one of the craziest, most creative parades you've ever seen. "[It] brings out the expression of the circle," says University Circle Inc. president Chris Ronayne. The parade's elaborate, human-powered floats steal the show, but nearby cultural institutions get in on the act, too. Don't Miss •' Circle Village in Wade Oval, where you'll find food, entertainment and arts activities for the kids. June 9, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Wade Oval, Cleveland, visit website for directions, universitycircle.org
AVON HERITAGE DUCT TAPE FESTIVAL
Celebrate Father's Day with the old man's favorite go-to tool: duct tape. Avon, home to Duck brand duct tape, is hosting the ninth annual festival honoring the sticky, silver strips of adhesive. But silver is hardly the only color of tape on tap. This year's theme, Duck Tape on Safari, is inspired by Duck brand's animal prints. Don't Miss •' The parade on Saturday. Local animal expert Outback Ray is this year's grand marshal. June 15-17, Veteran's Memorial Park, 37001 Detroit Road, Avon, ducttapefestival.com
BOSTON MILLS ARTFEST
With its slopes silent, Boston Mills Ski Resort welcomes a total of more than 300 artists over two summer weekends. It's a great place to browse, grab a bite and listen to live music. But look long enough, and you'll find a painting or piece of furniture to take home. Don't Miss •' The Friday evening preview parties before each weekend ($44 in advance, $54 day of event). "It's a good time to get in, relax and have fun going through the show at your own pace," says Steve Mackle, the ski resort's marketing director. June 29-July 1, July 6-8, 7100 Riverview Road, Peninsula, bmbw.com
CAIN PARK ARTS FESTIVAL
Nestled along the winding path that runs through Cain Park, this annual event draws approximately 150 artists and thousands of visitors. "It feels like a romantic medieval village with white tents lining the pathway," says Ksenia Roshchakovsky, Cain Park's marketing manager. Entertainment includes rock, blues and pop, along with family-friendly concerts. Don't Miss •' Lolly the Trolly, which will be shuttling guests from Cleveland Heights City Hall to the park for free on Saturday and Sunday. July 13-15, 14591 Superior Road, Cleveland Heights, cainpark.com
CLEVELAND IRISH CULTURAL FESTIVAL
St. Patrick's Day is for amateurs. This year's 30th annual festival is the best place to see the widest varieties of Emerald Isle-inspired entertainment. John O'Brien, assistant director of the festival, says more than 40,000 people are drawn to the three-day celebration for its nine performance stages and cultural hall, featuring exhibits about early Irish Clevelanders. Don't Miss •' The Tesse Burke Irish Dance School, which performs on Sunday. July 20-22, Berea Fairgrounds, 164 Eastland Road, Berea, clevelandirish.org
BURNING RIVER FEST
Great Lakes Brewing Co. and the Burning River Foundation host this eco-friendly celebration, named in honor of the 1969 Cuyahoga River fire that ultimately led to the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency. More than 8,000 people are expected to show up this year to learn more about sustainability initiatives and locally grown and prepared foods. Live entertainment from a total of 30 acts round out the affair. Don't Miss •' The Christmas Ale that Great Lakes Brewing Co. brews just for this event. July 21 & 22, 2800 Whiskey Island Drive, Cleveland, burningriverfoundation.org
TWINS DAYS FESTIVAL
Every summer for the past 37 years, hundreds of sets of twins have descended upon Twinsburg for a festival honoring the city's twin settlers, Aaron and Moses Wilcox. Friday is for the twins and their families, but the Double Take Parade kicks off the festivities for everyone else on Saturday morning, with most of the up-to-1,500 sets of twins in attendance marching along. Don't Miss •' The fireworks display that caps off Saturday night. Aug. 3-5, 10270 Ravenna Road, Twinsburg, twinsdays.org
NORTH RIDGEVILLE CORN FESTIVAL
Originating in 1976 as a bicentennial celebration, this small-town festival has carried on, honoring North Ridgeville's history as a farming community. The event draws nearly 20,000 people over three days. Standard festival fare such as rides, music and fireworks are part of the fun, as are a cornhole tournament and car show. Don't Miss •' The corn-eating contest on Saturday. Aug. 10-12, Victory Park, 7777 Victory Lane, North Ridgeville, nrcornfest.com
FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION
Of the many church-run festivals throughout the summer, the Holy Rosary Church's Feast of the Assumption in Little Italy is the granddaddy. The 114th annual festival coincides with the Catholic observance of Mary's assumption into heaven and includes rides, games, food and entertainment. More than 100,000 revelers show up over the Feast's four-day run.
Don't Miss •' The cavatelli and meatballs from Trattoria Roman Garden's food booth. Aug. 15-18, 12021 Mayfield Road, Cleveland, holy-rosary.org
CLEVELAND GARLIC FESTIVAL
Visit Shaker Square the weekend after Labor Day and you'll get a heavy whiff of North Union Farmers Market's annual Garlic Festival — a celebration of not only the aromatic vegetable, but also local and sustainable food as a whole. "We have 30 varieties from 15 farmers," North Union Farmers Market executive director Donita Anderson says of the weekend's star ingredient. There'll also be live music, beer and wine. Don't Miss •' The Garlic Grill-Off, a cooking competition among chefs. Past judges have included Greenhouse Tavern's Jonathon Sawyer. Sept. 8 & 9, 13212 Shaker Square, Cleveland, clevelandgarlicfestival.org
