The Weekender: Nov. 24-26
Set your post-Thanksgiving plans with a CrossFit workout, a Public Square Christmas party, tobogganing and a visit to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Take your annual Thanksgiving football festivities to the next level. Head to the Pro Football Hall of Fame for its 17th Annual Free Kids Friday Event. Every child 12 and under will be admitted free of charge with a ticketed adult. In addition, every child 18 and under will receive a goodie bag full of officially licensed NFL merch. Alongside activities like inflatables and games, Santa will be present to get everyone in the holiday spirit and take pictures with the little ones from 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. $25 for adults, Nov. 24, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., 2121 George Halas Dr NW, Canton, profootballhof.com/events/free-kids-friday-2017/
Winterfest
In addition to being a celebration of thankfulness and binge-eating, Thanksgiving is the unofficial start to the Christmas season. To kick off the holidays, the Downtown Cleveland Alliance presents Winterfest, a festive outdoor Christmas celebration. With free horse and carriage rides, a fireworks show and ice-skating, the night also features the tree-lighting ceremony in the center of Public Square. Duck inside Tower City, where there will be pop-up retailers curated by the Cleveland Bazaar. Free, Nov. 25, 1 – 8 p.m., 36 W. Superior Ave., downtowncleveland.com/events/winterfest
Turkey Tech
If you’ve ever wondered about the science behind your a Thanksgiving feast, the Great Lakes Science Center has you covered. For curious minds of all ages, the Science Center presents Thanksgiving-themed activities and demonstrations throughout the holiday weekend, including the Kitchen Chemistry Show, demonstrations on the chemistry of yams and a chance to build your own robotic turkey. Make sure you show up on Nov. 25, when the Science Center presents a family-friendly double feature with Uncle Buck and Planes, Trains and Automobiles.$15, Nov. 24, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Nov. 25, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (double feature starts at 6 p.m.) Nov. 26, 1 – 4 p.m., 601 Erieside Ave., http://greatscience.com/explore/events-programs/turkey-tech
Cleveland Metroparks’ Tobogganing
Experience a classic winter activity – with or without snow. Cleveland Metroparks ushers in the beginning of toboggan season at The Chalet in Mill Stream Run Reservation. With two 700-foot refrigerated ice tracks located inside The Chalet, a year-round recreation center located just off the I-71 and Ohio Turnpike, this all-day event will be able to accommodate tobogganers regardless of snowfall. So be sure to bundle up for an icy day on the chutes. Toboggan rentals will also be available onsite. $12 adults, $10 kids 11 and younger, Nov. 24, 12 – 10:30 p.m., 16200 Valley Parkway, Strongsville, clevelandmetroparks.com/parks/visit/activities/event-activity-types/tobogganing
e0fbe070-4c78-404d-ad7c-c7cf9c3561be.jpg?sfvrsn=4f4cfb8c_1&w=220&auto=compress%2cformat "Jon Wlasiuk author of An Alternative History of Cleveland (Libby Gobey)")