The Cleveland Power of Sport Summit
The spotlight is on Cleveland this week, and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission is capitalizing on that extra attention with the Cleveland Power of Sport Summit. Held April 29-May 1 at Progressive Field, the free event, which is presented by KeyBank and the FirstEnergy Foundation, celebrates themes of diversity, equity and inclusion while demonstrating the power of sport to be a catalyst for change. The Summit features local and national organizations addressing topics related to adaptive sports, gender equity, LGBTQIA+ athletes, mental health and racial equality. Notable attractions include keynote speakers, educational video presentations and workshops, and other engagement opportunities. The event will be held in-person and via livestream. April 29-30, Noon to 6 p.m., May 1 10 a.m-4 p.m. Free (online registration required), 2401 Ontario St., Cleveland, eventbrite.com
Duke’s Dash
Let your love of the draft run wild with this city-wide relay race. Using Wilson’s official ‘The Duke’ football, numerous area running groups are jogging around Cleveland with ‘The Duke’ before handing it off to another running group. Run Wild CLE has the final leg, picking the ball up outside of Tower City before taking the ball to its final resting place at the Jesse Owens statue downtown. Once all the groups arrive at FirstEnergy stadium, they’ll all do a lap around the stadium together. Area running groups Second Sole and the Guardian Runners will also be participating in the race. Free, Various location, Cleveland, facebook.com/runwildcle
Kings Of Leon, Machine Gun Kelly And More At The NFL Draft Experience
It’s no secret that Cleveland’s the Rock and Roll capital of the world. That historical lineage will be on full display for all those watching the draft, as four performers and solo acts will take the stage during the draft’s three days. Kings of Leon opens the festivities Thursday with a performance at the Draft Theater, while the Black Pumas will perform Friday after the conclusion of the third round of the draft. Cleveland native Machine Gun Kelly will close out the draft with a concert at the conclusion of the draft on Saturday. Area cover band The Sunrise Jones will serve as the in-house band for the first two days of the draft. To learn more about The Sunrise Jones, click here. All the concerts will be livestreamed on the NFL app along with being broadcast on ESPN and ABC. Free with NFL Draft Experience Ticket, April 29-May 1, 800 E. 9th St., Cleveland, nfl.com
Marina Strah at Sixth City Sailor's Club
Looking for a place to relax after a long day arguing over mock drafts with your friends? Look no further than Sixth City Sailor's Club, where local music phenom Marina Strah will be performing from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday. Grab one of the Downtown bar's signature craft cocktails and let Strah's sweet ballads be your background music for the second day of the draft. 668 Euclid Ave Unit 2, Cleveland, sixthcitysailors.com/
Massillon Museum’s Paul Brown Exhibit
Northeast Ohio is the birthplace of football, and the Massillon Museum and its Paul Brown exhibit is a great way to explore its origins. A native of Massillon, Brown’s exhibit features some of Brown’s personal belongings along with some of his uniforms, clothing and photographs. The exhibit also features a special exhibit on the Massillon Tigers — Brown’s hometown high school team and one of the premiere high school programs in the country. Free, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon, 330-833-406, massillonmuseum.org
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s Biggest Show on Turf
What would the Super Bowl be without the Halftime Show? The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame's new exhibit The Biggest Show On Turf: 55 Years Of NFL Halftime Shows takes a deep dive into America’s biggest concert. Some of the pieces included in the exhibits are The Weeknd’s Infinity Room set piece from this year’s Super Bowl, Bono’s flag-lined from U2’s 2002 performance, Prince’s turquoise suit from 2007, Katy Perry’s infamous “left shark” costume from 2015 and Joey Kramer’s drumhead from Aerosmith’s 2001 performance, the first Halftime performance with fans on the field around the stage. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will have extended hours (10 a.m. to 9 p.m.) Friday and Saturday during the NFL Draft weekend. To read more about the exhibit, click here to check out our first look. $28 ($25 for Northeast Ohio residents), $18 for anyone 6 to 12, 5 and under free, 1100 E. 9th St., Cleveland, 216-781-7625, rockhall.com
The NFL Draft Experience
There are still tickets available for the NFL’s Draft Experience thanks to capacity limits being expanded to 50,000 fans per day. Reserving a free ticket to this interactive space means admission to FirstEnergy Stadium, where fans can kick field goals, do a 40 yard dash, do a vertical jump against NFL players on LED screens and much more. For the less active fans, the experience zone will have the Bud Light Legends Bar along with other unique special food and drink areas. Click here to get a first look inside the NFL Draft Experience. Free with NFL Draft Experience ticket, April 29-May 1, Noon-10 p.m., 100 Alfred Lerner Way, Cleveland, nfl.com
NFL Draft Party with The Talking Dads At Pub Frato
Want to hear from experts about this year’s draft without having to go through all the fluff of watching it on TV? We have the place for you. The Talking Dads, a local podcast known for discussing everything from sports to parenting tips, will be live at Pub Frato Gastropub. Complete with door prizes, food and drink specials and live Q&A, this is the place to be on draft night. Click here to read more about Pub Frato from this month's Best Restaurants issue. Free (with online reservation), 7548 Fredle Dr., Painesville, 440-867-2441, pubfrato.com
Orange Carpet Night at Good Night John Boy
With so much of the NFL's draft festivities soaked in orange and brown, it feels as if the city is rolling out a figurative orange carpet for the rest of the NFL. If you're looking for a tangible orange carpet being rolled out, then the Good Night John Boy's is the place for you. As an added treat, @angrybrownsfan will be hosting a draft party Friday and Saturday night. Free (reservation recommended, email info@goodnightcle.com for reservations) 1167 Front Ave, Cleveland, 216-990-2300, goodnightcle.com
Premiere of 100 Yards of Hope Documentary
Through a partnership with the NFL and Force Blue, The Greater Cleveland Aquarium will premiere 100 Yards of Hope, a documentary about the Super Bowl restoration of a football field-sized coral reef, on April 27. Funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Coral Reef Conservation Program and was put together to increase awareness of the threat to coral reefs, the documentary shows the efforts of Force Blue, a team of retired special operations military divers, and NFL Green, the league's environmental program, works to mitigate the environmental impact of the NFL's major events, as they attempt to save America’s only barrier coral reef off the coast of Miami. The documentary will premiere virtually on the Aquarium’s website. Free, Virtual Event, 4/27, 10-11 a.m., greaterclevelandaquarium.com
Visit The Pro Football Hall Of Fame
What better way to ring in this year’s draft class than by paying tributes to the greats of the past? From Joe Namath to Tom Brady, the NFL’s mecca is the perfect place to scratch your football itch before you head downtown to see the next generation of hall of famers. $28 for adults, $24 for seniors, $21 for youth (fans with an NFL Draft Experience ticket get $5 off admission), Pro Football Hall of Fame, 2121 George Halas Dr. NW, Canton, 330-456-8207, profootballhof.com
Visit The #VoicesofCLE Murals
A public art project designed to amplify Cleveland artists, the latest #VoicesofCLE public art installation has a special NFL connection through one of Cleveland's former No. 1 picks. Last week Browns All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett unveiled the newest mural put together by local artist Glen Infante. The installation, which is located at the Cleveland Visitors Center, was done in collaboration with Downtown Cleveland Alliance, Destination Cleveland and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. Various locations, downtowncleveland.com
Pro Football Hall Of Fame
What better way to ring in this year’s draft class than by paying tributes to the greats of the past? From Joe Namath to Tom Brady, the NFL’s mecca is the perfect place to scratch your football itch before you head downtown to see the next generation of hall of famers. $28 for adults, $24 for seniors, $21 for youth (fans with an NFL Draft Experience ticket get $5 off admission), Pro Football Hall of Fame, 2121 George Halas Dr. NW, Canton, 330-456-8207, profootballhof.com
Saucy Brew Works Drafting with Denzel
Looking to celebrate the draft while also paying tribute to the Browns’ great 2018 draft class? Look no further than Saucy Brew Works’ Drafting With Denzel watch party. While the meet and greet with Ward himself inside Saucy Brew Works has sold out, the bar is also hosting a free watch party outside in its new vibe garden. While you’re there, make sure to enjoy one (or three) of Saucy’s new Return of the Warden lager done in collaboration with Ward. No ticket required for outside watch party, ticket required to enter brewpub. Free, 2885 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, 216-666-2568, saucybrewworks.com
Click here to read our full guide to the 2021 NFL Draft in Cleveland.
