Memorial Day Weekend in Cleveland

Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start to our Cleveland Plus summer.

For a stirring night of music and American pride, The Cleveland Pops Orchestra perform the “12th Annual Salute to Our Armed Forces” on May 25 at 8pm in Severance Hall, with Carl Topilow conducting.  Patriotic music, sing-alongs, songs and marches honor all branches of the military, veterans and their families in this special Memorial Day commemoration.

All Aboard!  Thomas the Tank Engine™ is rolling into Boston Mills Station of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad for the annual Day Out with Thomas™: Mystery of the Rails Tour, May 25-27. Meet Sir Topham Hatt, enjoy live music, clowns, storytelling, bounces, model railroad display and a play area. The 25-minute train ride will depart every hour, rain or shine, starting at 9:30am until 5:30pm. Check out the other great excursions on this vintage scenic railroad while you’re there!

OPA!  The 42nd annual Tremont Greek Fest shares delicious Greek foods and pastries, rousing music, five dance troupes and shopping in one of Cleveland’s favorite culinary and historic neighborhoods, Tremont, May 25-28.  Located in the beautiful Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, which is celebrating its 100^th anniversary this year, festival hours are 11am-11pm Friday-Sunday, and 11am-7pm on Monday.

Savor saucy slabs with all the fixings at the Marc’s 21^st Annual Great American Rib Cook-off and Music Festival,  May 25-28, at Jacobs Pavillion at Nautica. Enjoy sweet, spicy and smoky racks from rib vendors all over the country, along with music of The B-52s, Todd Rundgren, Staind, the Wailers, and Cleveland’s own Michael Stanley and The Resonators.  From Tower City, just take the RTA Waterfront Line and exit at the Settler’s Landing Station to catch free shuttle buses to the Cook-off and nearby attraction, the Greater Cleveland Aquarium.

“Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore!”  Let your imagination soar as world and national balloon champions fly gracefully along the lush, tranquil Chagrin River Valley during The 24^th Annual Chagrin Blossom Time Balloon Festival. Bring a picnic, blanket or lawn chair and sit back to watch these colorful, multiple balloon ascensions at 6:30pm, Friday-Sunday.

In appreciation of those in military service, Wildwater Kingdom,with Ohio’s tallest waterslide complex, and Cedar Point Amusement Park, with 17 coasters, 150 rides and the new Luminosity show and dance party, offer free admission for all men and women of the Armed Forces this weekend, with valid I.D.

The new Great Lakes Science Center exhibit “Frogs – A Chorus of Colors” opens May 26. More than 70 live, hopping, chirping frogs are showcased in detailed habitats of ledges, plants and waterfalls. These stunning creatures are as colorful as their names, like the Fire-bellied Toad, Amazon Milk Frog and Smokey Jungle Frog. Test your frog IQ, create a chorus with recorded frog calls, perform a virtual frog dissection and more.

For other events, visit www.positivelycleveland.com/events.

– Cindy Hill 

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