This Weekend in Cleveland: Races, Festivals + Sporting Events

Downtown Cleveland and its neighboring cities are celebrating the last days of summer with exciting events during the weekend of Sept. 14-16. Enjoy free downtown art tours via trolley, waterfront festivals, races, college football, Cleveland Indians home games and affordable events throughout the weekend.

IngenuityFest: A Festival of Art and Technology (FREE admission)
The annual art and technology festival draws more than 45,000 visitors as it celebrates creative connections among artists, innovators and audiences. The festival showcases original works of international masters, alongside the finest of Northeast Ohio’s performing, visual and musical artists. New this year: free admission and a waterfront location!

• Friday, Sept. 14: 5pm-1am
• Saturday, Sept. 15: Noon-1am
• Sunday, Sept. 16: Noon-6pm
• Location: Docks 30 and 32, on the lakefront, north of Browns Stadium and the Great Lakes Science Center
• www.ingenuitycleveland.com

Cleveland Indians Home Stand
The Cleveland Indians take on the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field. Fans can get an all-you-can-eat option in Upper Deck locations featuring hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, nachos and soft drinks for only $32. Or, check out the Grand Slam 4 Pack that includes four tickets (select seating), four hot dogs/slices of pizza, four Pepsi products, four hats and a parking pass for just $96.

• Friday, Sept. 14: 7:05pm
• Saturday, Sept. 15: 4:05pm
• Sunday, Sept. 16: 3:05pm
• Location: Progressive Field
• www.indians.mlb.com 

Cleveland Classic
Morehouse College competes against Winston-Salem State University at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Additional weekend festivities include the Marching Band Halftime Show, College Readiness Fair, Step Show and a Tailgate Party celebrating premier historically black colleges and universities (HBCU). Ticket purchase will be available at the Q Arena. Game tickets start at $15.

• Friday, Sept. 14: Praisefest 6 and Greek Step Show Competition, Quicken Loans Arena, 6-10pm (doors open at 5pm)
• Saturday, Sept. 15 at Cleveland Browns Stadium (10am)
• Tailgate Party
• Kickoff Noon – Morehouse College versus Winston-Salem State University
• National R&B recording group, Dru Hill, will perform the National Anthem. Tom Joyner is slated to do the coin toss.
• Marching Band Halftime Show: Morehouse College “House of Funk” and Winston-Salem State University “Red Sea of Sound” marching bands and drum lines perform.
• The Mighty Shaw High School Marching Cardinal Band from East Cleveland starts off the show performing with local hip-hop artist Ray Jr.
• www.clevelandsports.org/clevelandclassic.aspx 

Komen Race for the Cure
The annual Komen Race for the Cure offers a 5K (3.1 miles) competitive run (timed), a 5K walk, and a one-mile family fun walk to benefit breast cancer education, screening and survivor support programs. This year, 25,000 participants are expected.

• Saturday, Sept. 15: Opens at 7am, Survivor Ceremony is 8am and the various races have start times beginning at 9:15am. Events end at noon.
• Location: Wolstein Center, Cleveland State University Campus.
• www.komenneohio.org

Cleveland Dragonboat Festival (FREE admission)
This annual festival and race celebrates dragon boat history and promotes the people and unique cultures of Cleveland’s Asian community. Nineteen teams race in colorfully painted dragonboats from the Nautica Pavillion to Shooters.

• Saturday, Sept. 15: Opening ceremonies at 8am, traditional Lion Dance at Noon, and racing from 8:30am-4pm
• (Best Viewing) Location: Along the Boardwalk on the West Bank of the Cuyahoga River at Nautica Entertainment Complex, 2000 Sycamore Street
• www.clevelanddragonboatfestival.com

Cleveland Rowing Regatta Weekend (FREE admission)
The Cleveland Rowing Foundation is hosting a two-day rowing regatta weekend along the Cuyahoga River, expecting to draw national and international crews. The 4,800-meter course involves strategy and five major river turns (including an S-bend).

• Saturday, Sept. 15: Head of the Cuyahoga Race from 8am-3:30pm
• Sunday, Sept. 16: The inaugural US Rowing Masters National Head Race Championship takes place from 8am-3:30pm
• (Best Viewing) Locations: http://www.clevelandrows.org/content/view-regatta
• www.clevelandrows.org

Sparx City Hop (FREE trolley rides)
Visitors can “hop” on four different trolleys to explore various Cleveland neighborhoods. Guided tours share interesting facts and artistic points of interest. Wristbands for free trolley rides and welcome centers are available at each of the trolley stops along the way. This year, 25,000 passengers are expected.

• Saturday, Sept 15: 11am-9pm
• Orange Route (11am- 6pm) explores the Campus District
• Blue Route (11am-6pm) explores the Art Quarter and Asia Town
• Green Route (11am-9pm) explores the Ohio City neighborhood
• Red Route (11am-9pm) explores the Tremont neighborhood
• www.downtownclevelandalliance.com

Cleveland Museum of Art’s Chalk Festival
Children and adults join professional artists in transforming the walkways around the Fine Arts Garden into colorful canvas as everyone creates beautiful chalk artwork at the Cleveland Museum of Art (rain or shine). Hundreds of chalk artists and 14,000 spectators are expected this year.

• Saturday, Sept. 15: 11am–5pm
• Sunday, Sept. 16: Noon-5pm
• Location: Cleveland Museum of Art, University Circle
• www.clevelandart.org

Tremont Art & Cultural Festival (FREE admission)
Just 15 minutes from Downtown Cleveland, this festival celebrates the ethnic and cultural diversity of Tremont with vendors showcasing fine art, jewelry, sculptures, children’s activities, musicians, performers and food from local Tremont restaurants.

• Saturday, Sept. 15: 11am-6pm
• Sunday, Sept. 16: Noon-5pm
• Location: Lincoln Park at 1208 Starkweather Avenue, Tremont
• www.tremontwest.org 

REGIONAL EVENTS
Village Peddler Festival
More than 165 craftsmen will be at the Village Peddler Festival specializing in almost any type of art or craft you can imagine. Enjoy folk musicians, free wagon rides, shopping at the Harvest Market and delicious comfort food such as chicken and biscuits and tasty apple fritters.

• Saturday, Sept. 15: 10am-6pm
• Sunday, Sept. 16: 10am-5pm
• Location: Lake Metroparks Farmpark, Lake County
• www.villagepeddlerfestifal.com

Crocker Park Wine Festival in Westlake
Thirty minutes west of Cleveland, the Crocker Park Wine Festival showcases more than150 wines from local, national and international producers, as well as select craft beers, available for tasting and full glass pours.

• Friday, Sept. 14: 4-9pm
•  Saturday, Sept. 15: 1-9pm
• Location: Crocker Park, Westlake
• www.crockerparkwinefestival.com

 – Lexi Robinson-Hotchkiss, Communications Director  

About these ads