I am always on the hunt for something free and fun to do with the kids and July in Northeast Ohio is looking to be a very active month! Sure we had a great start to the Summer in Northeast Ohio but... I have also gotten in a rut and have been sticking way to close to home so taking inspiration from Clue into Cleveland’s Amanda and her post on CLE Quick Clips Upcoming Events - I am sharing my summer finds for July!
Fingers crossed the weather stays nice!
Without a lot of hoopla here is my...
Summer Bucket List for July 2013 in Northeast Ohio
Movies!
I am a big fan of the whole drive in movie experience and watching movies outside but since we can’t always go to our favorite drive in here are some alternatives.Lakewood Park
July 12 - Friday Night Flick - Hotel Transylvania (PG)
July 26 - Friday Night Flick - Dr. Seuss' The Lorax
Westlake Movies in The (Crocker) Park
July 18 - Jumanji
July 25 - The Lion King
Hinckley Reservation Ledge Pool Dive-In Movie
July 19 – Dolphin Tale
Music!
If you are looking to take in a free concert there is bound to be one to catch your fancy. Even if you don’t know the band (or the type of music) it is still a win to hear music live (and free).
Bay Village
BAYarts Summer Concert Series
Sunday July 14, 7 - 9 pm - Wallace Coleman Band
Sunday July 28, 7 - 9 pm - Up and Comers
Cleveland
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July 10: Wesley Bright and the Hi-lites
Northern Soul Dance Craze
Movie Night: Madagascar 3
July 17: New BarleyCorn
Irish Celtic & Folk
July 24: Faith and Whiskey
Classic Rock/Dance Music
July 31: Winslow
Soul/Rock
Lakewood Park
2013 Summer Band Concert Schedule
July 14 ~ Cats On Holiday
July 21 ~ Men of Independence
Rocky River Park
Summer Sunset Concerts Series 2013
July 14 Revolution Pie (Beatles) – “Pie in the Park”
July 28 Prime Time Big Band (Dance, Big Band)
Culture!
Who doesn’t want to share some culture with their kids and what better way than through the theater and especially - opera and Shakespeare!
Cleveland
Opera in the Italian Cultural Garden
July 21st - 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Lakewood Bandstand
July 27 Cleveland Shakespeare Festival - Measure for Measure
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
July 28 Cleveland Shakespeare Festival - Two Gentlemen of Verona
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Festivals!
I must admit – I hate paying to get into things that will charge you an arm and a leg on everything but there are a few exceptions namely the Irish Fest and the Burning River Fest but it has way more to do with tradition than anything else. Well, that and they are pretty coolBerea
July 19 – 21 Cleveland Irish Festival
Not free but kids under 10 are free plus they have kid’s activities (and inflatables, all day band is $2)
Cleveland
July 10 – 14 Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s 87th Annual Italian Festival
July 26 – 27 Burning River Festival
Again, not free but kids under 12 are free.
Cleveland Heights
Cain Park Arts Festival
July 12th - July 14th, 2013
July 12, 13, 14: Fri 3-8pm, Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 12-5pm
Lee & Superior roads, Cleveland Heights
Fri Free - Sat & Sun $5 per person 13 & older
Fairview Park
July 13 - Fairview Park Recreation Department Presents: Touch a Truck 2013
Time: 11:00am - 1:00pm (Rain or Shine)
Rocky River
River Days - Create & celebrate your memories, July 13-14The Great Outdoors!
The kids and I try to get to the lake as often as often as we can (and always check Ohio NOWcast to make sure the lake is safe to swim in) and two of our favorite places is Bradstreet Landing (not to swim) and Huntington Beach (for swimming). Besides that we are at our local pool.
One pool I am dying to try is Halloran Park in Cleveland. Word is that the City of Cleveland pools are free so I have added it to the list. So many city pools in our county are for residents only. My city happens to charge extra for non-residents but they still charge so this free pool thing sounds like a good deal.
Now, Northeast Ohio has the Cleveland MetroParks and there are some pretty fantastic things going on all of the time, even if it is just exploring on your own. For instance, our zoo is free on Mondays for Cuyahoga County residents. Sure, I have paid but free is free.
I am also a fan of the parks that are free all of the time like the Rocky River Reservation and the Rocky River Nature Center. It is a popular place for field trips because rain or shine there is something for everyone to do.
Willoughby Hills North Chagrin Reservation
I stumbled upon this gem and although I might not be able to do this one you better believe I plan to keep an eye out for the next time they offer it. Bonus – an outdoor movie!July 13 - Nature At Night
5 - 11 p.m.
Live Nocturnal Animal Presentations 5 – 9 p.m.
Crafts 5 – 9 p.m.
Shadow Puppets and Crafts 5 – 9 p.m.
Starlab 5:30 – 10 p.m.
Mammal Night Hikes 9 – 11 p.m.
Astronomy and Moon Gazing 9 – 11 p.m. (weather permitting)
“Over The Hedge” on the lawn at 9 p.m.
Cleveland
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July 14 - 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Eleanor Armstrong Smith Glasshouse at the Botanical Gardens
Noon to 5 pm
· Free admission to the Garden and Glasshouse for everyone
· Meet-and-greet opportunities with Glasshouse horticulturists and animal-care staff all day
· Creature Features at 1 and 3 pm
· Butterfly Releases at 2 and 4 pm
Arts & Crafts!
Beachwood
I love the Lakeshore Learning catalog and have even done a few reviews for the company but I have never been to the store! I think I will be planning a Saturday there soon!Lakeshore Learning Free Crafts for Kids Saturdays!
July 13
Make-A-Bug Wooden Spoon
Get ready for a miraculous metamorphosis…as kids turn plain wooden spoons into beautiful bugs!
July 20
Summer Fun Visors
Children draw, write and collage on cute, kid-sized visors—for one-of-a-kind creations they’ll love to wear!
July 27
Cute-As-A-Cupcake Notepad
Writing notes and reminders is a piece of cake…when kids design their own scrumptious cupcake notepad!