Fireworks, fun and more: Fourth of July celebrations return to Cleveland with a bang this weekend

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Entertainment | Music | Events

THIS WEEK'S TOP PICKS

Cleveland Light Up the Lake Fireworks

The granddaddy fireworks display of them all returns as skyrockets light up Lake Erie and downtown Cleveland. Fireworks are slated to go off Sunday at dusk from Dock 20 near FirstEnergy Stadium. Suggested viewing areas include the Flats – both East and West banks - and North Coast Harbor. Downtown Cleveland. Dusk, July 4. DETAILS

An American Celebration at Blossom Music Center

Blossom Music Center is reopening with a bang, kicking off its 2021 season with the Cleveland Orchestra’s “An American Celebration.” Enjoy performances of patriotic classics like “1812 Overture,” “The Stars and Stripes Forever” and more, along with fireworks and other festivities. The show also marks the Cleveland Orchestra’s first public performance in more than a year. Tickets, $25-$89. 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls. 8 p.m. July 3 and 4. DETAILS

Light Up the Point at Cedar Point

Cap your day at Cedar Point by taking in a spectacular Independence Day fireworks display over Lake Erie. The Light Up the Point VIP party includes a premium viewing spot right on the beach, plus all-you-can-eat food and drinks. Tickets, $25-$35. Cedar Point admission ($45-$60) required. 1 Cedar Point Dr., Sandusky. Light Up the Point viewing party, 9-11 p.m., July 4. Park open daily through Sept. 6. DETAILS

Lakewood Fireworks

Celebrate America with a fireworks extravaganza from Lakewood Park, one of the most picturesque lakeside locations in the region. 14532 Lake Avenue, Lakewood. Dusk, July 4. DETAILS

Lock 3 and Downtown Akron Events

A couple of events will take over downtown Akron’s Lock 3 Park this weekend, starting with Journey Tribute band E5C4P3 performing on Friday night with the Tony Lang Band. Tickets, $5. On Saturday, a Downtown Block Party will offer inflatables, food trucks, craft beer tastings and live entertainment -- including music and a reptile show. Free. On Sunday, synchronized fireworks will launch in and around Akron, offering a viewing experience from home. The city encourages spectators to watch from their own neighborhoods instead of congregating downtown. A radio soundtrack will air on WONE 97.5 FM, pairing with the fireworks display. 200 S. Main St., Akron. 7-10 p.m., July 2; 2-7 p.m., July 3; 9:45 p.m., July 4. DETAILS

Indians vs. Astros at Progressive Field

The Indians host Michael Brantley and the first-place Astros for a three-game series this weekend. Promotions include dollar dogs and fireworks on Friday, a Bob Feller 1940 jersey giveaway and fireworks on Saturday, and Kids Fun Day on Sunday. Tickets start at $15. 2401 Ontario St, Cleveland. July 2-4. DETAILS

Akron RubberDucks vs. Bowie Bay Sox at Canal Park

No team does theme nights like the RubberDucks. Enjoy Cobra Kai Night and post-game fireworks on Friday, NASCAR night and Zac Brown post-game fireworks on Saturday, and Family FUNday and downtown Akron’s only fireworks show on Sunday. Tickets start at $12. 300 S. Main St, Akron. July 2-4. DETAILS

Lake County Captains vs. South Bend Cubs at Classic Park

It’s the future stars of the Cleveland Indians vs. the Chicago Cubs of tomorrow in Eastlake. Post-game fireworks on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Tickets, $6-$12. 35300 Vine St, Eastlake. July 2-4. DETAILS

Lake Erie Crushers present Red, White and Boom

The city of Avon will put on its annual fireworks display on Saturday following the Frontier League game between the hometown team and the Windy City ThunderBolts. Tickets start at $7. The show can also be viewed for free outside Mercy Health Stadium from the grassy area on Recreation Lane off Route 611. 2009 Baseball Blvd, Avon. 7:05 p.m., July 3. DETAILS

The 6 best Lake Erie beaches near Cleveland

Pack your towel and grab the sunscreen – it’s time to hit the beach. Summer officially began this week, so what are you waiting for? Wherever you live in Northeast Ohio, there’s a stretch of sand that’s beckoning you. We've put together a list of our favorite public beaches near Cleveland, including two in the city, two to the east and two to the west. Most have lifeguards and food concessions, and some have paddleboards and kayaks to rent. All have bathrooms and changing areas. Each beach also has plenty of space to spread a towel, set up a beach chair, take a stroll or go swimming. What are you waiting for? READ MORE

Berea Grindstone Festival

This annual community festival returns with inflatables, live music, paddleboats rides on Coe Lake, crafts for kids, food vendors and a spectacular fireworks display over the lake on Sunday at dusk. Free. Coe Lake Park. 4-10 p.m., July 3-4. DETAILS

Bay Village Bay Days

Enjoy an old fashion carnival with thrilling rides, fun games, nostalgic fair food, and live music at Cahoon Memorial Park. The event culminates with a big fireworks show on Saturday night. Free admission, $20 all-inclusive ride ticket. 27600 Lake Road, Bay Village. Through July 3. DETAILS

Buckeye Rodeo at Barberton Speedway

Put on your cowboy hat and have a bronco-busting good time Saturday at the rodeo. In addition to the show, enjoy live music by Erica Down, tasty food, ice-cold beer, and a big fireworks finale. Tickets, $12-20. 3363 Clark Mill Road, Norton. Gates open at 3 p.m., July 3. DETAILS

Community Celebration in Chagrin Falls

Family fun will run all day in Chagrin Falls on Sunday, with theatrical performances, orchestra shows, raffles and other activities to enjoy in town. Toys for Tots donations will be collected. Free. Triangle Park and Riverside Park, Chagrin Falls 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday. DETAILS

Red, White And Blue Festival at Fairport Harbor

Fairport Harbor will host two days of festivities this weekend, with fireworks to cap it all off. The lakeside town will put on a golf cart parade on July 3, with entertainment and food at Memorial Park and Finn Hollow Park. Then, on July 4, attendees can enjoy fireworks over Lake Erie. Downtown Fairport Harbor July 3-4. DETAILS

Medina fun

There’s plenty of fun to be had in Medina this weekend, starting with the town’s First Friday event on July 2, which features games, open mic performances and specials at downtown Medina businesses around Medina Square. A fireworks show, launched from the parking lot at Medina High School, will take over the sky on July 3. Parade and Twin Sizzler 5K on July 4 on Medina Square will wrap up festivities. July 2-4. DETAILS

North Ridgeville Freedom Festival

You’ll find a variety of family-friendly activities at Victory Park Ohio on Saturday including an inflatable village, hayrides, face painting, balloon twisting, caricature drawings, and more. Entertainment includes a stilt walker, a magic show, fire jugglers, and a huge fireworks display at the end of the night. Food and beverages available on site. Parking, $15-$25. 7777 Victory Lane, North Ridgeville. 6 p.m., July 3. DETAILS

Rockin’ on the River

Rock out to hit songs by Led Zeppelin and Janis Joplin with tribute bands Zoso and Ball & Chain Friday night at Lorain’s Black River Landing Park. The fun continues Saturday night with the Glimmer Twins performing the best of the Rolling Stones. Northeast Ohio rock band My Drunk’n Uncle opens. Tickets, $7. 421 Black River Lane, Lorain. 6:15 p.m., July 2-3. DETAILS

Solon Fireworks

Grab a bite to eat from a food truck then stick around for an impressive Friday night fireworks show at Solon Community Park. Free. 6679 SOM Center Road, Solon. Park opens at 7 p.m., July 2. DETAILS

Strongsville Fireworks

Bring a blanket or lawn chairs as Cleveland’s largest suburb hosts a night of fireworks at the Foltz Athletic Fields. Free. 15659 Foltz Parkway, Strongsville. 10 p.m., July 4. DETAILS

Westlake 4th of July Parade and Fireworks

The suburb’s annual July 4th festivities include a parade at 1 p.m. followed by an Independence Day ceremony, classic car show, balloon clowns, face painting, pool games, live DJ, plus food and drink booths at Clague Park. A patriotic fireworks display follows at dusk. Free. Clague Road and Hilliard Boulevard, Westlake. 1-10 p.m., July 4. DETAILS

Hartville Flea Market

More than 1,000 local vendors will be stationed at this weekend’s Fourth of July Hartville Flea Market. The event, which features plenty of indoor and outdoor shopping, will run on Friday, Saturday and Monday. Free. 1289 Edison St., Hartville. July 2, 3 and 5. DETAILS

Float the River

Bob along the Cuyahoga River with Float the River’s Fourth of July event. The excursion lasts between one and two hours and allows for five tubes to be tied together in a group outing. Once you reach the end of the float path, you can get picked up and shuttled back to your car at the starting point. Tickets $20 per tube, group discount available. 2035 Old Town Loop, Cuyahoga Falls. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., July 4. DETAILS

Music Box Fireworks Party

The Music Box offers one of the best views in town when it comes to downtown Cleveland’s fireworks. The venue will capitalize on that with two concerts on July 4th, featuring the Sunrise Jones and Nitebridge, performing on its two stages on Sunday night. Tickets to the concerts are sold out, but waitlists and resale tickets may become available. 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland. 8 p.m., July 4. DETAILS

Dusty Slay at Hilarities

You’ve seen Dusty Slay’s hilarious brand of redneck comedy on Comedy Central, “Last Comic Standing,” and various late-night TV shows. Tickets, sold in tables of 2, 4 or 6 people, start at $30. 2035 E. 4th St., Cleveland. Through July 3. DETAILS

EAT & DRINK

Ready to get UnWined?

The wine and cocktail bar UnWined prides itself on a comfortable atmosphere – to match its Bourbon selection – in the quaint downtown area of Wadsworth. And if you want beer, saunter a few feet to Wadsworth Brewing Co., its pseudo sister-company, for a craft beer. The folks running UnWined have a full food menu, specialty cocktails and wines on a keg-preservation system. DETAILS

TV & MOVIES

“Summer of Soul”
Questlove's "Summer of Soul (...or When the Revolution Could not Be Televised)" would certainly sound and look best on the big screen with a thumping sound system. (It's playing nationwide in theaters this Friday.) But if you'd rather have a house party, you can also stream it on Hulu. The film mines a landmark 1969 Harlem concert series known as "Black Woodstock" that included performances by Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone and many others. Far from as renown as another music festival that summer, the Harlem Cultural Festival is given new, glorious life in "Summer of Soul." DETAILS

“No Sudden Move”
Don Cheadle leads an expansive ensemble of Benicio del Toro, Kieran Culkin, David Harbour, Jon Hamm, Amy Seimetz, Brendan Fraser, Noah Jupe, Julia Fox, Ray Liotta, Bill Duke and Matt Damon in Steven Soderbergh's 1950s Detroit crime drama "No Sudden Move." The film, which debuts Thursday on HBO Max, is a series of double crosses that tease out some of the foundational injustices of Detroit history. It's one of the most ambitious movies to be shot and released during the pandemic, and one that returns Soderbergh and Cheadle to Detroit, 23 years after another caper that landed in the Motor City, "Out of Sight." DETAILS

“Tomorrow War”
This week is one of the most competitive among streaming services looking to entertain movie fans. Netflix launches the first of a three-film horror series, "Fear Street." Universal's Peacock premieres the animated sequel "Boss Baby: Family Business" (also in theaters) and there's also indie fare like IFC's "Werewolves Within," a supernatural comedy with Milana Vayntrub and Sam Richardson, debuting for digital rental. But perhaps the biggest play is by Amazon, which on Friday launches the kind of summer sci-fi spectacle usually only playing theaters in "The Tomorrow War." Amazon acquired the film earlier this year for a reported $200 million from Paramount Pictures. Chris Pratt stars as a soldier sent into the future to the year 2052 to fight off an alien invasion. DETAILS

“Wolfgang”
Wolfgang Puck, his restaurants and brand are omnipresent, but that success required determination and exacted a toll, according to the Disney+ documentary "Wolfgang" (now streaming). The Austrian-born Puck says in the film that he was belittled by a stepfather who told him he'd never be a success or a "real man" unless he stayed out of the kitchen — the only place he felt comfortable. Unbowed, he went on to dazzle celebrities and fellow chefs with his inventive fare. While Puck says he's at a time in life to take things easy — he'll be 72 on July 8 — he intends the opposite. DETAILS

"The Beast Must Die”
A hit-and-run accident claims a child's life, and his mother (Cush Jumbo) is driven to punish the man she believes responsible in the six-part series "The Beast Must Die," adapted from the eponymous Nicholas Blake novel. When police drop the case, mom Frances develops a friendship with the family of George Rattery (Jared Harris), whom she's judged guilty. Her goal is to kill him, unless Detective Nigel Strangeways (Billy Howle) can solve the case and stop Frances' plot. The series debuts Monday, July 5, on streaming service AMC+ and on cable channel AMC at 10 p.m. July 12. DETAILS

Drive-in movie theaters
The drive-in movie theater is a slice of Americana that is unrivaled. The experience of watching the latest blockbuster under the stars is an experience that instantly makes you feel like a kid again. There are about 300 drive-in theaters left in the country and Northeast Ohio is fortunate to have eight outdoor screens spread across five drive-in theaters. This weekend, you can choose from action flicks “F9: The Fast Saga” and “Nobody,” or more family fare such as “Boss Baby 2: Family Business” and “The Croods: A New Age.” Ticket prices vary from $5-$10 a person to $25 per car.

MUSIC

Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular”

“Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular” airs from 8 p.m. Sunday on NBC. It will feature a fireworks show launched from the East River and set against the New York City Skyline. It will also feature performances from the Jonas Brothers, Blake Shelton, Black Pumas, Coldplay, OneRepublic, Reba McEntire and others. Find more information about the special at macys.com/social/fireworks. DETAILS

“A Capitol Fourth”

PBS' 41st "A Capitol Fourth,” with host Vanessa Williams, includes pre-recorded performances by Jimmy Buffett, Gladys Knight, Alan Jackson, Cynthia Erivo, Renee Fleming and the Joint Armed Forces Concert. Live pyrotechnics over Washington will cap the program, which airs at 8 p.m. on PBS. DETAILS

“Red Hot + Free”

"Pose" has wrapped but you'll get a chance to experience the greatness of Billy Porter – on the new album "Red Hot + Free" by the HIV/AIDS-fighting nonprofit Red Hot. The double album of dance music will be released Friday and features Porter covering Juliet Roberts' club classic "Caught In the Middle." The album also features songs by Gloria Gaynor, Tituss Burgess, SOFI TUKKER, Amadou & Mariam, Sam Sparro, Allie X, Bright Light Bright Light and Ultra Naté. Proceeds from the album will benefit the Ally Coalition, Trevor Project and SAGE. DETAILS

The Daze

Cleveland musician The Daze has released her new single, “Ryden,” after many months of perfecting and tinkering with the song. “The song was made in 2019, but it just kept being a thing where I had to add a little bit more, and a little bit more,” Daze said. “I was going to release it earlier this year but I wasn’t done. When it felt good and I really knew what I was talking about, that’s when it was finished.” READ MORE

Earl Slick

From playing with David Bowie and John Lennon to teaming with Stray Cats Slim Jim Phantom and Lee Rocker, Earl Slick has never wanted for interesting projects. The Brooklyn-born guitarist’s latest, “Fist Full of Devils” (Schnitzel), is an instrumental endeavor, featuring 11 tracks inspired by jamming with Buddy Guy at his Legends club in Chicago. DETAILS

Essence Festival

The Essence Festival of Culture hosts one more weekend from its New Orleans edition -- open to locals but available to the rest of the world, virtually. The festivities run through Sunday, July 4, with Ne-Yo, D-Nice, Amerie, DJ Khaled and Friends, Case, Carl Thomas and Davido on tap this weekend amidst other programming. Catch the stream free via EssenceStudios.com and Essence.com. DETAILS

Want more concert & music picks?

Listen to the latest episodes of CLE Rocks podcast, with Troy L. Smith

Entertainment | Music | Events

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