LAKEWOOD, Ohio – It is the final phase of preparations for the 2022 Lakewood Arts Festival.
The popular summer event celebrates its 45th anniversary on August 6th. Booths featuring a variety of artists and craftspeople will again line Detroit Avenue from Belle Avenue on the east to Arthur Avenue on the west in the downtown business district beginning at 10 am. until 6 p.m. Admission is free.
Lakewood Downtown Lakewood Arts Festival, Inc., a non-profit organization, administers the show with the help of a team of volunteers and in partnership with the City of Lakewood. The arts festival supports itself with funds raised through entrance fees, donations from community vendors, scholarship funds, and other efforts.
Around 165 artists are selected each year to take part in the juried art show. Awards, funded with help from local businesses and community organizations, are presented to the artists selected for Best Show, Second Place, Third Place, Best Creative Presentation and Best New Artist.
In addition to supporting the festival, a portion of funds raised or donated will be used to provide a scholarship for a Lakewood resident who is a high school graduate pursuing a fine arts degree. Some LAF funds also provide grants to local organizations that present arts programs for children and seniors in Lakewood.
Lakewood High School Barnstormers and Photography Club, Help to Others, which benefits students at Lakewood Middle School, Lakewood Catholic Academy’s arts programs, Barton Center’s senior arts activities, and Beck Center for the Arts programs.
The all-day festival also features live musical entertainment across three stages. This year’s line-up includes Luca Mundaca, Sugar Pie & Friends and Bridgetown Junction on Andrews Stage; Chris Allen, Maura Rogers & the Bellows, Tam Tam Magic/Senegalese drummers, Liz Bullock and Punchdrunk Tagalongs at Park Stage on Cook Avenue and Jessica McGrath & B Carter Riordan (violin duets), Clara Edleman (singer/songwriter), Tracy Ammon (guitar/vocals) , Tom Kurländer & Pale Blue Sound (folk music), Shaun McGrath and Amy Yekel (opera selections), Russ Stich & Friends (improv), Madjax Dance Co. (dance), Katrina Sparks (spoken word), Black Beanz (African-inspired dance) and Kraig Brock (steel drum) perform on the Beck Stage on St. Charles Avenue.
Each year a local artist creates a limited edition LAF lithograph which can be purchased at the festival information booth. Proceeds benefit the LAF Scholarship Fund.
Festival-goers will also find a variety of food options for purchase and booths staffed by local non-profit groups.
Visit lakewoodartsfestival.org for more information about the festival.
Volunteers and local vendors help keep the flower boxes along Detroit Avenue in tip-top shape all summer long. The planters add color to the downtown business district. (Carol Kovach/special to cleveland.com)
Cruisin’ in: Car enthusiasts may be interested in two upcoming events featuring classic cars and trucks.
The annual St. Patrick Cruise-in and Ice Cream Social scheduled for 5-8pm. August 3 on the grounds of St. Patrick Parish, 4427 Rocky River Drive, in the West Park neighborhood of Cleveland.
The entry fee is $10 for those wishing to register a vehicle at the auto show. Any make, model or year can be entered. There are dashboards, door prizes and trophies for the drivers. There is also a DJ, basket raffles, 50/50 drawing and more.
Spectators have free entry. Hot dogs, hamburgers, baked goods and ice cream are available for purchase.
The event is a community fundraiser and is coordinated by the Holy Name Society.
Speaking of Auto Cruise-Ins, the Olmsted Historical Society will be launching their Car Cruise In & Antique Engines Show 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. August 7 at the Frostville Museum Complex, 24101 Cedar Point Road, North Olmsted, in the Rocky River Preserve at Cleveland Metroparks.
There is a donation of 1 euro on the door. Classic cars, trucks and antiques are on display at the event. Sellers are welcome.
The Lagrange Engine Club also displays a collection of antique farm machinery, large and small.
The museum buildings open at 10am and food and drinks are available for purchase.
For more information, contact John Baker at 440-734-3124 or visit olmstedhistoricalsociety.org.
Learn More About the Legion: American Legion Post 738, based in Fairview Park, will have a table with Legion members at this weekend’s Summerfest to explain the American Legion’s mission and answer any questions the public may have about the Legion. Members also declare membership eligibility.
In short, any honorably discharged veteran who has served since December 7, 1941 is eligible to join the American Legion. Visit Americanlegionpost738.org for more information. Legion members invite visitors to stop at the Post’s Table at the Summer Festival or visit the Post Office, 19311 Lorain Road, Fairview Park, every Tuesday evening.
Call 440-356-2110 for more information.
Night at the Races: Friends of North Olmsted Parks and Recreation will be presenting a Night at the Races from 6pm to 10pm. 6 August at St Clarence Church Pavilion, 30106 Lorain Road, North Olmsted.
General admission is $25, which includes food, drinks, and laundry. Participants may bring their own alcoholic beverages.
There will be a 10-race format with 10 horses per race. Nominate a horse for $10 or sponsor a race for $100. Call Frank Boulton, 216-973-4578 for promotional opportunities and more information.
Community Meal: Clague Road United Church of Christ and Church of the Redeemer in Westlake will jointly sponsor a complimentary grab-and-go meal at 4:30 p.m. until food runs out on July 30th. Those interested in a meal should head to the back door of Clague Road UCC, 3650 Clague Road, North Olmsted and volunteers – masked and gloved – will deliver a meal to your car. All are welcome.
Chalk the Walk: Residents of all ages are invited to stop by the North Olmsted Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 6 August to help decorate the library’s sidewalks in celebration of Summer Reading and CCPL’s 100th Anniversary. The North Olmsted Library is located at 27403 Lorain Road, North Olmsted.
Visit the library between 11am and 1pm. to receive a free balloon animal or figure from Cleveland Magic and Balloons. There are surprise gifts in the children’s area for the first 100 participants.
The events are sponsored by Friends of North Olmsted Library.
Street Sale: The annual West Boulevard Neighbors Block Club Street Sale is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the West Boulevard/Cudell/Baltic Avenue/Clifton Boulevard/Edgewater neighborhood of Cleveland.
Bargain hunters are invited to stop by and browse through the goods.
Each yard/street sale operates independently. Some may start selling as early as August 4th.
Information Please: Readers are invited to share information about themselves, their families and friends, organizations, church events, etc. in Fairview Park, Lakewood, North Olmsted and West Park for the A Place in the Sun column I am writing on a freelance basis. Awards, honors, milestone birthdays or anniversaries and other items are welcome. Send information to carolkovach@hotmail.com at least 10 days before the desired publication date.
Read more in the Sun Post Herald.
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