Cleveland Heights' Cedar Fairmount district is giving locals a reason to trade another slow Sunday for live music, circus performers and a rocket-ship car ride. The 21st annual Cedar Fairmount Summer Festival is set for this Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., with vendors, children's games, street food and plenty of reasons for families to linger at the top of Cedar Hill.
According to Cleveland.com, the lineup includes Blue Lunch and Tony Quarles and the Discovery Band, along with Heights High student musicians. The afternoon also promises an artisan vendor fair, face painting, stilt walkers, Wizbang teen circus performers, Cleveland Metroparks' NatureTracks mobile outreach vehicle, the city's water buggy, and Cleveland Heights police and fire vehicles.
The family-centered action will stretch beyond the music. A children's fair at Cleveland Heights Church will offer games for youngsters of all ages, while merchants and restaurants plan special deals and streetside food; nonprofits serving Cleveland Heights and local arts and culture groups are also expected to participate, according to The Cleveland Bucket List.
A Walkable District Gets Its Annual Spotlight
The festival also serves as a yearly showcase for one of the Heights' most recognizable commercial areas. The City of Cleveland Heights describes Cedar Fairmount as the city's gateway and its first planned neighborhood shopping district, dating to the early 1900s and the 1916 Heights Center Building.
That mix of historic architecture, restaurants, shops and gathering spots is exactly what the district's organizers hope to put on display. The Cedar Fairmount district describes itself as a walkable hub just uphill from University Circle, with local businesses ranging from Luna Bakery Cafe and The Fairmount to EDWINS and boutique retailers.
For anyone planning a last-minute summer outing, the event listing from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture confirms the Sunday schedule and four-hour run. Expect a neighborhood festival rather than a sprawling fairground: music on the street, small-business specials, community groups, kid-friendly activities and just enough spectacle to make a rocket car seem like a perfectly reasonable way to spend the afternoon.
