8 Mouthwatering Cook-Offs You Won’t Want To Miss In Cleveland This Summer
Clevelanders know that summer is right around the corner when they start smelling barbecue in the air. In fact, no summer in The Land is quite complete without at least one cookout. However, many city dwellers don’t have the space to keep a grill or even host a large group… so what’s a Clevelander to do? Fortunately, the city and its suburbs often come alive with community cook-offs and other food-oriented events, so you won’t have to travel far!
For the ninth year in a row, Clevelanders gather in celebration of one fragrant and delicious food. The Garlic Festival is a huge foodie celebration, but it also features quite a bit of music, beer, and games. The Grill-Off, as you may imagine, features garlic-loaded goodies, so vampires beware. For ticket information, click here.
For 20 years, Memorial Day weekend has been a flavorful experience in Berea. The Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds host the annual National Rib Cook-Off, attracting local and national grilling experts. Attendees will experience incredible musical performances, a kid's area, and barbecue galore. For tickets, click here.
This summer kick-off celebration features food, tunes, and shopping in spades. The historic stretch of Erie Street in picturesque Downtown Willoughby makes the perfect backdrop for this quaint community celebration. Enjoy a car cruise-in, a ghost walk, and so much more while you enjoy some delectable ribs. Oh yeah, and admission is free!
For nearly three decades, Gross Schechter Day School has hosted this incredible cook-off. Admission is free, making this an incredible way to spend your Labor Day. The event includes a video game truck, face painting, and other fun family-friendly attractions.
5. Strongsville City Club Rib Burnoff (June 21-23)
The charming Strongsville Commons area truly comes to life in the summer months, especially when some of the finest rib vendors are filling the air with smoky aromas. For 32 years, this incredible cookout has drawn crowds to greater Cleveland in celebration of camaraderie and fun. Admission is only $3, and it includes live entertainment that will knock your socks off.
To attend this event, you can park at the Cuyahoga Community College Western Campus and shuttle to the event for free! Here you will find nearly two dozen local and national food vendors, as well as entertainment for the whole family ranging from rides to live music. This annual event is in its 28th year, and attendees rave about its flavors and fun. For a schedule of events, click here.
The Lorain County Fairgrounds will take visitors on a tour through time with an incredible Civil War reenactment. The celebration will also include modern military vehicle displays, a rib cook-off, and so much more. The best part? Admission is free!
You simply must conclude your summer of celebration at this lakefront cook-off. Tucked against the shore of Lake Erie, Lakeshore Park comes alive for the 16th year in a row for a free weekend of fun. Rib burn offs, live entertainment, and a plethora of foods await visitors.
Delicious family-friendly fun is right around the corner, and there are so many places in Cleveland waiting to host you and your friends. Which of these celebrations have you been to? Which ones are you planning to attend? Let us know in the comments below!
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is - she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
