Last friday, on July 25th, I went to the Cleveland Burning River Fest down on Whiskey Island. This event is to bring people of Cleveland together to raise awareness on environmental issues regarding the Cuyahoga River. In 1969, the river caught on fire due to the pollution that was in the water. People come together for a night of music, environmental education, handcrafted beer, different boat floats and a ceremonial lighting to commemorate the cleanup of the Cleveland waterways.
I have been to this fest many times before but this year was even more interesting because one of my friends was able to play with his band in front of all the people at the Burning River Fest. This is definitely an event that I would recommend going to every year. If you have pride in Cleveland and want to be supportive of the Cleveland environment this is a fest that you should come down to and learn more about how you can do your own part! Not only do you learn more about Cleveland and ways to clean it up, you also get a chance to try new foods and beers and listen to some great music!
Whenever I think of summer, I always think of country music. Country music has always been something that makes me think about summer concerts, beer and cowboy boots. Last weekend, July 18th, country music came to Cleveland with an amazing line up. This "Burn it Down" tour, which that is what it was called and it was definitely true, starred some of the most amazing acts in country right now. These country super stars included: Jason Aldean, the fabulous Miranda Lambert, Florida Georgia Line and Tyler Farr.
The venue was at Progressive Field, which this was the first big concert ever done there, which was amazing in itself; also having Dick Jacobs old suite wasn't too bad either! I went with a couple of my girlfriends, who are also avid country lovers. It was an outdoor concert and was filled with people who love country music, beer and having an all 'round good time! Each act was fantastic and did all of their most popular songs, including some new. Miranda Lambert, in my own opinion, was by far the best! She had a ton of energy and got the crowd going for Jason Aldean. I loved the fact that she wasn't one of those typical celebrity musicians who change their outfits about a hundred times for an hour show. Instead she stayed on the stage the whole time singing in the same exact outfit, which was typical country style: leather shorts, a Rolling Stones cut off tee and a pair of cowboy boots. If you ever get the chance to go to a country concert or any concert for that fact at Progressive Field, I say take that opportunity. The outside atmosphere really adds to the feeling of the concert!
Not only did country music take over this past weekend, but food did as well. On Sunday, the 20th, it was time for the Taste of Tremont! This event has been around for 11 years now and is free to the public. If you don't know what the Taste of Tremont is, it is a neighborhood festival where restaurants all around Tremont host different entertainment and food tastings. During this festival, you pay for the food as you go and they also host a wine and beer garden. It was hard to always try different foods because this place was so overly packed and crowded it was ridiculous; but that is what made it fun! I love that Cleveland has these traditions that get everyone to come out and join together for different festivals and summer fun. Cleveland is making a comeback and it is starting with their deep roots in their culture.
