This event was a lot of fun! Lots of delicious food and it was a beautiful atmosphere. I loved the…read moreChristmas music and the huge tree in the center of the lobby. It really got you in the Christmas spirit. There was a ton of gourmet food to go around all night long. 20 drink tickets was plenty since they were giving pretty good pours on the wine and beer. My only con would be that there was no coat check so we were stuck carrying around our winter jackets. Who knew since the day before it was 75 degrees, only in Ohio right?! Other than that, I had a great time!

I've been looking at all of the drink and food festivals happening around town the next few months…read moreso it was awesome to score tickets for this event. And to be hosted in the State Theatre at Playhouse Square, classy! My friend and I were dropped off and picked up so we didn't have to worry about drinking and driving especially since the snow hit that night, but how fitting for the Winter Fest! Tickets are $55 plus a $6 something fee. You get 20 alcohol samples and no restriction on food samples. Crowd seemed to be in the 30 and up club. Pros: -Lots of food samples and generous portion sizes for most. -Got to try drink and food samples from places I had not been to before. -Generous alcohol samples, they always filled my glass to the top. -Love the huge Christmas tree and other holiday decorations (I'm looking at you Mr. Reindeer man!) Cons: -Music kept getting shut off then turned off completely. Killed the mood a little as all you heard then was the loud humming of everyone talking. -No coat check so you had to hold onto your coat or secretly stuff it behind the Christmas tree and hope no one steals it. -Pretty crowded, lots of people sitting on the steps so you had to be careful squeezing past them. -Not enough high top tables to set your cup and plate on so you could enjoy things. Having to hold everything, try to consume it, and not bump into people was a little rough and awkward. I know for me, this caused some clumsy food spills a couple of times. -Would have preferred more wine options. I think there were only three wine tables? We only used 10 drink tickets because there wasn't much we wanted to try or keep going back to. All in all, glad I got the opportunity to check this event out! But, we ended up leaving before it was over, and unfortunately I would probably check out a different holiday food and drink event next year.

Despite the flaws mentioned in the other reviews, Burning River Fest is worth attending if you're…read moreinterested in beer (specifically Christmas Ale), music, and environmental organizations. The other reviews made a couple valid criticisms: they don't let you bring in your own water bottles (although you could have sneaked in your own utensils to eat - haha), forcing you to buy one of their own, costing $3 (not sure if they could be refilled and if so, their cost): I just downed my water as I walked in, natch. The beer cups, corn-based and compostable, weren't reused. A GLBRF volunteer told me cups aren't reused because they touch the ends of the beer taps. They did have plenty of recycling and compost bins around the fest. There were very few chairs, I stood without complaint. As for paper tickets, it may have not been the most environmentally friendly but the system allowed people to get their beer quicker instead of having to make change and ring up credit cards at each purchase. However, there was no signage that I had to get a wristband to buy alcohol once inside the fest. The lines didn't detract from my experience. I arrived at 6pm, right when it started, bought my admission ticket in advance and most of my beer tickets and wristband for beer as soon as I arrived, and waited no more than 10 minutes in any line although friends who arrived later had waited a bit longer than that. Although there were a few families there, I also wouldn't plan to bring young'uns here. As Steve mentioned, there was not much for kids to do here. The rain put a damper on the crowd and the overall experience. That being said, it's still worth attending if you're interested in hearing some music (mostly generic bluegrass, folk, and traditional country) and enjoying the views of Lake Erie amid friends and other people.

Went with husband last weekend on our weekend trip to CLE. First off, do NOT ask Google to get you…read moreto the location. We ended up walking through some projects, an industrial area and steel bridge to end up on the other side of freight tracks and a barbed wire fence from where we needed to be. Google Maps got us to within 20 yards but the last 20 were impossible. Ended up taking a cab to the access road. We were glad we did not drive as the cab got us much closer to the entrance than if we had to park. Long line to buy admission. Eco friendly festival sold us a paper ticket then took it back at the gate 10 feet away. Long line to get 21+ wristband then ANOTHER long line to purchase beer tickets ($5/beer = 5 tickets -- again, not eco friendly) and on the the NEXT long line for beer. Three choices available only -- Wright Plus, Burning River and Christmas Ale. In July. With 100% humidity. Okay..... Music was kind of lame. Only one of the stages had chairs so if you go, consider bringing one. Food choices were limited. I love the idea of this festival but it could be much better executed.

Held every year since 1969 (with a 10 year hiatus from 84-95), Hessler is a Cleveland institution…read moreand the mark of the festival season. Come hungry, with sunscreen and cash. Vendors sell ethnic eats, ice cream, and hand crafted items like tie died clothing, jewelry, and pottery. The neighborhood is leafy, eclectic, and brick lined. Hessler should be experienced at least one time in your Cleveland career. Check out my pics from 2010's festival. Follow the signs for the children's play area where you can find a drum circle.

Smaller street fair, but with plenty of vendors selling interesting items. (Posted some pics) The…read morereason behind the start of the fair was even more unique. Check it out if your in the area.

Hot as heck out but it was an awesome event. So many Ohio wines to taste test. Some vendors to shop…read morefor unique items. Multiple food choices. Can't wait for next year.

Visiting this wine fest is an annual outing for my family. I love trying wines from different Ohio…read morewineries. Of course, as with everything else, the ticket price has gone up but it's still worth the money. Some places are more generous, with the pour, than others but there are so many wines to taste that you won't mind a short pour or two in the end. There is everything from sweet to dry, reds, whites and blushes. I would definitely recommend comfortable shoes for all the walking and all the wine tasting. This event seems to gain more and more visitors each year, so the lines can get long, and especially if it's a fave. I also enjoy visiting all the vendors and grabbing something to eat.

Showing up on a whim from a new friend's suggestion after a long bike ride and a couple beers, I…read morewent for the first time to a Pecha Kucha last Friday. PK are held in 3-4 times in each city and each year and consist of 20 brief presentations from local artists, inventors, and thinkers about their ideas and projects [topics ranged from local photography, book cover designs, green architecture, and stories from touring with a Pakistani rock band] . Intellectually stimulating, it's like a cool college lecture although none of the talks blew my mind. The talks (I arrived shortly before the intermission), each occurred one at a time, were hit and miss, which is comforting because each talk is limited to 400 seconds each [6 minutes, 40 seconds] and 20 images. The last Pecha Kucha [a week ago from today] was at the Courtyard at the Hoyt Block. The space resembles open-air urban architectural ruins with rising concrete steps [utilized as seats here] one side, ivy on one on the brick walls, and is surrounded by 4 brick buildings off of West 6th. Unless you work in one of the surrounding buildings, this parcel of land is an unknown gem and should sorely be used again. (Private parties ? a projector screen to show movies ? A beer garden ?!) The sunset was amazing here. Pecha Kuchas are held at different venues and any future Pecha Kucha event space will probably pail in comparison to this one. The event was also very nicely priced, a $2 suggested donation, [hell yes!] plus drinks [beer, wine, and non-alcoholic ones] with suggested donations at $3 or less. I was surprised to find many in the audience dressed to the nines for the event. Pecha Kucha is an event that perfectly blends intellectual stimulation [which, since leaving college, I sorely miss] in a social atmosphere (done by selling drinks, keeping a time limit for each talk, and putting this on a Friday night) all at an affordable price ! I'm excited to see more events like this in Cleveland and I'll be marking down to go to the next one (no date set, although probably will be in the next couple months).

Last night I dealt at the Nautica Charity Poker Festival Pavilion. Basically it's the old party…read moreroom of McCarthy's in the Flats, but painted up and with some cool looking old church windows in it and some quilts. Plus...LOTS of poker tables. Coming in there is the constant click of people playing with their chips and there is some confusion because there is always a new charity hosting. The charity supplies the door person, the main floor manager and dealers for all the tables. The full time staff are the cashier and the floating manager/dealer coordinator who helps train the charity staff. The people who go to Nautica are the same people, night after night. For some of them, it's their job. For others, it's just a good way to spend an evening. Lose, win...and hopefully win some more? The charity's assigned usually run the shop for two days. Considering most of the dealers are poorly trained and rather clueless about poker (ahem...me!), it's a good thing that the tables are understanding and instructive. Apparently you can't become a professional trainer after a 20 minute class...weird, huh!? So to keep this legal, the charity takes a rake after each game. Also many of the tables have set limits to minimize betting. Overall, it's an excellent charity benefit so long as you are SURE that you have enough volunteers. With the particular charity I was working for, there were a lot of desperate last minute calls for people because there were plenty of people to start another table or two but no more volunteer dealers. For real poker players: A lot of these guys (and gals) are regular tourny players. Some of them aren't. It all depends on your table. There is a snack/drink cart moving around and at least the tournament tables are nice and clean. Like I said though, your dealer may not be the most experienced because they're an unpaid volunteer so please be understanding. I fold.

I purchased 5 wine drinkers tickets ahead of time and while on line it would not let me purchase a…read moredesignated driver ticket for $20 and said to get it a the entry. We walked up and checked in and asked for the "DD" ticket AND they said that they didn't have any and that person could not enter. During my rant at the door people were walking out and people were walking in with children in strollers and dogs on leashes and they told me that it was out of their hands and they couldn't help me and that person would not be aloud in. What a disgrace. I will NEVER PARTICIPATE IN ANY OF GIANT EAGLE MARKET PLACE ACTIVITY AGAIN - what a betrayal on their part. I will not go patronize Giant Eagle from this day forward or any of their vendors participating in the wine fest. What a disappointment. Bad vibes. I asked for the superior advisor and they sent me another person of the same caliber to let me think that I'm talking to someone in charge. Bad management' . Told me the same BS of course. Our DD which was my husband and father of my adult daughter had to wait outside the entire time - it did not turn out to be an enjoyable event.

Great venue to sample beers, wines, and various spirits. All the vendors are knowledgeable and…read moregenerous in their pours.10 tickets.... doesn't matter you can not possibly run low on tickets! I tasted some new tequilas and learned about brewing and vineyards. Music, shopping, and drink is perfect equation for as fun night in the streets of crocker park I only wish there was more food too...i absorb the intake of alcohol. Luckily there are enough restaurants near by to stop after the tasting to be able to p as use and be able to drive home!!

I had a great time even though I hate outer space and the feeling that the infinite universe gives…read moreme. People dress up in Sci-Fi costumes and get drunk at Yuri's Night. One young lady drank too much of the free Sam Adams and destroyed the Sam Adams life-size cardboard cutout of the man on the dance floor. Good thing nobody tried to take her home. It could have been a nightmare if she would have tore up your apartment. Or even worse. Be safe.

I love Great Lakes Science Center already but to throw this bash here annually makes me love it…read moreeven more. This party celebrates the first man in space Yuri Gargan so as you would expect, a space themed party and an extra aeronautical exhibit to boot. CLE came out strong in costumes this year. I think its a great conversation starter to meet new people. My boyfriend came with a bunch of planets on his sweater and someone asked to see uranus. Live band was playing all the latest hits, open bar with nice beer selection (Sam Adams, Angry Orchard, Rebel IPA) and some barefoot wine. Free appetizers were also served (jalapeño poppers, egg rolls, cheese/crackers. There was also a cool scavenger hunt going on. 180 teams registered, tasks included answering questions to find around the museum and taking selfies. What a super fun night. Such a great deal for a $40. Everyone had a blast, looking forward to next year. Parking was $7 in the attached garage, but gotta love CLE, free parking at parking meters on weekends.