LakewoodAlive Unveils 2017 Schedule of Community Events

Front Porch Concert Series, Summer Meltdown, Spooky Pooch Parade, Chocolate Walk and Light Up Lakewood drew 35,000+ attendees last year

Mark your calendars for plenty of fun in Lakewood this year.  Today LakewoodAlive announces its schedule of community events for 2017 – a collection of five events spanning 15 dates that will afford attendees ample opportunities to celebrate Lakewood’s vibrancy.

The Front Porch Concert Series, Lakewood Summer Meltdown, Spooky Pooch Parade, Lakewood Chocolate Walk and Light Up Lakewood encompass a diverse slate of events that truly offers something for everyone.  Collectively, this quintet of LakewoodAlive events drew more than 35,000 attendees to Downtown Lakewood during 2016.

From top left: Lakewood Summer Meltdown (Photo by Lakewood Patch), Front Porch Concert Series, Spooky Pooch Parade and Light Up Lakewood

The event schedule kicks off on Friday, July 7, from 7 to 9 p.m. with the first of 11 performances comprising the Front Porch Concert Series presented by Bentley Wealth Management of Raymond James.  Like a crowd-pleasing encore performance, this summer series delights its audience, as it features a wide array of free, live music on the front porch of Lakewood Public Library for 11 consecutive Friday evenings.  Each week showcases a different style of music while Lakewoodites and visitors enjoy an entertaining evening at an open-air venue.  Attendees are encouraged to bring family, friends, snacks, blankets and chairs.

Sponsored by Melt Bar & Grilled, the Lakewood Summer Meltdown on Saturday, July 8, from 4 to 10 p.m. represents one of the region’s most highly-anticipated street parties that drew 10,000 attendees from across Northeast Ohio to the heart of Lakewood last year.  This fixture on our city’s summer calendar takes place on Detroit Avenue in Downtown Lakewood between Marlowe and Elmwood Avenues and includes a 5K race, 1 Mile Kids Fun Run, street festival, outdoor activities, games, food vendors, beer garden, live music and more.

Dogs will rule the day on Saturday, October 21, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. during the 10th Annual Spooky Pooch Parade, which consists of a festival in Kauffman Park, a parade through Lakewood’s Downtown business district on Detroit Avenue and an awards presentation.  A favorite Halloween tradition for Northeast Ohio dog lovers and their families, this community festival represents one of the only events of its kind in the region, providing a tail-wagging good time for canine and human guests alike.

On Thursday evening, October 26, Downtown Lakewood will turn downright chocolatey, and even those with a discerning sweet tooth will go home happy.  The Lakewood Chocolate Walk is a delectable and decadent evening all about chocolate, with participants visiting a variety of shops and eateries serving as “Sweet Stops” that each provide a unique chocolate treat.  This fundraising event supports the Downtown Lakewood Business Alliance and LakewoodAlive’s programming.

The spirit of the season will come to life with holiday cheer when Light Up Lakewood presented by First Federal Lakewood takes place on Saturday, December 2, within the city’s seasonally-illuminated downtown district.  A signature event on LakewoodAlive’s calendar, this free, family-friendly festival along Detroit Avenue features a holiday parade, lighting ceremony, winter fireworks, live music, ice carvings, hot chocolate, food trucks, children’s games and much more.

“We’re excited to announce our schedule of community events for 2017,” said Ian Andrews, Executive Director of LakewoodAlive.  “Our wide range of community offerings has something for everyone, improving quality of life for our residents and upholding our mission to foster and sustain vibrant neighborhoods in Lakewood.”

For more information regarding LakewoodAlive’s calendar of community events for 2017, visit LakewoodAlive.org.