Fri 7/25 @ 6-11PM
Sat 7/26 @ 6-11PM
Ohio City’s Great Lakes Brewing Company pioneered the contemporary wave of breweries in Cleveland when it opened in 1988, almost a decade after the last of the area’s original breweries had closed.
It was also a pioneer in another movement that’s taken the center stage in Cleveland: sustainability. It’s grown its sustainable practices in all aspects of its business ranging from energy efficient practices to use of alternative fuels to its partnership with the Ohio City Farm just two blocks away.
And since 2001, it’s produced a showcase event — the Burning River Festival, taking place at the Old Coast Guard Station on Whiskey Island. Centered around environmental issues, especially those impacting our water resources, it includes booths from area environmental groups and others working on sustainability issues, free local food (and of course Great Lakes beer), arts-related activities for kids, and lots of music and other performers.
Its lineup of music is particularly strong as it “sustains” the local scene by booking some of the area’s best original artists in a range of genres — more than two dozen on three stages. Among the standouts this year: indie pop rockers These Knees, Akron Americana quartet Hey Mavis, high-energy zydeco rockers Mo’Mojo, Kent folk-rockers the Speedbumps, this year’s High School Rock Off winners Backstage Politics, blues-based singer/songwriter/ guitarist/trumpeter Kristine Jackson, guitarist Doug Wood’s Cellocentric project blending classical music, jazz and folk, and singer/songwriter Gretchen Pleuss (pictured), returning to the picturesque acoustic stage overlooking the lake, where she played last year.
There’s a full schedule here.
Among the special activities: a visit from the Parade the Circle giant puppets; the corporate boat float, featuring boats made from recycled plastic; and a chance to try various musical instruments courtesy of the Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory. A demonstration that will either be on your must-see or avoid-like-the-plague list is the session ay 6:45 Saturday hosted by Fresh Fork Market titled “Rabbits, Groundhogs, and Squirrels, Oh My! Tips on backyard trapping and tasting of Squirrel Stew.” This vegetarian will pass and opt instead for Ohio sweet corn and blueberry custard being prepared at Great Lakes Brewing’s own booth by its pastry chef Becca Ritterspach.
A one-day pass is $15. You can pre-order here.
Proceeds benefit the nonprofit Burning River Foundation, which supports restoration, protection and conservation of northeast Ohio waterways.
burningriverfoundation.org/festival
Cleveland, OH 44102