It's pretty clear when Labor Day arrives in Cleveland. You can hear fighter jets soaring overhead, polka music emulating from a pleasantly early Oktoberfest, and the call of monster trucks at the Great Geauga County Fair. The smells of zeppole and beer and deep fried foods fill the air. And everyone seems to have a festival or a fair or an event to go to. Don't get left behind. Here are the best things to do over Labor Day weekend in Cleveland.
Get a Jump on Oktoberfest
The rest of the world waits until late September to begin the beer-soaked Austrian harvest festival, but the Forest City doesn't wait around for fall weather to break out the steins and brats. During Labor Day Oktoberfest, organizers pack in a month's worth of eating, drinking and polka into one long weekend, transforming the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds into a biergarten to end all biergartens. With lots of German and local brews (and Jägermeister, who sponsor the event), an oversized 55-foot glockenspiel, activities to keep the kids busy, and a full-on Austrian feast, this is one Oktoberfest you don't want to miss.
19201 E. Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130
Try to Climb a Greasy Pole
The Feast of the Assumption hogs the spotlight when it comes to Italian festivals in Cleveland, but the St. Rocco Church Festival is nearly as old and way more fun, thanks mostly to the iconic greasy pole climbing contest. On Monday afternoon teams of contestants limber up (and loosen up with some celebratory beverages) before climbing up the axle grease-slicked utility pole (and up each other) to earn the affection of the crowd gathered below. There are also traditional Italian eats (hello, zeppole!), a religious procession, and a 5K run to work off all the calories on Sunday.
3205 Fulton Rd, Cleveland, Ohio
Run for a Cause … and a Beer
The Beer 5K run pops up from Chicago to Cincinnati, but in every city the program brings together local runners, local breweries and local charities for a fun, active, charitable and boozy event. This year's Cleveland event takes place on Saturday, with participating breweries like Great Lakes, Saucy Brew Works and Fat Head's. If running isn't your forte, you can join the walk portion of the event and then head straight to the three hour tasting afterward (and still feel good about it, since the money raised goes to charity).
Enter the Danger Zone
Whether you're an aviation geek or just a Clevelander curious about the fighter jets speeding and banking overhead, you should absolutely check out the Cleveland National Air Show. The military shindig takes over Burke Lakefront Airport for the weekend with exhibitions in the air and on the ground. One of the oldest air shows in the country, the festivities are headlined once again by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, who perform 40 maneuvers at up to 500 mph, but there's plenty of fun on the tarmac, where kids can explore real cockpits, learn about drones and meet pilots.
1501 N Marginal Rd, Cleveland OH, 44114
Pay Homage to the Granddaddy of County Fairs
Ohio's oldest county fair is still worth a visit almost 200 years after it first launched in 1823. The self-proclaimed "Great Granddaddy" of country fairs pulls in massive crowds for spectacles like the Demolition Derby, rodeo, truck and tractor pull, and drag races, as well as more folksy competitions like a chicken flying contest. With 13,000 exhibits, 2,000 animals and tons of fair foods, there's no end to the entertainment.
14373 N. Cheshire St., Burton OH, 44021
