Theater, music, wine, food, more for summer ’21
Theater, music, wine, family fishing, food trucks, monster trucks, pets on parade. The Erie area has all that and more this summer.
Concerts, festivals, shows and other events that were canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic are returning and new ones are starting. Here is just some of what you can find to do this summer. The list isn’t complete. It couldn’t be. So many events are going on that we couldn’t get everything in. And the fate of some is still being decided.
Note: It’s always a good idea to check with organizers in advance to make certain an event is still taking place and to find out what COVID-19 measures are in place.
Summer events
Hot air balloon flyover: June 18, 7 p.m., and June 19, 7 a.m., Meadville. Thurston Classic was cancelled due to COVID-19 but seven balloonists will honor the late event chairman Ted Watts with flights over the Meadville area, weather permitting. Times are approximate. No specific viewing areas; balloons will launch from outlying areas and attempt to fly over the city. Free. www.thurstonclassic.com
“Rogues’ Gallery” by John Patrick Shanley: June 18 and 19, 8 p.m., PACA, 1505 State St., second floor. A collection of 10 monologues explores the allure of bad behavior and the absurdity of being human. $15 in-person, $10 online. 814-616-7222, www.paca1505.org/tickets
Party @ the Pines: June 18, July 2 and 23, Aug. 6 and 20, and Sept. 3, Whispering Pines Golf Course, 15630 Middle Road, Meadville. Summer concert series featuring country, rock-tribute, Janis-Joplin tribute, blues bands and more. $50-$360 for two, four or eight tickets. 814-333-2827, www.golfwhisperingpines.com.
Family Fishing: June 18, 9-10:30 a.m., Rotary Pavilion at Presque Isle State Park. Program for all ages led by park naturalists, limited to 12 participants, registration required by June 16. Free. http://events.dcnr.pa.gov/presque_isle_state_park
All Star Monster Trucks: June 18 and 19, 7:30 p.m., Lake Erie Speedway, 10700 Delmas Drive, North East. VIP access at 5 p.m., general admission gates open at 5:30. Six trucks will do battle in best trick, side-by-side racing and freestyle. $20, $22.50 and $25 for adults; $10 and $15 for ages 3-12; free for younger. 814-725-3303, www.lakeeriespeedway.com
Lake Erie Wine Country’s Reds, Whites & BBQ: June 18-21 and 25-28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Food pairing at each of more than 20 wineries, a gift and a digital recipe booklet. Provide your own transportation and visit wineries in any order after ticket pick up. $25 plus tax and fees. http://bit.ly/LEwinetour
Monday Music in the Woods: Mondays through July 26, 6-8 p.m., Asbury Woods Nature Center, 4105 Asbury Road. June 21, Buttermilk Falls Gang; June 28, Rankin & Schell; July 5, Matt “Broke” Boland; July 12, Bass/Drum/Bass Trio; July 19, Riffriders Lite; and July 26, The Maillets. Free but registration is required and tickets become available the Tuesday before. More events at Asbury Woods throughout the summer. 814-835-5356, www.asburywoods.org/events/monday-music-in-the-woods
“In Your Hometown”: June 23 through Sept. 8, various parks and outdoor venues. Erie Philharmonic concert tour. Family concerts: June 23, 7 p.m., Gibson Park, North East; June 24, 7 p.m., Goodell Gardens, Edinboro; June 25, 7 p.m., Diamond Park, Meadville; June 26, 7 p.m., Horan Garden Apartments, Erie; June 27, 3 p.m., Gridley Park, Erie. 16-person brass ensemble: July 5, 7 p.m., Pleasant Ridge Park, Fairview; July 7, 7 p.m., Gibson Park, North East; July 8, 7 p.m., Perry Square, Erie; July 9, 7 p.m., WQLN, Summit Township; July 12, 6 p.m., Ed Myer Complex, Titusville. Light-classical chamber concert: Aug. 10, 7 p.m., Edinboro University, Edinboro; Aug. 11, 7 p.m., Gibson Park, North East; Aug. 15, noon, Perry Square, Erie; • Aug. 17, 7 p.m., Asbury Woods, Millcreek Township; Aug. 18, 7 p.m., Lake Erie Community Park, Girard. Encore performance from the Erie Phil Strings, Sept. 8, Gibson Park, North East. Free. 814-455-1375, https://eriephil.org/hometown#hometownhome
On tour:Erie Philharmonic to bring outdoor concerts to hometowns around Erie region this summer
Goodell Gardens & Homestead 2021 Summer Music Series: Through Aug. 20, 7 p.m., 221 Waterford St., Edinboro. June 25, Rodger Montgomery Blues Band; July 2, Seann Clark & Friends; July 16, Salmon Frank; July 24, Mambo Jazz; July 30, Patchouli & Terra Guitarra; Aug. 6, Tiger Maple String Band; Aug. 13, Slim & Red; and Aug. 20, Tiny Paper Boats. Free. More events at Goodell throughout the summer. 814-734-6699, https://goodellgardens.org
Riverside Music Festival: June 25, 5-8 p.m., June 26, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., and June 27, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Riverside Brewing Co., 1 Fountain St., Cambridge Springs. Performers include Rick Magee & the Roadhouse Rockers, Mayflower Hill and Mike Sepko with Joe Tomino. Call or go online for more info. 814-813-5005, www.riversidebrewing.co
Pets in the Park Parade: June 26, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Gibson Park, North East. Theme is 2021 Olympics; dress pets as athletes or favorite countries to compete for awards. Benefits Because You Care Animal Rescue & Adoption. Registration, 11 a.m.; parade. noon; awards, 12:30 p.m.; pet market booths, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Live music from the Roof Top Project. $10 per dog for online/pre-registration, $15 for same-day/in-person registration. http://bit.ly/NEpetparade.
Food Truck Festival: June 26, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 3108 Sterrettania Road. Food trucks include Bro-Man’s Sammiches, Tater Tater Erie and Smiley’s Ice Cream. Portion of proceeds to benefit St. Paul’s Child Development Center window renovation project. 814-833-1761, www.stpaulserie.org
Sidewalk Sunday Hill District Flea: June 27, July 25, Aug. 29 and Sept. 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Erie’s historic Federal Hill area near West 26th and Peach streets. Music, food trucks, fashion, vendors, more. Free to attend. www.shopsonthehill.org, www.facebook.com/TheShopsOnTheHillErie
Footlights Theatre Performing Arts Center for Erie children ages 6-18 culminating in shows in July and August at Harding School. Free. 814-566-0807, www.facebook.com/events/287427689663378
Fun in the mud:Trucks run through the mud at Dirty Cherry Mudd’n in Conneaut Township
Dirty Cherry Mudd’n events: July 3-4 and Sept. 4-5, noon-dusk, 14160 W. Cherry Hill Road, Conneaut Township. Events for trucks, Jeeps and side-by-side vehicles (no ATVS for 2021). $20 per person, free for age 12 and younger. www.facebook.com/groups/dirtycherrymuddn, dirtycherrymuddn@gmail.com
8 Great Tuesdays: Tuesdays, July 6 through Aug. 24, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Liberty Park. July 6, The Pop Rockets with The I-90s opening; July 13, Chris Higbee with Refuge opening; July 20, The Purple Madness with The Breeze Band opening; July 27, The Earthquakers with Phunkademic opening; Aug. 3, Vanessa Collier with Mambo opening; July 10, Cracker with Matty and the Pickles opening; Aug. 17, The Vindys with Aria and the Voiceless opening; Aug. 24, Erie All Stars with CEE Brown opening. Free. 814-455-7557, www.porterie.org/8-great-tuesdays
Back on the bayfront:Here is the lineup for this summer’s 8 Great Tuesdays concerts
Sounds Around Town: July 9, 7:30 p.m., WQLN, 8425 Peach St. Summit Township. Summer outdoor music series kicks off with the Erie Philharmonic Brass Ensemble followed by The Riff Riders, July 16; Tiny Paper Boats, July 23; and Smilo & The Ghost, July 30. Concerts will be reported and air on WQLN TV and radio on fall dates to be determined. Free. 814-864-3001, www.wqln.org
“Into the Woods:” July 9-11, 15-17, 6:30 p.m., Erie Playhouse, 13 W. 10th St. Tony-award winning musical live on stage. $24 for adults and $15 for children and full-time students. 814-454-2852, https://www.erieplayhouse.org/shows-events
On stage:Erie Playhouse to hold auditions for outdoor in-person performance of ‘Into the Woods’
Conneaut Eagles Foundation concert: July 10, Backwoods Bluegrass at noon, Touch of Gray at 2 p.m. and Fresh Take at 4 p.m., Conneaut Cellars Winery, 12005 Conneaut Lake Road, Conneaut Lake. Fundraiser for foundation scholarships and grants, rain or shine, take seating and food; adult beverages available for purchase. $10 in advance, $12 at the door, $5 for ages 5 to 12. 814-382-1616 or 814-547-1403.
Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra “Opening Night 2021”: July 10, 8:15 p.m., Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua, New York. Features music by Strauss, Beethoven, more. Additional performances include “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert,” July 17 at 7:30 p.m.; “Beauty and the Beast in Concert,” July 24, 7:30 p.m.; and “Ella’s Great American Songbook with Capathia Jenkins,” a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, Aug. 14, 8:15 p.m. Call or go online for tickets and prices. More events at Chautauqua throughout the summer. 716-357-6250, https://chq.org/season/arts-entertainment/chautauqua-symphony-orchestra
MIAC Live series: Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center at Mercyhurst University, 501 E. 38th St. July 11, 3 and 7:30 p.m., Brian Stokes Mitchell, $35, $30 and $25; July 22, 7:30 p.m., Matthew Morrison, $40, $35, $30; Aug. 7, 5:30 and 8 p.m., Betty Buckley, $40, $35, $30. Tickets aren’t on sale yet for all shows. 814-824-3000, https://miac.mercyhurst.edu/events/miac-live
MIAC live:‘SNL’ alums Martin Short, Ana Gasteyer, singer Vanessa Williams among lineup
Summer music program: July 11, Aug. 8 and Sept. 12, 7 p.m., Luther Memorial Church, 225 W. 10th St. Presque Isle ProMusica, an Erie chamber orchestra in residence at Luther Memorial, presents concerts featuring small ensembles. Free; donations accepted. 814-454-0106, www.facebook.com/PIPromusica
Great Lakes Jeep Jam: July 15-18 at the Erie County Fair Grounds at Wattsburg. Remote control rock crawling, vendor scavenger hunt, Jeep pedal cars, mud pit, car smash for charity, Jeep playground, gift auction, poker run to wineries, 50 years of timeless Jeeps, how-to clinics, food vendors Basic registration starts at $75 per Jeep. Each special activity has its own cost. 814-397-9415. http://bit.ly/eriejeep
“Johnny Mathis: 65 Years of Romance”: July 23, 8:15 p.m., Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua, New York. Known for his hits including “Chances Are” and “Misty,” Mathis has recorded close to 80 albums and sold millions of records. $60-$125. 716-357-6250, https://chq.org/event/johnny-mathis-65-years-of-romance
Gathering at Chaffee’s Music Festival: July 23-25, 8296 Mill St., Girard. Performers include Mungion, ekoostik, Joe Hertler & the Rainbow Seekers and more. Tickets must be purchased in advance; $100 until July 20. www.thegatheringatchaffees.com/2021
Happy Together Tour: July 31, 8 p.m., Erie Insurance Arena. Concert with music of the 1960s and ’70s featuring The Turtles, Chuck Negron of Three Dog Night, The Association, Mark Lindsey of Paul Revere and The Raiders, The Vogues and The Cowsills. $63, $53. bit.ly/Erie_HappyTogetherTour.
Big-name shows are back:Award-winning country group headed to Erie Insurance Arena
Lake City Fire Co. Brewfest: July 31, starting at noon, 2232 Rice Ave., Lake City. Fundraiser with more details to come. https://www.facebook.com/LCFC56/
Wine, Brews, Spirits, and Food Truck Festival: July 31, 2-7 p.m., Lake Erie Speedway, 10700 Delmas Drive, North East. Beverages, food, live music, craft vendors and more. $20 in advance, $30 day of, $5 for designated driver and free for age 15 and younger. 814-725-3303, www.lakeeriespeedway.com
Harry Connick Jr. and his Band at Chautauqua Institution: Aug. 13, 8 p.m., Chautauqua, New York. “Time to Play!” concert by the Grammy-winning musician, singer and composer. $70-$140. 716-357-6250, chq.org/event/harry-connick-jr-and-his-band-time-to-play
Gordon Lighthfoot at Erie Insurance Arena: Aug. 14, 8 p.m. Concert by the legendary singer-songwriter and musician whose catalog includes “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” $57-$73. 814-452-4857, www.erieevents.com/events/event/08/14/2021/gordon-lightfoot-2
Feed the Animals Trivia Bowl: Aug 19, 6-9 p.m., Erie Humane Society, 2407 Zimmerly Road. Drinks, light snacks, trivia and prizes outdoors under a tent. $30 per person, teams of four encouraged. 814-835-8331, www.eriehumanesociety.org/events/feed-the-animals-trivia-bowl
Sphinx Artists at Chautauqua Institution: Aug. 19, 8:15 p.m., Chautauqua, New York. Performance by quintet from the nation’s most dynamic professional chamber orchestra comprised of top Black and Latinx classical soloists. $35-$55. 716-357-6250, https://chq.org/event/sphinx-artists
Train at Erie Insurance Arena: Aug 21, 8 p.m. Concert by Erie native and lead singer Pat Monahan’s Grammy-winning band with special guest Vertical Horizon. $29.50-$99.75. 814-452-4857, https://www.erieevents.com/events/list/08/21/2021
odders & Riders Cruise for the Veterans: Aug. 21, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Lake Erie Community Park, 10192 West Lake Road, Lake City. Car cruise-in with food trucks, silent auction, more. Benefits Veterans Miracle Center of Erie. Free; donations accepted. 814-440-8463, vmcerie.org/event/4th-annual-rodders-riders-cruise-for-veterans, contact@vmcerie.org
Parsons Dance at Chautauqua Institution: Aug. 23, 8:15 p.m., Chautauqua, New York. Performance by contemporary American dance company, internationally renowned for its energized, athletic ensemble work. $45-$75. 716-357-6250, https://chq.org/event/parsons-dance
Smokey Robinson at Chautauqua Institution: Aug. 28, 8:15 p.m., Chautauqua, New York. Concert by the legendary singer-songwriter will conclude Chautauqua’s summer season. $75-$150. 716-357-6250, https://chq.org/calendar/eventdetail/22850/smokey-robinson
Ethnic festivals
Panegyri Greek Festival: July 9-10, noon-7 p.m.,Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 4376 West Lake Road. Takeout only.814-838-8808, www.erieorthodox.org, www.facebook.com/events/850349582498789, eriegreekfestival@gmail.com
Zabawa Polish Festival: Aug. 27, 5-10 p.m.; Aug. 28, noon-10 p.m.; and Aug. 29, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, 2220 Reed St. Live music, dancing, polka Masses and Polish foods. 814-456-0671, www.holytrinityrc.org
German Heritage Festival: Sept. 4, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sept. 5, 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m., St. Nick’s Grove, 5131 Old French Road. Food, beer, children’s activities, live entertainment and a dance floor. $5, or $8 for a two-day pass; free for children younger than 12. 814-456-9598, www.dank-erie.org
Edinboro Highland Games & Scottish Festival: Sept. 11, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 219 Meadville St., Edinboro. Music, dance, athletics, art, food, beer tastings by local brewers, kids’ games and student competitions. http://bit.ly/scottisherie
2021 fair calendar
Fair season:Here is a list of community fairs on the 2021 calendar in the Erie region
Albion Area Fair: Sept. 14-18, 35 E. State St., Albion. 814-756-3911, www.facebook.com/albion.fair; http://bit.ly/albionfair
Cochranton Community Fair: Aug. 2-9, 141 River St. Ext., Cochranton. www.cochrantonfair.org.
75th annual Crawford County Fair: Aug. 21-28, 20939 Hamilton Road, Meadville. 814-833-7465, http://bit.ly/CRAWORDFAIR or https://www.crawfordcountyfairpa.com.
Erie County Fair at Wattsburg: Aug. 30-Sept. 4, 13993 Route 8 & 89, Wattsburg. 814-739-2232, http://bit.ly/wattsburgfair.
Jefferson Township Fair: Aug. 10-14., 7409 Lamor Road, Mercer. 724-301-2194 or 724-662-4734, https://www.jeffersontwpfair.com.
North East Community Fair: Sept. 16-18. Location not available at press time. 814-725-9187, https://northeastcommunityfair.org.
Spartansburg Community Fair: Sept. 6-11. 231 Jefferson St., Spartansburg. 814-654-7608, http://www.spartansburgcommunityfair.com/index.html or https://www.facebook.com/SpartaFairPA/.
Warren County Fair: Aug. 10-14. 371 Barton Run, Pittsfield. 814-563-9386, http://warrencountyfair.net/.
Waterford Community Fair: Sept. 6-11. 13012 Route 19 S, Waterford. 814-651-3586, https://www.waterfordfair.org/.
Find more events and submit your own for free at GoErie.com/calendar.