The Cleveland area is blessed with dozens of great fireworks shows perfect for celebrating the nation’s independence. Events days before the 4th of July set the party off right so fireworks junkies can picnic while watching pyrotechnics for days. The best spots to watch, however, promise little extras everyone will love. From ballgames to rockin’ concerts, nothing beats this 4th of July in Cleveland.

Goodtime III Cruise on Lake Erie
825 E. Ninth Street Pier
North Coast Harbor
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 861-5110
www.goodtimeIII.com

Price: $20 to $80 per person
Hours: July 4 – 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

For pure viewing pleasure, it’s hard to beat Cleveland’s Goodtime III cruise on Lake Erie for sparkling fireworks over the water. From the lake, you’ll see fireworks from communities throughout the region as well as the city of Cleveland. The Goodtime III offers cruises on Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River with dinner, dancing and fireworks. Enjoy a gourmet buffet dinner with dancing on the top deck along with a beautiful sunset cruise, and top it all off with a fireworks show. The lowest priced options exclude the meal and use the lower decks of the ship only. Cruisers board the ship at 6 p.m. for a 6:30 p.m. departure, and the cruise ends at 11:30 p.m. The dinner buffet features hand-carved steamship round of beef, chicken breast with apricot sauce and delicious sides. The ship has four decks, and prices increase with the height of the deck. Don’t forget the cameras to capture the sunset, the city views and the fireworks, and to experience all of the events beforehand.

Fireworks with the Cleveland Orchestra
Blossom Music Center
1145 W. Steels Corners Road
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223
(216) 231-1111
www.clevelandorchestra.com/

Hours: July 3 America the Beautiful – 8 p.m.
Price: $25 to $85 under the roof/$20 lawn seats

July 4 Salute to America – 8 p.m.
Price: $25 to $45 under the roof/$20 lawn seats

The Cleveland Orchestra will open its summer season with two outdoor concerts followed by fireworks at Blossom Music Center, the orchestra’s beautiful summer home southeast of Cleveland. Both events promise to be enjoyable. Each evening the orchestra will play a selection of great American classics and then close with Tchaikovsky’s 1812 overture. Plan ahead and get seats under the pavilion for one of these concerts and then enjoy fireworks afterward. You’re allowed to bring a picnic including wine, and enjoy it on the lawn or a nearby picnic table. For a pre-fireworks picnic, it’s always a good idea to stop at one of Heinen’s Fine Foods’ 17 Cleveland area locations and pick up a container of its baked beans – a real gourmet treat that’s easy to bring along and sure to be a hit on the 4th of July.

Cleveland Indians Stadium
Progressive Field
Ontario Street and Carnegie Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115
(216) 420-4487
www.indians.com

Price:
Hours: July 3 – 7:05 p.m.

The Indians play the Los Angeles Athletics with fireworks following the game this year. This organization is known for putting on an excellent fireworks show and most of its pyrotechnics are visible throughout downtown Cleveland at the end of the game. This is Fill the House for Ronald McDonald House night at the Indians game. Ronald McDonald house helps families with hospitalized children by giving the parents a place to stay near the hospital.

Related: Best Activities You Wouldn’t Think to do in Cleveland

Lakewood Park
14532 Lake Avenue (at Belle Avenue)
Lakewood, OH 44107
(216) 521-0655
www.onelakewood.com/

Price: free
Hours: July 4 music – 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; fireworks – dusk

Lakewood High School’s acclaimed Lakewood Project rock orchestra will perform at the Lakewood Park bandstand from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with fireworks at dusk. Lakewood’s fireworks are excellent, set overlooking Lake Erie. The addition of a Lakewood Project concert will make this an outstanding event. Caution – parking close to the park will be difficult with all of this going on – your best bet is to find a legal parking place on a Lakewood street and walk to the park from there. If possible, walk from home, take the RTA bus or ride a bike. Consider stopping before or after the fireworks at one of Lakewood’s popular night spots – for example, The Beer Engine on Madison Avenue – known for featuring hand-pulled brews without any artificial carbonation.  The Winking Lizard on Detroit Avenue at Bunts Road is another excellent spot nearby for food and beverages. Though you can’t bring alcohol to Lakewood park, you will find an excellent selection of beverages and gourmet treats at Rozi’s Wine House on Detroit Avenue in Lakewood.

St. Peter Chanel High School
480 Northfield Road
Bedford, OH 44146
(440) 247-3129
bedfordfoundation.net

Price: free
Hours: July 1 – 6 p.m.; fireworks – dusk

This is a community event in Cleveland’s southeast-side suburb of Bedford. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. with something for all ages including a candy scramble, baseball throw, bat spin, balloon toss, sack race, Simon says and toilet paper wrap. The city of Bedford will also hold a parade at 10 a.m. the 4th of July for little ones who couldn’t do the late-night fireworks shows.

Bay Village
Cahoon Park West
27600 Lake Road
Bay Village, OH 44140
(440) 871-6755
www.cityofbayvillage.com

Price: free
Hours: July 4 – sunset

Bay Village is known for an excellent fireworks display held at Cahoon Park each 4th of July, and mayor Debra Sutherland personally obtained private funds to ensure that the tradition will continue in 2012. Pack a picnic to make this calm fireworks-viewing location into the perfect evening out. Cahoon Park West extends from Lake Road to Wolf Road along Cahoon Road in Bay Village, in the northwest corner of Cuyahoga County.

Related: Staying Safe in the Summer Sun

 

Susan Walker enjoys life in Lakewood, Ohio, on Cleveland’s west side where she works as a sourcing and purchasing consultant. She holds an MBA from Cleveland State and a BS in Chemistry and Computer Science. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.