(Toledo, OH) Toledo Pride takes over downtown this weekend.
What began as a celebration of the LGBTQ community in the Glass City is now a full-blown festival this weekend. The rainbow-centric celebration's biggest feature is the Toledo Pride Parade at noon Saturday, which draws hundreds from the lesbian, gay bisexual, and transgender community and their supporters in a colorful display of sexual orientation. The three-day festival starts tonight with an outdoor party and drag show-- with a name that twists a familiar Toledo theme "You Will Do Better in Drag.
The celebration continues with a festival Saturday at Promenade Park, and what's been dubbed the Big Rainbow Brunch Crawl on Sunday at taverns along Adams Street. Equality Toledo is organizing the event, now in its ninth year.
The Birmingham Ethnic Festival returns to a one-day format this weekend. But separate events will be held Saturday evening-- one of those the 23rd annual Waiters Race, where a four-member relay team tries to carry a tray with a pitcher of beer and two glasses. The winner posts and the fastest time and has the most beer remaining in the glasses and pitcher. The popular event is preceded by a tanchaz, or dance workshop teaching historic Hungarian dance steps.
The 44th annual festival itself takes place Sunday along Consaul Street in heart of the Birmingham neighborhood, starting at noon with a recognition ceremony on the steps of Saint Stephens Church. The festival runs the rest of the day, featuring ethnic dance groups, food and craft vendors, and plenty of popular Hungarian food dishes.
There's an opportunity this weekend to explore some of Toledo's historic neighborhoods...by bicycle. The Toledo History Museum and Toledo Bikes are teaming up to offer a ten mile tour. The event costs ten bucks and starts at Toledo Bikes on Washington Street downtown at 6:30 Saturday evening. A tour guide will show participants sections of the Old West End, Vistula District, and other locations they may have missed from a car.
Grand Rapids will play host to the 14th annual Sunset Jazz and Art Fest Sunday. Hundreds of visitors will set up lawn chairs along the banks of the Maumee to enjoy a day of free jazz music and shop at art booths. The event runs 2 p.m. to dusk in the downtown area.
The 35th annual Northwest Ohio Rib-off is now underway at the Lucas County Rec Center in Maumee. Former Doobie Brothers front man Michael McDonald performs tonight. Country music superstar Lee Brice takes the stage Saturday evening. A family-friendly concert Sunday will feature the Band Steele.