As we head into the peak of the holiday season, Downtown Cleveland is the place to be for festive lights, decorations, and winter celebrations.

Nearly 10,000 participants gathered in downtown Cleveland for the 44th Annual Cleveland Turkey Trot, featuring runners, spectators, and creative costume enthusiasts. After two weeks of voting, FreshWater readers selected their favorite costumes across three categories. See who won!

Cleveland's 44th annual Turkey Trot saw a record-breaking 9,658 participants on Thanksgiving. Now, FreshWater's Second annual Turkey Trot Costume Contest is open for public voting through Monday, Dec. 8, with winners in individual, group, and pet divisions receiving prizes from FreshWater, CLE Urban Winery, and Lake Erie Pet Food.

Nearly 10,000 participants from around the country braved cold, windy conditions to attend and participate in the 44th Annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, with many participants in costume. FreshWater's second annual Turkey Trot costume contest is now underway and today is the deadline for submissions. Voting begins tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec. 2m and the winners receive some great prizes!

The 44th Annual Cleveland Turkey Trot is expected to draw a record-breaking 10,000 runners to downtown Cleveland on Thanksgiving morning. The race features three distance options, live entertainment, a food drive and donations to local charities, and the second annual FreshWater Turkey Trot costume contest.

FreshWater Cleveland will host its second annual Turkey Trot Costume Contest for participants of the 44th Cleveland Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27. Participants can submit photos of their costumes in individual, group, or pet divisions until Dec. 1, with voting open until Dec. 8.

The Cleveland Museum of Art's annual Chalk Festival, a modern interpretation of a 16th-century Italian tradition, is this weekend on the south plaza, walkways, and the Fine Arts Garden. Artists of all skill levels are invited to create chalk masterpieces, with professional artists joining community groups and families in a colorful celebration of art and self-expression.

Rid-All Green Partnership's Fresh Fest Cleveland, now in its sixth year, will transform the Kinsman neighborhood into a vibrant celebration of food, art, wellness, and music this Saturday, Sept. 13. The free festival, headlined by hip-hop legend MC Lyte, will feature more than 80 local vendors, 12 food trucks, and a variety of activities at the revitalized Rid-All Farm and Otter Park.

CLE-Vignettes are photos that show how people in Northeast Ohio spend their time—what they are doing for fun and entertainment or just hanging out with friends and family. Share your CLE-Vignette with us!

The Cleveland Cavaliers unveiled newly renovated outdoor basketball courts at Trent Park in the Clark-Fulton neighborhood last week, marking the organization's 18th recreation court revitalization project and largest investment to date. The community-driven initiative, supported by local leaders and organizations, provides safe spaces for youth and families while fostering unity and creativity in the neighborhood.

Troy Parsh started the Amusement Preservation Museum in Grafton to preserve and restore artifacts from Northeast Ohio's historic amusement parks. The museum's collection includes rides, parts, and memorabilia from over 30 Ohio parks, offering visitors a nostalgic journey through the region's rich amusement park history.

Cleveland plays a crucial role in bird migration, situated between two major migratory corridors. Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland's Harvey Webster offers insights on bird watching, conservation efforts, and the importance of creating bird-friendly habitats during Cleveland's peak bird migration season.

Holden Forests & Gardens is celebrating the achievement of its five-year goal of planting and caring for 15,000 new trees to increase Cleveland's urban tree canopy with a People for Trees Celebration Week during Arbor Day Week, April 21 to April 26. The week features activities at Holden Arboretum and Cleveland Botanical Garden.

Canalway celebrated its 40th anniversary earlier this month with the approval of new design plans for the 22-acre Canal Basin Park along the Cuyahoga River. The interpretive park will honor the city's industrial heritage while adding a gathering place on Cleveland's riverfront landscape.

Vote for your favorite pet, human, and group costumes from las week's 43rd annual Cleveland Turkey Trot. 

More than 9,000 participants will celebrate Thanksgiving next week in the 43rd annual Cleveland Turkey Trot. And don't forget to vote for the winners of the annual costume contest on FreshWater after the event!

The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes will be celebrating Halloween today, and all weekend long, with plenty of spooky kid fun at the welcome desk. Stop in wearing your favorite costume and celebrate the season!

Slow Roll Cleveland, a community cycling group that takes leisurely 10-mile bike rides each week through various Cleveland neighborhoods, concludes its 2024 season next week with a Halloween ride—costumes and bike decorations encouraged.

The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes has teamed up with Wild Birds Unlimited in Mayfield Heights for its annual Bird Seed Sale fundraiser. A variety of seeds, suet, and accessories are available. Read some tips for feeding the birds in your yard this winter.

AutumnFest: Fairytales in the Forest, a free family-friendly event, is set to enchant visitors at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes this weekend with a variety of activities, storytelling, s'mores, craft-making, and food trucks. Guests can also check out the annual bird seed and perennial plant sales.