Tremont will be hopping this weekend with two of the neighborhood’s most popular events—Walkabout Tremont and Taste of Tremont—happening this Friday, July 14 and Sunday, July 16, respectively.

Walkabout Tremont, which happens the second Friday of each month along Professor Avenue, celebrates American Classics this month with all-American food and drink specials from area restaurants and bars; more than 40 pop-up vendors and art on display along Professor Avenue; and open galleries and stories throughout the neighborhood.

Lisa Nemeth of Northcoast Promotions and a small group of additional volunteers secure the vendors and keep everything running smoothly each month.

There is something for everyone, says Katy Baumbach, director of marketing for Near West Partners. “We've got lots of fun stuff happening on Friday to really make it exciting and kind of take advantage of the nice weather in the summer here in Cleveland,” she says. “May through September, we tend to have a little bit of extra programming, including live music. We have Alpacas coming this week, which people always really like. We try to be very family friendly.”

Brad Hauber, who serves as Walkabout Tremont committee member, says the event has been steadily growing in the past couple of years—with 50 vendors participating and about 7,000 attendees last year.

Walkabout TremontStarted in 1993 as Tremont ArtWalk, he says, it evolved into Walkabout Tremont in 2016 as musicians, vendors, restaurants and bars, and street entertainers helped the event explode.

“It’s a fun atmosphere with more businesses participating,” Hauber says. “Friday nights are always busy in Tremont, and Walkabout Tremont only adds to the fun.”

Entertainment on Friday includes the Cleveland Kiltie Band; Crooked River Circus stilt walkers; music by the Alex Henry Jazz Trio and guitarist Jeff Powers; and belly dancing from Tribe Ostara Tribal Belly Dance.

Our Little World Alpacas will bring their alpacas to Tremont, while CODA will host Darksoft, Drag Daze, and book NOT brooke and Flying Monkey will host magician Paul Gallagher from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Stop by the 1899 St. John Cantius Church on the corner of Professor and College Avenues to see the beauty and art inside this historic church.

Hauber stresses that many of the popular Tremont stores, like Banyan Tree, stay open late on Walkabout Tremont nights. And new restaurants like Corner 11 Bowl and Wrap and about-to-open Battr Crepes and Waffles will be joining the event.

Of course, the Tremont art galleries will be open for Walkabout Tremont—each with its own unique exhibit or showcase. They include:

Taste of TremontDoubting Thomas, Art Deveney 2023, 856 Jefferson Ave.

Cleveland artist Joan of Art and her family take over Doubting Thomas. The show features new works by Joan of Art and family members Nicholas, Solita, Nora, Jessica and Dante Letzelter. Each of the family members will show their unique style.

RestorARTive Outdoor Gallery Displays, A Walk – Jared Wolfert

Tremont’s outdoor art gallery features five new works by Jared Wolfert, who repurposes images from popular culture. These images, though often taken from settings that are banal, commonplace and incidental, assume new meanings in their displaced context. Look for Wolfert’s art at five outdoor locations around Tremont: Kaiser Gallery, The Treehouse, Hi & Dry, Climb Cleveland, and Fat Cats.

Kaiser Gallery, Common Thread: Solo Show with Jamie M. Richey, 2418 Professor Ave.

Jamie M. Richey's captivating series, titled "Common Thread," delves into conceptual ideas, contradictions, and double standards through a collection of mixed media artworks. Combining Richey's photography with various materials such as thread, paint, and incorporating collage and text, this series offers a thought-provoking exploration.

818 Studios, The Art Shop, 818 Jefferson Ave.

More than 20 artists will showcase their works, ranging from fine art paintings and hand-made jewelry to artisan soaps and handmade gifts. All items will be available for immediate purchase.

Paul Duda Gallery, 2342 Professor Ave.

A gallery full of Iconic Cleveland photography.

Taste of TremontMegan Dardis Art Studio, 2535 Scranton Road

Dardis has new works that are still very much about bright and explosive color, but with a new exploration in depth and texture. Focusing on building up the surface with overlapping layers of color and pops of texture, these new pieces draw the viewer into her expressive work. Open 5-7 p.m.

Walkabout Tremont runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, July 14.

Taste of Tremont

Then on Sunday, July 16, the annual Taste of Tremont will occur along Professor Avenue from  12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Presented by Tremont West Development Corporation and MetroHealth, Taste of Tremont is one of Cleveland’s longest standing neighborhood festivals where neighbors and visitors gather to support the local restaurants and businesses. Baumbach says she expects more than 10,000 people to Professor Avenue to eat, drink, and dance into the evening.   

Food and drinks will be available for purchase from the more than 30 vendors lining Professor Avenue—showcasing the diverse restaurants, retail, and artists throughout the Tremont community. 

The Butcher and The Brewer’s beer garden returns this year with its locally brewed beers and live music, while the stage at Dante and The Treehouse will also have music.

While Parking is available, it is limited throughout the neighborhood. Baumbach encourages people to consider walking, biking or taking RTA #25 to both events. “If you plan on coming, it's nice to have the option of other ways to get in and out,” she says. Bike parking will be at 2406 Professor Ave.