The Cleveland 2016 Host Committee recently announced that it will host a post-Convention community-wide weekend celebration July 29-31 on the newly renovated Public Square and throughout Downtown Cleveland to recognize Northeast Ohio residents and volunteers for their contributions to Cleveland’s hosting of the 2016 Republican National Convention. The primary elements of the weekend programming will be “A Community Thank You Party,” on Saturday, July 30, from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. on Public Square, as well as free admission to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. for residents of Northeast Ohio.

The party and the free admission to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame are made possible through the generous support of JobsOhio, The City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, The Kulas Foundation and theJohn P. Murphy Foundation.

Those who attend the party, which is open to all, can enjoy family-friendly live entertainment, kid’s activities, giveaways, including Mitchell’s Ice Cream, and snacks for purchase from many of Cleveland’s great food trucks. Local visitors can also enjoy live music at the Rock Hall’s new outdoor beer garden and experience the museum’s featured summer exhibit “Louder Than Words: Rock, Power & Politics” – an experience of exclusive video interviews, interactives, photography and never-before-seen artifacts that explore how music has shaped and reflected our culture through the lens of rock music. Rock Hall admission on July 30 is free for Northeast Ohio residents who live in ZIP codes beginning with 440, 441, 442 or 443 and have a valid ID.

“Hosting this Convention requires an immense amount of collaboration, support from our community leaders, thousands of man hours from the Host Committee’s 8,000 volunteers and cooperation and patience from the residents of Northeast Ohio,” said David Gilbert, president and CEO, Cleveland 2016 Host Committee. “We hope people from across Northeast Ohio will come Downtown throughout the weekend to commemorate the unprecedented effort that is going into hosting this Convention. Its impact far exceeds the economic benefits. It validates the strength of this community and what we can achieve when we come together in support of our beloved city.”

In addition to the Host Committee’s party, another highlight of the weekend celebration includes the return of The Cleveland Orchestra’s Star Spangled Spectacular concert to Public Square, which is scheduled to kick off the weekend of festivities on Friday, July 29, at 9 p.m. The Orchestra’s annual, free community concert in Downtown Cleveland will mark the first major activation of the restored space and is emblematic of the future programming that will occur in the heart of Downtown Cleveland.

In addition to The Cleveland Orchestra’s performance, many other activities will bring a vibrancy and excitement to the city’s core following the Convention:

• Friday, July 29:
  • VeloSano Kickoff Party on Mall B, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.
  • Cleveland Indians vs. Oakland Athletics, 7:10 p.m. (with post-game fireworks)
  • The Cleveland Orchestra Concert on Public Square, 9 p.m.
• Saturday, July 30:
  • Rock & Roll Hall of Fame open to public for FREE, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
  • Cleveland 2016 Host Committee’s “A Community Thank You Party” on Public Square, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Cleveland Indians vs. Oakland Athletics, 7:10 p.m. (with post-game fireworks)
• Sunday, July 31:
  • Cleveland Indians vs. Oakland Athletics, 1:10 p.m.

Those attending each of these events Downtown during the celebration weekend are encouraged to take the RTA Rapid; trips can be planned using www.riderta.com. Riders can park for free and buy a $5 All-Day Pass.

The Host Committee would like to thank The Cleveland Orchestra, the Group Plan Commission,Cleveland Clinic, RTA, the Cleveland Indians and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for their partnership in creating a cohesive and exciting weekend for Clevelanders.

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