Parade the Circle + Cleveland's Botannical Gardens

Two years ago Brett and I decided, on a crazy whim, to head up to Cleveland and do the Botanical Gardens for the day. (We aren't normally prone to such crazy, spontaneous whims unless there's food involved!)

We got up to Cleveland to find awful traffic jams all through the streets near where we'd hoped to park. Way worse than ever expected. Seems like there was a parade getting ready to start? After quite a bit of driving around, we convinced a guy to let us park in a hospital lot where they were restricting access from people looking to park and see the parade. We honestly had no intentions to see the parade - we didn't even know about it, and were there for the Botanical Gardens, so he let us park- cool!

As we were walking the several blocks over to the Botanical Gardens, we came across the crowded sidewalks of observers for the parade, and some of the craziest sites we'd seen in a looong time! Turns out Parade The Circle was just starting - Cleveland's art parade! Trust me, you've never seen anything like it! Talk about some cool stuff - quite a bit of imagination went into the displays, props, costumes, make up, and dance routines...we saw walking whoopie cushions, vikings, African tribal dances, the four seasons, a spooky giant werewolf-like skeleton, kids on parade, a winged rhino, the Golden Gate Bridge, an onion, and more...

Even though we had assured the parking lot attendant we weren't there for the parade, we did end out watching - there was just too much to pass up! We were glad we had the camera along with us - I think we took more pictures of the parade - check 'em out!

After the parade ended we found our way to the Cleveland Botanical Garden (basically right where we were watching the end of the parade - couldn't have been easier!). We spent quite awhile enjoying all the indoor plants and artificial landscapes, the outdoor gardens (including the kids tree house!), and the butterfly display...

And as a bonus - FOOD! After we left the gardens, many of the food vendors were still set up in the park outside, leftover from the parade. I loves me some food! So Brett and I went over and tried some international fares...I don't remember what exactly at this point, but I do remember it was good stuff!

Turns out mom and dad are driving down to visit us the weekend of the parade this year. Since they're only driving down on Friday and heading back to NY on Sunday, I don't know how they'll feel about heading up to Cleveland for a daylong adventure and heavy traffic. I don't remember why we couldn't make the parade last year (maybe we drove to NY?). Hopefully I'll be able to convince mom we should take in the adventure!!

And please - if you're ANYWHERE NEAR Cleveland Saturday, June 10th, make sure you stop and check it out!! Take your loved one, take your kids, take your friends - GO!