Home Days All About Tradition, Community (and Fun) in Brecksville

Brecksville residents know how to party.

And from June 28 through June 30, the entire community will let loose and celebrate the city at the annual Home Days event on the Square in Brecksville.

Think live entertainment, booths, thrilling rides, a parade, food, fireworks show and hot-air balloon rides. 

Get all that?

The event kicks off on the Square with live music at 5 p.m. June 28 and runs through 11 p.m. June 30.

"I love Home Days because it's a Brecksville tradition that traces its roots back to the 19th Century,” said Brecksville Mayor Jerry Hruby.

“Home Days might be the only time each year that residents get to party with each other and see old friends who come back to Brecksville to keep in touch with their home town.

“And, you can't beat the food and music.”

Here are a few of the highlights.

• The weekend kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday with a brand new act on our stage, Rubix Cube, a band with all Brecksville college guys. And capping off the night will be the four mop tops from Liverpool, the Hard Days Night Beatles Tribute Band will play and sing all of the Beatle favorites.
• Preliminary rounds of the Brecksville Entertainer of the Year Contest take place Friday and Saturday night, with the finals for $1,000 set for Sunday night. 
• On Saturday night at 6, the original Edsels bring the Doo Wop sound of the 50s and 60’s back to life; followed by Artifex, back this year with Motown and Rhythm and Blues.
• On Sunday night, the event will feature Nashville-based Seven Bridges, widely considered one of the best Eagles tribute band in the country.
• And taking you up to the big fireworks display is the return of Brecksville favorite, the SHOUT! Band with The Legends of Soul, starring Brecksville’s own Dale Kirk, with Motown oldies that’ll have you elbowing for space on the dance floor. 
• Don’t forget about the polkas, with Johnny Pastirik at 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Wayne Tomsic at 2 p.m. Sunday.
• If you’re feeling lucky there’s a free grand prize raffle every night. Sign up at the Brecksville City booth for prizes from generous Brecksville merchants.
• “Thrilling rides” will be down Stadium Drive from Old Town Hall and on Sunday night from 6:00 to 8:00, across the road from the rides will be the RE/MAX Trinity tethered hot air balloon rides weather permitting. While you’re down at the rides make sure the youngsters visit the “just for kids” tent inside the ride area presented by the Pre-School Mothers Club and the Recreation Department, Saturday and Sunday afternoons. 
• Tell me more about about the food? Honey Hut ice cream; ribs from Brecksville’s Austin’s Wood Fire Grille and burgers from Brecksville’s brand new restaurant, Burger Fresh; Gus Gallucci’s famous pulled pork sandwiches. There will also be hot dogs, corn and chili dogs, fries, cotton candy, pizza, Italian sausage, pierogies, cabbage and noodles, steak and chicken pitas, funnel cakes, elephant ears, Dippin’ Dots ice cream, popcorn, fresh squeezed lemonade, gyros and the United Methodist Women’s Pulled BarBQ Beef sandwiches followed by their famous cherry pie and cherry cobbler. Remember, a Brecksville tradition requires that they be topped off with a big scoop of ice cream. Start the day on Saturday and Sunday with the Alumni Association’s Pancake Breakfast next to Old Town Hall from 9 a.m. to noon.
• Saturday morning features the annual Recreation Department Dog Jog and Fun Walk at Blossom and on Sunday morning it’s the 5K and one-mile Family Fun Run and Walk, presented by the Recreation Department and conducted by Hermes Sports and Events.
• The annual Little Miss Brecksville, Princess Brecksville and Junior Miss Brecksville Pageant sponsored by Joyce McFadden and The Gazette newspaper will be on the main stage this year at 1 p.m. Saturday.
• The fireworks show will wrap up the weekend on June 30 at 10 p.m. The fireworks will be accompanied by a “chest-thumping musical montage” going non-stop until “Elvis has Left the Building.” There’s also a “mini” but powerful fireworks appetizer at 10 p.m. Saturday.

Call the Brecksville Community Center at 440-546-2300 for more information.