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- 📰 Mentor Rocks Gavin DeGraw, Viking Festival, Mentor Lagoons Updates
📰 Mentor Rocks Gavin DeGraw, Viking Festival, Mentor Lagoons Updates
Issue #532
In this Issue of: Mentor Local Buzz 🐝
☁️ Weather: Mostly Cloudy, Scattered Showers, Humid - Temps: 78-80
📢 Local Events from Mentor & the Area: MentorLocalBuzz.com/Events!
📰 Local News: 🎵 Gavin DeGraw to Headline Mentor Rocks Concert Tonight
🗓️ Ohio Viking Festival Finds New Home at Lake County Fairgrounds for 2025
🛶 Mentor Lagoons Launches Summer Rentals at Kayak & Concessions Stand
👨👩👧👦 Event Showcase: 🎶 Tropical Tunes and Laughs Await in Escape to Margaritaville at The Fine Arts Association
⚾ Sports: 🏈 Former Browns Free Agent Heads to Steelers, Eager for 2025 Matchups
🤔 Trivia Question
🤣 Something Funny
Contact Mentor Local Buzz - [email protected] - 440-256-6115
Mostly Cloudy, Scattered Showers, Humid - Temps: 78-80
👉 Events in Mentor & the Area! Visit MentorLocalBuzz.com/Events
Featured Event for Jun 17
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🎵 Gavin DeGraw to Headline Mentor Rocks Concert Series Tonight
Mentor Rocks
The City of Mentor is set to welcome GRAMMY® Award-nominated, multiplatinum artist Gavin DeGraw to the Mentor Rocks summer concert series on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the Mentor Civic Amphitheater. Known for his soulful vocals and genre-blending style, DeGraw brings a dynamic catalog of hits and heartfelt storytelling to one of Northeast Ohio’s most beloved live music events.
DeGraw rose to fame with his 2003 debut album Chariot, which produced platinum-selling singles like “I Don’t Want to Be” and “Chariot,” as well as the gold hit “Follow Through.” Over the years, he has consistently delivered radio staples, including “In Love With a Girl” and the four-times platinum ballad “Not Over You.” His duet with Colbie Caillat, “We Both Know,” earned a GRAMMY® nod for its feature in the film Safe Haven. His latest projects include Face The River, a deeply personal album inspired by his late parents, and A Classic Christmas, his first-ever holiday release.
With a career that spans collaborations with icons like Billy Joel and The Allman Brothers to modern acts like Maroon 5 and Shania Twain, DeGraw’s appearance promises a night of memorable music for fans of all ages.
The Mentor Rocks series continues to attract massive crowds, with over 119,000 attendees in 2024. The amphitheater transforms into a festival-like experience each week, with gates opening at 5:00 PM. Guests can enjoy a wide variety of food from local vendors, as well as beer, wine, and seltzers for those 21 and over. Lawn seating is first come, first served, so guests are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs. While outside food is welcome, coolers will be inspected, and outside alcohol is not permitted.
Admission and parking are completely free, thanks to the generous support of presenting sponsors Meijer and Cleveland Clinic, along with numerous supporting sponsors.
The Mentor Civic Amphitheater is located at 8600 Munson Road. For full event details, including parking and vendor information, visit www.mentorrocks.info.
🗓️ Ohio Viking Festival Finds New Home at Lake County Fairgrounds for 2025
The Ohio Viking Festival is preparing to set sail for a new location in 2025, moving from the Trumbull County Fairgrounds to the Lake County Fairgrounds in Painesville, Ohio. Scheduled for June 20–22, 2025, the popular festival is making the transition to accommodate its growing audience and to enhance the overall experience for attendees.
Now entering its second decade, the Ohio Viking Festival has become a staple summer event for history lovers, families, and Viking enthusiasts from across the region. The festival transports guests to the Viking Age with authentic battle reenactments, artisan demonstrations, interactive storytelling, themed music and performances, and a robust marketplace of handcrafted goods.
Organizers cited several key reasons for the relocation. The Lake County Fairgrounds offers significantly more space for festival attractions, improved amenities, and a more accessible location for visitors from Cleveland, Akron, and surrounding areas. The move also aligns the festival with the historic charm of Painesville, enriching the cultural backdrop of the event.
Visitors to the 2025 festival can expect a full lineup of immersive activities including:
Live combat demonstrations featuring Viking warriors in realistic armor
A Viking Village with hands-on crafts, blacksmithing, woodworking, and artisan displays
Interactive experiences with reenactors, storytellers, and performers
Live Viking-themed entertainment with music, dance, and theatrical shows
A wide variety of children’s games, crafts, and activities
An expanded Artisan Market offering unique Viking goods and handmade wares
Admission is ticketed, and passes are currently on sale. Festival-goers are encouraged to visit www.ohiovikingfestival.com for full event details, ticket information, and sponsorship opportunities.
With this exciting move to a larger and more accessible location, the Ohio Viking Festival is poised for its most ambitious year yet—promising an unforgettable experience steeped in history, craftsmanship, and high-energy fun.
🛶 Mentor Lagoons Launches Summer Rentals at Kayak & Concessions Stand
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Summer is in full swing at the Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve & Marina, where the Kayak and Concessions Stand is now open for the season. Visitors can enjoy the scenic beauty of Mentor’s 450-acre nature preserve from the water, with kayaks, canoes, paddle boats, and pedal boats available to rent by the hour through Labor Day.
Whether you’re exploring the quiet lagoons, paddling through marsh channels, or just soaking in the summer sun, this is the perfect spot for a relaxing outdoor adventure. After your time on the water, swing by the concessions window for a light snack or refreshing drink.
Ideal for families, nature lovers, and anyone looking for a peaceful escape, the Mentor Lagoons facility offers a unique blend of recreation and natural beauty.
For more information, including rental rates and hours of operation, visit mentorlagoons.com or call (216) 399-2347.
🎶 Tropical Tunes and Laughs Await in Escape to Margaritaville at The Fine Arts Association
The Fine Arts Association invites audiences to kick off their flip-flops and escape into the carefree world of Escape to Margaritaville, a musical celebration of Jimmy Buffett’s most iconic songs. Running from June 6 through June 22, this feel-good production features a soundtrack of sun-soaked hits including “Margaritaville,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” and “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.”
Created by Emmy Award-winner Greg Garcia and Emmy nominee Mike O’Malley, Escape to Margaritaville mixes romance, comedy, and beach-town charm, serving up a vibrant island escape with a PG-13 flair.
Tickets for Escape to Margaritaville are available online through The Fine Arts Association.
Next Show is Friday Night, June 20 @ 7:30pm
Jimmy Buffett's Escape To Margaritaville Tickets & Info
🏈 Former Browns Free Agent Heads to Steelers, Eager for 2025 Matchups
The Cleveland Browns’ decision to release safety Juan Thornhill this offseason was widely expected after two seasons of inconsistent performance. Signed to a three-year, $21 million deal before the 2023 season, Thornhill never lived up to expectations, with his play hampered in part by a lingering calf injury. The Browns designated him as a post-June 1 release, clearing $3.4 million in cap space for 2025.
Now, Thornhill has landed with a familiar rival—the Pittsburgh Steelers. He joins a defensive backfield that includes standout safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. In Pittsburgh, Thornhill is expected to return to his preferred role as a deep safety, with Fitzpatrick often playing closer to the line.
Though his time in Cleveland ended on a sour note, Thornhill addressed criticism from fans who questioned his effort on a specific play that circulated widely online. He defended his performance, saying the moment came at the end of an exhausting series and didn’t reflect his overall effort.
Despite no lingering bitterness, Thornhill made it clear he’s looking forward to the two games each season against his former team. While he emphasized that he holds no grudges, he expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to face the Browns twice a year in a Steelers uniform.
As the Browns move on, younger talents like Ronnie Hickman are set to take on larger roles in the secondary, with veteran Damontae Kazee offering cost-effective depth.
Visit yardbarker.com for this full story and other great Browns news.
