A packed house enjoyed music, comedy and bowling during the second annual Rock-n-Bowl fundraiser to benefit the Village Food project at Bay Lanes on Sat., Jan. 28.

Crocker Park's LibertyFest had a bicentennial flair this year during the two-day event July 3 and 4. The annual celebration featured music by the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, a spectacular fireworks display, childrens' shows and activities, a classic car show, patriotic speeches, carnival rides and special visit from officials of Westlake's sister city, Tralee, Ireland.

Thousands of art-lovers and dog-lovers came out to Crocker Park for the sixth annual Fine Art Fair and “Crocker Bark” event June 11-12. The weekend festivities included more than 100 artists selling their work and over 20 vendors offering canine-related products and services. The fair weather helped boost attendance at the event, and the Kalihari Splash Zone was a hit with kids and dogs, alike.

Over 700 entrants signed-up to participate in the annual Emily's Rainbow Run held April 10 in Westlake. This family activity, hosted by Emily’s Rainbow Fund, featured a 4-mile race and a 2-mile run/walk. Proceeds from the fundraising event benefited Emily’s Rainbow Fund, a member of the Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital Circle of Friends program whose mission is to donate proceeds raised to support pediatric cancer research.

Scores of kids and their families filled the Bay Middle School for the annual Bunny Hop presented by the Bay Village Recreation Dept. on Sat. April 9. Lots of fun activities were on store for the children including face painting, games, crafts, plus a soft, climbing environment, and visit by the Easter bunny. Kids were treated to a story read by Bay Village Branch librarian Joyce Sandy before participation in the traditional Easter egg hunt. There was also a surprise appearance outside the middle school by Bay firemen with their fire truck. The annual event was free to residents.

The first annual Rock-n-Bowl was great success as over 200 attendees partied the night away with music, bowling, dancing and special guest appearance by Elvis – all to benefit the Village Food Project.

Citizens were introduced to the Village Food Project (VFP) at Bay Presbyterian Church on the evening of Jan. 9. The mission of the non-profit project is "to come together as a community of all ages, to love our neighbors who are experiencing a cancer crisis, by providing nourishing meals." The VFP is a multi-generational project where adults mentor Bay Village teens, training them in the kitchen to become chefs for the project. As VFP chefs, teens take responsibility for the major portion of meal preparation and packaging of meals for delivery to members of the community. Residents were introduced to the project during an evening of information, video presentations and a sampling of items from the VFP's menu.

Warm weather and a family-friendly atmosphere brought hundreds to Crocker Park on Dec. 31 to ring in the New Year. The event was the official kickoff for the city's Bicentennial year.