This weekend in Erie, PA

An annual, college-hosted summer dance camp in the Erie area offers training with nationally ranked coaches and athletes. Participants build performance skills, take part in a Q&A, and can look forward to additional activities. The camp is held at Junker Gym and welcomes students in grades 6 through 12. The fee is $70 and includes a goodie bag. For questions, email Coach Karle at kqc5558@psu.edu.

Ease into the morning with an outdoor yoga session at Morse Park. Guided by Michelle Bielanin, these classes take place on select Saturdays during the season and welcome both newcomers and seasoned practitioners. Expect a relaxing blend of movement and breath in a tranquil, natural setting. Please bring a yoga mat, water, and comfortable clothing.

The 13th annual LECOM 5K offers a health-focused run or walk with two choices, a 3.1-mile course or a one-mile route, hosted at the LECOM Medical Fitness & Wellness Center. All entries help fund the LECOM Student Scholarship Fund. At the in-person race, participants may use timing devices and bibs to record finish times. A virtual option is available for those who cannot attend on site, and while timing devices are not required, participants can choose to upload their results on the registration site to compare with others across the country. Registration is available online, with same-day signups accepted, and registering in advance is encouraged to avoid delays. The cost is $25 and includes a race T-shirt. For more information, call (814) 868-7800 or email Lauren Zemanek at lzemanek@lecomwellness.com.

Settle into a gentle and accessible yoga session for ages 17 and up, guided by Balancing Dragon Yoga. The practice blends Hatha and Vinyasa influences, offering multi-level flows that help increase flexibility and strength while promoting relaxation and mental ease. Participants are encouraged to bring a yoga mat and water bottle. This program is free, and registration is encouraged but not required. One sign-up covers the full series, and attending every class is optional. Born from a deep appreciation for yoga and a focus on self-acceptance and self-care, the instruction draws on YogaFit training to support each person’s journey, with the reminder that filling your own cup can create more energy to care for others.

Hosted at Erie Sports Center, this annual family mini golf open welcomes participants of every age. The round features a shotgun start, prizes, and raffle drawings. Four designated holes offer a $50 reward for a hole in one. Pizza, soft drinks, and ice cream are provided for lunch. Visitors from out of town can turn it into a weekend by exploring the beaches at Presque Isle.

This sweet experience centers on cookies, cupcakes, and ice cream.

Each Second Saturday, Erie Land Lighthouse offers pay what you wish tower climbs along with both self guided and guided educational activities. Businesses and organizations can support the day as a sponsor. At the Lampist level, a $500 contribution supports one Second Saturday and includes five combo admission passes to share, logo placement on the website and social media graphics, a table at the event, and one ticket to the August fundraiser. Event imagery is courtesy of NOAA, photographed by Matt McIntosh.

A community market unfolds beneath the trees in Frontier Park, bringing together local vendors with produce, flowers, artisan goods, and more. Browse at a relaxed pace, meet the people who make and grow these items, and enjoy a welcoming shopping experience in the park.

Explore how much of our food relies on pollinators, with one in three bites linked to their efforts. Regional Science Consortium staff guide a session on the vital role these species play and the pressures causing their populations to decline. Attendees put ideas into practice by constructing a backyard pollinator house to help support these important creatures close to home.

Enjoy a peaceful walk on the scenic trails of Presque Isle State Park paired with a shared audiobook. The group sets off from Perry Monument and listens together while taking in the surroundings. Earbuds and comfortable walking shoes help make the experience smooth and enjoyable. The first 20 arrivals receive a free audiobook credit from Libro.fm. Participants can pre-order a used book for pickup at the walk, and Lucky Bean coffee can be pre-ordered so it is ready on arrival.

A welcoming, community-centered picnic created for individuals and families living with type 1 diabetes. Expect a friendly setting to meet others who understand the T1D journey, exchange experiences, and build new connections. The event is free. Light food and refreshments will be available, and you are welcome to bring your own picnic lunch. Pre-registration is requested so organizers can plan appropriately. Whether newly diagnosed or long involved in the community, attendees can look forward to support and encouragement. For questions, contact Community Engagement Manager Kristina Howell at khowell@breakthrought1d.org.

An uplifting annual block party and resource fair that centers community, welcoming Black and Brown community members, LGBTQIA+ people, allies, families, and local organizations to connect, celebrate, and empower one another. The day features live performances and DJ sets, community resource tables, wellness offerings, a variety of vendors, and food. Beyond the festivities, the focus is on visibility, access to support, and sustained care for the community throughout the year.

A bingo fundraiser from the Sinai Boosters Club takes place at JPT Foundation and features basket raffles, a Beer Wall, 50/50, instant tickets, tip boards, and more. Each ticket helps provide opportunities for Sinai Gymnastics athletes.

The second annual Rides for the Rise motor music festival begins with a motor vehicle parade through Erie, then moves to Rebich Investments Amphitheater and Liberty Park for a day of live performances by local artists, food trucks, vendors, and a bike parade. Portions of the funds raised support youth programs and mentorship in the community. Details on the parade kickoff and festival start time will be announced.

Enjoy a relaxed crafting session with fellow fiber enthusiasts during the final hour to hour and a half that Stitches is open. Participants gather around a table in Grounded Print Shop's space to work on personal projects and chat. Cross stitch, knitting, crochet, and other fiber works in progress are all welcome, or simply enjoy the creative company. This is a free drop in event. Well behaved minors may attend with a responsible adult.

UPMC Park hosts a matchup between the Erie SeaWolves and the Altoona Curve. For this game, the SeaWolves take the field as the Flagship City Kitties to honor Erie's flagship history, 25 years of Tigers player development, and the rise of future stars. The first 1,000 fans receive a Flagship City Kitties replica jersey, presented by Erie County Community College.

Jazz luminary and multi-platinum songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway headlines the Mercyhurst Institute for Arts & Culture’s annual Summer Soirée. The evening begins with an elegant outdoor reception on the Mercyhurst University campus, followed by an intimate concert in Walker Recital Hall. For this special appearance, Callaway presents "I Get a Kick Out of Cole," a lively salute to Cole Porter’s music and legacy. The program features beloved standards such as "Night and Day," "Just One of Those Things," and "Every Time We Say Goodbye," along with "I Gaze in Your Eyes," which she composed using previously unpublished Porter lyrics, making her the only composer to set music to his unrecorded work. Between songs, she shares stories that illuminate Porter’s life and craft, bringing audiences closer to the artist behind the classics.

This free Affinity Session at ASCEND Erie focuses on creating an inclusive climbing space for people who identify as queer, femme, transgender, and/or as a woman. The session celebrates diverse communities and centers individuals who have not always had equal access to or treatment within the sport. Attendance is reserved for those who identify within these groups, and others are asked to be respectful and leave this opportunity available to the intended audience. It is an intentionally inclusive space, not an exclusive one. No climbing experience is required.

RAACA Erie’s 17th Annual Child Abuse Awareness Poker Run welcomes all vehicles for a community ride focused on raising awareness and support. Check in takes place at the Angels Gone Too Soon of Pennsylvania Memorial Wall. Registration is $20 for a single rider or $30 for a couple, and car participants pay $20 per adult and $10 per child. A bug run element is included this year, with $5 stickers available and half of all sticker sales going to the winner. An afterparty will be held at the Greene Township Municipal Building Gym, featuring food catered by Underdog BBQ. Admission to the afterparty is $10 for adults and $5 for children, with bottle raffles, small games of chance, and an American Auction rounding out the day.

Local LGBTQ+ and allied groups are teaming up for a back to school supplies drive at Central Outreach Erie, rallying support so students start the new year ready to learn. Donations of new items are welcome, including notebooks, folders, pencils, pens, crayons, markers, backpacks, calculators, binders, tissues, and other classroom essentials. All contributions will benefit Compton’s Table, which supports LGBTQ+ youth and young adults in the Erie region. Every gift helps ease the financial strain many families face as they prepare for school. This collaborative effort brings together Aging With Pride, ASCEND Climbing/Queer Scouts, Bears Do Dinner, Central Outreach Wellness Center, Compton’s Table, Erie Gay News, Free Mom Hugs of Northwest Pennsylvania, the LGBT Fund of the Erie Community Foundation, NW PA Pride Alliance, Presque Isle Rise Up, and TransFamily of NW PA. Those who prefer to contribute before the main collection can use the NW PA Pride Alliance donation box available during Erie Queer Happy Hour at The Zone. The drive continues a tradition of mutual aid and care in Erie, helping local students begin the school year with confidence and the tools they need to succeed. For more information or for organizations interested in getting involved, contact info@eriegaynews.com.

More than 300 corgis come together for a playful celebration at Frontier Park near Erie’s beaches and bayfront. The day includes corgi races, a costume contest, prizes, and vendor booths. Admission is $25 per adult, and corgis and children 12 and under are free.

UPMC Park hosts a matchup between the Erie SeaWolves and the Altoona Curve, affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates. This Retro Sunday celebration nods to the era of daytime ball and stickball, with the SeaWolves taking the field in throwback uniforms inspired by vintage baseball and classic animation, including special retro caps and jerseys. After the game, weather permitting, fans can head to the outfield to play catch, so bring a glove and a ball. Kids ages 12 and under are invited to run the bases after the final out, also weather permitting. The promotion is presented in partnership with Erie News Now.

Create a custom crushed glass art piece at Erie Brewing Co. Knowledge Park. Each participant will work on a 12 inch wooden framed design, choosing from options like Dragonfly, Cardinal, Lighthouse, Hummingbird, Turtle, Sunset, Sunflower, Sunshine, Butterfly, Tree of Life, Daises, Crab, Horse, Palm Tree, Owl, Deer, Frog on Lily, Hearts, Highlander Cow, Chicken, Gnome, Wine, and Flamingo. Select any glass colors to decorate your piece. After placing the glass, you will add resin and take the project home the same day, allowing 24 hours for the resin to cure. Ages 12 and older. This event is not BYOB. Outside food and drinks are not permitted, and refreshments are available for purchase. One project per person per class.

Hurdles for Hounds brings the community together for a spirited 5K paired with an obstacle course, all in support of cats and dogs in need. This fun, high-energy fundraiser is open to everyone and channels every step and obstacle toward helping animals.

Mike Dvorak returns to Oasis Pub with an acoustic performance that blends country, rock, blues, and pop.

Presented by Heel Heat Productions, this all-ages show at Lavery’s Bunker features live sets from Dweller, Moneyball, Stellar Motus, and Nu Sance, with Perfect Blue taking the stage for its debut performance. Admission is $10 at the door.

A relaxed dinner cruise aboard the Victorian Princess glides across Presque Isle Bay with an Italian inspired menu and shoreline views. The meal features cheese ravioli, meatballs, Italian sausage, rigatoni, and a Caesar salad, followed by a cupcake for dessert. Guests enjoy the cuisine and the scenery from the water throughout the cruise.