Good morning, Erie.

Erie Zoo hosted its Felines and Wines event on Saturday where guests enjoyed exclusive big cat demonstrations, local wineries offering drinks, food vendors, and live music — funds raised supported the zoo and conservation groups.

Last Saturday, residents visited Frontier Park for the LEAF Open Market where 48 local vendors offered foods, art and crafts.

The market (now in its sixth year) will return on August 23 and run biweekly on Saturdays until the end of September.

Nonprofits in Erie are preparing for Erie Gives Day today as donations will be accepted from midnight to midnight to support local projects.

Julia Hospice and Palliative Care seeks donations to build Julia House—Erie’s only residential hospice facility—and first-time participant Canine Crusaders works to reunite lost pets with their families.

Yesterday, a groundbreaking ceremony took place in downtown Erie for Flagship City Commons, a new mixed-use project that will link North Park Row and 5th Street to key spots.

The four-story building will feature office spaces, two restaurant areas, a roof deck and retail shops, and it is expected to be complete in the first half of 2027.

Troopers said that when they served a warrant at the Park Inn by Radisson off Route 18 in Shenango Township on Thursday, Tyrell Askerneese—a 46-year-old armed man from Farrell charged in a drug investigation—refused to surrender and was fatally shot after a prolonged standoff.

St. Paul's Italian Festival is underway in Erie’s Little Italy, with authentic Italian food, live entertainment, and community events raising funds for St. Paul's Catholic Church and celebrating local heritage.

Over 200 volunteers have prepared thousands of meatballs, 6,000 pizzelles, and 500 pounds of sausage for the event dedicated to *Ronald DiVecchio*.

CelebrateErie is a free three-day festival in downtown Erie from Aug.

15 to 17 that features local art, food, and live music on State Street between Fourth and 10th streets—showcasing over 30 chalk murals and a multicultural marketplace. Headliners include Russell Dickerson on Aug. 15 at 8 p.m. and Gym Class Heroes on Aug. 16 at 8 p.m.—with the Erie All Stars presenting The Beatles on Aug. 17 at 8 p.m.

A ship from Dubai arrived on Erie’s bayfront on Sunday around 2:00 p.m. with 48 Vestas wind turbine blades—she set sail from India on July 3.

The blades will be offloaded during the week of August 10 for regional projects and more are expected at the end of August.

Haley Poe, a Gannon University graduate and reigning Miss Earth USA from Waterford, will represent the United States in the Miss Earth pageant in the Philippines this fall—she promotes conservation using her Microplastic Awareness Project—focusing on removing microplastics and reducing single-use plastics.

Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority hosted the PA Bus Roadeo at the Presque Isle Downs and Casino parking lot after nearly 25 years away, with over 30 drivers completing a written course and pre-trip test yesterday and today tackling a physical obstacle course that tests skills like backwards turns, parallel parking and narrow squeezes — the top drivers will earn a spot in a national competition.

First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor Training

10 AM - 7 PM — Erie County Public Library - Blasco Memorial Library — Course fee applies — Become a certified instructor and share lifesaving skills with others.

Tall Ships Erie 2025

4-day festival — August 21-24 — Erie Maritime Museum — $ — Experience the majesty of magnificent ships racing in the Tall Ships Challenge on the Great Lakes.

LEAF Open Market

10 AM – 2 PM — Frontier Park — Free entry — Explore a vibrant outdoor farmer's market featuring local vendors with fresh produce, baked goods, and crafts.

Reminiscent at Erie Downtown Music Series

6-9 p.m. — Perry Square — Free entry — Enjoy a Motown tribute concert while relaxing in the park with food and community spirit.

First To Eleven Live Concert

6-10 p.m. — BIGBAR — No cover before 9 p.m. — Experience First to Eleven performing your rock favorites in the Happy Hour Concert Series.

Gem City Renaissance Festival

10 AM – 4 PM — Frontier Park — Cash recommended — Experience a vibrant one-day Renaissance festival in Erie with themed outfits and local vendors.

Hotel California Tribute Concert

7:30-9 p.m. — Warner Theatre — Tickets available — Experience the legendary sound of The Eagles performed by the acclaimed tribute band HOTEL CALIFORNIA.

Erie Marathon

7 AM – 1 PM — Presque Isle State Park — $5-$100 — Experience the energetic atmosphere of the Erie Marathon and support local runners.