🔥 The fire that changed everything

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: If laughter is the best medicine, Hilarities has us fully insured this month 😂

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John Petkovic & Jude Perez

It was the slick of oil and chemicals that became a stain on the city’s reputation and fire for a never-ending joke that included the refrain: “The Mistake on the Lake.”

But the Cuyahoga River blaze of 1969 played a pivotal role in Earth Day.

Since 1970, the celebration of environmental awareness and sustainability has grown to become an international event in190 countries.

It started because of events like the 20-minute blaze.

Initially, the Cuyahoga River fire barely made the news -- until a rising environment movement, congressional hearings and the media turned it into a cause celebre.

It fueled the EPA, Clean Water Act, America’s environmental movement and projects to clean up Lake Erie and create

It also inspired the river’s clean up and inspired the city to revive and create several parks that are worthy of an Earth Day celebration:

Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve: Once a landfill that was polluted by junked cars and 1,000 trucks of trash daily, the 88-acre plot of natural wonders next to Gordon Park offers is a prime spot for bird watching and wildlife.

Edgewater Park: Its turnaround began when it became part of the state park system in 1978, followed by sustained improvements to beaches and amenities under the Cleveland Metroparks.

Wendy Park: Once an underutilized industrial and maritime landscape, its 22 acres serve as both recreational space and ecological haven, with hundreds of bird species and restored natural habitats.

Brighton Park in the Cleveland Metroparks Brookside Reservation: The former landfill has been transformed in a park with meadows, trails and scene views – and exemplifies brownfield-to-greenspace conversion championed by Earth Day.

This is our Super Bowl – when the NFL Draft restores our faith in the Browns.

The three-day event starts at 8 p.m. Thursday and runs through Sunday.

The Browns will host a draft party in Cleveland Public Auditorium – 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Info.

Night One brings high hopes – and not just because the team has two first-round picks (No. 6 and 24).

What to expect:

Needs: It’s obvious: Offensive line, wide receiver and defensive depth.

Targets: Offensive tackles Spencer Fano (Utah), Miami’s Francis Mauigoa (Miami), Blake Miller (Clemson) and Monroe Freeling (Georgia). Wide receivers Carnell Tate (Ohio State), Makai Lemon (USC), KC Concepcion (Texas A&M) and Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State).

Trades: Andrew Berry like to trade down – and it resulted in a stellar 2025 draft, in which he also snagged the 24^th this year. He’ll look to do the same this year – if a team covets, say, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love or Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.

Wildcard: If Berry surprises and picks a defensive end first – say, Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami) – it will fuel wild trade speculation involving Myles Garrett.  

Comedian and impersonator extraordinaire Frank Caliendo is a testament to the importance of Hilarities in Pickwick and Frolic.

The East Fourth gem has hosted Caliendo several times over decades – and he keeps on coming back, even as his popularity has grown.

He hits the club at 7 tonight. The show is sold out, but you can put your name on an in-person wait list.

Over 41 years, the club has hosted legends and been instrumental in breaking careers -- from Jerry Seinfeld to Bill Burr, Marc Maron, Steve Harvey, Louis C.K., Drew Carey and Rita Rudner.

It’s still breaking them.

At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Hilarities will host SNL cast member Tommy Brennan. Friday through Sunday, it’s Daily Show host and correspondent Josh Johnson in 3D.

At 8 p.m. Sunday, it’s ‘Jokes on You’ – the Cleveland crowd-work comedy show that forces local and visiting comedians to think on their feet by skipping their jokes and instead make things funny by talking to the audience.

Show and club info.

WEDNESDAY

Earth Day Celebration: Great Lakes Brewing has made sustainability and environmentalism cornerstones of its business – so, no surprise, it’s hosting a party with live music. 6 p.m. Info.

The Sound of Music: The classic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical about Maria and the von Trapp family brings “Do-Re-Mi” and “Edelweiss” to Connor Palace. 7:30 p.m. It runs through Sunday. Info.

THURSDAY

ESPN Cleveland Draft Party: The sports talkers will speculate all night about picks and trades and the future of the Browns at MGM Northfield Park. 6 p.m. Info.

Cavs Watch Party: It’s not just about the draft. Uh, there’s a playoff game being played in Toronto – and the Clevelander hosts the official watch party. 7 p.m. Info.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

From rap to indie-folk to moody Anglo to rock – the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is bringing an eclectic array of performers once again to its Rock Hall Live slate of summer concerts.

It opens Friday June 26 with Earl Sweatshirt & MIKE w/Harrison (Surf Gang) and Lerado Khalil and includes:

Tickets and info here.

Earth Day has deep connections to and was embraced right away by Cleveland. Its debut in 1970 inspired CSU students and teachers to march in a ‘Procession of Death’ to call for ecological responsibility.

Ooh and don’t forget! Tag @The216Scoop on Facebook & @scoopcle on Instagram to get your photos in the Scoop!

67 °F 🌡️ 50 °F | ⛅ (Partly Cloudy / Warmer) | 20% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 9 mph (≈ 8 knots)

74 °F 🌡️ 54 °F | 🌤️ (Mostly Sunny / Spring Warmth) | 0% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 8 mph (≈ 7 knots)

76 °F 🌡️ 58 °F | 🌧️ (Partly Sunny / PM Showers) | 30% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 11 mph (≈ 10 knots)

_{Please note that weather conditions can change rapidly. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking a reliable local weather service.}

Home vs. Astros, 1:10 PM April 22 (Wednesday)

Away vs. Blue Jays, 7:07 PM April 24 (Friday)

Away vs. Blue Jays, 3:07 PM April 25 (Saturday)

Away vs. Blue Jays, 1:37 PM April 26 (Sunday)

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