Get market-fresh strawberries
Locally grown strawberries are a taste of heaven — nothing like the mealy, plastic-encased beasts that are all you can find most of the year. Get to the Countryside Farmers Market at Highland Square early (it runs from 4 to 7 p.m.) and try to snag a pint or two before they sell out. You’ll also find music, chef demonstrations and family activities in addition to lots of other healthy, fresh foods. 330-657-2752.
Have a wild ’80s night at zoo
It’s ’80s Night at Brew at the Zoo, which runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Akron Zoo. Get out your vintage clothes, mousse your hair and dance to New Wave favorites while sampling beer and wine from Hoppin’ Frog, Brew Kettle, Thirsty Dog, Nauti Vine and others. Betty’s Bomb-ass Burgers and Stone Pelican Rolling Café will provide the food. Tickets are $31, $25 for members, which gets you a glass and eight samples; full-size drinks will be available for $4. www.akronzoo.org.
Viola fest is music to our ears
The viola is the Rodney Dangerfield of string instruments — just Google “viola jokes.” (Q: How is a viola different from a lawn mower? A: You can tune a lawn mower.) The American Viola Society tries to bring some respect to the instrument with its annual festival, continuing through Saturday at Oberlin Conservatory. See http://new.oberlin.edu/conservatory/ for a schedule of concerts.
Festival is all about food, family
Speaking of food, a Family Food Fest will run from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Buckeye Library, 6625 Wolff Road in York Township in Medina County. Food tastings, cooking demonstrations, a “Samurai Balloon Guy” and hands-on activities, including an Oreo stacking contest, are on the menu. Visit www.mcdl.info/FoodFest or call 330-725-4415.