CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio – Blossom Music Center is a summer rite of passage, one that is as much about food as it is music.

Sprawl out on a blanket or relax in a lawn chair while you nosh and enjoy the musicians as they accompany a film score, feature a soloist or perform a composer’s works.

A few years ago we ran this list of pointers to enjoy an orchestra show at Blossom. Here are 28 pointers to get the most out of the experience:

1. Lawn vs. pavilion: The lawn can accommodate 13,500 spaces; the pavilion has 5,700 seats. If you are in the lawn for an orchestra show, you can bring food and drink. If you have pavilion seats, restrictions are in place for what you can bring in to the lower seating area. This is why you will see coolers and blankets stacked and lined up behind the pavilion’s back row after performances start. Pavilion folks picnic, then leave their stuff behind the back row.

2. Prepping: Freeze ice packets a day before you leave. If you are going to hear music from a composer you are not familiar with – like Rachmaninoff on Saturday, July 13, or Shostakovich on Saturday, July 22 - take five minutes to read up online. Also: Right before you head out, put a bottle of wine in the fridge as a potential nightcap upon returning home.

3. Call a sitter: Taking kids is great – it’s family time and exposes them to classical music. Crying babies and whiny kids are not OK.

4. Parking: Tall letter designations are perched atop light poles. Photograph your location letter as soon as you get out of your vehicle. Also: For those who park in the East Bumblewipe, Ohio, lots, trams ferry people to the venue.

5. Early birds: Gates open two and a half hours before an orchestra show. The earlier you get there, the more choices you have to stake your spot. Performances usually last about two hours.

6. Little red wagon: If the kids have one, borrow it. If they don’t, buy one, or go with a professional picnic caddy. Wagons are easy to handle your haul from parking lot to lawn and back. Tip: If you have a kids’ wagon, rust-proof the bottom.

7. Ground cover: You need more than a blanket. Bring a tarp as bottom layer, then at least one large blanket.

8. Know the weather: Often, the sun stays pretty warm for an hour or two leading up to the performance, so bring a hat and sunglasses. Later, it can get dewy and cool, so stash away a hoodie, jacket, shawl or windbreaker. A poncho never hurts, either. Remember: The venue is in a valley.

9. Chairs: You can bring your own or rent one from Blossom. The chair-rental stand is located after you pass the ticket kiosk. If you are bringing chairs, be considerate to those around you. Stay as low as possible to avoid obstructing others’ view.

10. Reading material: Before the music starts, there’s nothing more relaxing than sipping a beverage, reading the Sunday paper (uninterrupted!) and watching squirrels dance along the pavilion rooftop. If it’s just you and a pal, bring a book. You won’t be the only one.

11. Meetups: Because of all the landmarks (location to stage, proximity to a certain concessions stand or vertical beam), it’s an easy place to meet someone. In the old days, a flag, balloon or bandana atop a pole helped. Now cell phones have that covered to assist the Johnny-come-latelys. But a vertical marker might help you navigate back from the bathroom. Just make sure it doesn’t obstruct views, or remove it when the show starts.

12. Sounds of the season: If you are meeting someone, keep your cell phone on. After friends arrive or before the performance starts – whatever comes first - turn off ringtones. Everyone came to hear the orchestra, not that Nickelback song that plays when your pal calls.

13. Wine stems: Other than your hand, you have two choices to hold your wine glass: The heel of your tennis shoe (classy, eh?) or a wine stem. This simple, curved stake sticks in the ground and balances a glass. (The shoe works well for cans.) Remember: You will be on a slope.

14. Drinks: Pack wine, beer (lighter, or “sessionable,” brews are better on a hot night), water, plus soda or juice boxes for the kids in a small, cushioned cooler that folds well. Tips: Use ice packs, not ice, so there’s no potential puddle to deal with at night’s end. Rolling coolers are helpful, too.

15. About the wine: Many summer sippers like Sauvignon Blanc come in picnic-ready screw caps. When you’re buying a bottle or two, pay attention if it’s a cork or cap. The other option is canned wine. Cleveland-based Graham + Fisk’s Wine in a Can is an option. Also, single-serving vessels (187ml) are available. That’s the equivalent of one glass, or one fourth, of a regular-sized, 750ml bottle.

16. Hydrate: Bring water. Bonus: Cans of carbonated water can help keep food items cool.

17. Vessels: No glass. Stick to acrylic wine glasses and plastic cups.

18. Snacks: You always can eat chips at home. Try grapes, sliced apples, baby carrots, nuts (splurge on Cashews or assorted mixes), olives – whatever you like to nosh, whatever keeps well in a baggy or plastic container.

19. Appetizers: Cheese and crackers are easy to remember, but a paring knife and small cutting board also help. A loaf of Italian or French bread never hurts. Hummus goes well with everything from celery to carrots to bagel chips.

20. Salads: Cherry or grape tomatoes mixed with diced mozzarella and a bit of olive oil and basil travel well in individual containers. It also eliminates the need to bring dressing.

21. Main course: Fry or bake chicken strips!

22. Not allowed: While Blossom officials are pretty open to what you bring in, open-flame grilling, drones and pets are not allowed. Basically, use common sense.

23. Food options: If time is short or you prefer not to cook, Blossom has concessions. Or allow enough time to stop some place and pick up your favorite to-go. If you don’t want to, or can’t, eat on the lawn, tables are located near parking lots and behind the lawn. You can pre-order food to pick up at the Blossom Grille or make reservations to eat on the Grille’s terrace. Packaged picnic meals also are available to bring to your lawn space.

24. Fight the bugs: Stuff a couple of dryer sheets in your pocket or waistband; some bugs don’t like them. Don’t forget repellent spray and citronella candles. Various anti-insect bracelets also are on the market. Avoid wearing perfume or after-shave.

25. Navigation: Familiarize yourself with the lay of the land when you plant yourselves. If your pal is wearing a bright red shirt, remember that. This is important because 1. You don’t want to waste time being lost when you can be enjoying a show; 2. You don’t want other people to make fun of you as you wander aimlessly whispering “Sorry, sorry.”

26. Little but important things: Hand sanitizer, soundless games or puzzle books for kids, salt and pepper packets or shakers, paper-towel roll, linen towel, plastic utensils, paper plates, matches or lighter, church key, corkscrew, wet naps, Shout Wipes and small flashlight. The latter is helpful after a performance to shine a light on your area to make sure you didn’t drop something, like car keys, a wallet or a Hailey’s Corker.

27. Give a hand: Folks, it’s not Grand Central Station at rush hour, and we’re all going to get home. Stay to the end to give the musicians the ovation they deserve. Suggestion: Head to the Blossom Tasting Room for dessert or coffee while the herd of vehicles inches its way out. It’s located near parking lot A – where the gift shop used to be – and has tables inside and out.

28. Bag it: Bring plastic bags for the end of the night: One for garbage, one for recyclables. Bins for both are located along the pathways near the lawn.

Ideas? If you’re a Blossom pro, let us know what you bring, do or avoid to enhance your experience. Email mbona@cleveland.com with BLOSSOM in the subject line. Include your name and hometown. We might write another story offering more tips.

Location: 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls. The outdoor venue, opened in 1968, is about 30 miles from downtown Cleveland and 10 miles north of Akron.

When: The 2024 season began June 29 and covers 17 performances running to Sunday, Sept. 1.

Tickets: General lawn admission starts at $25. Walk-up sales are available, but advance ticket sales are strongly encouraged.

Lawn books: Lawn ticket books are $200 and include 10 lawn/general-admission tickets and 20 Under 18s free passes.

App: A wallet app for paperless tickets is available for download via Apple and Google Play stores.

Kids: With the Under 18s program, you receive two free tickets for someone under 18 for every adult ticket you buy. It exists for most orchestra concerts at Blossom.

Group sales: To buy 10 or more tickets, call 216-231-7493.

Parking: Free lots. Volunteers direct you right to your space.

I cover restaurants, beer, wine and sports-related topics on our life and culture team. For my recent stories, here’s a cleveland.com directory. WTAM-1100’s Bill Wills and I talk food and drink around 8:20 a.m. Thursdays. Twitter and IG: @mbona30. My latest book, co-authored with Dan Murphy: “Joe Thomas: Not Your Average Joe” by Gray & Co.

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