| GRANDOPENING | Ribbon-cutting event, or what the starts of the answers to starred clues can have |
| PAIRS | Figure skating event ... or what the circled items always come in |
| GRANDOPENINGS | Ribbon - cutting events |
| SALE | Store's cost-cutting event |
| DEVELOPINGSTORY | Unfolding news event ... or what this puzzle's theme depicts |
| PARALLELBARS | Gymnast's event, or what 20-, 37- and 42-Across literally are in this grid |
| AHEAD | In the future, or, when spoken with a long starting vowel, what the last word of the answers to starred clues can have |
| CASHUPFRONT | Seller's assurance of payment, and a hint to what the last words of the answers to starred clues can have in common |
| LEADINGLADY | Female box office star, and what the starts of the answers to starred clues can have |
| FREEATLAST | End of an iconic speech ... and what the ends of the answers to starred clues can have? |
| WATERFRONT | Like oceanside resort property ... and what the starts to the answers to starred clues can have? |
| FOLLOWINGORDERS | Doing as told, in the military ... or what the starts of the answers to starred clues can literally have? |
| PAPERBACK | Softcover book, and what the last words of the answers to starred clues can have |
| BLOODTIES | Family relations, and what the first words of the answers to starred clues can have |
| TTOPS | Sporty car roofs, and, literally, what the first words of the answers to starred clues can have |
| HOMEOPENER | Game one for season ticket holders ... or, literally, what each word in the answers to starred clues can have |
| COLDFRONT | It ushers in lower temperatures ... and what the answers to starred clues can have |
| TEAMMATES | Players on the same side ... and what the starts of the answers to starred clues can be |
| ENDGAME | Chess match climax, and what the last word of each answer to a starred clue can have |
| CHANCEENCOUNTER | Bumping into someone, say ... and what the end of each answer to a starred clue can have? |
