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Top 14 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend: Aug. 23-25

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Top 14 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend: Aug. 23-25

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August. Kids are headed back to school, high school football is back in action, and holy moly, Oktoberfest season is already upon us. You’ll find two – TWO! – Oktoberfest celebrations this weekend, as well as some other really cool and unique festivals and free live music events, plus two different home-related shows (psst! Homearama is one of them), a historical reenactment, monster truck action, a groovy art show and the hottest, sauciest hot sauce party of the year.

What a weekend to be alive! Here’s what’s shakin’.

1. Germania Society Oktoberfest

Cincinnati’s most authentic Oktoberfest features the largest German beer selection in the area – including Warsteiner, Erdinger and Hofbrauhaus Munchen, traditional German food, live German music and entertainment on three stages, dancing, games of chance, festival rides, imported German merchandise and fun for the whole family. Adult competitions include beer mug sliding and stein holding. New this year is an armored combat tournament.

There’s free off-site parking with a shuttle at the following locations: Pleasant Run Middle School (11770 Pippin Road), North West High School (10761 Pippin Road), Vinoklet Winery (11069 Colerain Ave.), and Mueller Roofing (11865 Hamilton Ave.).

Details: 6-11 p.m. Friday, 2-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-7 p.m. Sunday, Germania Society, 3529 W. Kemper Road, Colerain Township. $5, free ages 12-under and those with military ID. Germaniasociety.com.

2. Cincinnati Ukrainian Festival

Enjoy delicious Ukrainian food and beverages, entertainment, a craft and artisan market, kids’ games, cultural pavilions, Cossack beer garden, raffles and a silent auction at this celebration of Ukrainian culture. Volunteers have whipped up more than 3,000 pierogi for the festival, and you’ll also find cabbage rolls, shashlyky (grilled meats), benderyky (chicken-filled crepes), Crimean chebureky (ground meat turnovers), farm-style potatoes and other savory sides. Creatives will love the unique crafting workshops on Ukrainian block printing, constructing flower crowns, and making necklaces using traditional techniques, each with guidance from skilled instructors.

Details: 12:45-7 p.m. Saturday, Fleming Road United Church of Christ, 691 Fleming Road, Springfield Township. Cincinnatiukrainianfestival.com.

3. Greater Cincinnati House & Outdoor Living Expo

Homeowners can learn how to update and maintain their homes at this comprehensive three-day expo showcasing the latest trends in design and product offerings for home improvement projects. The show includes local experts in kitchen and bath remodeling, home security, insulation, windows and exterior products, landscaping, decking, water features, roofing and more.

Details: noon-5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road, Sharonville. $5, free ages under 18. Free parking. Homeshowcenter.com.

4. Weekend of Fire

Think you can take the heat? Jungle Jim’s ultimate hot sauce event gives you the opportunity to burn the hair off your tongue. Test your mettle in the Arena of Fire, where you can challenge your fellow hot heads to see who can beat the burn. You’ll also enjoy stilt walkers, fire performers, balloon artists, live music and other entertainment, and The Singe Bar, where you can craft your own hot and spicy cocktail. Your ticket includes single-day admission and access to all the awesome hot sauces, BBQ sauce, salsa, rubs and snacks.

Details: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Jungle Jim’s, 5440 Dixie Highway, Fairfield. $15, $2 ages 5-12. Junglejims.com.

5. Electronic Dance Music in the Park

Get ready to get your groove on as EDM takes over Washington Park. Dress in your rave gear, fitness attire or come casual and dance as DJs from Cincinnati, Dayton and Chicago bring the beats at this inclusive, diverse, family-friendly party. Bring a blanket or chair for a little respite, and enjoy food trucks, drinks and cornhole along with the tunes.

Details: 5:30-9 p.m. Saturday, Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free. Washingtonpark.org.

6. Operation Thank You

This family-friendly event is all about honoring our veterans. Enjoy live music from Noah Smith, Naked Karate Girls, and Varner/Netherton Revival Band. There’s a kids’ zone with inflatables, face painting, balloon animals and games. Food trucks will be onsite and beer available for purchase. A fireworks display from Rozzi’s rounds out the night.

Details: 2:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sawyer Point Park, 705 E. Pete Rose Way, Downtown. Free. Cincinnati-oh-gov.

7. ViewPoint 56

This juried art competition sponsored by the Cincinnati Art Club started in 1968 as a local competition and has grown into a national event. It is the longest continuous open juried art show in the Southwestern Ohio area. Over 100 artists have been chosen to display works in a variety of mediums, including collage, painting, colored pencil, glass, charcoal, watercolor and sculpture. A preview and open house takes place from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday followed by the opening reception. The show runs through Sept. 14.

Details: 5-9 p.m. Friday, Eisele Gallery, 6936 Madisonville Road, Mariemont. Cincinnatiartclub.org.

8. Monster Jam

See some of the world’s best drivers show off massive stunts, big air, backflips and head-to-head battles in 12,000-pound monster trucks. Featured competitors include Grave Digger, El Toro Loco, ThunderROARus, Monster Mutt Dalmatian, Over Bored, Terminal Velocity, Up Roar and Wild Side. The Pit Party option lets you see the massive trucks up close, meet drivers and crews, get autographs and photos. There are also inflatables, a sandbox area, remote control truck course and more.

Details: 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday, Heritage Bank Center, 100 Broadway, Downtown. $15-up, $20 Pit Party, $45 VIP post-event meet & greet. heritagebankcenter.com.

9. Columbia Settlement 1788

Explore the world of the first pioneer settlers to the Cincinnati area as interpreters share artifacts and history. Hear dramatic stories of the flatboat landing and the building of the blockhouse, see interpreters doing blacksmithing, log hewing, soap making, candle making and more. Kids will enjoy the toys, games and crafts, and there will be textile demonstrations including flax and wool processing, spinning, fabric dyeing, hand quilting, embroidery and knitting.

Details: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Heritage Village Museum, 11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville. $12, $8 ages 4-11. Heritagevillagecincinnati.org.

10. Bill Keating Jr. Ohio River Swim

Is swimming across the Ohio River on your bucket list? This 900-meter, open-water swim is the perfect way to tick that box. The river is closed to all motorized traffic during the swim, the Coast Guard and local law enforcement are there to maintain on-water safety, and safety paddlers in kayaks provide additional support. Depending on river stage, velocity, debris and other factors, the course may be adjusted to ensure safety, and in the event of unsafe water conditions, the reschedule date is Sunday, Sept. 8.

Details: 7 a.m. Sunday, Public Landing, 435 E. Mehring Way, Downtown. $50, $40 collegiate, $30 ages 12-17. greatohioriverswim.com.

11. Homearama

Tour six fully decorated and landscaped homes in a variety of architectural styles at this year’s Homearama. The single-family residential community will include 27 lots, all of one or more acres. It’s located in Goshen Township, Clermont County, a few miles outside of Loveland. Builders include Andrew Arthur Homes, Chris Gorman Homes, deStefano Homes & Remodeling, Drees Homes, Robert Lucke Homes and Wieland Builders.

Details: noon-9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, The Reserves at Stone Pillars Farm, 6791 Oakland Road (State Route 48), Goshen Township. Runs Aug. 24-Sept. 8. $22, free ages 12-under with paying adult. Cincyhomearama.com.

12. Sayler Park Oktoberfest

Don your lederhosen and grab your beer steins, as the neighborhood hosts its annual Oktoberfest celebration with plenty of live music, food and local beer.

Details: 4 p.m.-midnight Saturday, Nelson Sayler Memorial Park, 6600 Gracely Drive, Sayler Park. saylerpark.org.

13. Cincinnati Festival of Faiths

Celebrate the city’s diverse religious tapestry at this unique festival, where you can eat, sing, meditate, listen and learn from more than 30 faith-based organizations representing more than a dozen world religions, from Catholic and Muslim to Zoroastrian and Pagan.

Details: noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Cintas Center, Xavier University, 1624 Herald Ave., Evanston. Free. equasion.org.

14. Hops in the Hangar

Enjoy 90 craft beer selections from 30 breweries and watch aerobatic displays in the sky. Food trucks onsite. Benefits Downtown Middletown Inc.

Details: 4-9 p.m. Saturday, Middletown Regional Airport, Middletown. Ages 21-up. $65. Hopsinthehangar.com.

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