Entertainment
Top 15 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend: May 31-June 2
1. Summerfair
More than 325 juried artists display and sell wares in 12 categories: photography, painting, drawing/printmaking, wood, metal, sculpture, glass, ceramics, fibers, leather, jewelry and 2D/3D mixed media. Enjoy a diverse lineup of musical entertainment both days, as well as a Gourmet Arts area with unique food and drinks.
Details: noon-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Riverbend Park, 6201 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township. $15 multi-day ticket, $10 single day, free ages 12-under. Summerfair.org.
2. Cincinnati Fringe Festival
The city’s 14-day celebration of theatre, art, film, dance and music returns this Friday with over 170 performances and dozens of productions at several venues in and around the Know Theatre. Genres include comedy, dance and movement, solo shows, shows with music, historical, experimental, and plays. Venues include the Know, Cincinnati Art Academy, Gabriel’s Corner at Salem United Church of Christ and a pop-up venue in a Main Street storefront. The festival runs May 31-June 15, excluding Mondays.
Details: 6-10 p.m. weekdays, 1-10 p.m. weekends, Know Theatre, 1120 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine. $300 all-access pass, $90 flex pass (6 tickets), $18 single ticket. Cincyfringe.com.
3. Stereo ‘24 DJ Festival
A celebration of beats, skating, parks and good vibes awaits at this family-friendly festival sponsored by Cincinnati Parks Foundation. Enjoy the region’s best DJs at the Procter & Gamble stage and Cincinnatus Statue/Tunnel stage, wellness events with sound immersion, yoga, Tai Chi, dance and mindfulness exercises at the Schott Amphitheater, and free skating sessions and workshops at the Riverfront Roller Rink. Includes interactive family activities, a variety of vendors and concessions for purchase.
Details: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, Sawyer Point Park, 705 E. Pete Rose Way, Downtown. Free. Cincinnati-oh.gov.
4. Pride festivals
Hamilton Pride March & Festival: March starts at 11 a.m. at Rotary Park (208 High St.) and ends at Marcum Park for a day of family-friendly activities, vendors, musical performances by Mid Life Reverie, Third Times a Charm, Your Ol’ Pal Don Pruett, Plan B, David J. Lawrence, and drag shows on main and side stages hosted by Mirelle Jane Divine, P.H. Dee, Molly Mormen, Brock Leah Spears and Lady Phaedra.
- Details: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Marcum Park, 116 Dayton St., Hamilton. Free. facebook.com.
Northern Kentucky Pride Parade & Festival: Parade steps off at noon from the corner of Sixth and Madison, wends along Madison to Hotel Covington, then Seventh past Braxton Brewery and along Pike to Ninth, then north on Main, ending at MainStrasse Village. Enjoy a lineup of local performers, over 100 vendors, and family-friendly activities. Afterparty runs from 5-9 p.m. at Hotel Covington (638 Madison Ave.).
- Details: noon-5 p.m. Sunday, MainStrasse Village, 601 Main St., and Goebel Park, 501 Philadelphia St., Covington. Free. nkypridecenter.org.
5. CincItalia
Enjoy cuisine from 20 local Italian restaurants, cooking demonstrations, kids’ games and rides, Italian music and more at this annual festival. Friday is ages 21-up only. Entertainment Friday: Naked Karate Girls. Saturday: Ray Massa & the Eurorhythms. Sunday: Elio Scaccio.
Details: 6 p.m.-midnight Friday, 3-11 p.m. Saturday, 1-9 p.m. Sunday, Harvest Home Park, 3961 North Bend Road, Cheviot. cincitalia.org.
6. Missing Linck Festival
In the lost lagering cellars of the 19th century Linck Brewery, a yeast was found clinging to life in a pre-prohibition fermenting vat. The yeast was shared with breweries, and you get to sample the results. 18 breweries are participating. You can also enjoy guided tours, beer and cheese pairings, and beer flights.
Details: noon Saturday, Urban Artifact, 1660 Blue Rock St., and Humble Monk Brewery, 1641 Blue Rock St., Northside. Free to attend; beer and events cost extra. missinglinck.com.
7. VegFest
Enjoy a variety of vegan food from local restaurants and food trucks including Herban Vegans, Sunny’s Vegan Kitchen, Leerah’s Vegan Treats, Harmony Plant Fare, Jomun, Jess the Heart Baker, Too Good Eats, That Vegan Joint, Key Beverages, Streetpops, Indigenous Chef, The Power Plant Kitchen, Newell’s Wada Ice, Foodies Vegan, Monster Baby Donuts, Love Thy Desserts, Like Mom’s Only Vegan, Essen Kitchen, Prairie Vegan Pies and more. There’s a community yoga class at 11 a.m., entertainment throughout the day from stand-up comedy to live music, arts and crafts vendors, authors, food demos and a vegan chili cook-off with prizes.
Details: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Burnet Woods, 3251 Brookline Ave., Corryville. Free. Tasting tickets for chili cook-off are $15, $10 advance. Cincyvegfest.com.
8. Frontier Days
Parade starts at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Milford Shopping Center (Lila Ave.) and ends on Main St. The festival features rides and carnival games, a children’s craft area, a specially curated makers’ market, entertainment, festival foods and more. Live music Thursday: Vinyl Countdown. Friday: Counting Skeletons. Saturday: LunchBox.
Details: 5-10 p.m. Thursday, 5-11 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday, Riverside Park, 425 Victor Stier Drive, Milford. Frontierdaysmilford.com.
9. Licking Valley Antique Machinery Association Show
See antique tractors, classic cars and trucks, stationary engines and farm machinery, watch machinery demonstrations, browse craft vendors and yard sale items, and take part in the silent auction at this annual event. There’s a kids’ area with inflatables. One of Saturday’s highlights is the tractor parade on the fairgrounds and a tractor cruise. Food and drinks are available for purchase, and primitive camping is available all weekend.
Details: 9 a.m. Friday-Sunday, Pendleton County Fairgrounds, 320 Fairground Road, Falmouth. Free admission. Kids’ pay-to-play area is $5. facebook.com.
10. Oxford Wine & Craft Beer Festival
Enjoy rows of wine booths and art vendors in the heart of Oxford’s historic business district. There will also be live music, a beer garden and food available for purchase. Your ticket includes an entry wristband, five tasting tickets and souvenir wine glass.
Details: 2-10 p.m. Saturday, Uptown Park, 2 E. High St., Oxford. $35. Oxfordwinefestival.com.
11. East Row Garden Walk
Visit nine urban gardens, a relaxation area and vendor’s market on this self-guided tour in this historic urban neighborhood. Tickets, parking and hospitality area at church, and you can get a list of the homeowners’ favorite plants. Benefits East Row Garden Club. Lunch with gluten-free ingredients available for purchase.
Details: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, St. John’s United Church of Christ, 415 Park Ave., Newport. $20, $18 advance, free ages 12-under with paying adult. Lunch $10. Eastrowgardenclub.org.
12. Art After Dark: Shanghai Nights
Celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Month and the exhibition by Woo Chong Yung: From Shanghai to Ohio at this month’s Art After Dark. There’ll be music with DJ Hi David, traditional Chinese performances and art-making activities, a photo booth, cash bar and food for purchase.
Details: 5-9 p.m. Friday, Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Free admission. Cincinnatiartmuseum.org.
13. 225 Celebration
Celebrate the 225th anniversary of Boone County in style at this fun party, which includes food trucks, a vendor market, touch-a-truck, musket demonstration, square dancing, fishing derby, classic car show and reenactments. There’s also live music from Adkins & Lewis at 6 p.m. and John Morgen Band at 8 p.m., followed by grand finale fireworks at 9:45 p.m.
Details: noon Saturday, Boone County Fairgrounds, Idlewild Road, Burlington. Free. boonecountyky.org.
14. Redlegs Run
Join Mr. Red, Rosie Red, Mr. Redlegs and Gapper for this family-friendly race benefiting the Reds Community Fund. The 10K and 5K begin at 8 a.m., the 1-mile run at 9 a.m. and Gapper Kids Fun Run for ages 10-under at 10 a.m. inside Great American Ball Park on the warning track. Participants get custom medal, race shirt, professional chip-timing and live results, post-party in the First Star Fans Zone, and view level tickets to June 6 game against the Cubs.
Details: 8 a.m. Saturday, Paddle Wheel at Mehring Way and Broadway, Downtown. Reds.com/run.
15. Tri-State Antiques Market
This market is a great source for collectors, renovators, decorators and those with an eye for the chic and unique to find vintage furnishings, decorative arts, jewelry, historical artifacts, architectural/industrial salvage and pop culture memorabilia. Early birds are welcome during vendor set-up at 6 a.m.
Details: 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Lawrenceburg Fairgrounds, 351 E. Eads Parkway, Lawrenceburg. Admission: $5. lawrenceburgantiqueshow.com.
Honorable Mention: Ohio Valley Indigenous Music Festival
This family-friendly festival highlights Native American flute music, arts and crafts vendors, workshops, and food. Featured artists include Douglas Blue Feather, Lowery Begay, Douglas Thunder Horse, Danica Lee, Tim Corbin, Mark Camden, Paul Nelson, Miami Valley Flute Circle.
Details: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Patricia Allyn Park, 7266 State Route 48, Springboro. Free admission. facebook.com.