Take the Field
–Kathrine Nero
The Findlay Market Opening Day Parade is as Cincinnati as it gets. As tens of thousands of Reds fans find their way downtown, it can be tough to get the best vantage point. So here are some insider tips on the best places to watch the parade.
Best for families
Washington Park is a hub of activity on Opening Day. There are inflatables for the kids, adult beverages for mom and dad, and lots of places to run and play for kids who get bored waiting for the floats to come by. Bally Sports Ohio is headquartered here as well for parade coverage.
Best for true Cincinnati homers
It’s a sea of humanity most years on Fountain Square, but that shared experience is exactly why this is a perfect place to see the parade. To be fair, it may be easier to hear the parade than see it, given the crowds here, but if that’s your jam, there’s no better place to be. Fans without tickets to the game can share the excitement of Opening Day, watching it on the big screen.
Rounding Race and headed for home
The parade route is a simple one – with a single turn down Race Street. This corner is a perfect place to see the floats and other entries up close and personal. There is plenty of parking nearby, with garages and surface lots within a block or so. Plus, it’s an easy trip back to the Duke Energy Convention Center immediately afterward, where the Cincinnati Auto Expo is giving free entry to anyone wearing Reds gear. And that’s all of us on Opening Day, right?
Begin at the end
If you or your family isn’t big on big crowds, the end of the route is great spot to set up shop. The parade officially ends at the Taft Theatre, and hanging out there allows kids a little breathing room and gives you an interesting vantage point as you see the floats almost the entire way down Race Street. Getting out of downtown is pretty easy from here, too, once the roads start to open back up.
Take it to The Banks
Looking for an old-fashioned block party? Head to The Banks, with the Reds Community Fund Block Party kicking off at 11 a.m., with food, drinks, and entertainment. At noon, they’ll show the parade on the big screen in all its glory, so you can enjoy the view with an adult beverage as you sit on one of the patios at the bars and be close to GABP when the gates open 2:10 p.m. for the game.