School's in Session
Bigger Than Sneakers Academy connects youths to leaders in the fashion merchandising and footwear industries,
Attention, students!
Bigger Than Sneakers
2643 Erie Ave.
www.biggerthansneakers.org
Bigger Than Sneakers Academy is in session!
BTS Academy is a FREE two week summer program that connects area youth to leaders in the fashion merchandising and footwear industries. These connections are enhanced with hands-on activities that foster their creativity and entrepreneurial aspirations.
Though the summer session is full, BTS works with youth in the community throughout the year.
This program also serves to create a cohort of upcoming 10th–12th grade students to promote youth empowerment and workforce development. BTS works with a number of community partners offering great opportunities to students.
“In addition to accessing mentors, workshops, and activities at BTS Academy, receives a FREE iPad loaded with state-of-the-art technology to use during the program and beyond,” a BTS spokesperson explained. “We'll also be awarding stipends to top students in the program, which can be used toward higher education or for students to start their own brands.”
Roll on in
Kings Island is kicking off the summer this Memorial Day weekend by honoring the nation’s military with free admission.
Beginning Friday through Monday, active and retired military members can receive free entry into the park simply by showing their military ID at the front gate.
Discounts also are available online for friends and family. The park will also open its 35-acre Soak City water park, and debut the brand-new nighttime fireworks and drones spectacular. All the details are online at visitkingsisland.com.
A Place in the Sun
Coney Island Park opens for the summer on Friday, with more new attractions, including pickleball, fowling, and disc golf, and all the fun you love from Sunlite Water Adventure.
Coney Island
6201 Kellogg Avenue
www.coneyislandpark.com
2023 Weekend Daily Ticket
$17 for Juniors / $24.50 for General Admission
2023 Weekend After 4 p.m. Ticket
$8.99 for Juniors / $12.99 for General Admission
You may know Coney Island as the home to Sunlite Pool, but this summer you can dive into a lot of new attractions!
The park’s new expansion includes pickleball, soccer pool, fowling and more, just a five-minute walk from Sunlite Water Adventure.
Coney Island is keeping up with the nation's fastest growing sport with four new pickleball courts. Court rentals will be available hourly, with discounts available for Adventure Passholders.
“Coney Island is a great place for families and friends to connect, have fun, and make memories together,” says Tricia Mullin, a marketing consultant with Coney Island. “The same can said for pickleball. More and more people are giving it a try and are finding the game to be a lot of fun, just like Coney Island. It’s a perfect fit.”
The all new Sports Alley dares kids to make friends and play outside all afternoon! Open daily from 1 to 6 p.m., the space is monitored by an attendant.
At Sports Alley guests will find
Soccer Pool
Soccer Pool, a unique mash-up of soccer and billiards, levels the playing field for athletes and non-athletes alike. Players compete on a large, ground-level billiard table and strategically kick a white soccer cue ball to knock their team’s colored soccer balls into side pockets. Rental is free by leaving a season pass or ID with an attendant.
Street Curling
No ice needed! Street curling brings Olympic-sized fun to Coney Island, Players slide heavy stones across a synthetic surface toward a target to win points over their friends. Rental is free by leaving a season pass or ID with an attendant.
On weekends, 12– 6 p.m., guests can also enjoy
Fowling
Try your hand at this unusual combination of bowling and football. Fowling dares guests to throw a football a cornhole distance to knock down 10 bowling pins. Coney Island will offer three “lanes” of this popular, unpredictable, and often comical game. Rental is free by leaving a season pass or ID with our attendant.
Disc Golf
Current players and newbies alike will enjoy the lush green playing field of Coney Island’s expansive, park-like property.
Guests are welcome to bring their own discs and enjoy four practice holes at their leisure. A limited number of discs will also be available for free rental by leaving a season pass or ID with our attendant.
The all new fun joins classic attractions which are FREE weekends
Storybook Paddleboats
Passholders and guests are welcome to take a short jaunt to beautiful Lake Como to make their storybook imaginations come alive as they enjoy paddleboats adorned with five-foot-tall swans and dragons.! Storybook Paddleboats are available from noon – 6pm on weekends. Rentals are free to season passholders by leaving a season pass or ID with an attendant.
Cincy Mini-Golf
Passholders and guests have an opportunity to relax and enjoy a friendly golf game under a cool canopy of trees. Players of all ages will recognize popular Cincinnati icons at every hole, including Fiona the Hippo, Union Terminal, Skyline Chili, a Flying Pig, and Coney Island’s lighthouse. Miniature golf is free to season passholders by leaving a season pass or ID with an attendant during play.
Sunlite Water Adventure water park is the focal point of summer at Coney Island. Measuring more than a football field and holding more than 3 million gallons of crystal clear water, Sunlite Pool is the nation’s largest circulating swimming pool. It offers more than an acre of shallow water for newer swimmers, while the poolside attractions include ¼ mile of water slides, Cannonball Cove dive pool, Typhoon Tower kids’ splash area, dining, private cabanas, and more.
Coney Island also hosts a number of great events throughout the summer, including, Summerfair coming up June 2–4 and the Annual Balloon Glow, this year on Monday, July 3. After a day of fun in the sun, music from 1990s Something starts at 6 p.m. At 8 p.m., balloons will begin their glow and hover, while safely tethered, above the crowd. This visual gorgeous display continues until the Rozzi’s Fireworks Finale over shimmering Lake Como
“Coney Island truly is Cincinnati’s best seasonal, family-friendly gathering place,” says Mullin. “It’s an optimal location for festivals and group events, like Balloon Glow, that brings families and friends together for a day of fun, food, friends, and fireworks.
In Full Swing
The stakes are higher than ever for the Queen City Championship, with a purse of $2 million.
During the 2023 season, members of the LPGA Tour will play for more than $100 million across 33 official events. The Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G, held in Cincinnati this September, has increased its purse to to $2 million, up from $1.75 million in 2022.
“The Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G is more than a professional golf tournament,” said Kate Meyer, Kroger vice president of Health & Beauty Merchandising. “It’s also a game-changing platform to advance women in sports, business, and education. This effort includes the Queen City Game Changers Leadership Program that recently graduated 135 Cincinnati-based women from both corporate and entrepreneurial backgrounds. Additionally, this September the Kroger Foundation and P&G’s Always® Brand will award 23 scholarships to diverse female students from across the country – expanding our reach from the 5 scholarships awarded the prior year.”
The second annual tournament will be hosted from Sept. 6 to 10 at Kenwood Country Club, featuring a field of 144 of the world’s best golfers. The event is broadcast domestically on Golf Channel with more than 12 hours of live coverage and is distributed around the globe to more than 220 countries.
“P&G is excited to join Kroger in increasing the purse of our tournament to $2 million as part of our joint commitment to elevate the game changers of tomorrow – both on and off the course,” said Pat Cady, P&G senior vice president of sales. “We look forward to seeing the world’s best golfers competing in our hometown with amazing fan experiences onsite, brought to you by P&G brands like Pampers, Secret, Dawn, Febreze, Swiffer, Mr. Clean, Tide, Gain, Gillette and many others.”
The inaugural Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G welcomed over 50,000 fans at Kenwood Country Club in 2022. More than 70 local and national partners supported the tournament, and 700 volunteers served in a variety of roles throughout the week.
“The additional purse support from Kroger and P&G is continuing to drive the LPGA forward and provide opportunities for these incredible women to showcase their talent,” said Casey Ceman, vice president of Tournament Business Affairs, LPGA. “This is setting an example for other tournaments and showcasing how co-title sponsors can raise the bar for support of the LPGA Tour.”
Ticket and hospitality packages are available now at queencitylpga.com.
Building Hope
The 26th annual Cincinnati Canstruction competition returns, with amazing structures in 12 building sites downtown, with the canned good then donated to Freestore Foodbank.
Cincinnati Canstruction
Can-Do Celebration
Friday, May 19
5:30–7:30 p.m.
Black Box Theater at the Aronoff Center
Corner of Seventh and Main Streets
Tickets $20, includes admission and light appetizers provided by Cincinnati COOKS!. Cash bar available.
Categories are Best Original Design, Structural Ingenuity, Best Use of Labels and Best Meal.
Get tickets now!
If you’ve ever built a fort out of pillows, a secret lair from a giant box, or a wall out of canned goods, Canstruction is made for you!
This is the first year since 2019 the Canstruction has been held in Cincinnati.
An international community service project of the design and construction industry to benefit community food banks, local teams design and build incredible structures from canned good. In Cincinnati, teams from BHDP, Champlin Architects, CSA, Danis, FFE Engineering and Architecture, GBBN, HDR, Hixson, Huseman Group, MA Design, MSA Design, SHP, and Turner are participating in this year’s competition.
Photos by Shae Combs
The 2023 Canstruction locations are
The Weston Gallery, 650 Walnut St.
Hertz Center, 600 Vine St.
The Scripp Center, 312 Walnut St.
Atrium 1 and 2, 221 E. Fourth St.
First Financial, 255 E. Fifth St.
GBBN Lobby, 332 E. Eighth St.
The architects, engineers, designers and contractors build fantastic giant-sized structures made entirely out of canned foods. The creations are on view to the general public as a giant art project. But at the close of the competition, all of the food used in the structures is donated to the local food bank for distribution to community emergency feeding programs.
Through the generosity of volunteers, celebrity jurors and members of the community, Cincinnati Canstruction has contributed 817,000 pounds of food to the Freestore Foodbank, enough to provide over 681,000 meals to people in the Tristate.
Mom's Day Out
See what's in store for mom this Mother's Day! Ideas for want to spend quality time with the family, or love books, flowers, and chocolates.
Mother’s Day weekend is just days away (Sunday to be exact!) and if you’re still looking for the perfect gift, look no further! We’ve got you covered, with awesome ideas and activities!
For the homebody:
Does mom have a green thumb?
Pick up her favorite perennials at your local garden center. Even better? Take her there this weekend. (Pro tip: Stop by on Saturday to avoid the Sunday crowds!)
A few of our favorites are Benken Garden Center, Fern and White Oak Gardens.
Say it with flowers! Or plants.
For the bookworm:
Remember all that time your mother spent reading to you? If she still loves a classic novel, inspiring biography, or even a cozy mystery, repay her for instilling her love of reading in you.
Grab a gift card, her favorite book, or locally made wares that show off er Cincinnati pride at Joseph Beth Booksellers.
If you mom is a fan of local history and architecture, buy her a membership to The Mercantile Library. This charming space –which is getting ready for a major expansion – is a great place to work, explore, and meet other book lovers.
For the social butterfly:
Stroll, sip, and shop along Madison Road.
There’s no shortage of great shopping around the Tristate.
Take mom out for the day for shopping, lunch, and maybe even a little treat!
For the artist:
Indigo Hippo repurposes “old” materials and “give them a second life”
Maybe going to a museum was boring when you were a kid.
But as an adult you’ve come to appreciate the importance of the vibrant cultural institutions we have, including many that support working artists and help create the next generation of artists and arts lovers.
Why not buy your mom a membership or make a donation in her honor at one of these great places?
For the one with a sweet tooth:
The Bon Bonerie
Aglamesis Brothers – Ice cream, sodas, and chocolates made the “sincere way.”
The BonBonerie – The “Afternoon Tea to Go” is the perfect gift for all the moms and mother figures in your life!
Graeter’s – From doughnuts to the world-famous black raspberry chip, there’s nothing sweeter in Cincinnati than this hometown ice cream.
Mt. Washington Creamy Whip – Old-fashioned ice cream parlor meets 21st century toppings in this neighborhood favorite.
For the outdoor mama:
Take a bike ride or a stroll on the Loveland Bike Trail or Wasson Way!
Both offer the chance to stop in restaurants and shops, so you can grab a snack, relax, and enjoy the trip.
For the quality time planner
Spend some quality time together this weekend!
Cincinnati Zoo: Free admission for all moms on Mother’s Day!
Coney Island: The 52nd annual Appalachian Festival
Covington Plaza: Smoke on the River BBQ Fest
Krohn Conservatory: Butterflies of the Meadow
Loveland: 10th annual Food Truck Rally
Maker Markets: Hamilton Flea and City Flea!
Washington Park: Art on Vine
–Lauren Artino
Ready to Fly
The 25th anniversary of the Flying Pig Marathon is this Sunday, with races and programs throughout the weekend. Get the details on Cincinnati's homegrown marathon, whichg has become one of the best, and most beloved, races in the country.
Pigs may not fly, but for 25 years, they’ve been racing through the streets of Cincinnati and this weekend, The Flying Pig Marathon celebrate the race’s 25th anniversary in style.
The race team is expecting near record crowds and participation during weekend – almost all of the race events are sold out! But there are still plenty of ways to get in on the fun.
The P&G Health and Fitness Expo at Duke Energy Convention is free and open to the public. Jeff Galloway, former Olympian and founder of the Run/Walk/Run training method, and Dave McGillivray, famed Boston Athletic Association Race Director, will both be available for photos at the Expo.
25th Annual Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon Weekend presented by Prysmian Group
Friday, May 5
Noon to 7 p.m: P&G Health & Fitness Expo and packet pick-up
Duke Energy Convention Center
525 Elm St.
5 p.m.: Fifty West Mile Packet pickup begins for
7 p.m.: Fifty West Mile, Riverfront Transit Tunnel
Saturday, May 6
5:30 a.m.: Registration and packet pickup for all Saturday events
7 a.m.: Toyota 10K, Mehring Way
7:30 a.m.–2 p.m.": Family Fun Festival
Smale Riverfront Park
9 a.m.: Champion Windows 5K
10 a.m.: Start Flying Pig Mascot Race
Smale Park
10 a.m.: First Watch Flying Piglet
Smale Park
10 a.m.–5 p.m.: P&G Health & Fitness Expo Duke Energy Convention Center
11 a.m.: Cincinnati Children’s 26th Mile
Noon: PigAbilities presented by Goodwill Industries
1 p.m.: Flying Fur Dog Run
Sunday, May 7
All divisions start by Paul Brown Stadium,
6:25 a.m.: Wheelchair Marathon (26.2 miles/42K)
6:30 a.m.: The Flying Pig Marathon powered by P&G (26.2 miles/42K)
6:30 a.m.: CityDash 4-person Relay
6:30 a.m.: Paycor Half Marathon.
While at the Expo, you can also see the new Coughlin Family Cup by Rookwood Pottery. The top male and female marathon winners names will be added to the cup base each year. Winners will receive their own smaller replica of the keepsake to commemorate their achievement.
Every year the race prints a poster, but a limited-edition 25th anniversary collectors’ poster that shows all 25 posters together will be available at the Expo. A portion of proceeds supporting Flying Pig Charities.
You’ll also see downtown Cincinnati buildings lit up as part of the 25th anniversary celebration. Prominent buildings and stadiums will “go pink” from May 5 to 7, as a show of support for all the Flying Pig fun.
The fun doesn't stop there! There’s a whole slate of parties and events planned for the weekend. Check out the Spectator Zones or join one of the Viewing Parties taking place Sunday here.
This year, the Flying Pig organizers are inviting everyone to be a part of their “Flying Pig Community Monday” celebration by wearing their Flying Pig shirts and medals with pride – at school, at the office, or wherever they happen to be.
The Flying Pig Mascot will be watching for folks wearing Pig shirts and passing out prizes to community members wearing 2023 shirts and medals. Prizes include free 2024 Flying Pig race entries and gift certificates to partner restaurants and retailers including Dick’s Sporting Goods, LaRosa’s, Skyline, and more.
Plus, if you visit a Graeter's ice cream shop while wearing your pig gear, you'll receive a 10% discount on your ice cream purchase!
There’s so much to be excited about this weekend to celebrate 25 years of the Flying Pig. Whether you're running, volunteering, or just cheering from the sidelines, go hog wild and enjoy the weekend!
Ewok this Way
Jedi to have fun on Star Wars Day? Let the adventure begin!
From drinking blue milk in a wretched hive of scum and villainy to showing your true power in Star Wars trivia, this is the way to celebrate May the 4th.
Galactic Cantina, 1834 Race St., is the perfect spot for hardcore Star Wars fans. On May the 4th, the featured beer is Grain Works “Luke I Am Your Lager” and you can enjoy their galaxy-themed cocktails and mocktails.
They will also have 10% off all of the Star Wars merchandise in their Comic Book shop. On May 5, they will offer a free comic book, with purchase.
Want to break out your Jedi robes?
“We anticipate we’ll have lots of cosplayers and costumes that day as most of my inquiries this week have indicated that,” says Kylie Seward from Gorilla Cinema.
The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library has a number of ways to use the force.
The Wyoming branch, 500 Springfield Pike, has a full month of activities asking “Can You Find Baby Yoda?”
Use the Force and test your Jedi skills to locate where Baby Yoda is hiding in the library and receive a small prize! He’ll move to a different spot each day, all month long, so you can play each day!
From 3:30 to 5 p.m. on May the 4th at the Wyoming branch, kids, tweens, and teens are invited to use their Jedi skills to feed Jabba, destroy the Death Star and bowl over a squad of stormtroopers. Other activities include designing a droid, creating a Baby Yoda/Grogu pod, painting a Star Wars-themed ceramic pot, and more art-related fun.
The Greenhills branch, 6525 Bridgetown Road, is celebrating with Star Wars Bingo from 4:30 to 5 p.m. on May the 4th.
Test your strength in the force with the Star Wars Trivia Night against other fans in Jeopardy-style game at the Sharonville branch, 10980 Thornview Drive, from 7 to 8 p.m. All ages welcome. Registration required.
The Reds are out of town on May the 4th, so Star Wars Night at Great American Ball Park is on Friday, May 5. Their limited edition Mandalorian bobblehead is only available through the ticket package. But plenty of cosplayers will be at GABP, adding to the night’s fun, whether or not you have a bobblehead!
So Matcha More
Asian Food Fest returns Saturday and Sunday to Court Street Plaza. The region’s largest celebration of Asian food and culture is bigger than ever, with 50 food vendors representing 15 Countries.
2023 Asian Food Fest
Saturday, April 29, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday, April 30, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Court Street Plaza, Downtown
Participating vendors:
* Denotes Secret Menu
Angie Tee's Kitchen
Asian Youth Alliance/ Asian Community Alliance*
Banh Lao & Thai Cuisine
Blesame International Catering
Boba Cha
Bridges Nepali
Chhnganh*
Chinos Street Food
Christine’s Casual Dining
CinSoy Foods
CM Chicken
Deme Kitchen
Desi Plaza / Desi Bites
Dine-In Hawaiian
Eden's Kitchen and Grill
Evolve Bakeshop
Fortune Noodle House
Greater Cincinnati Chinese Cultural Exchange Association*
Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati - YouYu
Inday Nezzy's Kitchenette*
Kona Ice
Kung Fu Tea
LALO
Little Chef Medy
Lotus Street Food
Mahope
Mangan*
Masala*
Mena Pastry Collaborative - Sponsored by Dean's*
Milk Jar Cafe
Neko Sushi
Nou Street Food
OH！Boba
Olive Tree Catering
Ono Turo Turo
Pho Lang Thang
Red Sesame
Roll on In
S.E.A. Cuisine Foodtruck
Sago
Sawasdee Thai Cuisine
Smiles n’ Spice*
Stone Bowl Korean
Streetpops
Taste of Lebanon–St. Anthony of Padua Maronite Church*
Tea n Bowl
Thai Express
Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Group – Cincinnati*
Wendigo Tea Co.
The region’s largest celebration of Asian food and culture continues returns to Court Street Plaza this weekend.
With a record 39 restaurants and food trucks, plus the expansion of the fan favorite “Secret Menu” – Asian Food Fest will have nearly 50 food vendors representing 15 countries – the largest number in the event’s history.
“We are so excited about the variety of vendors and countries represented at Asian Food Fest for 2023,” says JP Leong, senior food procurement specialist at Asian Food Fest. “This year, we received a record number of applications and had the difficult task of narrowing it down to this incredible offering of vendors that shape and define this unique cultural event.”
Celebrating its 12th year, The festival promises a mouthwatering tour of Asian foods in the form of small plates, priced from $2 to $10, plus live entertainment, local craft and Asian beer, fun family activities, and more.
“The growth of this event has truly been remarkable,” says Rob Weidle, lead event manager for Asian Food Fest. “Asian Food Fest is becoming known as a cultural destination. We are seeing attendees from across the country come to the Cincinnati region to indulge in some amazing food and experience this one-of-a-kind event.”
The festival will have more than 100 performers and entertainers across the two-day event. Comedy, cultural activities, and karaoke are highlights of the entertainment line-up, with national and local acts.
The first-ever “Eastern Eats and Vocal Beats Karaoke” Contest, presented by Tokyo Kitty, will take place on Saturday, April 29, at 8 p.m. A total of 15 participants will be selected and all styles of music will be accepted. Winners will be determined by fan vote (so bring your friends) and will receive prizes from Tokyo Kitty and other Asian Food Fest participants. Those looking to show off their singing skills are asked to sign up.
Cultural Experiences
An expanded lineup of activities has been added to enhance the event’s cultural experience, such as calligraphy writing and chopstick workshops.
April 29 and 30
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Learn to Write (Asian Calligraphy)
1–4 p.m. – Chopstick Workshop
4–6 p.m. – Sand Rangoli (sand art)
6–8 p.m. – Play-Doh Mooncakes and Dumpling
“When looking at the entertainment line-up this year, we wanted to find new ways to engage the crowd,” says Vikas Sondhi, entertainment coordinator for Asian Food Fest. “The addition of comedians, activities, and karaoke adds an element of connectivity and gives the audience an opportunity to be a part of the event.”
Entertainment Schedule
Saturday, April 29
Main Stage
12 p.m – Rongrong Li
1 p.m – Taiko Drums - Dayton
2 p.m – Pamama Dance Group
2:30 PM - Freya Dance Studio
3 p.m – Bing Yang Chinese Performing Arts Center
4 p.m – Anaya Belly Dance
4:30 p.m. – Greater Cincinnati Chinese Cultural Exchange Association
5 p.m. – Mark Joshua
6:30 p.m. – World Dance Cincy '23
7 p.m – Asian Food Fest Comedy Hour with Ayriana Kasper | Pinak Patel
8 p.m – Tokyo Kitty presents, Eastern Eats and Vocal Beats Karaoke! with DJ Hi David
DJ Stage
12 p.m – Samnang
1 p.m – | V |
2 p.m – Hi David
3 p.m – Ani Cheng, B2B, Lokeez
5 p.m – Jibbs
6:30 p.m. - World Dance Cincy '23
7 p.m – Bhangra X Bollywood Block Party with DJ Vikas & DJ Mowgli
Sunday, April 30
Main Stage
12 p.m. – Sarah Gorak
1 p.m. – UC's Korean Culture and Dance Club
1:30 p.m. – Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Group - Cincinnati
2 p.m. –Bing Yang Chinese Performing Arts Center
3 p.m. – Gajdi Jawani
4 p.m. –Cincinnati Opera
5 p.m. – Filipino American Association of Southern Ohio
6 p.m. – Asian Food Fest Comedy Hour with DJ Rybski, Ayriana Kasper, Pinak Patel
DJ Stage
12 p.m. – Silbak
1 p.m. – Spam
3 p.m. – DJ Mowgli
5 p.m. – Kim L
6 p.m. – Vusive
Asian Food Fest, presented by Kroger and Procter & Gamble, and produced by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber in partnership with the Asian American Cultural Association of Cincinnati.
New Kids on the Block
Children's Theatre celebrates its new home at The Emery Theatre.
If You Go
Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati Block Party
Saturday, April 29, 12–4 p.m.
Emery Theater
1112 Walnut St.
Program at 1 p.m.
More Info
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati hosts a family-friendly Block Party on Saturday to celebrate its future home at the Emery Theater.
The whole community is invited to join the party, that will feature:
Food from LaRosa’s, Graeter’s, Ché OTR, and Kroger's On-The-Rhine Eatery
Signature Cocktail from Northside Distillery
Music from Q102
Face painting
Balloon animals
Temporary tattoos
Character meet-and-greets
Tours of the Emery Theater
A short program hosted by Local 12’s Bob Herzog, will begin at 1 p.m, featuring Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval.
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT) has embarked on a campaign to purchase, restore, and reimagine the historically significant Emery Theater. This partnership will revitalize the theatre, a treasured cultural asset, and provide a permanent home for children’s theatre in Cincinnati’s vibrant urban core.
What TCT envisions is not simply a restoration, but a reinvention of the theater into a modern and memorable venue equipped with the latest technology that inspires and teaches diverse audiences. And TCT’s plans to incorporate the most modern technology, stage lifts and projection mapping, will enliven the audience experience and overcome backstage and wing limitations.
Through this remarkable technology and planned expanded programming, TCT will revitalize an icon, return to its original home, and put Cincinnati on the map as a family theatrical destination.
Down to Earth
From Cincinnati Parks to the Contemporary Arts Center, local organizations hold Earth Day celebrations on Saturday, April 22 to help you reduce, reuse, and recycle.
The adage “every day is Earth Day” rings especially true given the current state of the environment. Many local organizations are offering ways to commemorate the occasion through Earth-friendly events this weekend.
Gratitude to the Woods with Julia Orquera Bianco
Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m,.
Burnet Woods, 3251 Brookline Ave.
FREE
www.cincycac.org/gratitude-to-the-woods
The Contemporary Arts Center joins UC Students for Burnet Woods, the Sierra Club Miami Group, Permabuds, and other organizations for Spring Fest in the Woods – An Earth Day Celebration.
The CAC’s Summer 2022 CoLAB artist Julia Orquera Bianco, whose projects were rooted in Burnet Woods and its community, will lead an artmaking and reflection table, along with CAC Community Programs Manager and artist/writer Pedal Miranda.
The art-making project is just one part of Spring Fest which also includes
10 a.m. – Yoga with World Peace Yoga
11 a.m. – Music by Comet Bluegrass All-Stars
12 p.m. – UC Environmental Studies picnic
1 p.m. – Nature Walk with Cincinnati Wildflower Preservation Society
Earth Day Party
HighGrain Brewing & Kitchen, 6860 Plainfield Road
Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
highgrainbrewing.com
The brewery is on a journey toward carbon neutrality! Join HighGrain for the Silverton Community Trash Pickup at 8 a.m., with gloves and trash bags. Then reward yourself with brunch at 10 a.m. Live music starts at 11 a.m., with afternoon activities that include Potting Seeds & Plants with Benkens (bring a reusable container), dogs from Save The Animals Foundation, the Longbottom Farm Ducks, and local vendors and partners all day lon.
Earth Day Celebration
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Saturday, April 23, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Events included in Zoo admission
cincinnatizoo.org/events/party-for-the-planet
Visit the Zoo to enjoy educational activities led by AmeriCorps members and local conservation partners located throughout the Zoo, including Animal Chats and enrichment with Black Rhino, giraffes, gorilla, bonobos, and cougars. Vendors includde Osmia Bee, Civic Garden Center, Gorman Heritage Farm, and Cincinnati Wildflower Preservation Society,
Earth Day @ Findlay Market with Hamilton Co. R3source
Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Findlay Market, 1801 Race St.
www.findlaymarket.org/marketevents/earth-day
Hamilton Co. R3source & Findlay Market partner for fun Earth Day activities. Enjoy the “Wasted Food Stops With Us” food upcycling demos every hour at Elaine’s Kitchen. Bring your hard-to-recycle items such as oral Care Items, deodorant, plastic Cards (like gift cards, office supplies, and sock and they’ll recycle them for you.
KWA West Chester Shredding Event
Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
9277 Centre Pointe Drive
www.eventbrite.com/kwa-west-chester-free-earth-day
Keller Williams Advisors hosts a FREE shredding event. Each carload can bring up to five boxes to shred for free. Each shred participant will be placed in a drawing for a $100 Visa gift card. Kids will enjoy earth day crafts and have a chance to visit with the West Chester Fire Department.
Greater Cincinnati Earth Day Festival
Saturday April 22, 12–5 p.m.
Summit Park, 4335 Glendale Milford Road
FREE
cincinnatiearthdayorg.mailchimpsites.com
With more than 125 exhibitors, music, vegetarian foods, and beer from Madtree Brewing Company, this festival is one of the best environmental education events in the region. Families can enjoy the Earth Day even if it's only at their local park, traditionally the first fun family outdoor event of the year!
Earth Day Relaxation Yoga
Saturday, April 22, 3 p.m.
College Hill Yoga, 5838 Hamilton Ave.
Cost: $15 if registered; $20 at the door
www.alternativeyoga.net
Join Alternative Yoga for a special Earth Day practice, complete with an uplifting music playlist. A yin-restorative class, with optional reiki healing, this session is meant to help people heal ourselves so they can help heal the world around us.
Enough on Your Plate
Enjoy food, dancing, and fun at the sh festival fundraiser, del-ish-us: a Celebration of Mimouna.
Looking for a good time this weekend?
We have just the thing! Plus, you can give back while you’re having a blast.
Check out ish Festival’s biggest fundraiser of the year.
If You Go
del-ish-us: a Celebration of Mimouna
Saturday, April 22, 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
ish Garage, 4089 Langland St.
Tickets & additional info available here.
Organizers say this event, back by popular demand, offers the chance to experience a “taste” of Spain, Central and South America through delicious foods, music, all-age arts activities, and entertainment, with childcare available.
The evening includes dance performances from Cincy Brazil Samba and Pones and music from Noyse Merchants.
The event focuses on the Moroccan and Mmzrachi Jewish holiday of Mimouna.
Mimouna is a celebration, traditionally held by North African Jews from Morocco and the Maghreb, to celebrate the end of Passover. During this joyous community gathering, Jews break bread, eat sweets, and enjoy traditional culture, often with non-Jewish neighbors.
ish is a Cincinnati-based community engagement organization working to bring artists and communities.
Art for the stars
Art contest is in the stars at Cincinnati Observatory.
Artists have looked to the stars for inspiration for centuries.
Now the Cincinnati Observatory is asking local artists to find inspiration where they look at the stars.
To kick off the celebration of the building’s 150th anniversary, the Cincinnati Observatory wants to see your renditions of its historic Herget Building.
“The ‘Best of Show’ winner will have the honor of having their image used on new promotional materials, including merchandise to celebrate the 150th Anniversary,” says Dean Regas, astronomer for the Cincinnati Observatory. “We will also display the winning submission with our Special Exhibit honoring the Samuel Hannaford building.”
A 501c3 not-for-profit organization, the Observatory is dedicated to maintaining their historic 1873 and 1904 buildings. Memberships, donations, and programing revenue help keep the National Historic Landmark facility in good working order and preserve these incredible treasures, which host more than 34,000 people each year.
The Observatory will have an art show and reception on May 20, at which 10 additional finalists and two honorable mentions will be honored. The Best of Show will be announced at that event. The children's contest will have one best in show, and three additional finalists.
Entries must be submitted by Sunday, April 30. Find more information and submit your work here.
Ready, Set, Ride!
Kings Island opens for the season this weekend!
One of the sure signs of Spring’s arrival in Cincinnati is the opening of Kings Island!
The park opens this Saturday, April 15 and inside you’ll find new attractions, new food and more ways to have fun.
The 364-acre amusement park in Mason will open its turnstiles for the first time at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. Guests will be able to get their first rides on the legendary Beast roller coaster, their first tastes of the park’s famous blue ice cream and their first hugs from Charlie Brown and Snoopy.
“The park also is adding a new restaurant, Grain & Grill, a fast-casual dining location that will feature Eastern European and Mediterranean flavors,” said Chad Showalter, Kings Island’s director of communications
Grain & Grill rendering
As Kings Island’s Opening Day approaches, the amusement park has named Joseph Perez as the new executive chef. He previously served as the executive chef at Ameristar Casino and Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri.
“I’m excited to join the talented food and beverage team here at Kings Island and I’m looking forward to helping the park continue to grow its menu options with fresh, locally sourced items,” said Perez. “I want families and friends visiting the park to be able to gather together around a table, have an excellent dining experience, and make lasting Kings Island memories.”
Also opening this summer, is the new Adventure Port.
The park’s newest themed area will feature two new family rides, enhanced theming for Adventure Express, a new quick service restaurant and the Mercado. This new area will be located between Coney Mall and Action Zone.
More information on the 2023 season is available at visitkingsisland.com.
Link Up
Tickets are on sale now for the 2023 Queen City Classic!
General Admission
Ticket includes access to the tournament grounds, public grandstands and fan areas. Food & beverage available for purchase at concessions.
Weekly Ticket Package – $80
Includes one ticket for each day the tournament gates are open (Wednesday – Sunday).
Good Any One Day Ticket – $25
Includes one ticket good for any one day of your choice Wednesday – Sunday. This ticket allows fans to buy now and decide which day to attend later.
Commissioner’s Club
Ticket includes access to the Commissioner’s Club, 18th Tee viewing platform (new for 2023), tournament grounds, grandstands and fan areas. The Commissioner’s Club is an upscale pavilion with ample covered and outdoor seating located in the middle of the action with views of golf on holes 6, 13 and 14. Venue ticket includes beer, wine, soda, water and snacks. All patrons, including children must have a ticket to access the venue.
Weekly Ticket Package (Thursday – Sunday) – $500
Includes one ticket for each day of the competition rounds (Thursday – Sunday).
Commissioner’s Club Ticket, Single Day – $150
Includes one day-specific ticket on the day of choice Thursday – Sunday.
Kenwood Lounge
Ticket includes access to the Kenwood Lounge, 18th Tee viewing platform (new for 2023), tournament grounds, grandstands and fan areas. Located on the South Terrace of the clubhouse, the Kenwood Lounge is a shared hospitality venue that provides an indoor/outdoor atmosphere in the heart of the course with views of the 10th Tee and Fan Zone. Venue ticket includes all-inclusive food and full-service bar provided by Kenwood Country Club and private restroom facilities inside the clubhouse. At this time, Kenwood Lounge tickets are only available as a weekly package, single-day tickets may become available in the future based on demand.
Weekly Ticket Package – $750
Includes one ticket for each day of the competition rounds (Thursday – Sunday).
Private skyboxes and upgraded all-inclusive hospitality options are also available. Contact Emily Norell, enorell@excelsm.com for information.
If the Masters has you thinking out seeing amazing golfers in person closer to home, you’re in luck. Ticket are now available for the Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G.
Tickets and hospitality packages are on sale and volunteer registration is open for the second annual tournament to be held Sept. 6–10 at Kenwood Country Club.
“We are so excited for the second edition of the Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G. Last year was a huge success with over 50,000 fans over the week, more than 70 local and national partners, and overall amazing feedback. We look forward to building on that for 2023. We’ve already seen great corporate support for year two and are sure the crowds will be even bigger this year based on the demand we’re already seeing in the community,” said Emily Norell, tournament director for the Queen City Championship.
The tournament returns with a variety of ticket and hospitality packages available for purchase. Children aged 17 and under will receive complimentary admission with a ticketed adult and all active and retired military will also receive free admission.
The Queen City Championship will feature a field of 144 of the world’s best golfers competing for a purse of $1.75 million dollars. The event is broadcast domestically on Golf Channel with more than 12 hours of live coverage and is distributed around the globe to more than 230 countries. In addition, Kroger, P&G and tournament proceeds will continue supporting the Queen City Game Changers Leadership Program which champions local women to enhance their leadership skills and expand their networks through multiple workshops.
Volunteers Needed
The tournament is also recruiting volunteers for a variety of roles leading up to and during tournament week. The $50 volunteer package (a $250 value) includes the volunteer uniform (polo and hat), week-long tournament access and two additional weekly passes for friends and family.
“Volunteers are such a critical part of a golf tournament and last year Cincinnati showed up with some of the best volunteers I’ve ever worked with in my career. In our early registration window, we’ve already filled almost 60% of our volunteer positions for this year and I’m hopeful that all of those roles will be filled by early Summer,” Norell said.
To register to volunteer or find more information, visit www.queencitylpga.com.
Cincinnati’s history with women’s professional golf dates back to 1963 when Kenwood Country Club was the host for the U.S. Women’s Open. From 1978 to 1989, Cincinnati hosted the LPGA Championship at the Golf Center at Kings Island. The LPGA’s developmental tour, the Epson Tour, has called the Queen City its home for the better part of the last 15 years, most recently hosting the Prasco Charity Championship.
Tournament officials have announced several returning local and national sponsors including title sponsors Kroger and P&G, founding partners; Cintas, St. Elizabeth Health Care, TriHealth and official partners; Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, Chosen Foods, Constellation Wealth Advisors, Fortinet, Performance Automotive Network, and Truepoint Wealth Counsel.
For more information about the Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G, visit excelsm.com.
Pay to Play
Ohio is phoning it it, as sports betting tops $639 million last month.
In the second month of legalized sports betting in the Buckeye state, sports gambling took a dip from January’s launch, where the volume of sports betting was $1.1 billion.
The Ohio Casino Control Commission released its second report about sports gambling revenue on March 31, providing February earnings at retail locations like Hard Rock Sportsbook in Cincinnati and mobile betting operators including top app, Fan Duel.
As you add up sports bets over the last two months, mobile sports betting apps, or those made on your phone, are the most active with nearly 98% of all bets or $1.75 billion made on mobile apps. Fan Duel and DraftKings are the majority players in the mobile space with more than $446 million in bets made between the two.
Top Five Mobile Apps by Volume in Ohio
Fan Duel (Belterra Park): $232.7 million
DraftKings (Hollywood Toledo): $214 million
BetMGM (MGM Northfield Park): $46.1 million
Bet365 (Cleveland Guardians): $30.9 million
Caesars Sportsbook (Scioto Downs): $28.4 million
Top Retail Sportsbooks by Volume in Cincinnati
Hart Rock Cincinnati (Seminole Hard Rock Digital): $2.4 million
Belterra Park (Fan Duel): $600,003
Cincinnati Reds (BetMGM): $148,857
FC Cincinnati (Superbook): $13,911
The Old Ball Game
Reds’ Opening Day: There’s nothing else like it. Cincinnati does Opening Day better than anyone else. See what makes the first day of baseball season so special in the Queen City.
– by Betsy Ross
If you are new to the Greater Cincinnati area, or if you have a friend or co-worker who’s new to town, you probably have heard or said this phrase: “You have to go to Opening Day. Cincinnati does it better than any other baseball city.”
The sentence itself is true. But it hardly explains or demonstrates just what makes the first day of baseball season so special in the Queen City.
First, a history lesson: Veteran Reds fans will remember the days (and lament their passing) when the Reds were THE opening game of baseball season. Not because that the Reds were the first professional baseball team, as many believe, but mostly because of tradition, according to Reds historians Greg Rhodes and John Erardi. Before baseball expansion, Cincinnati was the southernmost city for baseball, so the belief was that the chances for better weather were greater.
Of course, we know that the weather forecast for Opening Day can be as unpredictable as an Aroldis Chapman fastball. It has snowed twice (measurable snow) on Opening Day, and as recently as 2018 the opener had to be postponed because of rain, the first time in more than a half century that Opening Day was delayed because of the threat of rain. Strikes, lockouts and, of course, the pandemic, were other factors that have altered the traditional first day of baseball.
But what makes Cincinnati’s Opening Day different from the other teams? Again, referencing Erardi and Rhodes in their terrific book, “Opening Day,” the Reds’ business manager at the turn of the 20th century, Frank Bancroft, gets the credit for turning the day into a holiday, complete with bunting around the stadium, first pitches from dignitaries and presentations on the field. The extra spectacle drew sellout crowds for Opening Day every year, so Cincinnati continued get a home game for its season opener.
It was around that time, in 1920, that Findlay Market got into the act with its Opening Day parade, which now is a 1.4 mile long celebration of Spring and baseball season. But it wasn’t always greeted with big crowds (an estimated 130,000 last year) and school children playing hooky.
From Rhodes: “With the Reds move downtown to Riverfront Stadium in 1970, the parade dynamics changed completely. Now, the line of march headed down Race Street and turned on Fifth and went right through the heart of downtown Cincinnati. Local television began covering the procession live for the first time. The parade became the focal point instead of the ballpark presentation.
“The parade organizers decided to open up the event to outside organizations and the entries grew to nearly 200. When Marge Schott purchased the Reds in the 1984, she used her connections with the Cincinnati Zoo to include elephants and other large animals that gave the entire event the feel of a circus.”
Once the parade is done, there’s still usually some time to fill before the start of the game—this year, a 4:10 p.m. matchup with Pittsburgh. Depending on the weather, fans can hang out at The Banks or inside their favorite watering hole while waiting for the ballpark festivities. Expect a sellout crowd to greet the Reds home and signal the start of Spring and baseball season.
As former Reds manager Sparky Anderson said,
“It’s a holiday—a baseball holiday! Ain’t no other place in America got that!”
Take the Field
From OTR to The Banks, tips on the best places to catch the parade.
–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.
Clutch Hitter
Friends honor media legend Rich Walburg and benefit scholarship.
If You Go
Rich Walburg Day
Saturday, April 1, 3–5 p.m,
The Filson, 25 E. Freedom Way
Donate to the Rich Walburg Media Scholarship at UC.
Join friends and colleagues for Rich Walburg Day to celebrate Rich's life and work during an event organized by Game Day Communications.
Donors of $25 or more to the Rich Walburg Media Scholarship at the University of Cincinnati receive a “Be Kind” bracelet.
Walburg, a beloved figure in local media, passed away in January 2022. Throughout his career, Walburg worked at WLW-AM, Q102, Kings Island, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, and the National MS Society's Ohio Valley Chapter, as well as Game Day Communications. He was renowned for his quick wit, love of puns, and incredible professionalism.
The scholarship recipient will be announced on April 12.
Away We Go
From EVs to Dream Machines, the 35th Cincinnati Auto Expo offers the chance to test out the latest features in the newst cars, trucks, and SUVs, plus find interactive exhibits and family fun at the Duke Energy Convention Center, March 30–April 2.
Duke Energy Convention Center
525 Elm St.
cincinnatiautoexpo.com
Thursday, March 30, 3 – 9 p.m.
Friday, March 31, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m
Saturday, April 1, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday, April 2, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Any-day general admission tickets: $11
(Save $2 by purchasing online in advance); Children age 12 and younger: Free
Specials
Thursday, March 30: Opening Night
Free admission when wearing Cincinnati Reds apparel
Friday, March 31: Matinee Day
Half-price admission,11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Curious about EVs? Long to see a rare Maserati? Looking for a new family car?
Find all your answers at the 35th Cincinnati Auto Expo at Duke Energy Convention Center March 30–April 2.
Managed by the Greater Cincinnati Automobile Dealers Assn. (GCADA), the Expo provides the opportunity to experience new technologies and features in the newest model cars, crossovers, EVs, SUVs, trucks, from both domestic and import manufacturers. .
EV Showcase Schedule
Author Brian Culp: “A Dummy Answers Dumb EV Questions”
Saturday, April 1: Noon | 2 p.m. | 4 p.m. | 6 p.m.
Sunday, April 2: Noon | 2 p.m. | 4 p.m.
Donovan Energy “Residential Charging”
Saturday, April 1: 1:20 p.m. | 3:20 p.m. | 5:20 p.m.
Sunday, April 2: 12:40 p.m. | 2:40 p.m. | 4:40 p.m.
Drive Electric Cincinnati and Drive Electric Dayton EV Owners’ Panel” discussions:
Saturday, April 1: 12:40 p.m. | 2:40 p.m | 4:40 p.m.
Sunday, April 2: 1:20 p.m. | 3:20 p.m.
An expanded EV Showcase includes a variety of vehicles with a wide range of price points from manufacturers such as Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, Kia, Mercedes, Porsche, Subaru, Volvo and Volkswagen. The informative exhibit also will feature rotating presentations from Brian Culp, author of Electric Cars for Dummies, Cincinnati-based Donovan Energy along with the EV-owner members of Drive Electric Cincinnati as well as Drive Electric Dayton. EV chargers also will be on display courtesy of Electrify America.
With the Chevrolet Test Drive, guests can either drive or ride in a Bolt EUV, Blazer RS, Equinox RS, Silverado 1500 2.7, Tahoe Z71 and Trailblazer Activ.
But the expo is more than cars.
The Safe Travel for Kids Family Zone presented by the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Toyota Dealers has goody bags, RC car raffle, fun activities for young guests, courtesy of Kemba Credit Union. There is also an interactive safe teen driving simulator from the Hamilton County Safe Communities along with the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The Subaru Pet Park will introduce guests to adoptable animals from Greater Cincinnati shelters. A Campground exhibit will display RVs ideal for weekend getaways that can be towed by nearly every vehicle on the Expo floor.
Lovers of classic cars won’t want to miss the BMW M Series 50th Anniversary Collection, which celebrates the anniversary of the iconic BMW series, with models ranging from 1972 to 2011.
On Dream Machine Boulevard, presented by General Electric Credit Union, guests can see sought-after vehicles from Acura, Alfa Romeo, BMW, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Genesis, Maserati, Jeep, Porsche and RAM that they can bring home to their own garages! Models from manufacturers such as have all been represented on Collector cars from Cincinnati Concours d’ Elegance, The British Car Club and Ohio Valley GTO Club will also be on display.