Cincinnati’s American Sign Museum
The American Sign Museum at Camp Washington has about 800 signs.
August. The kids are back in school, high school football is back in action, and my goodness, Oktoberfest season is already underway. There are two—TWO!—Oktoberfest celebrations happening this weekend, as well as some other really cool and unique festivals and free live music events, plus two different shows around the house (psst! Homearama is one of them), a historical reenactment, monster truck action, a cool art show, and the hottest, spiciest hot sauce party of the year.
What a weekend to be alive! Here’s what’s going on.
1st Oktoberfest of the Germania Society
Cincinnati’s most authentic Oktoberfest features the area’s largest selection of German beers – including Warsteiner, Erdinger and Hofbräuhaus Munich, traditional German food, live music and entertainment on three stages, dancing, games of chance, rides, imported German goods and fun for the whole family. Adult competitions include beer stein pushing and stein holding. New this year is a tank-battling tournament.
Free off-site parking with shuttle is available 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: Friday, 6-11 p.m., Saturday, 2-11 p.m., Sunday, noon-7 p.m., Germania Society, 3529 W. Kemper Road, Colerain Township. $5, free for children under 12 and those with military ID. Germaniasociety.com.
2nd Ukrainian Festival in Cincinnati
Enjoy delicious Ukrainian food and drinks, entertainment, an arts and crafts market, children’s games, cultural pavilions, a Cossack beer garden, raffles and a silent auction at this celebration of Ukrainian culture. Volunteers have prepared more than 3,000 pierogi for the festival, and you’ll also find cabbage rolls, shashlik (grilled meat), benderyki (chicken-stuffed crepes), Crimean cheburek (ground meat pockets), peasant potatoes and other hearty side dishes. Creative types will love the unique craft workshops on Ukrainian block printing, building floral wreaths and making necklaces using traditional techniques, each led by experienced instructors.
Details: Saturday, 12:45 p.m.-7 p.m., Fleming Road United Church of Christ, 691 Fleming Road, Springfield Township. Cincinnatiukrainianfestival.com.
3. Greater Cincinnati Homes and Outdoor Living Show
This comprehensive three-day exhibition helps homeowners learn how to update and maintain their homes, showcasing the latest design trends and product offerings for home improvement projects. The exhibition features local experts in kitchen and bath renovations, home security, insulation, windows and exterior products, landscaping, decking, water features, roofing and more.
Details: Friday 12-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road, Sharonville. $5, free for under 18s. Free parking. Homeshowcenter.com.
4th Weekend of Fire
Think you can handle the heat? Jungle Jim’s Ultimate Hot Sauce Event gives you the chance to burn the hair off your tongue. Test your courage in the Arena of Fire where you can challenge other hotheads to see who can beat the heat. There will also be stilt walkers, fire artists, balloon artists, live music and other entertainment, as well as the Singe Bar where you can mix your own hot and spicy cocktail. Your ticket includes entry for one day and access to all the amazing hot sauces, BBQ sauce, salsa, rubs and snacks.
Details: Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., 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 rocking as EDM takes over Washington Park. Dress in your rave gear or gym clothes, or come casual and dance while DJs from Cincinnati, Dayton and Chicago bring the beats at this inclusive, diverse and family-friendly party. Bring a blanket or chair for a little break and enjoy food trucks, drinks and cornhole to the sounds.
Details: Saturday, 5:30-9 p.m., Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free admission. 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 the Varner/Netherton Revival Band. There will be a kids’ area with bounce houses, face painting, balloon animals and games. There will be food trucks on site and beer will be available for purchase. A fireworks display from Rozzi’s will round out the evening.
Details: Saturday, 2:30-9:30 p.m., Sawyer Point Park, 705 E. Pete Rose Way, downtown. Admission free. Cincinnati-oh-gov.
7. Position 56
This juried art competition, sponsored by the Cincinnati Art Club, began as a local competition in 1968 and has grown into a national event. It is the longest-running juried open art show in southwest Ohio. Over 100 artists have been selected to exhibit works in a variety of media, including collage, painting, colored pencil, glass, charcoal, watercolor and sculpture. A preview and open house will be held Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., followed by the opening reception. The exhibition runs through September 14.
Details: Friday, 5–9 p.m., Eisele Gallery, 6936 Madisonville Road, Mariemont. Cincinnatiartclub.org.
8. Monster Jam
Watch some of the world’s best drivers perform massive stunts, big airs, backflips and head-to-head racing 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 and get autographs and photos. There are also bounce houses, a sandbox area, a remote control truck course and more.
Details: 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday, Heritage Bank Center, 100 Broadway, Downtown. $15 and up, $20 Pit Party, $45 VIP meet and greet after the event. heritagebankcenter.com.
9. Columbia Settlement 1788
Explore the world of the Cincinnati area’s first pioneer settlers as interpreters share artifacts and history. Hear dramatic stories about the flatboat landing and the construction of the log cabin, watch interpreters demonstrate blacksmithing, lumbering, soap making, candle making and more. Children will enjoy toys, games and crafts, and there will be textile demonstrations including flax and wool processing, spinning, fabric dyeing, hand quilting, embroidery and knitting.
Details: Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Heritage Village Museum, 11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville. $12, $8, ages 4-11. Heritagevillagecincinnati.org.
10. Bill Keating Jr., Swimming in the Ohio River
Is traversing the Ohio River on your bucket list? This 900-meter open water swim is the perfect way to achieve that goal. The river will be closed to all motorized traffic during the swim, Coast Guard and local police forces will ensure safety on the water, and safety paddlers in kayaks will provide additional support. Depending on water levels, speed, debris, and other factors, the course may be adjusted to ensure safety. In the event of unsafe water conditions, the rescheduled date will be Sunday, September 8.
Details: Sunday, 7 a.m., Public Landing, 435 E. Mehring Way, downtown. $50, $40 for students, $30 for ages 12-17. greatohioriverswim.com.
11. Homerama
Tour six fully furnished and landscaped homes in a variety of architectural styles at this year’s Homearama. The single-family home development includes 27 lots, each one or more acres in size. It is 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: Saturday and Sunday, noon-9 p.m., The Reserves at Stone Pillars Farm, 6791 Oakland Road (State Route 48), Goshen Township. Runs August 24-September 8. $22, free for children under 12 with a paying adult. Cincyhomearama.com.
12. Sayler Park Oktoberfest
Put on your lederhosen and grab your beer steins as the neighborhood hosts its annual Oktoberfest with plenty of live music, food and local beer.
Details: Saturday, 4 p.m.–midnight, Nelson Sayler Memorial Park, 6600 Gracely Drive, Sayler Park. saylerpark.org.
13th Cincinnati Festival of Faiths
Celebrate the city’s religious diversity at this unique festival. Eat, sing, meditate, listen and learn from more than 30 faith communities representing more than a dozen world religions – from Catholicism and Islam to Zoroastrianism and Paganism.
Details: Sunday, noon–5 p.m., Cintas Center, Xavier University, 1624 Herald Ave., Evanston. Free admission. equasion.org.
14. Hops in the Hangar
Enjoy 90 craft beers from 30 breweries and watch aerobatic displays in the sky. Food trucks on site. Benefits Downtown Middletown Inc.
Details: Saturday, 4-9 p.m., Middletown Regional Airport, Middletown. Ages 21 and up. $65. Hopsinthehangar.com.
