Don't forget your floaties! Top 15 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend: Aug. 4-6

Luann Gibbs, Cincinnati Enquirer
·7 min read

The Ohio River features prominently at several area festivals this weekend, and there are also a couple of music festivals, a wine festival, a festival dedicated to hot 'n' spicy foods, community and cultural festivals, and plenty of unique shopping experiences.

If you'd rather stay out of the heat, it's a great weekend to take in a live theater performance, too.

1. Ohio River Paddlefest / Outdoors for All Expo

On Friday, the Outdoors for All Expo features exhibits from local parks, outdoor outfitters, adventure experts and environmentally minded organizations. Enjoy live music, hands-on activities, local beer and more. On Saturday, paddle 9 miles or 4.5 miles on the Ohio River.

Details: 4-9:30 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m. Saturday, Schmidt Recreation Complex, 2944 Humbert Ave., East End. Finish Line Festival follows from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Gilday Riverside Park, 3540 Southside Ave., Riverside. Expo and finish line festival are free. Participation in Paddlefest runs $20-$65, spectators free. Ohioriverpaddlefest.org.

The Lebanon Blues Festival takes place this weekend in downtown Lebanon. Pictured is local blues guitarist Noah Wotherspoon.
The Lebanon Blues Festival takes place this weekend in downtown Lebanon. Pictured is local blues guitarist Noah Wotherspoon.

2. Lebanon Blues Festival

The Lebanon Optimist Club brings some of the best blues acts in Southwest Ohio to the stage this weekend. Hear music from Ricky Nye & Bekah Williams, Brad Hatfield Band, Lady Joya Band, Greg Schaber, Ralph & the Rhythm Hounds, Tony Houston and the Primetime Blues Band, Fred Gillespie and the Swamp Bees, Leroy Ellington’s Sacred Hearts, Johnny Fink and the Intrusion, Doug Hart Band, and Noah Wotherspoon Band. Also features a classic car show along Broadway with more than 150 classic cars, beer garden, craft show and more.

Details: 6 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday, Bicentennial Park, Lebanon. Free. Lebanonbluesfestival.com.

3. Cincinnati Ukrainian Festival

This festival showcases Ukrainian culture and features artist and dance performances, crafts market, children's activities, Ukrainian food and a Cossack beer garden. Proceeds raise funds to restore life-saving medical equipment to hospitals in the Kherson region.

Details: noon-7 p.m. Saturday, United Church of Christ, 691 Fleming Road, Springfield Township. Free admission. Due to limited parking, park at Powell Crosley Jr. YMCA (9601 Winton Road) or The Grove Event Center (9158 Winton Road). cincinnatiukrainianfestival.com.

Think you can take the heat? Jungle Jim's Weekend of Fire features fiery foods made from a variety of hot peppers, like the Carolina Reapers and ghost peppers pictured.
Think you can take the heat? Jungle Jim's Weekend of Fire features fiery foods made from a variety of hot peppers, like the Carolina Reapers and ghost peppers pictured.

4. Weekend of Fire

You'll definitely be feeling the heat this weekend, and it's got nothing to do with the weather. Jungle Jim's popular Weekend of Fire returns post-pandemic, and it's hotter than ever. Sample hot sauces, salsas, mustards, marinades, beef jerky and other spicy foods, craft your own hot 'n' spicy cocktail at the Singe Bar, test your mettle in the Arena of Fire, and enjoy family-friendly activities and performances. On Sunday, enjoy a free car show presented by Freedom Scene.

Details: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, The Oscar Event Center at Jungle Jim's, 8871 N. Gilmore Road, Fairfield. $21.30 both days, $15.98 single day, $2.13 children. junglejims.com.

Pianist Awadagin Pratt is among the artists performing at Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra's Summermusik festival.
Pianist Awadagin Pratt is among the artists performing at Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra's Summermusik festival.

5. Summermusik

The Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra's annual festival brings internationally known guest artists to town, including Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, flutist Mimi Stillman, violinist Tessa Lark and Cincinnati's own Awadagin Pratt, in a monthlong music celebration. Enjoy full chamber orchestra performances, matinee concerts and small shows at non-traditional concert venues.

Details: Runs Aug. 5-26 at various venues around the city. Tiered ticketing prices start at $30, $10 for students. ccocincinnati.org.

6. Days in the Park Festival

Deer Park's annual summer festival features rides, kiddie games, local food vendors and live music on Friday with The Remains, and on Saturday with Cassette Junkies.

Details: 6 p.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday, Chamberlin Park, 7640 Plainfield Road, Deer Park. Free admission. Deerpark-oh.gov.

The German Luau returns to St. Bernard this weekend.
The German Luau returns to St. Bernard this weekend.

7. St. Bernard German Luau

Wear your leis and lederhosen at this celebration of Hawaiian and German heritage. Live music, dog costume contest, food trucks, beer, kids' fun zone and more. Parade at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Details: 5 p.m. Friday, 1-11 p.m. Saturday, 4800 block of Vine Street, St. Bernard. Free admission. Facebook.com/germanluau.

8. RiverDays

The village of New Richmond celebrates life along the Ohio River with this festival, which includes games, carnival rides, food and drinks, live music and live theatrical entertainment. On Saturday, enjoy the cardboard boat regatta from 1-3:30 p.m., and fireworks at 10 p.m.

Details: 6 p.m.-midnight Friday, noon-midnight Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday, Front Street, New Richmond. Free admission. Riverdaysfest.org.

Sample a variety of wines produced at Hanover Winery this weekend at the Hanover Winery Festival.
Sample a variety of wines produced at Hanover Winery this weekend at the Hanover Winery Festival.

9. Hanover Winery Festival

Enjoy live music, food trucks and a variety of wines by the glass or bottle, all produced at Hanover Winery. Bring lawn chair or blanket. Ages 21-up.

Details: 5-10 p.m. Friday, 1-10 p.m. Saturday, Hanover Winery, 2165 Morman Road, Hamilton. $5 admission, free parking. hanoverwinery.com.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's production of The Importance of Being Earnest opens this weekend.
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's production of The Importance of Being Earnest opens this weekend.

10. 'The Importance of Being Earnest'

Farcical fun abounds in Oscar Wilde's comedy about two bachelors whose schemes to avoid social engagements backfire.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Cincinnati Shakespeare Co., 1195 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Runs Aug. 4-20. Cincyshakes.com.

Utopia, Ohio opens this weekend at Carnegie Center in Columbia Tusculum. Pictured from left: Zack Steele, Jeremiah Savon Jackson, Jennie Malone, Brad Myers, Lindsey Rogers.
Utopia, Ohio opens this weekend at Carnegie Center in Columbia Tusculum. Pictured from left: Zack Steele, Jeremiah Savon Jackson, Jennie Malone, Brad Myers, Lindsey Rogers.

11. 'Utopia, Ohio'

America's first anarchist. A seance-leading abolitionist. A cult that believed oceans would turn to lemonade. This new musical, written by Cincinnatian Joshua Steele, tells the rise and fall of three little-known utopian experiments near Cincinnati, each from the perspective of those who lived there.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Carnegie Center, 3738 Eastern Ave., Columbia Tusculum. Runs Aug. 3-10. $24, $12 students. eventbrite.com.

12. 'Sleeping Giant'

In this dark comedy, a marriage proposal gone awry awakens an ancient evil deep within a lake and triggers a rising tide of unsettling events. Written by Steve Yockey, it's a fast-paced, thrilling and monstrously funny tale of creeping fascism, cosmic horror and butterflies.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, Know Theatre, 1120 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine. Runs Aug. 4-20. Knowtheatre.com.

13. Kentucky Symphony Orchestra: Too Hot to Handel

The KYSO goes for baroque with the music of G. F. Handel together with an audience singalong and Rozzi's fireworks.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Devou Park, 1201 Park Drive, Covington; 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Tower Park, 900 S. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas. Free. Kyso.org.

Glier's Goettafest continues along the Newport riverfront through Aug. 6. Pictured: Eggs and goetta is fried at the Cincinnati Grill booth during Glier's Goettafest at Festival Park in 2018.
Glier's Goettafest continues along the Newport riverfront through Aug. 6. Pictured: Eggs and goetta is fried at the Cincinnati Grill booth during Glier's Goettafest at Festival Park in 2018.

14. Glier's Goettafest

Goettafest continues along the Newport riverfront this weekend. Enjoy family-friendly games, more than 50 unique goetta-inspired menu items and live entertainment.

Details: 5-11 p.m. Thursday-Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday, Festival Park, 1 Levee Way, Newport. Free admission. goetta.com.

A festival dedicated to Cincinnati son Roy Rogers takes place this weekend in Portsmouth.
A festival dedicated to Cincinnati son Roy Rogers takes place this weekend in Portsmouth.

15. Roy Rogers Festival

A little farther east on the Ohio River, you can join celebrity guests, family members and fans at this festival dedicated to Cincinnati-born actor, singer and television host Roy Rogers and his "cowboy way of life." The festival celebrates its 40th anniversary with live music, food, entertainment, a look-alike contest, shopping and more.

Details: 9 a.m. Thursday-Saturday, American Legion Post 23, 705 Court St., Portsmouth. $20, $40 Saturday. royrogersfestival.com.

The Tri-State Antique Market in Lawrenceburg is filled with Americana and artifacts from 19th century furnishings to pop culture memorabilia of the 1980s.
The Tri-State Antique Market in Lawrenceburg is filled with Americana and artifacts from 19th century furnishings to pop culture memorabilia of the 1980s.

Honorable mention: Shopping!

  • Art on Vine, noon-6 p.m. Saturday, Court Street Plaza, Court St., Downtown. This monthly local art show features fine art and handmade goods from more than 80 artists throughout Greater Cincinnati. Free. artonvinecincy.com.

  • West Side Market, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Westwood Town Hall, 3017 Harrison Ave. Small business pop-up showcases more than 100 local vendors and food trucks, and offers family-friendly activities. Free. westsidemarketcincy.com.

  • East Walnut Hills Market, noon-6 p.m. Saturday, Woodburn Brewing, 2800 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills. Family- and dog-friendly market features over 40 local and regional vintage and handmade vendors. Free. eventbrite.com.

  • Tri-State Antiques Market, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Lawrenceburg Fairgrounds, 351 E. Eads Parkway. Indiana’s largest monthly antiques and vintage-only market. More than 200 vendors. Early bird admission 6 a.m. at no extra charge. $5 admission. Lawrenceburgantiqueshow.com.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Top 15 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend: Aug. 4-6