The biggest Cincinnati events this weekend: March 1-3

Luann Gibbs, Cincinnati Enquirer
Updated ·7 min read

It seems most of the country lets a groundhog in Pennsylvania tell them when spring is on the way. You've goat to be kidding. Here in Cincinnati, we don't follow the herd, we hoof it to the heart of the city and bock out with all our friends at the wildest, wackiest festival of the year: Bockfest.

The malt-forward beer we call bock was first brewed in Einbeck, Germany, in the 14th century. When Munich brewers adopted the style, their Bavarian accents pronounced "Einbeck" as "ein bock," which means "ram" or "billy goat" in German, and it's fitting, since the beer also packs a kick. In Cincinnati, where the brewing industry still echoes our German brewing heritage, Bockfest is our harbinger of spring.

Not a fan? There's plenty of other fun to be had around the city this weekend. There's a brand new bourbon and bluegrass festival, a festival dedicated to our local cryptid, Frogman, a new exhibition opening at the Cincinnati Art Museum, some excellent plays opening, a fishing expo, a summit dedicated to vintage Gibson guitars, Shen Yun is in town, and the Cyclones are playing at home.

1. Bockfest Parade

The wackiest parade in Cincinnati steps off from Arnold’s and travels north on Main Street to Melinda Street and loops south on Clay Street to Old St. Mary’s Church.

Details: 6 p.m. Friday, Arnold's Bar and Grill, 810 E. Eighth St., Downtown. Bockfest.com.

2. Bockfest Halls

Here are some of the highlights taking place at the three official Bockfest Halls: Moerlein Lager House (115 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown), Northern Row Brewery (111 W. McMicken St., Over-the-Rhine) and Rhinegeist Brewery (1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine). See the new Bockfest app or the website for events and specials happening at partner venues.

  • Exclusive Brewing Heritage Tours: Brewing Heritage Trail hosts walking tours of the historic Clyffside Brewery site. Explore the 1937 packing/shipping facility, see the modern brewery production line for Hudepohl, Christian Moerlein and Little Kings, and learn about plans for the site's future use. Includes a glass of bock beer.

    • Details: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Rhinegeist Brewery. $29, $23 non-drinkers age 13-up, $6 ages 6-12, free ages 5-under.

  • Sausage Queen Finals: Contestants are judged on personality, presence and talent. Guest judges and crowd participation determine the best (gender neutral) applicant.

    • Details: 7-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Rhinegeist Brewery. Free.

  • Continental Sunday: German-American Citizens League hosts games, dance groups and more, and there are brunch and dinner specials.

    • Details: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, Moerlein Lager House.

  • .05K Fun Run: Long distance running not your thing? Just 164 feet separates you from the finish line and your beer with this race. Participants get a medal, T-shirt, beer and sticker.

    • Details: 2 p.m. Sunday, Northern Row Brewery. Ages 21-up. $35.

3. Bock Beer 5K

Part of the TQL Beer Series, this course travels along Smale Riverfront Park, across the Taylor Southgate Bridge to Newport and back. Participants receive a shirt, two drink tickets, a Skyline Chili Cheese Coney and a finisher's medal.

Details: 10 a.m. Saturday, The Banks, Freedom Way, Downtown. flyingpigmarathon.com.

4. Frogman Festival

Celebrating the mythical Loveland Frogman, this festival boasts more than 50 unique vendors, circus sideshows and speakers specializing in cryptids, the paranormal, unexplained phenomena, folklore, UFOs and more. At noon, the Pied Piper of Loveland leads a costume parade that's open to any and all. On Friday and Saturday evening, there's a screening of the new film "Frogman."

Details: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Oasis Conference Center, 902 Loveland-Miamiville Road, Loveland. $17.50, free ages 12-under. Film is an additional $15. Frogmanfestival.org.

Bourbon and bluegrass fans can attend Bonded Spirit Bluegrass Festival, a brand new festival that celebrates the spirit of the Bottled-in-Bond (BIB) Act of 1897. It includes a cocktail competition, food and live bluegrass.
Bourbon and bluegrass fans can attend Bonded Spirit Bluegrass Festival, a brand new festival that celebrates the spirit of the Bottled-in-Bond (BIB) Act of 1897. It includes a cocktail competition, food and live bluegrass.

5. Bonded Spirit Bluegrass Festival

This new festival celebrates the spirit of the Bottled-in-Bond (BIB) Act of 1897, a bourbon purity law. It features a cocktail competition, food and live music with Grammy-nominated bluegrass artists Sister Sadie and The Goodwin Brothers, and local band Moonshine Drive. There are three ticket levels: VIP includes exclusive lounge access, six samplings of BIB cocktails, two full cocktails, a buffet dinner and seating by the stage. Roebling Rickhouse includes six samplings of BIB cocktails, one beer or wine ticket, light bites and a seat in the tent. General admission is standing room only with the opportunity to purchase food and drinks.

Details: 5-10 p.m. Saturday, Smoke Justis, 302 Court St., Covington. $175 VIP, $100 RR, $53 general. Eventbrite.com.

Whitfield Lovell: Passages urges viewers to contemplate the ordinary lives, and extraordinary journeys, of the African American experience. Pictured: Whitfield Lovell, "America," (2000), charcoal on wood.
Whitfield Lovell: Passages urges viewers to contemplate the ordinary lives, and extraordinary journeys, of the African American experience. Pictured: Whitfield Lovell, "America," (2000), charcoal on wood.

6. Whitfield Lovell: Passages

This exhibition is the most comprehensive of the contemporary artist to date. It features more than 80 works, including evocative multisensory installations, conte crayon drawings and other thought-provoking assemblages.

Details: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Runs March 1-May 26. Ticketed. Cincinnatiartmuseum.org.

'Stew' opens this weekend at Playhouse in the Park. A 2021 Pulitzer Prize finalist, Zora Howard's play tells a captivating, funny and intimate story of the relationship between mothers, daughters and the realities that bind them together.
'Stew' opens this weekend at Playhouse in the Park. A 2021 Pulitzer Prize finalist, Zora Howard's play tells a captivating, funny and intimate story of the relationship between mothers, daughters and the realities that bind them together.

7. 'Stew'

Three generations of Black women gather in Mama’s kitchen to cook an important meal – and things are about to boil over. As they take turns preparing a stew, closely held secrets bubble to the surface. Note: Opening night is sold out, and other dates are selling fast.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Playhouse in the Park, Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre, 962 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Runs March 2-April 7. $33.50-up. Cincyplay.com.

Barry Mulholland as Caesar in William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar,” directed by Brian Isaac Phillips. It's playing March 1-23 at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company.
Barry Mulholland as Caesar in William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar,” directed by Brian Isaac Phillips. It's playing March 1-23 at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company.

8. 'Julius Caesar'

The cutthroat world of Roman politics is exposed with the ambitious, but oblivious, Julius Caesar becomes a target for assassination. Taking a contemporary view of this ferocious tale of power and loyalty, these infamous characters face the consequences of betrayal and the brutal nature of tyranny.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Cincinnati Shakespeare Co., 1195 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Runs March 1-23. $14-up. Cincyshakes.com.

9. 'Becky’s New Car'

Becky is caught in middle age, middle management and a middling marriage with no prospects for change on the horizon. Then a socially inept, grief-stricken millionaire stumbles into the car dealership where Becky works. This original comedy is a delightful romp down the road not taken.

Details: 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, The Drama Workshop, 3716 Glenmore Ave., Cheviot. Runs March 1-17. $20. Thedramaworkshop.org.

10. National Fishing Expo

Here’s your opportunity to view every major line of boats, rods, guides, tackle and Canadian outfitters under one roof. There are also more than 20 free seminars where you can catch expert tips and insights from leading professionals including Danny Ervin, Chris Whisenant, Brent Chapman, Mike Quinlin, Troy "Fish Slim" Becker and Mark Blauvelt.

Details: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road, Sharonville. $30 weekend pass, $15 single day, $5 ages 13-17, free ages 12-under. nationalfishingexpos.com.

Shen Yun Performing Arts creates a new production every year with five separate casts that tour the world. Shen Yun returns to the Aronoff Center for the Arts this weekend.
Shen Yun Performing Arts creates a new production every year with five separate casts that tour the world. Shen Yun returns to the Aronoff Center for the Arts this weekend.

11. Shen Yun

Take an enlightening journey through 5,000 years of history with this epic production featuring classical Chinese dance.

Details: 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. $89.25-up. Cincinnatiarts.org.

12. 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'

Featuring music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, this play is based on the character of Joseph from the Bible’s Book of Genesis.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, Loveland Stage Co., 111 S. Second St., Loveland. Runs March 1-17. $20. Lovelandstagecompany.org.

Fans of the Gibson guitar will gather at The Village Theater in Covington for the Vintage Gibson Guitar Summit on Sunday.
Fans of the Gibson guitar will gather at The Village Theater in Covington for the Vintage Gibson Guitar Summit on Sunday.

13. The Vintage Gibson Summit

Enjoy round table discussions, a guitar clinic and evening jam. Guests include Greg Martin of Kentucky Headhunters, Timm Kummer, Mat Koehler, Mike Reeder, Mark Agnesi and more.

Details: noon Sunday, The Village Theater, 635 Main St., Covington. Ages 18-up. $20. Cincyticket.com.

The Cincinnati Cyclones take on Indy Fuel Saturday afternoon at Heritage Bank Center, and the first 3,000 fans in the door will receive a Puckchop Squish mascot giveaway. Totes adorbs!
The Cincinnati Cyclones take on Indy Fuel Saturday afternoon at Heritage Bank Center, and the first 3,000 fans in the door will receive a Puckchop Squish mascot giveaway. Totes adorbs!

14. Cincinnati Cyclones vs. Indy Fuel

The Cincinnati Cyclones once again deliver the swag, this time in the shape of an absolutely adorable Puckchop Squish Mascot giveaway. Just look at the cuteness! If you want one, be sure to arrive early, as only the first 3,000 in the door get the ultimate in squishness.

Details: 4 p.m. Saturday, Heritage Bank Center, 100 Broadway, Downtown. $21. Cycloneshockey.com.

Renowned whiskey expert Fred Minnick visits Jungle Jim's this weekend for the release of Irish Cask and Craft, Ohio's largest ever curated collection of Irish craft whiskey and gin.
Renowned whiskey expert Fred Minnick visits Jungle Jim's this weekend for the release of Irish Cask and Craft, Ohio's largest ever curated collection of Irish craft whiskey and gin.

15. Irish Cask & Craft

Fred Minnick, one of the world's most well-known bourbon and whiskey personalities, visits Cincinnati to celebrate the release of The Irish Cask and Craft Collection, the Ohio Liquor's (OHLQ) largest-ever release of new, craft, single cask and limited production Irish spirits. You can taste and purchase Irish whiskey and gin from the curated collection, have early access to exclusive Irish single barrels, and meet craft spirits producers and leaders from more than 20 Irish distilleries.

Details: 5-7 p.m. Friday, Jungle Jim's, 8871 N. Gilmore Road, Fairfield. Free; tastes are 50 cents per 1/4 oz. Ages 21-up. ohlq.com.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: The biggest Cincinnati events this weekend: March 1-3