Everything you need to know about this weekend's Red Bull Flugtag in Cincinnati

Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer
Updated ·5 min read
Cincinnati will host Ohio's first Red Bull Flugtag since 2004 on Saturday, Aug. 12.
Cincinnati will host Ohio's first Red Bull Flugtag since 2004 on Saturday, Aug. 12.

Several Greater Cincinnatians will earn their Red Bull wings this weekend.

Cincinnati will host the Red Bull Flugtag on Saturday, Aug. 12 – the world-renowned event's first trip to Ohio since it flew through Cleveland in 2004. The event, sponsored by Red Bull, Kroger and United Dairy Farmers, will feature up to 40 teams competing for exclusive Red Bull experiences, meet-and-greets with Red Bull athletes and more.

But what, exactly, is this event, and how does it work? Here's what you need to know.

What is a Red Bull Flugtag?

Flugtag, pronounced “FLOOG-TOG,” is German for “flying day.”

According to Red Bull's website, the Flugtag is a competition where individuals design and build human-powered flying machines that will be launched off a 27-foot flight deck over water. The competition judges each five-member team on the length of flight and creativity of their aircraft.

The Red Bull Flugtag has been held in over 50 countries and has garnered nearly 9 million spectators worldwide over the last 30 years. The world record for the longest flight is 258 feet, set in 2013 in Long Beach, California, by the Chicken Whisperers.

When and where is Cincinnati's Red Bull Flugtag?

The competition will take place at Sawyer Point Park and Yeatman's Cove on Saturday, Aug. 12.

  • The venue will open to the public at noon.

  • Opening ceremonies will start at 1 p.m.

  • The first flight will take off at 1:10 p.m.

  • The final flight will begin at 4 p.m.

  • An award ceremony will occur at 4:15 p.m.

Times are subject to change. Updated times will be posted on the Red Bull website closer to event day.

Do you need tickets?

The Red Bull Flugtag is free to the public and open to all ages.

Who are the Red Bull Flugtag judges?

Former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson is one of five judges for Cincinnati's 2023 Red Bull Flugtag.
Former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson is one of five judges for Cincinnati's 2023 Red Bull Flugtag.

Here is the panel of judges for Cincinnati's 2023 Red Bull Flugtag:

  • Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson, former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver.

  • Chloe Pavlech, Cincinnati native, Baylor University assistant women's basketball coach and content creator.

  • Nick Goepper, a three-time Olympic freestyle skier.

  • Jessica Dimon, Cincinnati-based drag queen.

  • Cale Saurage, TikTok context creator and DJ.

What to expect on-site at the Red Bull Flugtag

Per the Red Bull website, food and beverage vendors and free water stations will be available around the event site. The event has open seating, and it is recommended that visitors arrive early to reserve a good viewing spot. There will also be ADA viewing areas on site.

No smoking is permitted during the event.

What you can and can't bring to the Red Bull Flugtag

Here's what you can bring into the Red Bull Flugtag:

  • Blankets.

  • Small, hand-held umbrellas.

  • Baby strollers.

  • Portable, collapsible chairs.

  • Unframed backpacks.

  • Sealed water bottles.

  • Empty Camelbak and other empty plastic containers.

  • Ice in a soft-sided cooler or Camelbak.

  • Binoculars.

  • Personal camera equipment.

Here's what you cannot bring into the Red Bull Flugtag:

  • Pop-up tents.

  • Large bags.

  • Weapons of any kind.

  • Drones.

  • Framed or large backpacks.

  • Alcohol or illegal drugs.

  • Glass containers.

  • Food.

  • Pets.

  • Tents.

  • No illegal vending is permitted.

Parking information for the Red Bull Flugtag

The Red Bull Flugtag competition is coming to Cincinnati for the first time this weekend.
The Red Bull Flugtag competition is coming to Cincinnati for the first time this weekend.

Parking will be available around Yeatman's Cove and Sawyer Point Park, which can be found on the visitcincy.com website. Event organizers recommend visiting the SpotHero parking reservation app for more parking information.

Don't want to fight the downtown traffic? Metro and TANK busses will be operating on Saturday. Please be sure to check their websites for schedules and routes. The Cincinnati Bell Connector will also be running.

A rideshare drop-off and pickup spot will be located under the Taylor Southgate Bridge next to the park.

If you'd like to view the event from your boat, you must enter the Ohio River before noon Saturday. The U.S. Coast Guard and local authorities will close the Ohio River and Licking River from noon to 5 p.m. between mile markers 469.5-470.5 and 0.0-0.3.

What is the difference between the Red Bull Flugtag and the Red Bull Soapbox Race?

The Red Bull Soapbox Race is a land-based event held on different city courses around the world and was last in Cincinnati at Eden Park in September 2018. During that style of competition – which is NOT taking place this weekend – teams comprised of local amateurs build motorless vehicles that are raced down a hill, powered by nothing but gravity.

One thing that the Flugtag and Soapbox Race have in common? Winners are decided by a panel of expert judges, and points are given for the craziness of your design.

Meet the Red Bull Flugtag 2023 teams

The Red Bull Flugtag flew through Milwaukee in 2022.
The Red Bull Flugtag flew through Milwaukee in 2022.

Here are the 40 teams and aircrafts competing in Cincinnati's 2023 Red Bull Flugtag:

  • Flying T's (The Un-Carrier Carrier)

  • PFlag Cincinnati (Pride + Joy)

  • Arabian Flights (The Magic Carpet)

  • Condado (Condado Go-Kart)

  • The Sushi Dragon (The Sushi Dragon)

  • Weenie Hut Jr. (Flying Weiner)

  • The Bafoons (Up, Up, and Away!)

  • Temple of Red Bull (Nice Try, Lao Che)

  • Cincy 'Til I Fly (Gary in the Sky with Diamonds)

  • Baltimorons (Moon Shoot)

  • Absentminded Operators (The Distraction Contraption)

  • Living Lands and Waters (River Cleanup)

  • Bra (Kickflip This)

  • Ohio Surf Squad (The Freshwater Dreamer)

  • Thunderdome (The Cottage Contraption)

  • Cast Me If You Can (Hangin' Tough)

  • Flight For Your Right to Party (Rosie)

  • Team Top Gums (Betty White Bomber)

  • Cincy Super Friends (Super Friends Flugtag Flyer)

  • Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution (The Flying V)

  • Flying Vikings (To Valhalla)

  • The Neanderthals (One Eyed, One Horned Flying Purple People Eater)

  • Sammy (The Winderborne)

  • Brick Street Fliers (Trashcan Glider)

  • May We Help Flying Team (Limitless)

  • Team Emboss (Girl-Bossing to Close to the Sun)

  • Cinci Chili Chasers (The 3-Way Flyer)

  • Architects of Fear (The Flight of Fear)

  • Rhinegeist & Art Academy of Cincinnati (Van-Go)

  • Sin City Hash House Harriers (WKRP Turkey Drop)

  • The Smoke Eaters (Mister Twister)

  • The Flying Tigers (The Tiger Glider)

  • The Queen City Flying Tigers (The Gliding Queen)

  • The Jukebox Heroes (B Side- The Vinyl Countdown)

  • Wright Sister (Russ Airlines)

  • The Harry Droppers (Nimbus 2023)

  • The Bavarian Boys (The Schnitzel Ship)

  • Team Black Ops (Top Cruise)

  • Flite Test (FT Double Trouble)

  • Flour Rangers (Top Bun)

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Red Bull Flugtag Cincinnati: Time, parking, tickets, judges, more