Top 13 things to do in Cincy this weekend: Aug. 11-13

Luann Gibbs, Cincinnati Enquirer
·6 min read
Forty teams have built flying machines that will be judged on flying distance, creativity and showmanship at the Red Bull Flugtag, taking place Saturday at Sawyer Point Park.
Forty teams have built flying machines that will be judged on flying distance, creativity and showmanship at the Red Bull Flugtag, taking place Saturday at Sawyer Point Park.

1. Red Bull Flugtag

Named after the German word for “flying day,” see handcrafted aircraft launch from a flight deck at the park. Up to 40 Cincinnati-area teams will take part, and each will be judged on creativity of craft design, performance and distance of flight. Former Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson is one of the celebrity judges.

Details: noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Sawyer Point & Yeatman’s Cove, 705 Pete Rose Way, Downtown. Free for spectators. Redbull.com/flugtagcincinnati.

Whole lobsters are a crowd favorite at the Great Inland Seafood Festival, happening Aug. 10-13 at Newport's Festival Park.
Whole lobsters are a crowd favorite at the Great Inland Seafood Festival, happening Aug. 10-13 at Newport's Festival Park.

2. Great Inland Seafood Festival

Enjoy a variety of seafood options, plus live music throughout each day. Whole Maine lobster special for $11.95.

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. facebook.com.

Dan + Shay are Sunday's headliner at the Voice of America Country Music Fest.
Dan + Shay are Sunday's headliner at the Voice of America Country Music Fest.

3. Voices of America Country Music Fest

This new music festival boasts theme nights and a stellar lineup of more than 30 of country's biggest artists, including Dan + Shay, Old Dominion, Chris Young, Alabama, Jake Owen and Chase Rice. Theme nights include USA Night on Friday, Booze & Boots Saturday, and Country Glam on Sunday. Country Music Television is filming the festival as part of the network's Hot 20 Countdown.

Details: 6-11 p.m. Thursday, 2-11 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Voice of America MetroPark, 7850 VOA Park Drive, West Chester Township. Gates open one hour prior to showtime. $69.99-up. Parking $90 all days, $54 single day. Voacountrymusicfest.com.

4. Ciderpalooza

This celebration of hard cider features eight new cider flavors from March First, plus you can enjoy guest taps from Country Boy, 21 Barrels, Tin Cap and others, and live music. Tasting tickets will be sold at the door. Five-ounce samples are $3 each, or 10 samples for $25.

Details: 11:30 a.m.-midnight, March First Brewing, 7885 E. Kemper Road, Sycamore Township. Free admission. eventbrite.com.

5. The Taste of India

This festival highlights the rich Indian culture in Greater Cincinnati. You'll find a variety of restaurants, shops and other local businesses represented, and there's a talent show and plenty of family-friendly games. On Saturday evening, enjoy live music, and Sunday features a showcase of various Indian dances (Naach Sitare).

Details: 1-9 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Sunday, Hindu Temple of Greater Cincinnati, 720 Barg Salt Run Road, Union Township. Runs Aug. 12-13. Cincinnatitemple.com.

Bengals fans really know how to tailgate. Pictured: Bengal Jim's "Before the Roar" Tailgate Experience in Lot E on January 15, 2023.
Bengals fans really know how to tailgate. Pictured: Bengal Jim's "Before the Roar" Tailgate Experience in Lot E on January 15, 2023.

6. Cincinnati Bengals vs. Green Bay Packers

The Bengals open the preseason at home against the Aaron Rodgers-less Packers, and the tailgating is bound to be legendary for fans ready to get the season started early. While Joe Burrow will most likely not be playing due to his calf injury, it's a great time to take a look at the new squad.

Details: 7 p.m., Paycor Stadium, 1 Paul Brown Way, Downtown. Preseason game. Bengals.com.

Cincinnati's Rebecca Cox finished third at the Idlewild Open in 2018
Cincinnati's Rebecca Cox finished third at the Idlewild Open in 2018

7. Disc Golf Pro Tour LWS Open

The LWS Open at Idlewild is an annual stop on the Disc Golf Pro Tour, and it's your chance to watch the world's top disc golfers compete. The family-friendly event boasts a fan zone that features a massive outdoor jumbotron providing live coverage of the tournament, and fans can interact with players at the autograph tent, shop vendors and enjoy on-site food trucks.

Details: 8 a.m. Friday-Sunday, Idlewild Disc Golf Course, 5550 Idlewild Road, Burlington. $15-up. Free ages 10-under with ticketed adult. lwsopen.com.

Venus Williams returns a shot during a quarterfinal match of the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament in 2019. The tennis star will compete in Cincinnati for the tenth time at the 2023 Western & Southern Open.
Venus Williams returns a shot during a quarterfinal match of the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament in 2019. The tennis star will compete in Cincinnati for the tenth time at the 2023 Western & Southern Open.

8. Western & Southern Open

Watch some of the world’s best tennis players compete, including top seeds Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, as well as fan favorites Andy Murray and Venus Williams. Qualifying matches begin this weekend, with the first rounds starting on Sunday evening.

Details: 10 a.m. Saturday-Sunday, Lindner Family Tennis Center, 5460 Courseview Drive, Mason. Runs Aug. 12-20. Wsopen.com.

Local artists Gift Mayambi and Romain Mayambi host their first exhibition this weekend at Epic Event Gallery.
Local artists Gift Mayambi and Romain Mayambi host their first exhibition this weekend at Epic Event Gallery.

9. Against the Grain

This three-day exhibition is the first for brothers Gift Mayambi and Romain Mayambi – a painter and a photographer, respectively – who explore the societal, familial and cultural expectations of growing up as the children of immigrants from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Features live music on Friday from Grandace and Carriers.

Details: 6-9 p.m. Friday, 4-7 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Epic Event Gallery, 811 Race St., Downtown. $15. Eventbrite.com.

Carnival rides are a staple at our local county fairs.
Carnival rides are a staple at our local county fairs.

10. County fairs

  • Hamilton County Fair: Highlights include rodeo, speedway, demolition derby, drag racing, music, Ascend Pro Wrestling, pig races, pony rides, zipline, rides, inflatables and Cincinnati Circus.

    • Details: 4-11 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-10 p.m. Sunday, Hamilton County Fairgrounds, 7700 Vine St., Carthage. Runs Aug. 10-13. $7, free ages 2-under. $5 parking, $10 ride bracelets. hamiltoncountyfair.com.

  • Boone County 4H & Utopia Fair: Enjoy traditional 4-H shows and exhibits, carnival rides, pageants, a demolition derby, dirt drag racing, monster trucks, live music and contests of skill.

    • Details: 4 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. Saturday-Sunday, Boone County Fairgrounds, 5819 Idlewild Road, Burlington. Runs Aug. 7-12. Boonecountyfair.org.

A southern black racer snake is a common non-venomous snake.
A southern black racer snake is a common non-venomous snake.

11. Cin City Reptile Show

This family-friendly event features non-venomous snakes, lizards, amphibians, spiders, small mammals, feeders and supplies. Door prize drawing at 1 p.m.

Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Holiday Inn, 5800 Muhlhauser Road, West Chester. $7. Cincityreptileshow.com.

Perseid meteor shower to peak this weekend.
Perseid meteor shower to peak this weekend.

12. Stargazing opportunities

The moon will be a waning crescent and 10% illuminated during Saturday's peak of the Perseid meteor shower. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, and don't forget the bug repellant.

  • Stonelick State Park, 2895 Lake Drive, Pleasant Plain. Starts at dusk Saturday-Sunday. View along with the Cincinnati Observatory. No telescope needed. Meet at the beach lot. Free. facebook.com/stonelickstargazers.

  • Fernald Preserve Visitor Center, 7400 Willey Road, Hamilton. 8 p.m. Friday, 10 p.m. Saturday. Check in at visitor's center for information on designated viewing area. On Friday, Cincinnati Astronomical Society hosts meteor program. Free. energy.gov.

13. Shopping

  • The OFF Market: Monthly marketplace of small businesses, artisans, brewers, bakers, farmers and more.

    • Details: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Summit Park, 43435 Glendale Milford Road, Blue Ash. theoffmarket.org.

  • The City Flea plus Kids’ Market: The City Flea is a curated urban flea market, and this month finds entrepreneurial kids between the ages of 4 and 14 selling their creations, too.

    • Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free admission. Thecityflea.com.

  • Local Artisan Market: Hosted by Purple Paisley, this market is a chance to explore gifts and creations made by local artists.

    • Details: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, corner of Scott and Eighth streets, Covington. Free admission. facebook.com.

  • Second Sunday on Main: This month’s theme: Second Line Sunday on Main. This fan favorite includes a second-line parade led by the Q-Kidz Dance Team, brass bands and more.

    • Details: noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Main Street between 12th and Liberty streets, Over-the-Rhine. Free admission. secondsundayonmain.org.

  • Small World Market: Bridging Gaps: Innovative and inclusive market and exhibition series focused on sustainability.

    • Details: noon-7 p.m. Sunday, Knox Joseph Distillery at OTR Stillhouse, 2017 Branch St., Over-the-Rhine. Free. eventbrite.com.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Top things to do in Cincinnati this weekend: Aug. 11-13