Top 15 events this weekend: Pregaming for Bengals at Oktoberfest is an option

Luann Gibbs, Cincinnati Enquirer
·6 min read
Joe Wood holds his beer stein at the opening day of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati in 2019. This year's celebration runs Sept. 14-17 along Fifth Street in Downtown.
Joe Wood holds his beer stein at the opening day of Oktoberfest Zinzinnati in 2019. This year's celebration runs Sept. 14-17 along Fifth Street in Downtown.

1. Oktoberfest Zinzinnati

Includes nine entertainment areas including a large main stage, two beer gardens, five fest tents and an LED board to watch a jam-packed Cincinnati sports weekend. Family fun zone with activities and entertainment for all ages. Highlights on Friday: Running of the Wieners at 11:30 a.m., stein hoist competition at 4 p.m., best dressed contest at 8 p.m. On Saturday: Oktoberfest processional at noon, chicken dance at 4 p.m. On Sunday, the Bengals tailgate rally starts at 10 a.m.

Details: 4-10 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, Fifth Street between Main and I-71 on-ramps, Downtown. Oktoberfestzinzinnati.com.

Big Bounce America is the biggest touring inflatable event in the world.
Big Bounce America is the biggest touring inflatable event in the world.

2. Big Bounce America

The biggest touring inflatable event in the world features four massive inflatable attractions: a 16,000-square-foot bounce house, a customized sports arena, a 900-foot-long obstacle course and a unique, space-themed wonderland. Timed entries; each session is three hours.

Details: Saturday-Sunday, Olympian Club, 10054 Pippin Road, Colerain Township. Runs Sept. 16-17 and Sept. 22-24. $45 ages 16-up, $35 ages 15-under, $22 toddler with parent/caregiver. Thebigbounceamerica.com.

Brimstone Haunt opens this weekend at the Ohio Renaissance Festival grounds.
Brimstone Haunt opens this weekend at the Ohio Renaissance Festival grounds.

3. Brimstone Haunt

Choose from five haunted attractions: Haunted Hayride, Forgotten Forest, Psychosis, Zombie Midway and Dead Shot Paintball.

Details: 7 p.m., Renaissance Festival Grounds, 10542 E. State Route 73, Harveysburg. Runs Sept. 15-Oct. 28. Parking is $3 cash at the door. Online price: $52 combo fast pass, $32 combo. Individual attractions: $20 hayride, $18 forest, $11 psychosis. Prices are $5 higher onsite. Brimstonehaunt.com.

4. Haunted Hayride

Find out what fiends lurk in the fields and barn of this farm. This attraction is not handicap accessible.

Details: 8 p.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday, Sandyland Acres, 4172 Bellview Road, Petersburg. Runs Sept. 15-Oct. 28. Cash only. $30 combo, $20 haunted hayride only, $15 haunted barn only. Free parking. 859-322-0516, 859-250-9790; sandylandacres.com.

5. Dent Schoolhouse

Experience the legend of the murderous janitor that made this school a haunted icon. All tickets include Monster Midway, Cincinnati Haunted House Museum and the Jack O' Lantern Showcase.

Details: 7:30 p.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday, 7:30-10 p.m. Sunday, 5963 Harrison Ave., Dent. Runs Sept. 15-Oct. 31. Opens Thursdays throughout October. dentschoolhouse.com.

The National hosts a 2-day music festival at Smale Park's Icon Festival Stage this weekend. Pictured: Lead singer Matt Berninger.
The National hosts a 2-day music festival at Smale Park's Icon Festival Stage this weekend. Pictured: Lead singer Matt Berninger.

6. Homecoming Cincinnati

This two-day music festival is presented by The National, a band that returns home to Cincinnati to headline both nights. Friday's lineup: Patti Smith & Her Band, The Walkmen, Arooj Aftab, Bartees Strange, Carriers, Ballard. The National performs the album "High Violet" from beginning to end. Saturday's lineup: Pavement, Weyes Blood, Snail Mail, Julia Jacklin, The Drin, Leo Pastel. The National performs "Trouble Will Find Me" from beginning to end.

Details: 2 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Icon Festival Stage at Smale Park, 25 Race St., Downtown. $500 VIP both days, $225 general both days, $300 VIP single day, $125 general single day. bradymusiccenter.com.

7. Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens

Our Bengals host the Ravens on the first home game of the season. Tailgating takes place in all the Bengals parking areas surrounding the stadium, and since it's Oktoberfest weekend, there will be plenty of festivities taking place along Fifth Street as well. Orange and black lederhosen and drindls, anyone?

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

Amira Danan (left) and Jordan Arredondo star in 'Sanctuary City,' a strikingly intimate play about two young people dealing with the aftermath of 9/11. It runs Sept. 17-Oct 22 at Playhouse in the Park.
Amira Danan (left) and Jordan Arredondo star in 'Sanctuary City,' a strikingly intimate play about two young people dealing with the aftermath of 9/11. It runs Sept. 17-Oct 22 at Playhouse in the Park.

8. 'Sanctuary City'

In this strikingly intimate play, two young people become one another’s sanctuaries as the children of U.S. immigrants in the wake of 9/11.

Details: 7:30 p.m., Playhouse in the Park, Rosenthal Shelterhouse Theatre, 962 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Runs Sept. 16-Oct. 22. Cincyplay.com.

9. Cincinnati Pops: Heroes, A Video Game Symphony

This program takes you on a journey similar to those of games, film and books throughout history. Each stage in the monomyth is a chapter featuring a game and musical selection by famed video game composers.

Details: 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Cincinnatipops.org.

10. Kaplan New Works Series: More Room to Play

The Cincinnati Ballet presents the work of up-and-coming choreographers.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday, Jarson-Kaplan Theater at Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. Runs Sept. 15-24. Cincinnatiarts.org.

11. Great Parks Hispanic Heritage Festival

Enjoy live music with Tropicoso, dance lessons with Salsannati, mascot appearances, kids crafts, inflatables, food and drinks, vendors and more.

Details: 3-7 p.m. Sunday, Sharon Woods, 11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville. Free entry. greatparks.org.

Check out vintage tractors and farm machinery this weekend at the Fort Ancient Restored Machinery Club.
Check out vintage tractors and farm machinery this weekend at the Fort Ancient Restored Machinery Club.

12. Fort Ancient Restored Machinery Club

Vintage vehicles and tractors will be on display, and you can browse vendors, a flea market and a swap meet, and enjoy machinery demonstrations, tractor pulls and more. On Saturday, there's also a tractor parade.

Details: noon Friday, 8 a.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. Sunday, Oeders Lake, 1368 State Route 22, South Lebanon. $5 cash only at gate. Free ages 12-under. thefarmclub.org.

13. Mason Heritage Festival and Parade

The city's heritage festival kicks off with a parade, which starts at corner of Foxfield Drive and Mason-Montgomery Road, travels north on Mason-Montgomery, then west on West Main Street. Enjoy vendors, live music and kids activities throughout the day.

Details: 3-10 p.m. Saturday, Downtown Plaza, Mason. Free. imaginemason.org.

14. Burlington Antique Show

Now in its 42nd year, this outdoor antique show features over 200 dealers of antique jewelry, primitives, memorabilia, Americana, midcentury modern, furniture, garden and architectural elements, and one-of-a-kind finds.

Details: 6 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Boone County Fairgrounds, 5819 Idlewild Road, Burlington. $6 early bird admission (before 8 a.m.), $4 general. Free ages 12-under. Burlingtonantiqueshow.com.

The Boone County Arboretum plant sale boasts a large selection of perennials, annuals, trees and shrubs for sale in one location.
The Boone County Arboretum plant sale boasts a large selection of perennials, annuals, trees and shrubs for sale in one location.

15. Interesting shopping

  • Scouts BSA Troop 725 Vendor & Craft Show: Inside and outside booths, door prizes, food.

    • Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Mount Olivet Presbyterian Church, 509 W. State St., Trenton.

  • Benton Farm Fall Craft Show & Festival: 130 vendors, plus petting zoo, food trucks, pumpkins and more.

    • Details: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Benton Farm Learning Center, 11896 Old Lexington Pike, Walton. $3, free ages 12-under. Eventbrite.com.

  • City Flea: This curated urban market brings together vendors of unique, creative and visually interesting items.

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

  • Fall Plant Sale: Find great deals on perennials, annuals, trees and shrubs from more than 10 nurseries. Bring your own wagon or cart. Benefits Boone County Arboretum.

    • Details: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Ammon Nursery, 6089 Camp Ernst Road, Burlington. bcarboretum.org.

  • Deerfield Handmade Markets: The Arts Alliance brings hundreds of artists together in a picturesque setting. Live music, food trucks and more.

    • Details: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Cottell Park, 5847 Irwin Simpson Road, Deerfield Township. Free. The-arts-alliance.org.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Top 15 things to do this weekend in Cincinnati: Sept. 15-17