Top 15 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend: Aug. 18-20

Luann Gibbs, Cincinnati Enquirer
·6 min read
The Black Family Reunion takes place this weekend at Sawyer Point. The reunion features family fun, activities, food and great music. Pictured: Eric and Sophia Webb of Colerain Twp. at the 2021 Black Family Reunion.
The Black Family Reunion takes place this weekend at Sawyer Point. The reunion features family fun, activities, food and great music. Pictured: Eric and Sophia Webb of Colerain Twp. at the 2021 Black Family Reunion.

1. Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion

Enjoy family-friendly activities, health screenings, food and entertainment throughout the weekend. On Friday, there's a free historic tour of Black Cincinnati. Saturday starts with a parade, followed by two days of fellowship and programming. Live music by Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Kelly Price on Saturday, and on Sunday, it's Donald Lawrence & Company.

Details: Tour: 11 a.m. Friday from Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. Parade: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Avondale Town Center, 3529 Reading Road. Festival: noon-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Sawyer Point Park, 705 Pete Rose Way, Downtown. Free. Myblackfamilyreunion.org.

A Mumbai street dancer struggles against his parents' insistence that he follow a traditional path in "Call Me Dancer," the opening night film at the 2023 Indian Film Festival Cincinnati.
A Mumbai street dancer struggles against his parents' insistence that he follow a traditional path in "Call Me Dancer," the opening night film at the 2023 Indian Film Festival Cincinnati.

2. Indian Film Festival Cincinnati

Opening night party includes red carpet, celebrities, entertainment, food and the screening of opening film "Call Me Dancer" followed by an afterparty at Le Bar a Boeuf. Other festival films shown at Mariemont Theatre and Kenwood City Base Theatre. Individual tickets can be purchased at theaters. Pass holders get first priority.

Details: 6 p.m. Friday, Cincinnati Art Museum, Fath Auditorium, 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams; 1 and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, 1, 3 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Mariemont Theatre, 6906 Wooster Pike, Mariemont; 6 p.m. Saturday, Kenwood City Base Theatre, 5901 E. Galbraith Road, Sycamore Township. $100 film pass includes opening night party, afterparty and all films. $30-$50 opening night only. Festival runs Aug. 18-20. iffcincy.com.

Namaste India, celebrating India's Independence Day, takes place Sunday on Fountain Square.
Namaste India, celebrating India's Independence Day, takes place Sunday on Fountain Square.

3. Namaste India

This celebration of India's Independence Day features a community parade, live music, dance, food and more.

Details: 4-8 p.m. Sunday, Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. Free. facebook.com.

The inaugural Nook Beer Fest takes place Saturday at Spooky Nook Sports in Hamilton.
The inaugural Nook Beer Fest takes place Saturday at Spooky Nook Sports in Hamilton.

4. Nook Brew Fest

More than 40 breweries take part in this inaugural festival, which celebrates local and regional breweries. Enjoy beer tastings, several food trucks and live music. VIP admission includes early admission and swag bag.

Details: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Spooky Nook Sports Champion Mill, 601 North B St., Hamilton. $70 VIP (noon entry), $50 general. eventbrite.com.

Charm at the Farm features unique open air shopping in a farm setting. The next market takes place this weekend.
Charm at the Farm features unique open air shopping in a farm setting. The next market takes place this weekend.

5. Charm at the Farm

Browse more than 110 vendors and shops with an eclectic mix of vintage and handmade items, repurposed furniture, jewelry, clothing, home decor and more at this open-air market. Friday and Saturday tickets must be purchased online in advance. VIP and early bird tickets include complimentary reentry all weekend.

Details: 4-8 p.m. Friday, 9-11:30 a.m. (early bird) noon-4 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, 4953 Bunnell Hill Road, Lebanon. $20 VIP, $17 early bird, $12 Saturday general, $10 Sunday. Charmatthefarm.com.

Architectural elements are just one of the types of antiques you'll discover at the Burlington Antique Show.
Architectural elements are just one of the types of antiques you'll discover at the Burlington Antique Show.

6. Burlington Antique Show

If straight-up antiques are your thing, this show boasts over 200 dealers with everything from vintage jewelry, midcentury collectibles, Americana, retro and vintage furniture, and a whole lot more.

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

The Cincinnati Reds take on the Toronto Blue Jays this weekend. Fans receive a Jonathan India bobblehead on Saturday, while supplies last.
The Cincinnati Reds take on the Toronto Blue Jays this weekend. Fans receive a Jonathan India bobblehead on Saturday, while supplies last.

7. Cincinnati Reds vs. Toronto Blue Jays

Friday features a post-game concert with Yacht Rock Revue, and it's also Fireworks Friday. Giveaways this weekend include a Jonathan India Bobblehead giveaway on Saturday, and a Kids Sticker Sheet on Sunday.

Details: 6:40 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 1:40 p.m. Sunday, Great American Ball Park, 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown. Reds.com.

8. 'Man of La Mancha'

Inspired by Miguel de Cervantes' masterwork "Don Quixote," this play finds Cervantes in prison awaiting trial during the Spanish Inquisition. He and his fellow prisoners stage a play-within-a-play, telling the story of an elderly man who goes on a quest to right all the wrongs in the world.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Warsaw Federal Incline Theater, 801 Matson Place, East Price Hill. Runs Aug. 16-Sept. 10. $31, $28 students and seniors. 513-241-6550. Cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com.

9. Opening reception: Season 19 Finale

Manifest Gallery closes its 2022-2023 season with four separate exhibitions. Plastic is a group exhibition of works featuring plastic as the subject matter. Private Space features works about that which is secret. Octopus's Garden is a solo show of recent paintings by John Lee, and Nude 15 is an annual survey of the uncovered human form.

Details: 6-9 p.m., Manifest Gallery, 2727 Woodburn Ave., Walnut Hills. Runs Aug. 18-Sept. 15. Free. manifestgallery.org.

10. Wave Pool Pool Party

This art-filled summer swim party features food and drinks, music, carnival games and the debut of new street corner murals. It's also a chance to experience Yohanna M. Roa's new installation Historiographic Atlas, consisting of embroidered portraits of women. The ongoing project and portraits will accumulate over the course of the five-week installation.

Details: noon-3 p.m., Wave Pool Gallery, 2940 Colerain Ave., Camp Washington. Free. Wavepoolgallery.org.

11. Festival on the Lake

Celebrate AJ Jolly Park's 60th anniversary with live music, food, beer, craft vendors, and plenty of family fun, including a kids' zone. Music lineup includes: Borderline, The Sounds of Touch, Fast Forward and Bunker Boyz.

Details: 4-10:30 p.m., AJ Jolly Park, 1501 Race Track Road, Alexandria. $5, free ages 12-under. Parking is free. ajjollypark.com.

Bluegrass/folk band My Brother's Keeper is one of the acts playing the Little River Bluegrass Festival this weekend.
Bluegrass/folk band My Brother's Keeper is one of the acts playing the Little River Bluegrass Festival this weekend.

12. Little River Bluegrass Festival

Bring a camping chair and enjoy live music from 10 bands over the weekend. Festival takes place in the back beer garden, and food and drinks are available for purchase. No outside food or drinks. Primitive camping available at One Earth Collaborative Sanctuary.

Details: 6:30 p.m. Friday, noon Saturday-Sunday, Little River Bar & Grill, 5527 Oregonia Road, Oregonia. $30 weekend pass, $10 Friday, $15 Saturday, $10 Sunday. littleriverbarandgrill.com.

13. Seven Mile Oktoberfest

Is it too early to start thinking about Oktoberfest? Never. Kick off Oktoberfest celebrations with German foods, beer, poker and live entertainment in the Butler County village of Seven Mile. Friday's entertainment is the Enzian Dancers and The Klaberheads; on Saturday it's Miss Jacque.

Details: 5 p.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday, Community Park, 400 Walnut St., Seven Mile. facebook.com.

14. Media Night with Aurelio Voltaire, King of Villains

Industrial goth rockers Ministry sang "Every Day is Halloween," and it seems Terror Town is working toward that ideal. The creators of the haunted 19th century OId West town are giving you a sneak peek at the latest horror installment. You can experience the new storyline and characters, and catch a live performance by dark cabaret/steampunk icon Aurelio Voltaire at this special "soft opening and media night."

Details: 7 p.m.-midnight Saturday, Terror Town, 1449 Greenbush Cobb Road, Williamsburg. $35. allhallowsevellc.com.

15: Shopping opportunities

  • Rhea Lana’s Back-to-School Sale: Shop this consignment sale of clothing for infants, children, teens and maternity wear. It runs through Tuesday.

    • Details: 5-9 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-noon (early bird) noon-9 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday, Butler County Fairgrounds Event Center, 1715 Fairgrove Ave., Hamilton. $35-$50 Friday, $10-$20 Saturday early bird, free Saturday-Tuesday. Eventbrite.com.

  • ArtisanFest513: Small business vendors, live DJ, family games, pet adoptions, yoga and more.

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

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Top 15 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend: Aug. 18-20