The leaves are beginning to turn, and the temperatures are finally starting to cool down. Get outside and enjoy this beautiful October weather while it lasts. As always, we’ve got some ideas if you’re looking for some fall y’all fun.
Topping our list is an event that’ll be quite impossible to miss. America’s River Roots Festival is coming to Cincinnati, where the largest collection of riverboats in the country will dot the Ohio, and four stages and dozens of food trucks will line both Ohio and Kentucky riverfronts. Celebrate America’s birthday early by learning about Cincinnati history almost as old as our nation itself (and sip on Kentucky bourbon or beer while you’re at it).
If you’re eager to see some orange this season, you’ve got a couple options. Operation Pumpkin is a great place to start, if you want to see pumpkins the size of small cars and admire artists’ creative carvings. Cincinnati Zoo’s HallZOOeen event kicks off this weekend, if you’d rather see pumpkins get smashed in the jaws of a hippo and other animals. (Equally fun choices, if you ask me.)
And if you’re craving more German food, look no further than the Sauerkraut Festival. Enjoy a multitude of sauerkraut creations (pizza, fudge, ice cream, you name it!) and shop from over 100 vendors. Or if you can’t get enough of Oktoberfest festivities like us, then head to Lebanon as celebrations begin to wind down.
Here are our top 10 picks for the best places to be this weekend.
Have an event you’d like us to know about? Submit it online at cincinnati.com/events, and we’ll tell the world about it. Head to that same site to peruse our full calendar of events.
1. America’s River Roots Festival
Kick off celebrations ahead of America’s 250th birthday by heading down to the Ohio River. See riverboats from America’s historic river cities, as well as the largest collection of riverboats in the country. Catch more than 40 musical acts at four free stages. Grab a bite to eat at dozens of food trucks and restaurants. Sip on Kentucky bourbon, attend beer tastings and learn about Cincinnati’s history.
Details: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, Ohio River and Cincinnati and Newport riverfronts, Downtown. Free admission. americasriverroots.com.
2. HallZOOeen
Stop at the various trick or treat stations throughout the zoo. Watch your favorite animals play with seasonal enrichment (think pumpkins galore!), and catch magic shows at Phil Dalton’s Theater of Illusion at 1 and 3 p.m. Take a ride on the Pumpkin Express Train or the carousel. Kids are encouraged to dress up in costume for this event.
Details: Opens noon-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, continues weekends Oct. 11-26, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Downtown. Free with zoo admission or membership. cincinnatizoo.org.
3. Sauerkraut Festival
Explore historic downtown Waynesville while sampling tasty concoctions from over 30 different food booths. Try fan favorite sauerkraut pizza, or the unique sauerkraut ice cream. With over 450 craft booths to browse, you’ll be sure to have a great time.
Details: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Historic Main Street, Waynesville. sauerkrautfestival.waynesvilleohio.com.
4. Operation Pumpkin
Catch a lineup of headliners that span classic rock and country. Browse over 100 artisan and food vendors. And, of course, gawk at pumpkins the size of small cars. You can also sign up your child to compete for the title of Lil Miss Pumpkin, or sign your pooch up for the pet parade and costume contest. Kids will love the kids zone, complete with amusement rides, balloon artists, crafts, scavenger hunts, pumpkin painting and more.
Details: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, High Street, Hamilton. operation-pumpkin.org.
5. Queen Bee Half Marathon
Show who’s queen at the sister race of the Flying Pig Marathon. Opt for the 4-miler for a quicker run at 8 a.m. There will be a Michelob Ultra Victory Party at Sawyer Point from 8 a.m.-noon.
Details: 7:30 a.m. Saturday, starts at Reading Road and Pendleton Street, Downtown. flyingpigmarathon.com.
6. Mickey’s Search Party at Heritage Bank Center
See all your favorite Disney characters come to life on the ice. Search for clues to find Tinkerbell on this exciting adventure, complete with world-class skating, high-flying acrobatics and stunts.
Details: 7 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Heritage Bank Center, 647 Monmouth St., Newport. heritagebankcenter.com.
7. ‘The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition’ at the fully restored Children’s Theatre
Be the very first to experience the rebirth of Emery Theater by catching this one-hour “youth edition” of a beloved classic. Join Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion as they follow the yellow brick road on Dorothy’s journey to find her way home.
Details: 7 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Emery Theater, 1112 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine. $12. thechildrenstheatre.com.
8. 76th Annual Devil’s Staircase Pro Hillclimb
Daredevils, unite! Prepare for two days of non-stop hillclimb racing. Thirty-two athletes from both sides of the country will compete on both “west coast style” and Devil’s Staircase hills in 450, X-climb and premier class. See who will be crowned AMA Pro Racing’s American Hillclimb National Champion.
Details: 9 a.m. Saturday-Sunday, Devil’s Staircase, 1086 Corwin Road, Oregonia. $30, free kids 12-under. daytonmc.com.
9. Cincinnati Bearcats home game
College football season is in full swing. The Cincinnati Bearcats take on UCF this weekend. Wear black to show your support.
Details: noon Saturday, Nippert Stadium, 2700 Bearcat Way, University of Cincinnati. gobearcats.com.
10. Lebanon Oktoberfest
Enjoy all you love about Oktoberfest at this celebration: live German-style music, food vendors, a kid’s zone and German and local craft beers.
Details: 6-9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, Bicentennial Park, 135 E. Mulberry St., Lebanon. warrenswcd.com.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Top 10 events this weekend. Chuggin’ riverboats, giant pumpkins, sauerkraut for all
Reporting by Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
