The weather’s finally warming up. Now’s your chance to get outside and experience all the fun events Cincinnati has to offer.
First up on our list is Bockfest. The ‘Nati takes its German heritage seriously, so if you’re a beer fan, this festival is for you. Now, if wine is your drink of choice, make a stop at Cincinnati Wine Festival to sample hundreds of wines. If you’re up for a good show, see the opening of “The Wiz” or the local talent at Bonded Spirit Bluegrass Festival.
Find the best places to be this weekend with our list of the top 10 things to do.
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. Bockfest
Return to Cincy’s German roots with five partners hosting events as official Bockfest Halls: Moerlein Lager House, Northern Row Brewery & Distillery, Rhinegeist Brewery, Rosedale OTR and Arnold’s Bar and Grill. Enjoy a parade, beer tastings, brewery tours, a baby goat calling competition, dinner buffets with live entertainment, stein holding competitions and more.
Bockfest: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, various venues across Cincinnati. Free admission. See full schedule of events here: bockfest.com.
Bockfest 5K: 10 a.m. Saturday, The Banks, Smale Riverfront Park, 166 W. Mehring Way, Downtown. flyingpigmarathon.com.
Bockfest .05K Fun Run: 2 p.m. Sunday, Northern Row Brewery & Distillery, 111 W. McMicken Ave., Over-the-Rhine. $35. fareharbor.com.
Pretzel Prince and Princess Parade: noon Sunday, Moerlein Lager House, 115 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown. servatii.com.
2. Cincinnati Wine Festival
Try sips of wine from a variety of countries, take a Riedel wine glass home, try tasty light bites and chat with wine pros.
Details: 7-9:30 p.m. Friday, 2:30-4:30 p.m. and 6:30-9 p.m. Saturday, First Financial Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown. winefestival.com.
3. ‘The Wiz’
If you couldn’t get enough of “Wicked,” this is a must-see. This twist on “The Wizard of Oz” brings a score packed with soul, gospel, rock and ’70s funk as Dorothy finds her place in a contemporary world.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. Runs March 3-15. cincinnatiarts.org.
4. Bonded Spirit Bluegrass Festival
If you love bourbon and bluegrass, don’t miss this festival. Hear performances all over Northern Kentucky leading up to the main event Saturday, headlined by bands Bourbon Revival, The Dan Tyminski Band, and The SteelDrivers.
B-Line Community Concert: 4-10 p.m. Friday, Republic Bank Rickhaus, 302 Court St., Covington. See the performance lineup here: bondedspirit.com.
Bonded Spirit: 5-10:15 p.m. Saturday, Republic Bank Rickhaus, 302 Court St., Covington. See the performance lineup here: bondedspirit.com.
5. Sal Vulcano
Impractical joker Sal Vulcano is bringing his “Everything’s Fine Tour” to Taft Theatre.
Details: 7 p.m. Saturday, Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St., Downtown. tafttheatre.org.
6. Jungle Jim’s Cheese Festival
Try hundreds of cheeses from around the world and enjoy tasty pairings with wine and beers.
Details: noon-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Oscar Event Center, 5440 Dixie Highway, Fairfield. eventbrite.com.
7. Rock ‘N’ Revival
This year marks the 10th annual “Rock ‘N’ Revival for the Cure.” Among the local talent performing will be Bronson Arroyo. (Yes, the former Reds player.)
Details: 2 p.m. Saturday, Southgate House Revival, 111 E 6th St., Newport. southgatehouse.com.
8. Maple Syrup Festival
Hop on a hayride, learn how to extract syrup, and head back to the lodge for all-you-can-eat pancakes, music and maple-themed treats.
Details: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Hueston Woods, 6301 Park Office Road, College Corner. Runs March 7-8 and March 14-15. See full schedule of events: enjoyoxford.org.
9. Frogman Festival
Celebrate the legend of the Frogman story, shop unique vendors and hear talks from cryptid experts.
Details: 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oasis Conference Center, 902 Loveland-Miamiville Road, Loveland. frogmanfestival.org.
10. KidsLinked Cincinnati-Mason Children’s Festival
Enjoy an Easter Bunny visit, a candy hunt, tunnel and fort zone, laser tag, a mini golf course and carnival games. Loveable characters such as Bluey, Marshall and Stitch will also be there to meet kids.
Details: noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Mason Elementary School, 6307 Mason Montgomery Road, Mason. eventbrite.com.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Top 10 things to do this weekend: Bockfest, wine, Sal Vulcano and more
Reporting by Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
