This weekend, I’ll get to check an item off my bucket list: Seeing Janet Jackson – “Miss Jackson, if you're nasty" – live at PNC Pavilion.
The show is sold out, but there are so many other fun things to do this weekend. Here are your Top 9 other options.
It’s A West Side Tradition
The Harvest Home Parade on Thursday night kicks off the 156th annual Harvest Home Fair in Green Township. For West Siders, Harvest Home celebrates life at the heart of that part of Greater Cincinnati. This year’s parade honors seven World War II veterans who belong to the Cheviot-Westwood Kiwanis. The fair will feature live music, 4-H activities, flower and art shows, exhibits and more entertainment throughout the weekend.
- Parade: 6 p.m. Thursday; music at 8 p.m. (free to watch). Starts at Harrison and Frances avenues.
- Fair: 5-11 p.m. Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday; noon-10 p.m. Sunday. $5 adults, children under 12 free; everyone free until 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Harvest Home Park, Cheviot. www.harvesthomefair.com
A Night With Rain
The Cincinnati Film Festival opens Thursday with a special event. Rain Pryor, daughter of the legendary comedian Richard Pryor, will headline a show at the Carnegie featuring local comics Ally Bruener, Kelly Collette, Teri Foltz, Kristen Lundberg and Ky Platt before a screening of “That Daughter's Crazy,” a documentary about Pryor’s life and career. A Q&A with Pryor and director Daryl Sledge will follow the film.
6 p.m. Thursday: VIP Meet and Greet; 7:30 p.m.: comedy show; 9 p.m.: screening. The Carnegie, 1028 Scott Blvd., Covington. Tickets: $15-$40. http://bit.ly/aNightWithRain, www.thecarnegie.com
Welcome Back, Cincinnati Ballet
Cincinnati Ballet will start its season with the Kaplan New Works Series, a program of short ballets that are new to the company or to the region -- including some world premieres. It’s an intimate show, performed in the Aronoff’s cozy, 437-seat Jarson-Kaplan Theater.
8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Jarson-Kaplan Theater, Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. $55-$75. Continues through Sept. 19. www.cballet.org
Eat, Drink And Repeat
I went to the inaugural Cincinnati Food + Wine Classic at Washington Park last year and was blown away by the spread of deliciousness -- it just kept going and going. This year promises to be even bigger and better, with more food, demos and one more day. Here’s a look at the highlights, plus check out our Insider’s guide to the Classic. Go hungry, and enjoy
Friday-Sunday. (Event times vary.) Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. For full schedule and ticket options, go to cincinnatifoodandwineclassic.com.
Bring On The Beer
Cincy Beerfest will bring more than 250 craft beers from across the country to Fountain Square on Friday and Saturday. (Click here to check out the current beer menu.) There also will be plenty of food trucks and live music, too.
6-11 p.m. Friday, 2-11 p.m. Saturday. Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. Walk-up tickets, $15; designated driver tickets, $10; advance VIP, $40, $45 day of event. www.cincybeerfest.com
Speaking Of Food And Drinks ...
There are two more festivals that will offer lots of tasty eats this weekend. The Cincinnati Jazz & Barbecue Festival will serve up ‘cue from Ron D, Just Q'in and Sweets & Meats and MadTree beer in Madisonville along with music from Mike Wade & the Mighty Groovers and Triage featuring Eugene Goss. Meanwhile, the Art & Wine Festival will bring more than 60 artists to Vinoklet Winery this weekend. There will be eight varieties of Vinoklet’s signature blend to sample, as well as draft beer, live music and grape stomping competitions.
- Cincinnati Jazz & Barbecue Festival: 3-8 p.m. Saturday. Madison Road and Whetsel Avenue, Madisonville. Free admission. www.mcurc.org
- Art & Wine Festival: Noon-11 p.m. Saturday, 1-8 p.m. Sunday. Vinoklet Winery, Restaurant, & Vineyard, 11069 Colerain Ave. Free admission. www.vinokletwines.com
Oktoberfest Season Rolls On
It’s Oktoberfest season, and you know what that means: multiple celebrations featuring an overflow of wieners, brats, sauerkraut, strudel and more German food, plus live music, games, rides, raffles and more entertainment. This weekend there are three Oktoberfest events for you to explore.
- MainStrasse Village Oktoberfest: 5-11:30 p.m. Friday, noon-11:30 p.m. Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday. 406 W. Sixth St., Covington. Free admission. www.mainstrasse.org
- Christ Church Oktoberfest: 5-11 p.m. Friday, 4-11 p.m. Saturday. 15 S. Fort Thomas Ave. Fort Thomas. Free admission. http://christchurchuccft.org/oktoberfest
- Hofbräuhaus Newport Oktoberfest: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturday, noon-11 p.m. Sunday. Hofbräuhaus Newport, 200 E. 3rd St., Newport. Free admission. For more details, go to the event's Facebook page.
A Taste of Culture
The Taste of India will feature food from Indian restaurants, a dance competition and vendors selling Indian clothing, jewelry, spices and other items. There also will be arts and crafts and games, as well as fireworks to wrap up the event. The Cincinnati Hispanic Fest also will showcase dance, food, arts and crafts, live music and more entertainment. It takes place at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds.
- Taste of India: Noon-8 p.m. Saturday. Hindu Temple of Greater Cincinnati, 4920 Klatte Road. Free admission. For information, go to www.tasteofindiacincinnati.com or the event's Facebook page.
- Cincinnati Hispanic Fest: Noon-11 p.m. Saturday-Sunday (with Mass 11 a.m. Sunday). Hamilton County Fairgrounds, 7820 Vine St. $8 per car, $1 walk-in. http://cincinnatihispanicfest.org
Art, Art Everywhere
Expect more than just art at the 7th annual Westwood Art Show. The outdoor exhibition featuring more than 60 local artists also will have live music, face painting, wine tasting, food, craft beer and Madcap Puppets.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Westwood Town Hall, 3017 Harrison Ave. Free admission. For more details, visit the event’s Facebook page.
