FESTIVALS

A-to-Z Guide to Greater Cincinnati:
"Best Place to Live in North America"

First salvos of Riverfest

Fireworks, food, family fun, frolic

BY SUE MacDONALD
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Cincinnati LOVES a good party, and it regularly combines its musical talents, culinary delights, historical connections, fireworks and penchant for fun into annual public spectacles. Some of the most popular are:

  • Riverfest (Sunday before Labor Day). Mix a half a million people on the banks of the Ohio River, a few tons of Cincinnati-produced fireworks shot from floating barges and launched from bridge struts, a funky soundtrack by renegade radio station WEBN-FM and you've got Riverfest, Cincinnati's annual Labor Day celebration and last blast - literally - of summer. Fireworks pop at 9:05 p.m., but get there early for daylong concerts and family fun. Or find a cozy lookout on a hillside along the river. Cincinnati Recreation Commission, 513-352-4000.

  • Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati (Sept. 20-21, 1997). Foamy mugs of beer. Steamy bratwursts. Oom-pah polka bands. Sauerkraut balls. Authentic lederhosen. Cincinnati's Germanic roots are feted each fall at a two-day festival that recreates the ambience of a huge Munich beer hall and draws close to half a million revelers. Downtown Council, 513-333-6888 or http://www.gccc.com. Covington, Ky., across the river from Cincinnati, holds a similar but smaller Oktoberfest (Sept. 5-7, 1997). MainStrasse Village Association, 606-491-0458.

  • Taste of Cincinnati (May 24-26, 1997). Can't make it to all of Cincinnati's renowned restaurants? Sample favorite dishes (most items are $1-$3) from local award-winning eateries at this graze-n-groove festival spread across four blocks of Central Parkway. Food, daylong musical entertainment and plenty to drink. Downtown Council, 513-333-6888 or http://www.gccc.com.

  • Summerfair (May 30-June 1, 1997). More than 250 artists from nearly all 50 states show their wares among the walkways, groves and fields of Coney Island. The three-day juried art show features ceramics, glass, painting, drawing, printmaking, jewelry, photography, fiber, leather, metal, wood and sculpture and draws 50,000-70,000 browsers. 513-531-0050.

  • Balloominaria (Dec. 7, 1996). Hot-air balloons, illuminated internally to create a wondrous glowing effect, encircle Mirror Lake in Cincinnati's Eden Park to kick off each winter holiday season. Cincinnati Park Board, 513-352-4080.

  • Kid's Fest (June 1, 1997). Hailed as the country's largest single-day free event for kids, Kahn's Kid's Fest is a melange of children's activities, games, entertainment and family fun for ages 3-15. Events are spread along Cincinnati's Riverfront - the Serpentine Wall, Public Landing and Bicentennial Commons at Sawyer Point. Coming in 1997: two days of fun? Organizers may create a two-day event that starts May 31. On good-weather days, 120,00-140,000 folks show up. Cincinnati Recreation Commission, 513-352-4000.

  • A Day In Eden (June 28-29, 1997). Locals flock to Eden Park for this celebration that not only showcases city neighborhoods but also helps them raise money for community projects. Several dozen booths manned by neighborhood groups feature food and entertainment. Music and games for all ages add to the fun. 513-352-6144.

  • Appalachian Festival (May 9-11, 1997). This fest, held at Coney Island, offers a look at mountain life. More than 100 craftspeople show and sell quilts, furniture, leather goods, jewelry, fabric art and toys against a backdrop of traditional bluegrass and mountain string music. Appalachian Community Development Association, 513-451-3070.

  • Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion Celebration: (Aug. 16-17, 1997). Talk about BIG reunions. This one draws 100,000 to 200,000 people and focuses on the importance of the African-American family. With food, arts and crafts, a fashion show, talent showcase and Gospel festival, there's something for families of all races. It's at Bicentennial Commons at Sawyer Point. 513-569-8582.

  • Great Inland Seafood Festival (Aug. 8-10, 1997). Stroll Bicentennial Commons at Sawyer Point for seafood concoctions from 18 to 20 restaurants. Past favorites include Louisiana Gumbo, Seafood Coneys (steamed crab meat piled on a roll slathered with lobster butter), whole lobsters and a variety of shrimp dishes. Live music. 606-261-1233.

  • Gold Star ChiliFest (Oct. 11-12, 1997). If chili weren't so thick, you might think it courses through Cincinnatians' veins. Zesty eats at this festival include everything chili - chili egg rolls to chili dogs to chili potatoes served up by 25 restaurants. Plus, there's a jalapeno-eating contest, country music stars, a children's stage and rides, fire safety demonstrations and the International Chili Society Regional Cook-off, all on Court Street between Elm Street and Central Avenue, downtown. Downtown Council, 513-333-6888 or http://www.gccc.com.

  • Tall Stacks (October, 1999) History and nostalgia come alive when Cincinnati puts out the call every few years for the nation's paddle-wheelers to converge at the Port of Cincinnati for Tall Stacks, the nation's largest 20th-century collection of riverboats. Tall Stacks 1995 drew more than 19 paddle-wheelers - the Delta Queen, the Mississippi Queen, the Creole Queen among them - and up to a million national and international visitors for five days of boat rides, Riverfront entertainment, calliope music, children's play area, history, food and spectacular photography opportunities. 513-721-0104.

Did you know?

  • At Oktoberfest 1994, Zinzinnatians danced the world's largest Chicken Dance -- 48,000 folks with elbows flapping. It's in the Guiness Book of World Records.

  • At Riverfest, 7,000 shells are blasted into the night sky in 31 minutes - one of the nation's largest annual fireworks displays.

  • Rozzi Famous Fireworks company marks its 101st anniversary in 1996.