Hello, summer! Top 10 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend: June 28-30

Luann Gibbs, Cincinnati Enquirer
Updated ·8 min read

Summer's here, and this weekend promises a good time. With festivals, fairs, races, car shows and groundbreaking art exhibitions, it's shaping up to be an epic weekend around Greater Cincinnati. Here are the 10 biggest events in town if you're looking for something to do.

1. Big Bounce America

America’s largest touring inflatable event features seven massive inflatable attractions: a 24,000-square-foot bounce house, a deep sea foam party inflatable, a 900-square-foot obstacle course, a customized sports arena and a unique 3-piece space-themed structure. Sessions include a dedicated time slot for the World’s Largest Bounce House, and up to 3 hours of unlimited access to the other attractions.

Details: Friday-Sunday, Olympian Club, 10054 Pippin Road, Colerain Township. $45 ages 16-up, $35 ages 15-younger, $35 ages 7-younger, and $22 ages 3-younger (includes one caregiver). Thebigbounceamerica.com.

2. Panegyri Greek Festival

Celebrate Greek culture at this popular annual summer festival. Enjoy music and dancing, shop the Agora Marketplace, check out cultural exhibits and cooking demonstrations, tour the cathedral, sample beer and wine from various regions of Greece, and be sure to save plenty of room for the delicious food and desserts – friends, there is a baklava sundae tent. Pro tip: Head inside and hit up the pastries first, lest you miss out. Free parking and shuttle bus service are available at St. Xavier High School (600 W. North Bend Road).

Details: 5-11 p.m. Friday, 3-11 p.m. Saturday, 1-8 p.m. Sunday, Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 7000 Winton Road, Springfield Township. $5 weekend pass, $3 single day, free ages 12-under. facebook.com.

Cincinnati Art Museum hosts the groundbreaking exhibition The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century, opening Friday. Pictured: "Cardi B Unity," by Hassan Hajjaj (Moroccan, b. 1961) from the series My Rockstars. Courtesy Yossi Milo Gallery, New York.
Cincinnati Art Museum hosts the groundbreaking exhibition The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century, opening Friday. Pictured: "Cardi B Unity," by Hassan Hajjaj (Moroccan, b. 1961) from the series My Rockstars. Courtesy Yossi Milo Gallery, New York.

3. The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century

In the wake of hip-hop's 50th anniversary, the Cincinnati Art Museum hosts a groundbreaking multimedia exhibition exploring the genre's influence on contemporary society. It showcases more than 90 works of art by some of today’s most important and celebrated artists, including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Roberto Lugo, Carrie Mae Weems, William Cordova, Hassan Hajjaj and Hank Willis Thomas, as well as fashion brands with looks from Cross Colours, Vivienne Westwood and Virgil Abloh’s collections for Louis Vuitton. In addition, a range of music ephemera will be on display.

Details: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Runs through Sept. 29. Ticketed exhibition costs $12. Free admission Thursdays, during Art After Dark, throughout Cincinnati Music Festival weekend, and on CAM Kids Day Aug. 3. Cincinnatiartmuseum.org.

Wash Park Art hosts Last Look at Another Ukraine by Kharkiv School of Photography on Friday. Also closing is Bill Brunken's solo exhibition Something More. Pictured: Evgeniy Pavlov (b. 1949, Kharkiv, UA) in collaboration with painter Volodymir Shaposhnykov, Untitled (Baby) (1995-1999) 20x15" c-print.
Wash Park Art hosts Last Look at Another Ukraine by Kharkiv School of Photography on Friday. Also closing is Bill Brunken's solo exhibition Something More. Pictured: Evgeniy Pavlov (b. 1949, Kharkiv, UA) in collaboration with painter Volodymir Shaposhnykov, Untitled (Baby) (1995-1999) 20x15" c-print.

4. Final Friday

Kharkiv School of Photography: Another Ukraine: The renowned Kharkiv School of Photography originated during Soviet times as a counterweight to official propaganda, and has turned into a powerful means of visual self-expression in contemporary Eastern Europe. The Kharkiv photographers featured in this exhibition are well-known to European galleries and museums. Friday is the closing reception, which features a special Q&A with curator Guennadi Maslov at 5:30 p.m. A portion of proceeds benefits the Kharkiv Red Cross.

  • Details: 5-8 p.m. Friday, Wash Park Art, 1215 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free. washparkart.com.

Bill Brunken: Something More: Abstract painter based in Pittsburgh has exhibited around the country and in Slovakia. Closing reception.

  • Details: 5-8 p.m. Friday, Wash Park Art, 1215 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free. washparkart.com.

Art After Dark: All Ways Welcome: Celebrate Pride month with music from DJ Castle, drag performances, a photo booth, and free admission to new exhibition The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century. There's a cash bar and food for purchase. This is a very popular event and parking is limited. Consider carpooling or using a transportation service.

  • Details: 5-9 p.m. Friday, Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Free admission. Cincinnatiartmuseum.org.

Final Friday: Over 250 artists open their studios to the public to browse and buy. June artist of the month is Nelle Ferrara, studio 707.

  • Details: 5-9 p.m. Friday, Pendleton Art Center, 1310 Pendleton St., Pendleton. Free admission. Valet parking available at the door for $10. Pendletonartcenter.com.

Rhinegeist celebrates its 11th birthday this weekend with an epic party.
Rhinegeist celebrates its 11th birthday this weekend with an epic party.

5. Stairway to Eleven

Rhinegeist Brewery celebrates its eleventh birthday this weekend and you can join the rock 'n' roll, ancient mythology-themed party. Rock out to guitar-heavy anthems, take part in toga yoga at 10 a.m. each morning, try your hand at the make-your-own-toga station ($10), and on Saturday there will be contests for "strength of the Gods" and best dressed, as well as a Hades-themed rooftop dance party with DJ Castle starting at 8 p.m.

Details: noon-close Saturday-Sunday, Rhinegeist Brewery, 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free; reservations recommended: rhinegeist.com.

6. Hamilton County Fair

Take the whole family for a fun and affordable day out. Enjoy rides, food, shows, music, pro wrestling each day, demolition derby on Thursday and Saturday nights, and KOI drag racing on Sunday.

Details: 4-11 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-10 p.m. Sunday, 7700 Vine St., Carthage. Admission is $10 per person and includes rides. Parking is $5. facebook.com.

The Hyde Park Blast takes place Saturday. The races benefit The Cure Starts Now.
The Hyde Park Blast takes place Saturday. The races benefit The Cure Starts Now.

7. Charity races

Hyde Park Blast: This community-wide fundraiser for The Cure Starts Now features a 4-mile run/walk at 7:30 a.m., Kids Fun Run 9 a.m., Criterium begins at 12:45 p.m., block party starts at 4 p.m. with live music by Stays in Vegas and DV8, and pro 1/2/3 men’s cycling starts at 8:30 p.m. Parking is available at Hyde Park School, 3401 Edwards Road.

  • Details: 7:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, Hyde Park Square, Erie Ave., Hyde Park. Block party is free, race fees vary by type. Hpblast.org.

Upstander 5K and Family Day & Volunteer Expo: The morning starts with a 5K that takes runners and walkers on a scenic route through the city's West End. Participants will also enjoy live music, family activities, breakfast, upstander activities and experiences, a pick-up pickleball tournament outside of Union Terminal, and more. All race participants receive free museum admission.

Car enthusiasts are spoiled for choice this weekend, with car shows in Downtown and Oxford.
Car enthusiasts are spoiled for choice this weekend, with car shows in Downtown and Oxford.

8. Car shows

All American Birthday Bash: From muscle cars to cutting-edge innovations, immerse yourself in automotive excellence at this showcase of American cars. Approximately 200 cars will be on show, plus there will be live music and plenty of fun.

  • Details: 4-10 p.m. Saturday, Sawyer Point Park, 705 E. Pete Rose Way, Downtown. Free. Cincinnati-oh.gov.

Car & Bike Show: This car show features 300 classic and modern vehicles, plus antique firetrucks, hot rods and motorcycles. Enjoy live music with Wayne Davis, the Caitlin Davis Band, and Turntable. Proceeds benefit Oxford Masonic Lodge.

  • Details: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Oxford Memorial Park and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, N. Main and High streets, Oxford. Free. facebook.com.

Bring your doggo to Spring Grove Cemetery on Sunday for Dog Days of Summer.
Bring your doggo to Spring Grove Cemetery on Sunday for Dog Days of Summer.

9. Dog Days of Summer

Once per year, Spring Grove Cemetery opens its gates to responsible dog owners to bring their four-legged buddies to the cemetery. Explore over 45 miles of paved roads throughout the 400-plus acre grounds. There will be a Dogwood Trail walk at 10 a.m., and from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. enjoy pet photo keepsakes, adoptable dogs on site, and a luau picnic with concessions for sale benefiting 2nd Hand Paws. This family-friendly event requires that all pets be registered at the information tent. Save time by downloading and printing out the registration form ahead of time from the cemetery's website.

Details: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Spring Grove Cemetery, 4521 Spring Grove Ave., Spring Grove Village. Free. springgrove.org.

Lucius Q is one of the restaurants participating in Sauced: Bourbon & BBQ Festival. Pictured: An order of “Pic Mac” Short Rib Mac and Cheese from Lucius Q at The Gatherall food hall in Norwood.
Lucius Q is one of the restaurants participating in Sauced: Bourbon & BBQ Festival. Pictured: An order of “Pic Mac” Short Rib Mac and Cheese from Lucius Q at The Gatherall food hall in Norwood.

10. Sauced: A Bourbon & BBQ Festival

Enjoy live music, delicious food and activities at this new festival celebrating bourbon and barbeque. Local pit masters will be delivering the sweet, smoky goodness and there will be plenty of top-shelf bourbons to savor. You can opt for one of the tasting packages, which promises a curated selection of premium bourbons and guided sessions. Packages are available from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and 4-8 p.m.

Details: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, The Gatherall at Factory 52 4590 Beech St., Norwood. Free admission; tasting packages are $50 via Resy.com.

Canton, Ohio's Bluecoats (pictured) are one of the bands performing Tuesday, July 2 at the Summer Music Games in Cincinnati.
Canton, Ohio's Bluecoats (pictured) are one of the bands performing Tuesday, July 2 at the Summer Music Games in Cincinnati.

Honorable Mention: Summer Music Games

"This one time, at band camp … " Heads up, marching band fans. On Tuesday (July 2), there's a drum & bugle corps competition coming up that you won't want to miss. See performances from Eclipse (Indianapolis), Columbus Saints, Cincinnati Tradition, Phantom Regiment (Rockford, Ill.), Boston Crusaders, Carolina Crown (Fort Mills, S.C.) and Bluecoats (Canton, Ohio). The Fairfield High School Marching Band will start the show with the National Anthem.

Details: 7 p.m. July 2, Mason High School, Dwire Field, 6100 Mason Montgomery Road, Mason. $20-$45. dci.org.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Top 10 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend: June 28-30

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