Top 15 Cincinnati events this weekend: Sept. 6-8
1. Harvest Home Festival
This year’s festival theme is Community Heroes. The popular Harvest Home Parade begins at 6 p.m. Thursday and features local high school bands, floats, Shriners and plenty of fun surprises. All weekend you can enjoy carnival rides, food, exhibits, artisan market, art/flower show, live music and more. On Saturday be sure to check out – or compete in – the cornhole tournament at 4 p.m., which features $1K in prize money.
Details: 6-10 p.m. Thursday, 5-11 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Harvest Home Park, 3961 North Bend Road, Cheviot. $5, free ages 12-under, first responders and veterans. Harvesthomefair.com.
2. Haunted Scream Park
Sure, Halloween is still eight weeks away, but candy and decorations are already creeping into retail outlets, so is it any wonder the first of the area's haunted attractions opens this weekend? Land of Illusion has been reimagined and revamped with new attractions this season. You'll encounter blood-thirsty ghouls, deranged madmen and plenty of other nightmare-inducing creatures in Temple of Terror, the 3D Killer Klowns Maze, Dr. Psycho's Haunted Estate, the Middletown Haunted Trail and this year's newest attraction, Toxic Hillbillies.
Details: 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday-Saturday, Land of Illusion, 8762 Thomas Road, Middletown. Runs Friday-Saturday Sept. 6-Nov. 2. $80 general admission fast pass, $55 general admission, $25 single attraction. Landofillusion.com.
3. OTRberfest
There's at least one Oktoberfest celebration every weekend through mid-October around Greater Cincinnati, and this weekend it takes place at Rhinegeist Brewery, where you can enjoy Oktoberfest food, music, games and guest beers on tap. They'll even have Oktoberfest-themed goat yoga from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Sunday.
In conjunction with OTRberfest, Brewing Heritage Trail is offering Dark Side of Brewing and other beer tours throughout the weekend.
Details: 4-8 p.m. Friday, noon-9 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Rhinegeist Brewery, 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free admission; tours cost extra. rhinegeist.com/event/otrberfest; brewingheritagetrail.org.
4. 'Fat Ham'
Mere weeks after his father’s funeral, a queer Black man named Juicy finds himself at a barbeque with family and friends. It's the wedding reception for his mother and his uncle. When his father's ghost appears in the smoke demanding vengeance for his murder, Juicy learns that revenge is a dish best served “char-cold.”
Playwright James Ijames' sweet and spicy reimagining of Shakespeare's "Hamlet" stars Je'Shaun Jackson as Juicy (Hamlet), Geoffrey Warren Barnes II as his oldest friend and cousin Tio (Horatio), Jasimine Bouldin as Opal (Ophelia) and Burgess Byrd as Rabby (Polonius).
Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Cincinnati Shakespeare Co., 1195 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Runs Sept. 6-22. Cincyshakes.com.
5. Chip Thomas and the Painted Desert Project
Photographer, activist and retired physician Chip Thomas lived and worked between Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon among the Navajo people from 1987 to 2023. He began the Painted Desert Project in 2012, inviting street artists from around the world to explore and paint in the desert. His work combines photography and that street art to chronicle and celebrate Navajo culture, while also drawing attention to the negative effects of capitalism on the landscape of the people of the Navajo reservation.
Details: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St., Downtown. Runs Sept. 6-Jan.5. Free. cincycac.org.
6. Cedric Michael Cox: My Ality
This solo exhibition of new paintings by renowned artist Cedric Michael Cox showcases over 20 new works. His paintings combine abstract and recognizable images, drawing inspiration from music, nature, architecture and art history. The exhibition's title is a riff on the prefix re- in the word "reality," reflecting Cox's innovative approach to reality, emphasizing constant progress and creative evolution.
Details: 6-9 p.m. Friday, Studio Kroner, 130 W. Court St., Downtown. Runs Sept. 6-29. Free. Studiokroner.com.
7. Gee Horton: Chapter 2, A Subtle Farewell to the Inner Child
Gee Horton's second solo exhibition is an immersive experience delving into the artist's inner child. Inspired by a soul-stirring pilgrimage to Senegal, West Africa, Horton's odyssey began with a revelation of his father's ailing health, sparking a cathartic quest that enabled him to confront childhood traumas and mend fractured bonds. Through photography, drawings, collage and videography, the exhibition offers a multi-dimensional exploration of Black masculinity and the human spirit. It's part of the 2024 FotoFocus Biennial: Backstories.
Details: 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Kennedy Heights Arts Center, 6546 Montgomery Road, Kennedy Heights. Free. fotofocus.org.
8. Loveland Art Festival
More than 70 artists exhibit and sell works at this juried art show, which features paintings, mixed media, jewelry, glass, fiber arts, pottery, photography and sculpture. The show, held outdoors rain or shine, also includes live music, food, drinks, a booth highlighting works by Loveland High School art students, and more.
Details: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Whistle Stop Clay Works, 119 Harrison Ave., Loveland. Free. lovelandartfestival.com.
9. 'Hot Damn! It’s the Loveland Frog!'
Hugo West Theatricals presents the 10th-anniversary production of this fun stage musical, which lightheartedly celebrates the elusive and legendary humanoid frog immortalized in local lore and countless cryptozoology guides. Join Luke Honeywell and a smoking hot bluegrass band on a riotous river adventure in celebration of this strange cryptid.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Loveland Stage Company, 111 S. Second St., Loveland. Runs Sept. 5-7. $25. Lovelandstagecompany.org.
10. 'Clybourne Park'
This play explodes in two acts set 50 years apart. Act One takes place in 1959, as white community leaders try to stop the sale of a home to a Black family. Act Two is set in the same house, now in a predominately Black neighborhood trying to hold its ground in the face of gentrification.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Mariemont Players, 4101 Walton Creek Road, Mariemont. Runs Sept. 5-22. Mariemontplayers.com.
11. 'Mr. Parent'
A struggling actor turns to teaching in an urban public school, thinking "How hard could it be?" Based on personal stories, writer-performer Maurice Emmanuel Parent tells real-life, personal stories about crushingly inequitable systems and the brilliance of every kid in this deeply felt, hilarious solo performance.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Playhouse in the Park, Shelterhouse Theatre, 962 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Runs Sept. 7-Oct. 6. $35-up. Cincyplay.com.
12. Vinoklet Art & Wine Festival
Browse more than 40 art vendors while enjoying live music, food and wine this weekend at Vinoklet Winery's Art & Wine Festival. There will be outdoor food booths, or visit the website to make a reservation for the restaurant. Musical lineup includes Mark Eitel Band and Eden on Friday, Vernon McIntyre's Appalachian Grass, Eden and Second Wind on Saturday, and What About Jane and Whiskey Daze on Sunday. Complimentary parking with shuttle service is available at Pleasant Run Middle School (11770 Pippin Road, Colerain Township) from 3 p.m.-midnight Saturday.
Details: 5:30-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-8 p.m. Sunday, Vinoklet Winery, 11069 Colerain Ave., Colerain Township. Free admission. Vinokletwines.com.
13. Cincy Music Jerk Festival
Immerse yourself in the music and food of the islands at this fun festival, featuring international food vendors, DJs and live performances by Caribbean, hip-hop and reggae artists, including headliner Norris Man.
Details: 3-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free. washingtonpark.org.
14. Bengals vs. New England Patriots
Our Cincinnati Bengals kick off the regular season at home against the Patriots and the fun starts early, with tailgating at parking lots around Paycor Stadium and at The Banks, where you'll find the Bud Light Tailgate Zone with live music, and the Jungle Zone with interactive games and face painting. Tailgate action starts four hours prior to game time, and Pregame at The Banks begins at 10 a.m.
Details: 1 p.m. Sunday, Paycor Stadium, 1 Paul Brown Way, Downtown. bengals.com.
15. Shopping fun
Community Yard Sale: Two-day sale features free Family Fun Day events from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday with a petting zoo, touch-a-truck, obstacle course, ice cream, crafts and more. Proceeds from sale benefit Heavenward Farm, May We Help, and A Child’s Hope International.
Details: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Sycamore Presbyterian, 11800 Mason Road, Symmes Township.
Cin City Reptile Show: It's CCRS's biggest show of the year, with more than 200 tables of reptiles, supplies and more.
Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Holiday Inn, 5800 Muhlhauser Road, West Chester. $15 both days, $10 single day. Cincityreptileshow.com.
Eastside Music Market: Hosted by Northside Record Fair, browse thousands of records and music-related items from vendors all over the Midwest.
Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Factory 52, 4590 Beech St., Norwood. Free.
Artisanfest Summer's End Craft Market: Shop small business vendors from around Greater Cincinnati.
Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free admission. Artisanfest513.org.
Cincinnati Art Book Fair: More than 50 independent publishers, artists, galleries, institutions and nonprofits visit.
Details: noon-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, The Carnegie, 1028 Scott St., Covington. Free. Thecarnegie.com.
Art on Vine: This monthly fine art and local, handmade goods market showcases more than 80 artists.
Details: noon-6 p.m. Sunday, Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free. Artonvinecincy.com.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Top 15 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend: Sept. 6-8