Cicadas Invaded Cincinnati — and We Were Ready Following a 17-year residency underground, billions of cicadas emerged throughout Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky this summer. Brood X, as this generation of insects is called, is the largest of all the cicada broods; we last saw them in 2004. Prior to their arrival, Gene Kritsky, the dean of behavioral and natural sciences at Mount St. Joseph University, and his team created the Cicada Safari app, which lets users search, photograph, record and map cicadas in their area. Users can submit their findings to scientists, who then study the info to learn more about the health and habits of the creatures. And if you wanted to totally avoid the swarm instead of photographing it? Local company Under the Weather had you covered, literally, with their wearable mesh pod. The screened-in box came with shoulder straps to slip over your body and keep the bugs off of you. Read CityBeat's story about the invention that generated a lot of buzz (and laughs), and then see our big feature package with everything you've ever wanted to know about cicadas. And we mean ever. Photo: Janetandphil/CC by-NC-ND 2

Periodical cicada Photo: Janetandphil/CC by-NC-ND 2

2021 is the year of the cicadas (at least in our region of the world). The 17-year Brood-X will soon emerge from the earth by the trillions to sing us sweet scream songs and furiously flutter through our lives before their mortal departure. 

And to celebrate the roughly month-long phenomenon (or nightmare, depending on who you ask), Over-the-Rhine’s Washington Park is throwing a festival. 

Cicada Fest will take place on Saturday, May 22, and will feature live folk music, cicada-themed activities, merch, art and food. The event mentions no word of a cicada costume contest, but that doesn’t mean you can’t dress up like one. 

Interested in toasting to the little guys (or need to numb the anxiety-induced pain)? Snag a beer, wine, seltzer or cocktail from The Porch.

Local organizations like the Cincinnati Library and Cincinnati Parks will have booths set up with cicada origami, cicada cornhole and more. Not Your Average Paint and Sip will be offering cicada painting classes from noon to 2:30 p.m. and Pop-Up Play will have paper cicada decorating available. Cincy Shirts will also be vending the event featuring themed shirts. 

The free party will kick off at 11 a.m. and will continue through 4 p.m.

For more info, visit the event page. And if you’re ready to learn more about how Cincinnati will deal with cicadas, read CityBeat‘s cicada issue.

This article appears in May 1-31, 2021.