Margarita Madness At The Purple People Bridge : May 17th

Kings Island's Grand Carnivale is One, Big Worldwide Block Party, and You're Invited

Try foods from around the world, party with the glittery parade procession and take part in fun crafts and games at the annual international festival.

Jul 20, 2023 at 1:49 pm

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Photo: Kings Island

Kings Island's Grand Carnivale

Take part in a celebration of cultures from around the world all in one place starting this Saturday at Kings Island’s Grand Carnivale.

The amusement park’s biggest summer event, Grand Carnivale is an international festival highlighting the music, food and fun from countries like China, Spain, France and more. The day-to-night global block party includes the dazzling Spectacle of Color Parade, live music, special menu items from featured countries, games and unique crafts.

The Wait is Over, Explorers: Kings Island's Adventure Port Opens Saturday: Adventure Port will feature two new family rides, along with new shopping, dining and drinking options at The Mercado and Enrique's.

Grand Carnivale’s nightly Spectacle of Color Parade is a glittery, electrifying display featuring lavish floats, street performers and music. The procession also includes traditions from around the world and it pauses at several points along the route so parade-goers can join in on the dancing and singing. At the end of the procession the parade melds into a block party where visitors will find entertainers, dancing and even more music.

Kings Island says foodies will also be impressed by the array of international offerings, with samples of 15 dishes from five countries. Try the panzerotti from Italy or a sauerbraten slider from Germany – each country has multiple sweet and savory options, as well as both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. You can also buy a Grand Carnivale Tasting Card to help you on your culinary journey.

Grand Carnivale runs daily 5-10 p.m. from July 22 to Aug. 6. More info: visitkingsisland.com.

Slideshow

32 Greater Cincinnati Activities to Add to Your Summer Bucket List

Put on Your Dancing Shoes for Salsa on the Square520 Vine St., DowntownBust out your best moves or learn how to salsa every Thursday night at Fountain Square during the summer. Salsa on the Square is free and features live local and regional Latin bands that specialize in salsa, merengue, cumbia and Latin jazz. There are also two large dance classes to help you get the moves down, and Mazunte is there to serve up tacos, tostados and guacamole. For a refreshing drink after all the dancing, grab a margarita at Fountain Square’s full-service bar.

Meet Fritz and the Other Babies at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden3400 Vine St., AvondaleA stroll through the zoo grounds may be the perfect thing to do this summer in Cincinnati. Kids, teens and adults alike can enjoy viewing all the many animals and botanicals throughout the facility. You can see some of the newest additions to the zoo, like Fiona’s baby brother Fritz, Larkin the penguin chick and a pair of adorable bat-eared fox kits. Plus, see if you can spot the baby bumps on Lightning the sloth and Stevie the bongo.

Hit a Beach Within Driving Distance of CincinnatiOhio may not be on a coast, but don't let that fool you — we have plenty of breezy beach options for when the water is calling your name. Yes, they may be on a lake or riverfront, but they check most of our boxes when we're in need of a little sand between our toes, sunshine on our skin and a cool, refreshing dip in the water. Follow the link to find some beachy inspiration.

Catch a Reds Game and Chow Down on the New Eats100 Joe Nuxhall Way, The BanksGreat American Ball Park debuted a slate of new snacks for the 2023 season, including a Cheeseburger Frybox (hamburger topped with nacho cheese, iceberg lettuce, grilled onions, pickles and Thousand Island dressing served on French fries) and the vegetarian-friendly Curve Ball (veggie burger topped with iceberg lettuce, grilled onions, pickles and Thousand Island dressing served on a brioche bun). And that’s only some of the many new menu items you’ll find throughout the ball park. Eat up because if the Reds are losing, you’ll at least leave the ball park with a full stomach.

Take a Journey Downriver in a Kayak or CanoeThe Queen City boasts many canoeing and kayaking spots, plus some road trip-worthy locations within a few hour's drive – all perfect for floating a weekend away. Check with each business about reservations, specific rental fees and what you can and can’t bring with you. (We’re looking at you, ca-brewers). If you’re searching for a little more of an aquatic adventure, the 22nd annual Paddlefest on the Ohio River is happening Aug. 5. Paddlefest is open to kayaks, canoes and standup paddleboards, as well as participants of all paddling experience levels. Motorized boat traffic will be prohibited on the river during this time, making for smooth paddling, and you can choose between the full 9-mile route or a 4.5-mile route.

Dine and Drink Al Fresco at a Bar or RestaurantSweet, sweet summertime is upon us, which means it's time to figure out which local rooftop bars and restaurant patios you should plan to visit for all your breezy sunshine and noshing needs. And this year, we're taking the guesswork out of the equation. Visit the link above to see some of the best places to dine and drink al fresco in the Cincinnati area.

Watch a Dazzling Display of Fireworks on the Fourth of July or Camp Out for the WEBN / Western & Southern’s FireworksIt wouldn’t be summer if you didn’t take the time to watch at least one fireworks show. Cincinnati’s skies will be decked out in all kinds of colors as Fourth of July celebrations take place. Some of the most popular include Red, White & Blue Ash (also featuring concert headliner Collective Soul); Coney Island’s Balloon Glow; Fourth of July at Kings Island; Red, White and BOOM with Cincinnati Pops at Riverbend and numerous community events. And if you just can’t get enough fireworks, don’t forget about Cincinnati’s big end-of-summer bash Riverfest and the WEBN / Western & Southern Fireworks. Just make sure you grab your spot early and respect the blanket-claiming process.

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About The Author

Katherine Barrier

Katherine Barrier is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s journalism program and has nearly 10 years of experience reporting local and national news as a digital journalist. At CityBeat, she oversees the digital and social media strategies, edits web and print content and writes for the dining and arts...