FRIDAY, AUGUST 6
After skipping a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Glier's Goettafest is back, bringing all of the goetta-infused creations you never knew you needed to both Newport's Festival Park on the Levee and Covington Plaza on the riverfront for two weekends of fun and flavor. The final days this weekend will span two cities, offering plenty of opportunities for folks to sink their teeth into creative concoctions using the Greater Cincinnati culinary staple. The annual Goettafest draws big crowds and features plenty of vendors slinging goetta-centric dishes (as well as non-goetta food items), live music and activities. If you're already hungry, peep CityBeat's photos from last weekend's Goettafest action. 5-11 p.m. Aug. 5 and 6; noon-11 p.m. Aug. 7 ;and noon-9 p.m. Aug. 8. Free admission. Festival Park, Newport on the Levee; Covington Plaza, Covington, goettafest.com.
After last year's event was landlocked due to the pandemic, Paddlefest, the nation's largest paddling celebration, returns for its 20th anniversary, with a shorter 4.5-mile paddle as well as a bigger Friday night opening party. Things kick off with a Friday night pre-party and free Outdoors for All Expo at the Schmidt Recreation Complex (2944 Humbert Ave., East End) from 4-9:30 p.m. Aug. 6. Then on Saturday, boats will drop in at 7 a.m. at that same location for a 4.5- or nine-mile paddle down the Ohio River. Live music and local food, drink and vendors will be on hand throughout both days. All proceeds from Paddlefest benefit the Adventure Crew, a nonprofit which helps connect teens from 24 Greater Cincinnati high schools with free outdoor recreation. Aug. 6-7. Free admission for most events, but registration is required for boating. Schmidt Recreation Complex, 2944 Humbert Ave., East End, ohioriverpaddlefest.org.
Kids are heading back to school, and you know what that means — Kings Island will cease daily operations soon. If you're looking for weekday fun on a rollercoaster or bumper cars, head to the park by Aug. 15. After that, Kings Island will switch to weekends-only action through Sept. 6 before reopening for the annual Halloween Haunt and WinterFest (dates still to come). 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Aug. 6-8. $45-$80. Kings Island, 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason, visitkingsisland.com.
As much as singer-songwriter Jason Mraz' latest album, the decidedly upbeat and spirited Look for the Good, might seem as if it were created to combat the COVID blues, Mraz wrote and recorded the LP prior to the pandemic shutdown. A full-on embrace of traditional Reggae music, Look for the Good reflects Mraz’s longtime love of the style of music that Bob Marley and others made popular. For the tour that rolls into Cincinnati this Friday, Mraz has assembled an enormous 13-piece band. He even says he wanted the band to be bigger, but there just wasn’t room on the bus. Blues and Soul band Southern Avenue will open the show. 8 p.m. Aug. 6. $51.50-$71.50. ICON Festival Stage, Andrew J Brady ICON Music Center, 25 Race Street, downtown, iconmusiccenter.com.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 7
The City Flea will be back at Washington Park this weekend, but with a tiny twist. This Saturday's pop-up will also include a special Kids Market featuring mini makers ages 4-14. The annual Kids Market offers local youth "a venue to showcase their wares, feel empowered, and for them to get an idea of what it's like to own and run a small business," says the City Flea website. On top of great kid-made products, shoppers will also find the usual array of City Flea vendors, with everything from artisan eats and apothecary products to vintage finds and potted plants. Expect music and food trucks as well. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 7. Free admission. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, thecityflea.com.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 8
Second Sunday on Main
OTR street festival Second Sunday on Main is back with a special Second Line Parade, led by the Nasti Nati Brass, Q-Kidz Dance Team and Afrakan Artist Alliance stilt walkers. Playing off of the classic New Orleans tradition, this event will kick off at 1:30 p.m. at Main and Orchard streets. Attendees should bring their fanciest umbrella and join in the parade. In addition to the procession, there will be a Braxton Biergarten, live music and more than 100 vendors. Noon-5 p.m. Aug. 8. Free admission. Main Street between E. 12th and Liberty streets, Over-the-Rhine, secondsundayonmain.org.
After spending some time at Washington Park and Fountain Square this spring and summer, the Art on Vine artisan extravaganza is moving to the new Court Street Plaza downtown. Now in its ninth year, Art on Vine brings together more than 80 locals artists and craftspeople to sell handmade goods and fine art. Noon-6 p.m. Aug. 8. Free admission. Court Street between Vine and Walnut streets, downtown, artonvinecincy.com.
Alongside Art on Vine, Court Street will be hopping with a showcase of vintage and collectible cars. A beer trailer will be selling local and national brews in addition to sodas. Noon-6 p.m. Aug. 8. Free admission. Court Street Plaza, downtown.
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