14 Things To Do in Cincinnati This Labor Day Weekend (Sept. 2-4)

Friday, Sept. 2

Jane Austen: Fashion & Sensibility at the Taft Museum of Art
Time is running out to see the Taft Museum of Art’s featured exhibit Fashion & Sensibility. On display at the Taft Museum of Art through Sept. 4, the exhibition features costumes from a number of acclaimed film adaptations of Jane Austen’s beloved novels. In the Fifth Third Gallery and throughout the Taft historic house, the exhibition gives Austen fans the chance to see costumes worn in films like Pride & Prejudice, Emma, Sense & Sensibility and Mansfield Park from the award-winning collection of British costume house Cosprop Ltd. Through Sept. 4. Advance tickets available online for $18 adults; $16 seniors and children. Taft Museum of Art, 316 Pike St., Downtown, taftmuseum.org. Read CityBeat's cover story about the exhibit.

Frisch's Mobile Roller Rink
Get ready to roll this weekend as the Frisch's Mobile Roller Rink once again pops up on Court Street Plaza. In addition to those retro rink vibes, Court Street Plaza will also be full of food and drink options, plus music, throughout the weekend. The maker market Art on Vine will also be there on Sunday. The Frisch's Mobile Roller Rink originally debuted over Memorial Day weekend to honor Frisch's 75th anniversary, with a nostalgic nod to how popular roller skating was back when the local chain was founded.
4-8 p.m. Sept. 2; noon-8 p.m. Sept. 3 and Sept. 4; noon-6 p.m. Sept. 5. $2 admission; $5 skate rental. Court Street Plaza, Downtown, facebook.com.

Cincinnati International Jazz Festival
Cincinnati's inaugural International Jazz Festival will be held at the ICON Festival Stage at Smale Riverfront Park.  Put on by Rainbow Promotions and Robbie Todd Productions, this two-day celebration will host many jazz musicians including Brian Culbertson, Avery Sunshine, Norman Brown and more. There will also be retailers offering everything from accessories to clothing to art, plus food and drink vendors. Doors 4:30 p.m. Sept. 2 and 11:30 a.m. Sept. 3. $60-$185. ICON Festival Stage at Smale Riverfront Park, 25 Race St., Downtown, bradymusiccenter.com.

Saturday, Sept. 3

Ohio Renaissance Festival
The 33rd Ohio Renaissance Festival returns, bringing beloved favorites — including full-armored jousting displays and giant turkey legs — to a 35-acre recreated Elizabethan village. Shop for everything from jewelry and elf ears to wood crafts, fiber art and forged chainmaille. Kids can enjoy "human-powered" rides and games, while adults indulge in various boozy beverages, including honey mead and a special Chain Mail Pale Ale from Rhinegeist. There will be 18 different performance areas and stages, plus plenty of food to eat. Sept. 3-Oct. 30. $28 for adults; $10 for children ages 5-12; free for those under 5. Renaissance Park, 10542 East State Route 73, Waynesville, Ohio, renfestival.com. Read CityBeat's story and get all the fest details.

Lunken Airport Days
Hosted by the Cincinnati Warbirds, this festival brings vintage airplanes, historic military vehicles and classic cars to Lunken Airport. Browse displays or watch a color guard ceremony at noon on Saturday and Sunday. You can book a flight on a B-52 "Berlin Express" or C-47 "That's All Brother" through links on the Warbirds' website. There are even helicopter rides. Patrons can also tour the historic planes, meet pilots and more. Food trucks will be on hand to provide the food. The event aims to honor World War II veterans and inspire the next generation of "aviation enthusiasts." 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 3 and 4. Free admission; some activities cost money. Lunken Airport, 262 Wilmer Ave., East End, warbirds.clubexpress.com.

niteMKT
Head to Woodburn Brewery for the fifth niteMKT, a self-described "goods and makers fair of regional vendors, incorporating projected light art, supported by live music." There will be 25 vendors, including B Quirkie Boutique, Grafton Leather Company and Ancient Drip, with live music from Juan Cosby & Guests. Elijah Garitson will provide the art concept. 8-11 p.m. Sept. 3. Free admission. Woodburn Brewery, 2800 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills, nitemkt.shop.

WSR Fest
Local ambient and experimental label Whited Sepulchre Records is bringing a lineup of its local and national artists together for WSR Fest. The weekend kicks off Thursday with music from Desert Liminal at Urban Artifact, but the bulk of the fest takes place at Hexagon House in Northside. Saturday, music starts at 7 p.m. with Cincinnati's own Brianna Kelly, followed by Allison Lorenzen from Denver and Midwife from Las Cruces, New Mexico. On Sunday, Indianapolis' Airport People plays at 7 p.m., followed by Lake Mary from Columbia, Missouri and Bailey Miller from Cincinnati. The fest also promises a record and tape fair and drinks. Music starts 7 p.m. Sept. 3 and 4. $15 single day; $35 two-day (includes a tote). Hexagon House, 1590 Glen Armand Ave., Northside, eventbrite.com.

The Black Keys at Riverbend Music Center
Before becoming global sensations, the Black Keys were home-state garage blues heroes who ultimately made several lasting connections in the Cincinnati area. The Akron duo of guitarist/vocalist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney had music in their DNA from the start – legendary cult guitarist Robert Quine was Auerbach’s cousin, and saxophonist Ralph Carney, who played with Ohio art rock unit was Carney’s uncle – but they quickly established their own credentials with their first recordings as the Keys. See the band this weekend at Riverbend. Doors open 5:30 p.m. Sept. 3. Tickets start at $39.50. Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., California, riverbend.org.

Old Timers' Day at Rabbit Hash
This weekend Rabbit Hash, Kentucky (famous for its rotating series of dog mayors) will be celebrating its 41st annual Old Timers' Day. The event, which is held at the town's historic general store, is described as "fun on the banks of the Ohio River." There will be food and drinks plus six different live music acts. 1-9 p.m. Sept. 3. Free admission. Rabbit Hash General Store, 10021 Lower River Road, Rabbit Hash, facebook.com/rabbithashky.

Sunday, Sept. 4

Western & Southern/WEBN Riverfest Fireworks
Launched more than four decades ago to celebrate the 10th anniversary of radio station WEBN (102.7 FM), this Labor Day bash officially signals the end of summer with a series of colorful explosions in the sky. In addition to food, music and one of the largest firework shows in the Midwest set to music from host WEBN (you are 100% guaranteed to hear “Smoke on the Water”), festgoers can expect to see half a million other humans — and some major traffic jams. Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks show will start at 9 p.m., but the Riverfest party kicks off earlier in the day. Noon Sept. 4. Free admission. Sawyer Point/Yeatman's Cove, 705 E. Pete Rose Way, Downtown, webn.iheart.com. Read CityBeat's story on everything you need to know about Riverfest.

Riverfest on the Levee
Newport on the Levee is hosting a Kentucky-side party to watch the fireworks. The day promises "live music, pop ups and fun." During the afternoon, expect to see a slew of entertainers, including stilt-walkers, face-painters and caricature artists, along with yard games and a cotton candy cart. FC Cincinnati will also be hosting a giant soccer dart game on the lawn from noon-4 p.m. DJs and musicians will provide the soundtrack all day until DJ Maximus takes over at 6 p.m. for the fireworks countdown celebration. There will be food trucks and other food vendors and Levee businesses will also offer various discounts and specials. Starts at noon Sept. 4. Free admission. Newport on the Levee, Newport, newportonthelevee.com.​

Riverfest West
Cincinnati Parks is hosting a special West Side Riverfest party at Mt. Echo Park, boasting excellent views of the Ohio River. There will be a bounce house, carnival games, face painting, live music and food from the likes of Fabulous Funnel Cakes and Tikiz. Acoustic Abuse plays from 5-6:30 p.m., followed by Marsha Brady from 7-9 p.m. 5-9 p.m. Sept. 4. Free admission. Mt. Echo Park, 251 Mt. Echo Park Drive, Price Hill, cincinnati-oh.gov.

Art on Vine
The Art on Vine pop-up maker market is back on Fountain Square. Explore the goods of more than 80 local vendors and artisans. Noon-6 p.m. Sept. 4. Free admission. Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown, artonvinecincy.com.

Tri-State Antique Market
Explore more than 200 dealers spread across five acres of the Lawrenceburg Fairgrounds. There will be vintage  clothes, retro kitchenware, architectural salvage and more, according to a release. "The September Market, traditionally held over Labor Day weekend, tends to be one of the biggest of the season with an influx of dealers looking to take advantage of cooler weather and end-of-season bargaining," says the market. 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 4; early bird admission at 6 a.m. $4. Lawrenceburg Fairgrounds, 351 E. Eads Parkway, Lawrenceburg, Indiana, lawrenceburgantiqueshow.com.

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