Opening Day might not be an official local holiday, but we take our season opener pretty damn seriously, so be prepared to wrap up work early on Monday and head downtown ASAP. The celebration begins promptly at noon with the 97th Findlay Market Opening Day Parade, led by grand marshal Lou Piniella, manager of the Reds’ 1990 World Championship team. Participants from more than 200 businesses and groups will make their way from the market down Race Street and east onto Fifth, walking, marching, biking, driving and operating floats all the way to the Taft Theatre. Fountain Square is one of the best spots to watch, offering both a great view and a beer-centric (and philanthropic) after party. The 14th-annual Rally on the Square (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) is community service group Give Back Cincinnati’s biggest fundraiser of the year; members will pour concoctions from MadTree Brewing all afternoon, so drink up for a good cause. Just make sure to arrive at Great American Ball Park no later than 4:10 p.m., when the Reds take the field and face off against the Phillies. Play ball!
Parade begins noon Monday. Free. Route begins at Findlay Market, 1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-500-7554, findlaymarketparade.org.
