Literally hot because the Northside Rock ’N Roll Carnival, Fourth of July Parade & Festival embraces the heat and humidity of a steamy Cincinnati July, this is also one of city’s hottest 4th celebrations. Starting Friday July 1 at 6 p.m., N-side’s Hoffner Park transforms into a weekend-long festive beer garden and playground chock full of live music, fire breathers, carnival side shows and fantastic freaks of every kind. The music and mayhem culminates with the Fourth of July Parade. An Independence Day tradition “since at least the 1950s,” the parade involves 600 to 800 participants and more than 4,000 attendees. At a mile-long, it’s the longest parade route in Hamilton County, starting at the northern boundary of Northside and ending at Hoffner Park, where the celebration continues with the Independence Day Festival. Free. www.northsiderocks.com.
