Last week, we whet your appetites for summer fests with our Food Festival Guide. This week, we are sharing our favorite summer festivals in Cincinnati.
Instead of gourmet fare, international food and local cuisine, think funnel cake, soft serve and anything-on-a-stick.
From June ’til August, there’s a summer festival in Cincinnati happening every weekend in every ‘burb and church in the city. And we can’t wait.
Here’s a roundup of our favorite summer festivals in Cincinnati for 2016!
Frontier Days
June 2 – 5
Riverside Park, 800 Victor Stier Dr, Milford, OH 45150
Don’t miss the festival voted “Best Festival On The Eastside” (2013, 2014, 2015) by City Beat! {There’s also a parade, frog jumping contest and a spaghetti eating contest.}
Kings Island Food Truck Festival
June 3-5
Kings Island, 6300 Kings Island Dr., Mason, OH 45034
If you love food trucks and roller coasters, this is the festival for you. With more than 20 food trucks and all the thrills of the park, you get the kind of fun that’s only at Kings Island. {However, we recommend riding before you eat.}
St. Gertrude Parish Festival
June 10-12
6551 Miami Ave., Madeira, OH 45243
This festival features over 60 fun booths and rides, festival food, live entertainment and a “Reverse Raffle” to win a full year’s tuition for the upcoming school year!
St. Michael Festival
June 10-12
St. Michael Parish, 11144 Spinner Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45241
Raffle alert: there’s a chance at $10,000 and a potential bonus landslide of $40,000! Now that’s a raffle!
St. Vivian Summer Festival
June 17-19
St. Vivian Church, 7600 Winton Rd., Cincinnati 45224
Rides, game booths, live music, great food and drinks: what more could you ask for? There’s a $2 entry fee, which is redeemable for food and drink. (Funnel cake, anyone?)
LaRosa’s Balloon Glow
July 3
Coney Island, 6201 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45230
This festival features all the standard festival fare. But what makes it truly unique is the balloon glow: come nightfall, hot air balloons of every color get fired up over Lake Como for all to see. The icing on the cake is a Rozzi Fireworks display.
Red, White ad Blue Ash Celebration
July 4
Blue Ash Summit Park, 4335 Glendale Milford Rd., Blue Ash, OH 45242
Summit Park provides the perfect location for the “biggest and best fireworks display” in the tristate! Plus, there’s festival games, food, rides — and a live performance from ’70s rockers, Styx.
St. Thomas More’s JulyFest
July 8-10
800 Ohio Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45245
What makes the St. Thomas More festival unique is the live music: you’ll find award-winning country and blues groups, local bands and more!
Crazy Cardboard Boat Regatta
July 18
Voice of America MetroPark, 7850 VOA Park Dr., West Chester, OH 45069
Get to work on boat blueprints now! At this fun and exciting event, teams build boats made of cardboard and then race in them around the lake! Build your own boat or enjoy the show from the comforts of the shore… either way, you’re sure to have a blast at this unique, family friendly event (which also boasts games, food and other festival standards).
Ohio State Fair
July 27 – August 7
The Ohio Expo Center & State Fair, 717 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, OH 43211
Between livestock shows, games, live music, displays and food, the Ohio State Fair is kind of a big deal. Venture up to Columbus for a day to take part in this Ohio tradition!
Milford Street Eats Food Truck Rally
August 6
701 Chamber Dr., Milford, Ohio 45150
It’s a known fact that food tastes better from food truck. So, rustle up your appetite and head to Milford for this food truck rally featuring over 20 local eateries-on-wheels.
Ohio River Paddlefest
August 6
Gilday Riverside Park, 3450 Southside Ave. (at River Rd.), Cincinnati, OH 45204
Cincinnati is a river city — and Paddlefest celebrates the beauty and splendor of the Ohio River. This year marks the 15th Annual Ohio River Paddlefest, where kayakers and canoers will strut their stuff for a good cause. Paddlefest is being sponsored this year by Outdoor Adventure Clubs of Greater Cincinnati, a non-profit organization connecting inner city teens to nature and the outdoors year round. Paddlefest proceeds will support the work of OACGC in 20 area high schools in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
Hamilton County Fair
August 10-14
Hamilton County Ohio Fairgrounds, 7801 Anthony Wayne Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45216
Nothing says “summer” like a fair — and, here in Cincinnati, it’s all about The Hamilton County Fair.
Cardboard Boat Regatta
August 20
New Richmond, OH
The world’s top cardboard boat race teams converge to compete for bragging rights in the weirdest, wildest & wackiest competition this side of the Pecos! (We suggest practicing at the VOA Cardboard Boat Regatta, listed above.)
Clifton Gorge Music and Arts Festival
August 26-27
SR 343 & Clay Steets in Clifton, OH 45316
A two-day festival in historic Clifton, featuring vendors and artisans, fun activities for kids, good food and lots of great music! Explore the Mill while you’re there — it’s gorg-eous!
These are just a few of the fairs, feasts and fests in Cincy happening this year – what are your favorites? Send us a tweet at @cincyparent and let us know! (Or if you’re out enjoying the fun, tag us on Instagram at @cincyparent and we may share your pics!)