Brilliant Ideas

Lumifolia, Paper Acorn

Psychedelic Car Wash, Radius Concepts

Threaded Light, Sew Valley

Voyage to Atlantis, Asha Ama

Y.E.L.L.E.D., Kemper Sauce

Available renderings of projects; mural projects are in progress

For one extraordinary weekend our city transforms into an expansive canvas as BLINK weaves light, music, and interactive art throughout 30 city blocks.

Though world-renowned artists travel from around the globe to participate, the true heartbeat of the festival belongs to local creators who honor the history, diversity, and spirit of our region. Here are 10 not-to-miss works by regional artist to check out as you explore.

Black Lives Matter Mural, Black Art Speaks, Fountain Square Zone, City Hall

First painted in 2020, the Black Lives Matter mural in front of Cincinnati City Hall is the result of a community-led mural activation developed by Black Art Speaks. Under the new theme “Passing the Torch,” the original lead artists were joined by new generation of artists to reimagine the mural for BLINK 2026.

This reimagined mural uses a new poem, “We Must,” intended to reflect both current circumstances and the responsibility to continue moving forward. The new mural will be officially unveiled on Thursday, Oct. 8, and the BLM mural artists will join the Holmes High School Marching Band for during Ready. Set. BLINK.

CANVAS, by Fifth Third Design, Fountain Square Zone, Fountain Square

CANVAS is a large-scale public art experience created by Fifth Third Bank in collaboration with artists, designers and creative partners. Transforming Fountain Square into a playground of larger-than-life laser graffiti, the installation blends light, motion, music and community-created artwork to celebrate Cincinnati as a living canvas for the arts. With the community-centered creative practice of local mural artists led by Michael Thompson, CANVAS honors the many creative voices that together form the cultural fabric of the Queen City. CANVAS also includes the public art innovation of B!G ART and the immersive laser artistry of Precision Studios.

Corner Mapping Experience (6th & Vine) by Chaske Haverkos and Ke Jyun Wu, Projection mapping, Fountain Square Zone

Digiscape - Synchronic Tides: Synchronic Tides translates the rhythm of ocean waves into cascading layers of leaves, drifting through gradients that reinterpret the light of stained glass. The work comes from two memories: sunlight pouring through the windows of the Sagrada Família in Barcelona, and the childhood habit of pretending you could make falling leaves spin. Originally created as an interactive installation, this version is presented as an anamorphic projection, where the leaves appear to drift beyond the surface of the wall.

The Cube: 'The Cube' aims to explore perceptions of spatial and volumetric relationships through an immersive audio visual projection-mapped experience. A colorful journey of light and sound transforms the site to offer unique perspectives on a classic building.

Original soundtrack by PLAY Audio Agency, composed by Ann Driscoll and Adam Pleiman

Chaske Haverkos is a director, immersive designer, 3D animator, and projection-mapping artist from Cincinnati, whose work spans advertising, creative production, and experiential entertainment. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s DAAP program, he brings over 15 years of experience collaborating with clients, organizations, and public entities to create visually rich and technologically driven experiences for audiences of all sizes. Working as a freelance artist, he continues to explore the digital frontier of light and sound, developing experiential works that translate artistic vision into dynamic, spatial storytelling. Ke Jyun Wu is a Taiwanese media artist whose work exists at the intersection of the virtual and the real, blending engineering, nature, andmotional resonance into immersive digital environments.

Lumifolia by Paper Acorn, Covington Zone, Seventh. Street

Jessica Wolf creates ceiling-suspended kinetic sculptures inspired by the vastness and patterns of the natural world, crafting immersive environments that evoke wonder, peace, and a sense of uplift. Using lightweight materials such as polycarbonate and synthetic paper, her sculptures balance strength and grace through movement and translucency, allowing light to cast ethereal shadows that transform her organic forms into dynamic, meditative experiences.

Mural by Chase Melendez, Covington Zone, by Scott Blvd.

Melendez’s work is inspired by the aesthetics of early video games, 1980s and 1990s cartoons, and cinema, with a focus on color, background art, and narrative-driven visual storytelling. They have developed a personal visual language called “Candy Pop Sci-Fi Abstraction,” using it as a framework for worldbuilding through vibrant color combinations, sharp geometric forms, and layered compositions. Their work spans painting, object-based surfaces, and immersive installations that aim to activate space, reimagine overlooked environments, and create playful, energetic visual experiences for the public.

Mural, The Collaboration Jim and Frank, Findlay Market Zone, Our Daily Bread

The Collaboration Jim and Frank have been working together for several years, with Tucker licensing Young’s photographs as references in his paintings and installations. BLINK 2026 marks the first time these two artists are coming together for a unique hybrid mural, combining a wheat paste of Frank's photography against Jim's painted interpretation of the mural's location.

Young is an American fine art photographer whose portraits treat their subjects as living documents of their existence. Since 2012, he has documented the Black residents of Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine, a neighborhood reshaped by economic revitalization and gentrification, creating a portrait record of a community in the midst of change. Jim Tucker is a British-born artist and educator whose passion is to use art to build community through collaboration and education. Since leaving England in 2007, he traveled extensively before settling in Cincinnati in 2021. Across a combined career of more than twenty years, his work bridges fine art, murals, and community building.

Psychedelic Car Wash by Radius Concepts, Fountain Square Zone, Piatt Park

Radius Concepts is a design and fabrication studio specializing in furniture, sculpture, and architectural components for commercial and residential spaces, while also creating immersive public installations that transform ordinary environments into surreal experiences of light, humor, and communal play. Using materials such as steel, foam, sound, and illumination, the studio reimagines everyday interactions as moments of wonder, curiosity, and connection.

Threaded Light by Sew Valley, OTR Zone, Vine Street

Sew Valley is a Cincinnati-based nonprofit collective of designers, patternmakers, prototypers, samplemakers, and sewists who create immersive, large-scale textile installations using repurposed materials. This project will transform Imagination Alley on Vine Street into a glowing corridor of color, with garments suspended between the alley walls and illuminated by a video projection by artist Rob Misleh. A recording by local artist Joey Thomas that captures sounds from Sew Valley's manufacturing process will be synchronized with the movement of the garments.

Sew Valley’s work combines craftsmanship, sustainability, and storytelling, transforming everyday fabrics into dynamic environments that engage audiences through texture, color, movement, and light.

“Voyage to Atlantis” by Asha Ama, fashion show, The Banks Zone

Designer Asha Ama, who created Blink’s first fashion show in 2024, returns this year with a new show, “Voyage to Atlantis.” This four-night runway experience bringing together fashion, music, movement and visual storytelling while celebrating Cincinnati's Black music legacy at the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame.

The fashion shows, at 8:30 p.m. each night, will showcase a capsule collection by the Ama’s mentee student designers. Live music by Carr and Shades, Turich Benjy and Cleöcrt will also accompany the piece.

Y.E.L.L.E.D by Kemper Sauce Studios, The Banks Zone

Kemper Sauce Studios is a Cincinnati-based engineering and arts collective with an inventive spirit and a whole list of bad ideas. Ultimately, their goal is to bring communities together by providing fun and memorable experiences in the form of large scale, light based art installations

Doing the Work

Photos: Shae Huth

Founded in 1996, Cincinnati Works partners with willing and capable people living in poverty to help them advance toward economic self-sufficiency through employment. Founded by Dave and Liane Phillips on a model of one-on-one coaching, Cincinnati Works today provides personalized career and financial coaching, workforce training, barrier-removal support and connections to employment opportunities. The organization partners with more than 100 employers to help Members not only secure jobs, but build lasting careers, while helping businesses strengthen retention and develop their workforce. Cincinnati Works' vision is to lead the effort to eliminate poverty in the community.

More at cincinnatiworks.org.

Cincinnati Works celebrated its 30th anniversary with an event at Cincinnati Museum Center, with a keynote address by Northern Kentucky University President Dr. Cady Short-Thompson, and a presentation on Cincinnati Works’ vision for the future, and the first look at the Economic Impact Report. The Economic Impact Report demonstrates that the nonprofit’s work is not only changing individual lives, but also delivering significant economic value to the Greater Cincinnati region.

The Cincinnati Works 2022-2025 Economic Impact Report, commissioned by Cincinnati Works and produced by the Center for Research & Data at the Cincinnati Regional Chamber, found that job placements facilitated by Cincinnati Works generated $136.3 million in economic output, including $96.6 million in regional earnings, while creating or supporting 1,319 jobs and generating $10.88 million in local, state and federal tax revenue.

The findings come as Cincinnati Works marks three decades of helping people advance toward economic self-sufficiency through employment. Founded in 1996 by Dave and Liane Phillips, Cincinnati Works was built around a model that emphasized job retention and advancement, rather than job placement alone. Thirty years later, individualized coaching remains at the center of the organization’s approach.

“For 30 years, Cincinnati Works has believed in the resiliency  of people and the power of employment to create lasting stability,” said Tianay Amat, president & CEO of Cincinnati Works. “This report puts numbers behind what we see every day. When someone finds meaningful employment, overcomes a barrier, builds financial stability or advances in a career, the impact extends to their family, their employer and ultimately our entire region.”

3,445 Members Engaged, 836 Job Placements

From 2022 through 2025, Cincinnati Works engaged nearly 3,500 individuals across the region. During the reporting period, 602 Members were placed into jobs, with a total of 836 job placements.

Those jobs are also paying more. Average hourly earnings for Members placed in jobs increased from $16.95 in 2022 to $18.88 in 2025, an 11 percent increase. Cincinnati Works engages with more than 100 employer partners and connects Members with opportunities in some of the region's most important industries, including health care and social assistance, manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, construction and educational services. 

The report also quantifies how employment creates an economic ripple effect. The 602 unique Members included in the economic impact analysis generated nearly $97 million in direct and indirect regional earnings. Their employment supported 1,319 jobs and generated approximately $4.6 million in local taxes, $4 million in state taxes and $2.27 million in federal taxes.

More Than Getting a Job

The report demonstrates that Cincinnati Works’ impact extends beyond employment placement.

Through its Workforce Connection Program, Cincinnati Works embeds coaching at employer worksites to help employees address challenges, remain employed and advance. From 2022-2025, 1,592 Members received coaching services, while retention among employees receiving onsite coaching averaged above 80 percent.

Financial stability is another key component of the Cincinnati Works model. More than 1,000 Members met with a financial coach, while the organization's tax assistance work returned nearly $1.7 million to households during the reporting period. The Chamber estimates that spending generated by those refunds could create approximately $2.9 million in additional economic output.

Cincinnati Works is also looking to the next generation. Launched in 2024, the Next Generation Program connects students with career awareness, job-readiness training, coaching and employer opportunities. During the 2024-25 school year, 505 students participated in career awareness activities, 375 engaged in job-readiness training and 53 received post-graduation services.

Book Smart

Cincinnati has the libraries, universities, readers and literary culture to rank among America’s strongest reading markets. Our next opportunity is hiding in plain sight: use the library system we already have.

But what makes a truly great reading city?

Books matter, obviously. But so do libraries, universities, bookstores, educational attainment, digital readership and a culture that brings readers and writers together.

When Cincinnati People analyzed 20 U.S. markets using those factors, Cincinnati ranked No. 6, alongside cities including Boston, Minneapolis, Washington, Seattle and Pittsburgh.

That’s impressive, but there’s a bigger opportunity.

Cincinnati already has one of its greatest educational, cultural and economic-development assets sitting in neighborhoods throughout Hamilton County: The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library.

Laufey is in the Cards

Across the river, Kenton County Public Library boasts a robust system and new ways to bring people into the library fold.

If you haven’t pulled out your library card in a while, Icelandic singer Laufey might give you a reason to find it. Or get a new one.

The Kenton County Public Library is celebrating Library Card Sign-up Month with a limited-edition card featuring Laufey, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter whose vintage-inspired sound has built a devoted following and whose interests extend well beyond music.

KCPL is one of only 50 library systems worldwide distributing the limited-edition Laufey Book Club library card, part of a nationwide collaboration between the American Library Association and Laufey, who is serving as the 2026 honorary chair of Library Card Sign-up Month.

Let’s pause here for a lesson in pronunciation. Laufey herself says it’s difficult to pronounce her name in English, since Icelandic vowels are very different. The closest approximation, she says, is “LAY-vey.”

So, now that we know how to say it, why is Laufey’s name on a library card? Turns out, she’s a serious reader. She founded the Laufey Book Club in 2022, building a community around reading alongside a music career that now reaches more than 20 million monthly Spotify listeners.

And yes, existing KCPL cardholders can get the special version, too.

One note: the Laufey cards are actual working library cards, not memorabilia. KCPL ordered a limited number for each branch and is distributing them on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.

“One of our goals is always to reach people who may not already think of themselves as regular library users, and Laufey gave us a really interesting opportunity to do that. She has a large, younger fan base who are drawn to books, music and storytelling, which makes her a natural fit for libraries,” said Chad Showalter, director of public relations for the Kenton Co. Public Library.  “We’ve had people come into our branches specifically asking for the Laufey card, and that’s exactly the kind of connection we hope to make. If the card gets someone through the door and introduces them to everything else the library offers, we count that as a win.”

The timing is particularly fitting. September is Library Card Sign-up Month, an annual reminder that the humble library card has evolved considerably from the days when its primary job was getting a stack of books through the checkout line.

At KCPL, a card opens the door to eBooks and audiobooks, digital resources, career and educational tools, technology and creative opportunities through the library's STREAM Center, along with the books, movies and other materials people traditionally associate with their neighborhood library.

There’s also a nice bit of symmetry to it. An artist who has built a modern fan community around both music and reading is putting her name on a card designed to connect people with more things to read, learn and discover.

The limited-edition Laufey Book Club cards are available at Kenton County Public Library branches while supplies last.

– Kathrine Nero

This Isn’t Your Childhood Library

The Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library (CHPL ) operates 41 locations across the county. More than 2.4 million visits are made to the system annually. But measuring today’s library by how many people walk through its doors misses much of the story.

In 2025, Cincinnati readers checked out more than 6 million digital books, audiobooks, magazines and graphic novels through Libby alone, setting a system record. Through November, library customers had made more than 73,000 meeting and study room reservations and participated in more than 26,000 MakerSpace sessions. More than 167,000 people attended storytimes and 18,000 participated in library book clubs.

The library also added more than 50,000 new cardholders during the first 11 months of 2025.

Those numbers tell us something important. Cincinnati isn't becoming a digital city instead of a reading city. Digital technology is giving Cincinnatians more ways to read.

Yes, Our Library is Really That Good

Cincinnati’s library system has earned national recognition. 

The system received nine consecutive Five-Star Library awards from “Library Journal” from 2012 through 2021, making it one of only two libraries nationally to achieve nine consecutive years at that level.

In 2025, two CHPL leaders, Michelle Matthews and Keloni Parks, were named Library Journal Movers & Shakers, a national recognition of library professionals helping shape the future of the field. Library Director Paula Brehm-Heeger was named Ohio Librarian of the Year in 2026, the Ohio Library Council's highest individual honor for a library professional.

Meanwhile, the system is investing in its physical future through a 10-year Facility Master Plan that is renovating and rebuilding neighborhood libraries throughout Hamilton County. Library visits increased 6 percent in 2025 compared with 2024.

So the question isn’t do we have a great library, it’s “Are enough of us using everything it offers?”

The Best Subscription You’re Already
Paying For

Think about your subscriptions – streaming television, music, news, audiobooks, magazines, learning apps – but consider what comes with a library card.

CHPL provides access to all of that, plus research resources and online learning. Libby allows cardholders to borrow as many as 40 titles at a time, while Hoopla offers books, audiobooks and comics without traditional waiting lists, subject to system limits. 

Of course CHPL has plenty of things you can’t download, from meeting rooms and study spaces to the MakerSpaces and career resources. Each month, CHPL supports hundreds of people each month in their pursuit of meaningful careers through software, materials and coaching, along with digital-literacy training, English classes and workforce resources.

That’s where the definition of a library begins to change. A great public library isn't simply a place where books are stored, it’s community infrastructure.

The Opportunity Starts Before Kindergarten

For Cincinnati to become an even stronger reading city, the work starts with its youngest residents. In 2025, CHPL trained 86 youth-focused staff members in techniques supporting early literacy and Ohio's Science of Reading goals. Its branches provide storytimes, summer reading programs, collections for children and book deliveries to educators throughout the county.

That matters because reading isn’t just a cultural amenity, it’s foundational to learning. The child attending storytime today becomes the elementary school reader tomorrow, the high school student researching a paper years later and, potentially, the adult using that same library to find a job, learn a skill or launch a business.

 That’s the extraordinary thing about a public library – It can grow with you.

What If Cincinnati Became America’s Reading City

Here is the opportunity.

What if we stopped thinking about our libraries as buildings we occasionally visit and started treating them as one of Cincinnati's defining civic assets? Imagine a community-wide goal of getting a library card into the hands of every eligible child. Imagine employers encouraging employees to use CHPL's learning and professional-development resources. Imagine entrepreneurs routinely using the library's research tools and MakerSpaces. Imagine every college student arriving in Cincinnati being introduced not only to campus libraries but to the public library system.

Imagine neighborhood book clubs, businesses, schools, universities, nonprofits and cultural organizations working together around a citywide celebration of reading.

And imagine Cincinnati becoming known as America’s reading city, where an outstanding library system helps create a community of readers, learners and big thinkers.

 That’s the distinction. Buildings don't create reading cities. Readers do. 

Your Cincinnati People Challenge:

Start small.

Get a library card. Download Libby. Visit your neighborhood branch. Check out one book. Listen to one audiobook. Take your child to one storytime. Join one book club. Explore one database. Visit a MakerSpace.

 Then tell someone else what you discovered.

 Cincinnati already has much of what it takes to be one of America's great reading cities: major universities, independent bookstores, literary events, engaged readers and an award-winning public library system with 41 locations.

 The opportunity is to open the door, or the app, and use it.

 Explore the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library and see how much comes with a library card.

New Around Beer

How – where, when, and why – people drink beer is changing. Even in Cincinnati!

Beer is bought in grocery aisles, gas stations, bottle shops, restaurants, bars, and stadiums, and people drink through out the region every week, not just during Oktoberfest season.

Beer buying splits roughly three to two between taking it home and drinking it out. The grocery aisle and the barstool are two different economies, and beer feeds both. These two distinct beer economies – off-premise retail and on-premise drinking – offer varied opportunities, including how best to

• Treat beer as a year-round economic staple, not a seasonal category. Nearly 767,000 monthly buyers sustain activity across all twelve months, and messaging or policy that frames beer only around festivals understates its footprint.

• Protect and grow the craft layer. A base of 219,172 craft and microbrew drinkers is large enough to anchor local breweries, which keep production, jobs, and tax revenue inside the region rather than exporting them to national brewers.

• Value the venue channel in civic planning. The stadium, arena, bar, and restaurant beer trade is the most direct link between the events calendar and local revenue, and it is the channel most worth measuring in dollars next.

The Customer Is Changing

One challenge facing the beer industry, both locally and on the national level, is that consumers have more choices than ever.

Beer now competes with wine, spirits, hard seltzers, canned cocktails, THC beverages, nonalcoholic beverages and a growing wellness movement encouraging moderation.

Younger consumers also don’t necessarily develop the same drinking habits as previous generations. The response from innovative breweries has been diversification. Many taprooms now offer cocktails, wine, nonalcoholic beer and other beverages alongside traditional beer.

The smartest operators aren’t asking, “How do we get people to drink more beer?” they’re asking, “How do we give people more reasons to come here?” That’s a fundamentally different business strategy.

The Next Great Brewery May Look More Like a Hospitality Company

The evolution raises an interesting question for Cincinnati’s brewery entrepreneurs.

What business are they actually in? Because it’s really manufacturing, packaged goods, entertainment and even real estate.

The brewery of the future may still be judged by what’s in the glass. Its balance sheet will increasingly depend on everything happening around it.

What Oktoberfest Can Teach the Beer Business

That’s what makes Cincinnati’s biggest beer weekend an interesting business case study.

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati doesn’t attract hundreds of thousands of people because everyone suddenly becomes a beer expert for four days. People come for tradition, to have fun, eat cream puffs, hear accordions, and meet their friends. Going to Oktoberfest has become part of what it means to experience Cincinnati.

Beer sits at the center of that ecosystem without having to be the entire ecosystem. The future may involve fewer barrels and breweries, but that doesn’t mean Cincinnati’s beer story is ending.

It means the next chapter will reward businesses that understand that the most valuable thing they sell may not be beer at all – It’s belonging.

As hundreds of thousands of people descend on Cincinnati’s riverfront this weekend, they’ll provide one of the country’s biggest demonstrations of that business model.

Beer brings them together, the experience keeps them coming back.

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Sources: Nielsen Scarborough PRIME Lingo | Cincinnati, OH 2026 Release 1 Total (Feb-Jul 2025 / Sep 2025-Feb 2026); Brewers Association, Ohio Craft Brewers Association and Oktoberfest Zinzinnati.

WhoDey Gives Back

Photo: Joe Burrow Foundation

How Cincinnati Stacks Up

There is no reported audited ranking that can rank the NFL’s most philanthropic football city. But Cincinnati deserves a place among the leaders.

Philadelphia sets an extraordinary standard for scale. Its 2026 Eagles Autism Challenge raised more than $16 million in a single event.

Kansas City has superstar-driven philanthropy through Patrick Mahomes’ 15 and the Mahomies Foundation and Travis Kelce’s Eighty-Seven & Running.

Buffalo has built a national reputation for fans spontaneously turning football moments into charitable giving.

Pittsburgh has a deep tradition of Steelers players and alumni supporting community causes.

Cincinnati’s distinction is the continuity across generations of players.

• Ken Anderson: adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities

• Anthony Muñoz: youth leadership, education and scholarships

• Sam Hubbard: children’s food, hygiene and educational needs

• Joe Burrow: food insecurity and youth mental health

Four players. Four eras. Four different missions, and approximately $5 million in combined annual revenue supporting those missions.

Cincinnati may be one of the NFL’s smaller markets, but when it comes to football and philanthropy, the Queen City plays big.

Philadelphia has the powerhouse Eagles Autism Foundation. Kansas City has Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. Buffalo has its famous Bills Mafia giving culture. Pittsburgh has generations of Steelers giving back.

Cincinnati belongs in that national conversation, with something particularly special: four generations of Bengals stars who have built lasting organizations around very different community needs.

Joe Burrow.

Sam Hubbard.

Anthony Muñoz.

Ken Anderson.

Together, their organizations report approximately $5 million in annual revenue based on their latest available financial reporting, supporting hunger, mental health, children, education and adults with disabilities.

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Joe Burrow: Do Good

The Joe Burrow Foundation has transformed Burrow’s enormous platform into action around food insecurity and youth mental health in Greater Cincinnati, southeast Ohio and Louisiana.

The Foundation reported approximately $1.57 million in 2024 revenue. In that year, it awarded approximately $1.43 million to 79 organizations and helped provide more than 180,000 meal servings.

During the 2026 Bengals season, fans can participate in Dine for Nine Week, Sept. 5-12, when participating restaurants support the Foundation.

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Sam Hubbard: Taking Care of his Hometown

Sam Hubbard’s story is uniquely Cincinnati.

He grew up here, played at Moeller, became an Ohio State Buckeye, returned home to play for the Bengals and then created the Sam Hubbard Foundation to help Cincinnati children

The Foundation reported approximately $832,000 in 2024 revenue, up significantly from the previous year.

Its signature Hubbard’s Cupboard provides schools with food, hygiene products, educational supplies and other essentials children need to be ready to learn. The Foundation also supports youth football, Shop with Sam and holiday programs.

Hubbard’s NFL playing career may have ended, but his impact on Cincinnati hasn’t.

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Anthony Muñoz: 25 Years of Impact

Pro Football Hall of Famer Anthony Muñoz established the model long before today’s Bengals stars arrived.

The Anthony Muñoz Foundation celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2026, having reached more than 62,500 young people through programs focused on education, leadership, scholarships and character development.

Its latest Form 990 reported approximately $1.07 million in annual revenue.

Muñoz retired from football more than three decades ago but remains one of Cincinnati’s most recognizable athletes and community leaders.

That isn’t simply a post-football charitable project, it’s a second career in service to Cincinnati.

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Ken Anderson: Creating a Place to Belong

Ken Anderson’s Cincinnati legacy also extends well beyond football.

The Ken Anderson Alliance helps adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities build meaningful lives through work, creative arts and community engagement.

The mission grew from Anderson’s concern about the future facing his nephew Drew, who has autism. Today, KAA serves hundreds of adults each month.

Its latest financial reporting shows approximately $1.59 million in annual revenue, while the June 2026 Ken & Friends event raised more than $238,000.

Bengals fans can support the organization at the KAA Golf Classic, Oct. 12 at Coldstream Country Club.

Cincinnati continues making Anderson’s case for Canton. Anderson keeps making a difference at home.

The Power of Staying Connected

Perhaps the best part of Cincinnati’s story isn’t the money, it’s the commitment.

Anderson is still serving Cincinnati decades after his final Bengals game. Muñoz has invested 25 years in local youth. Hubbard turned playing for his hometown team into helping hometown children. Burrow is using one of sports’ biggest platforms to direct resources toward Cincinnati and Appalachian Ohio.

Together, they've created something bigger than four charitable organizations.

They've also created a Bengals tradition of giving back. Now Cincinnati has Joe, Sam, Anthony and Kenny.

And that's something worth cheering about long after the final whistle.

– Jackie Reau

Mother of Invention

Look around Cincinnati and you can see their impact everywhere.

Music Hall. The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Cincinnati Opera. The Art Academy. The Cincinnati Art Museum. CCM. The Taft Museum. Juneteenth.

The book “Imagineers | Impresarios | Inventors: Cincinnati’s Arts and the Power of Her,” edited by Kathy Merchant, tells the stories of the women who helped create Cincinnati’s remarkable cultural community.

But it also tells a bigger story.

Cincinnati didn’t simply become an arts city. Women made it one.

They Built Things That Last

Mary Emery used her fortune to support the arts, Cincinnati Opera and public access to art, while also creating Mariemont, an ambitious experiment in community building.

Patricia Corbett invested heavily in the infrastructure that allowed Cincinnati’s performing arts to flourish, including Music Hall, Cincinnati Opera, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and other performance spaces.

Louise Nippert supported generations of musicians and cultural institutions, ultimately establishing an $85 million fund to support classical music in Cincinnati.

Irma Lazarus, Cincinnati’s “First Lady of the Arts,” understood that great institutions need future audiences. She helped create Young Friends of the Arts to introduce young people to Cincinnati’s cultural community.

They weren’t simply philanthropists. They were civic entrepreneurs.

They Created the Art, Too

Cincinnati’s women didn’t only fund creativity. They created it.

Mamie Smith, born in Cincinnati in 1883, became a groundbreaking figure in American music. Her 1920 recording of “Crazy Blues” became a commercial sensation and helped open the recording industry to Black performers.

Edie McKee Harper built a remarkable career across painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and other media while balancing her work with family life. You may also know of her husband, Charley.

Harriet Beecher Stowe developed as a writer during her Cincinnati years, using storytelling to influence the national conversation about slavery, even as the racial portrayals in her most famous work remain debated today.

Lydia Morgan brought Juneteenth to Cincinnati in 1988. About 1,500 people attended the first celebration, despite virtually no advertising. Her idea grew into a Cincinnati tradition.

Different women. Different generations. Same instinct: Create something. Bring people together. Make Cincinnati better.

Who Are the Next Imagineers?

That’s the question this history should make Cincinnati ask today.

Who is our next Mary Emery?

Our next Mamie Smith?

Our next Edie Harper?

She could be a filmmaker in Walnut Hills. A designer graduating from UC. A musician performing in OTR. A young entrepreneur launching a creative company. Or a girl experiencing the arts for the first time.

Cincinnati’s next economic-development strategy should make sure she has a reason to build her future here.

Because creativity creates a powerful cycle:

Artists create experiences. Experiences attract audiences. Audiences become patrons. Patrons become donors. Investment creates jobs. And great cultural communities attract more talented people.

Cincinnati’s women have been proving that formula for more than 150 years.

The women profiled in “Imagineers | Impresarios | Inventors” didn’t wait for Cincinnati to become a great arts city.

They built one.

Now Cincinnati has the opportunity to build on their legacy and make creativity an even bigger part of our economic future.

The Power of Her helped build Cincinnati. Imagine what the next generation will build.

– Jackie Reau

Stretch Goal

NamasDey: Yoga with a Purpose

Paycor Stadium
Tuesday, Sept. 8, 7 – 9 p.m.

Kick off Open in Orange Week at NamasDey, presented by Tampax! Join

General Admission Tickets: $15 
VIP Experience: $50 

6:30 p.m.: Gates Open
7 p.m.: Yoga begins
8 p.m.: Yoga ends

Get tickets at www.bengals.com/fans/namasdey.

All event proceeds benefit the YWCA Greater Cincinnati.

If seeing the Bengals play on Thursday makes you want to take to the field at Paycor, you’re in luck! You have your chance with NamasDey, coming up on Tuesday, Sept. 8..

This unique on-field yoga experience at Paycor Stadium combines wellness, community and giving back. The event will feature a 50-minute yoga flow led by a certified instructor, providing participants with an opportunity to recharge and connect with fellow community members in an iconic setting.

The Bengals are teaming up with YWCA Greater Cincinnati for the event. Proceeds will support YWCA Greater Cincinnati's work to eliminate racism, empower women and help families throughout the region.

Following the yoga session, a post-event happy hour will provide attendees an opportunity to continue the experience in a relaxed, social setting. VIP ticket includes yoga flow, drink tickets, light bites and surprise gift.

NamasDey is more than just yoga – it's an opportunity to come together in community, practice wellness, and support survivors and families in our region. When you sign up, you’re directly supporting YWCA’s life-saving programs and services, helping build a safer, more equitable community.

Net Positive

The Cincinnati Open
Lindner Family Tennis Center
5460 Courseview Drvie, Mason

Community Weekend: Aug. 8 and 9
Matches: Aug. 11–21
Finals Weekend, presented by Credit One Bank: Aug. 22–23.

Get tickets at cincinnatiopen.com.

This year’s Cincinnati Open will be larger than ever before, showcasing off-court action that is just as exciting as the tournament play on theoad to the Rookwood Cup.

The 2026 Cincinnati Open begins with a Community Weekend, Aug 8 and 9 that features kids’ activities, an inaugural 5K race around the site, and the U.S. debut of Red Bull BassLine. The fun continues throughout tournament play with new and improved on-site experiences for tennis fans to enjoy at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.

On the court

Serena and Venus Williams will be playing the Cincinnati Open as a team for the first tie. They last took the court for a doubles match together at the 2022 US Open.

As a doubles team, the Williams sisters have won 14 Major titles and three Olympic gold medals.

Venus Williams has also received a singles wild card, along with Sloane Stephens, Taylor Townsend, Darja Vidmanova, Elvina Kalieva, Caroline Dolehide and Lois Boisson.

Venus Williams owns a 12-10 Cincinnati Open record, having reached the semifinals in 2012 and quarterfinals in 2019. The 46-year-old first played on the WTA Tour in 1994, and has won 49 career singles titles, including seven Majors and the 2000 Olympic gold medal. She held the WTA No. 1 ranking for 11 weeks.

Stephens, a Cincinnati semifinalist in 2013, returns for the first time since 2023. The 33-year-old American has won eight titles, including the 2017 US Open, and has been ranked as high as No. 3 in the world.

Townsend, winner of the 2023 Cincinnati doubles title, made her first WTA Tour final in Austin and climbed back inside of the Top 100. The American will headline the doubles draw as the world No. 1 team alongside Katerina Siniakova.

Vidmanova just posted her career-best WTA result, reaching her first WTA final last week in Memphis. The 23-year-old Czech was the first player from the University of Georgia and third woman in NCAA history to achieve the NCAA Triple Crown: winning the team, singles and doubles titles during her collegiate career.

Kalieva turned 23 last week while also reaching her first WTA semifinal in Memphis. The New York City native claimed her biggest career title earlier this year at the World Tennis Tour W100 in San Diego.

Chicago-area native Dolehide is a two-time WTA finalist who recently won the World Tennis Tour W100 in Evansville, Ind., The 27-year-old will be making her third Cincinnati Open singles appearance.

Off the Court

Part of what makes this tournament so special is its rich history in Cincinnati, that includes everything you could possibly need for the perfect vacation– food, music, and tennis.

The Cincinnati Open is the perfect place for foodies to try various cuisines all in one place. With a line-up featuring signature cocktails and boldly flavored bites from the Cincinnati region and beyond, the star-quality of the dishes is almost as bright as the talent on the courts.

As exciting as it is to cheer for tennis stars and get an up-close look at the on-court action, your fun doesn’t have to stop there! Head to the Cincinnati Open Sporting Club for court rentals for tennis, pickleball, and padel.

No matter which day you attend Cincinnati Open, you’ll experience meaningful matches featuring many of the biggest names in the sport.

A Running Start

Registration for Run the Night includes

• Exclusive early access to select BLINK installations

• A unique 2.6-mile nighttime run through downtown Cincinnati

• Opportunity to collaborate on an interactive art display at Elm Street Plaza

• Commemorative finisher medal

• Bragging rights as one of the first people to experience BLINK 2026

Space is limited. Register today!

Join BLINK, illuminated by ArtsWave and Pig Works for a one-of-a-kind nighttime run through downtown Cincinnati ahead of the nation’s largest public light and art event. This exclusive Tuesday evening event gives participants early access to select BLINK installations, transforming the run into an immersive journey through light, art, music, and creativity.

Be among the very first to experience BLINK 2026 on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m. before the festival officially begins.

“BLINK is all about experiencing art in unexpected ways, and we're thrilled to add a new way to take in these incredible works with friends and family,” says Leslie Mooney, executive director of BLINK. “It’s a chance to move, celebrate, and see the city in a whole new light.”

Starting at Elm Street Plaza, runners will follow a unique 2.6-mile route experiencing the magic and wonder of BLINK before the crowds arrive. This is not your typical race – it is a chance to move through the city, take in the art, and experience the energy of BLINK in a way few people ever will.

“We’re thrilled to partner with BLINK and welcome runners of all ages for an unforgettable preview of BLINK,” says Doug Olberding, executive director of PigWorks. “This run combines activity, creativity, and excitement, giving participants the chance to be part of the electric energy that makes BLINK so special.”

Pig Works is a race experience company with three goals: create fun participatory sporting events for individuals and groups of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, contribute to charitable causes that support the growth and development of our community here in Cincinnati and beyond, and promote a lifestyle that weaves movement and health into the fiber of our community and extends beyond the bounds of our event days.

Started in 2017, BLINK is a biennial celebration of public art and light that spans the urban core of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. The massive four-day event features 80+ large-scale projection mappings against some of the city’s most iconic architecture, interactive light-based installations in its public spaces and expansive murals across its buildings, all by renowned local, national and international artists. The largest of its kind in the country, the festival’s mission is to nurture a sense of community, connection and inspiration through the medium of public art. In 2024, BLINK spanned 30+ city blocks, crossing the Ohio River into Covington, Kentucky and was experienced by over 2 million people. BLINK is by the artists, for the people. Executive producing partners are the Cincinnati Regional Chamber, AGAR and the Haile Foundation. We welcome all to Cincinnati, Ohio to experience the magic and wonder of BLINK once again October 8-11, 2026.

Playing to Win

Photos: Shae Huth

For inquiries or to book your next event, visit hardrockcasinocincinnati.com or email banquetsales@hrccincinnati.com.

Must be 21 or older to gamble. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-589-9966.

We’ve all been to our share of meetings, conferences and events.

You know the drill – Ballroom. Tables. Chairs. Maybe some flowers or a step-and-repeat if someone is feeling fancy.

Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati is taking that typical setup up a notch with their new immersive event options.

The folks there offered up a sneak peek – and immediately – you could see and feel the difference.

Hard Rock has started offering immersive environments for private events, meetings and conferences, and they are one of those things that look good in photos but so much better in person.

The idea is to take a traditional event space and completely transform it around a theme. And I mean transform.

There’s a Garden Oasis that feels like you’ve stepped into another space entirely, complete with ambient noise that makes you feel like you’re in the tropics. An Old-World Butcher Shop is filled with smoke projections that surround you and somehow make their delicious Wagyu tenderloin even better. There’s even an interactive Campfire Experience where you can roast your own s’mores – and make it your own with cookies, candies, fruit and of course, massive marshmallows. It really brings the outdoors inside, without the mosquitoes and questionable sleeping arrangements.

And those are just starting points.

This is where it gets fun

The part I found most interesting is the ability to customize these environments for a specific event, company or group.

Instead of walking into a ballroom that could be hosting anyone, guests walk into something that feels like it was created for them.

Company branding can become part of the environment. A theme can be carried through the decor, food and experience. A corporate meeting can suddenly feel like an actual event rather than something you attend because Outlook told you to. Breakfast meetings can feature a mimosa bar with fresh juices and garnishes. Afternoon get togethers mean mocktails or make-your-own protein bowls. And if you love charcuterie, imagine it in a room with a French marketplace projected on the walls, and towers of meats and cheeses taller than you.

If you have a theme in your head, the Hard Rock team can work with you to figure out how to bring it to life.

Hard Rock has more than 50,000 square feet of flexible event space, so this isn’t limited to one particular room or size of gathering. The spaces can accommodate everything from a smaller celebration to a large conference.

They also have the practical stuff covered: an in-house audiovisual team, event staff, customizable chef-driven menus, not to mention complimentary parking and valet service.

Plus, you’re at Hard Rock. Restaurants, bars, gaming and entertainment are already downstairs when the official part of the evening wraps up.

That’s a pretty good answer to “So... what are we doing after this?”

People are used to walking into ballrooms.

They’re probably not expecting to walk into a garden, stumble upon an Old-World Butcher Shop or gather around a campfire inside Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati.

And that’s exactly why they’ll remember it.

If you’re planning something in Cincinnati and want your guests to walk through the door and immediately pull out their phones, this is worth seeing in person.

– Kathrine Nero

Take Me to the River

Photo: Lloyd Greene

Outdoors for All Expo
Friday, July 31, 4– 9:30 p.m.

Schmidt Recreation Complex, 2944 Humbert Ave.
Features outdoor outfitters, park reps, and conservation groups, with hands-on demos, live music, raffles, food trucks, and MadTree beer.

The Main Event
Saturday, Aug. 1, 7– 8:30 a.m.

Schmidt Recreation Complex, 2944 Humbert Ave.

Paddlers begin with races at 7 a.m., finishing at either the Public Landing in Downtown or Gilday Riverside Park on the West Side, where an after-party runs until 2 p.m.

Registration is $55 for adults; $25 for youth (17 and under); the 4.5-mile paddle is $50 for adults; $20 for youth.

More at ohioriverpaddlefest.org/schedule.

The Ohio River is at the center of history, life, and commerce in Cincinnati. Once a year, that heritage is celebrated during Paddlefest, the nation’s largest paddling event.

At this year’s gathering on Saturday, Aug. 1, organizers are also setting out to earn a Guinness World Records title for the “Largest Paddle Craft Party,” as Ohio River Paddlefest marks its 25th anniversary,

“We’re thrilled to be celebrating a milestone anniversary of this hallmark local event,” said Miriam Wise, director of support and engagement for Adventure Crew. “Paddlefest brings the community together for a weekend of camaraderie and appreciation for the outdoors. This year, we hope that community will help us reach another milestone: Our biggest and best Paddlefest yet.”

Local nonprofit Adventure Crew hosts Paddlefest weekend, which kicks off with the Outdoors for All Expo. A free community event celebrating all things outdoors, the Expo takes place on Friday, July 31 at the Schmidt Recreation Complex.

The Outdoors for All Expo features more than 70 exhibitors, including local parks, outdoor outfitters, adventure experts and environmentally minded organizations. This year’s event promises a fantastic music lineup, with Buffalo Wabs & the Price Hill Hustle, Jake Speed & the Freddies, and Ma Crow & Co. taking the stage. Hands-on demos, raffles, MadTree beer and food trucks round out the list of activities designed to engage attendees of all ages.

For Saturday morning’s Paddlefest, participants can use their own boats, or they can rent them with advance registration. Those who’d like to rent a boat should sign up early: Rental boats, especially two-person boats, are limited.

Paddlefest brings nearly 2,000 paddlers in kayaks, canoes and SUPs to the Ohio River each August. Participants can choose between two distances to paddle on the Ohio while it’s closed to motorized traffic, making the event accessible to paddlers of all skill levels. The 9-mile paddle ends with a Finish Line Festival – featuring music, food trucks and beer –at Gilday Recreation Complex in Riverside. For a shorter adventure, the 4.5-mile paddle finishes at the Public Landing in Downtown Cincinnati.

“Support of Paddlefest weekend means more local kids will get access to activities like hiking, biking, skiing and paddling at no cost to them,” Wise said.

Beyond Belief

Cincinnati Festival of Faiths
Sunday, Aug. 2, 1–5 p.m.
Cintas Center, Xavier University
1624 Musketeer Drive

The festival is FREE and open to all. Tickets are required this year and available online at no cost to expedite entry and minimize wait times at the door.

Get tickets

The ninth annual Cincinnati Festival of Faiths, sponsored by EquaSion, reimagines the interfaith celebration, with interactive experiences that explore more than 30 faith traditions.

“The Festival of Faiths creates a rare opportunity to move beyond assumptions and meet one another as neighbors,” says Deidre Hazelbaker, executive director at EquaSion. “In a time when division often gets the most attention, this festival celebrates the relationships, curiosity and shared humanity that bring communities together.”

The festival will be transformed into an immersive, indoor-outdoor market-style village. This year’s innovative experience invites guests of all ages to explore, taste, learn, and connect across more than 30 faith traditions through music, art, food, and interactive activities.

The new format marks a significant evolution for the festival, moving beyond traditional presentations to create an engaging, sensory experience where visitors become active participants in discovering Cincinnati's extraordinary religious and cultural diversity.

A major innovation of this year’s festival is an interactive “passport journey,” where attendees collect meaningful items and experiences from various stations representing different faith traditions. 

“This reimagined festival transforms how we think about interfaith engagement,” said Alycia McClurg, program manager and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “It’s not just about learning facts, it's about experiencing the beauty of different traditions together, in one immersive space.”

Throughout the day, visitors will encounter live music, calls to prayer from multiple traditions, and opportunities to witness sacred practice, all designed to deepen understanding and foster genuine connection.

Visitors can explore traditions ranging from Bahá’í, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Humanist, Jewish, Muslim, Pagan, Sikh, Unitarian Universalist and Zoroastrian communities. The festival celebrates the many ways people find meaning, purpose and connection, and welcomes people of every faith tradition, as well as those with no faith tradition at all.

The festival features live music, reflective spaces, and a dedicated children's activity center, ensuring all ages can explore and learn in a fun, collaborative atmosphere. The Sikh community will prepare and serve a special complimentary meal, embodying the spirit of generosity and hospitality central to their tradition and the festival’s mission. Adults can take part in a Sacred Listening Workshop.

“The level of community engagement has been remarkable,” says Martin, co-program manager and member of Bellarmine Chapel. “Volunteers from many different communities are united in the belief that understanding one another strengthens us all.”

More than fifty volunteers representing ten faith traditions are bringing this vision to life, working alongside McClurg and Martin with support from EquaSion’s leadership.

Founded in 2017 with roots dating to 1944, EquaSion is a nonpartisan civic organization working to build a community of faith and friendships across Greater Cincinnati.

By bringing people together through dialogue, shared experiences, and ongoing relationships, EquaSion fosters pluralism, unity, and a sense of belonging across faith traditions. 

Just Fine

Photo: Shae Huth

The Cincinnati Music Festival presented by P&G
Thursday, July 23 to Saturday, July 25
Paycor Stadium

Visit CincyMusicFestival.com for tickets,
schedules and more information.

The Cincinnati Music Festival presented by P&G returns July 23-25, bringing three nights of R&B, hip-hop, soul and serious star power to Paycor Stadium. Mary J. Blige, Charlie Wilson, Nelly, Trey Songz and a packed lineup of fan favorites will help turn Cincinnati into one enormous summer celebration.

Of course, anyone who has experienced CMF knows the music inside the stadium is only part of the weekend. From a live morning radio broadcast and a free street festival to a celebration of Cincinnati’s Black music legacy, the festival creates a citywide reunion filled with music, food, fashion and community.

Three nights and a whole lot of hits

The weekend begins Thursday, July 23, with an intimate concert at a new location: the recently renovated East Club Lounge at Paycor Stadium. Talib Kweli, DJ Spinderella, special guest Hi-Tek and DJ Vader will set the tone for the weekend with a night that blends hip-hop history, hometown pride and dance-floor energy.

On Friday, July 24, the celebration moves into Paycor Stadium with Charlie Wilson, Nelly, Tyrese, Ledisi and 803 Fresh. Expect sing-alongs, smooth vocals and at least one friend insisting that every song is “their song.”

Saturday, July 25, belongs to the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul. Mary J. Blige headlines a lineup featuring Trey Songz, SWV, Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick and Heatwave. In other words, Saturday night may require comfortable shoes and a fully charged phone.

Start the party with Rickey Smiley

CMF weekend doesn’t wait until the stadium gates open to get moving.

The nationally syndicated Rickey Smiley Morning Show will broadcast live from Fountain Square Thursday and Friday of festival week, 6 to 10 a.m. at Fountain Square. Early risers can get a chance to start the day with celebrity interviews, comedy, music - and a crowd full of fellow festival fans.

Festival513 brings the block-party energy

Before heading into Paycor Stadium, fans can eat, shop and soak up the festival atmosphere at Festival513.

The free street festival returns July 24 and 25 along Freedom Way, across from Paycor Stadium. Now celebrating its 20th year, Festival513 features almost 100 food and merchandise booths with local vendors, festival fashions, accessories, art and plenty of Cincinnati flavor. Learn more at Festival513.com.

A new place to lounge

CMF will also introduce an enhanced fan experience with the debut of the new Club Lounge at Paycor Stadium.

Inspired by upgrades planned for the stadium, the hospitality space will include expanded indoor seating, upgraded bar service, contemporary lounge furnishings and large video screens to keep fans connected to the performances. The lounge will serve as a social hub throughout the weekend and host Thursday night’s concert.

It is a comfortable new option for fans who want to catch up with friends, grab a drink or take a breather without losing touch with the action.

P&G brings the samples, scents and surprises

P&G returns for its 12th year as presenting sponsor with immersive experiences designed to make the festival weekend even more memorable.

Ten participating brands will offer product demonstrations, samples, photo moments and interactive experiences. Fans can explore three main areas:

• The P&G House Party will keep the celebration going between acts with live entertainment, samples and surprise musical moments.

• The P&G Day Spa will create a colorful sanctuary of self-care featuring Febreze, Downy and Mielle.

• P&G Brand Moments will bring Cascade, Dawn, Gain, Swiffer and Tide together in a vibrant walk-through experience filled with freshness, function and camera-ready fun.

CMF may be the only place where you can hear your favorite artist, refresh your hair and become emotionally invested in a laundry scent during the same weekend.

A festival with a lasting impact

Cincinnati Music Festival has been bringing people together since 1962. Today, it attracts more than 90,000 visitors from across the country and generates an estimated $107.4 million in annual economic impact for the region.

That impact can be felt throughout Greater Cincinnati as visitors fill hotels, restaurants, shops and entertainment districts. More importantly, CMF creates an annual gathering where generations of fans come together around music, culture and shared memories.

Always and Forever

Cincinnati’s music legacy takes center stage this Saturday, July 25.

The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame holds its 2026 Induction Ceremony at noon, outside the Andrew J Brady Music Center at 190 W. Mehring Way.

The free “Homecoming Edition” ceremony honors funk and disco group Heatwave and historic Cincinnati radio station WCIN.

Heatwave was formed in the early ‘70s by a group of U.S. servicemen stationed in Germany. Its most popular line-up featured Johnnie Wilder Jr. and Keith Wilder (vocals) from Dayton, Ohio. The brothers were joined by musicians Rod Temperton (keyboards) and Roy Carter (guitar) (UK), Mario Mantese (bass) (Switzerland); Ernest “Bilbo” Berger (drums) (then Czechoslovakia); and Eric Johns (guitar) (Jamaica) – becoming the first true international dance group.

In Europe, the a lead single from their 1976 album “Too Hot to Handle,” became an international #1 hit, with “Boogie Nights,” going on to become and one of the definitive songs of the disco era. They followed it with the ballad, “Always and Forever,” which continues to be a popular wedding song.

In 1979, Temperton began a decade-long role as a songwriter for Quincy Jones, creating hits like “Off The Wall” and “Thriller” for Michael Jackson, “Stomp” for the Brothers Johnson. and “Give Me The Night” for George Benson. Though this caused him to stop performing with Heatwave, he continued writing for the group.

Launched in October 1953, WCIN served as a primary voice, news source, and cultural hub for the African American community in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Over the years, the station helped launch R&B, soul, and gospel performers, including James Brown, Bootsy Collins, and Al Green.

WCIN’s mission extended beyond entertainment. The station sought to inform, educate, and empower listeners. Its slogan, “News You Can Use,” reflected its commitment to providing practical information that addressed the concerns of everyday people.

Local broadcast legend Lincoln Ware got his start at the station, along with Buggs Scruggs, Jack ‘The Rapper’ Gibson and Everett Cork.

Guests to Saturday’s ceremony are encouraged to wear all white for a celebration featuring free live performances from Regina Belle, Shirley Murdock and Midnight Star.

The induction creates a fitting bridge between the city’s musical history and the artists taking the stage during CMF weekend. The ceremony is free and open to the public.

The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame’s immersive experience connects this legacy to the future. We invite you to listen, learn, dance, sing, and feel the energy and soul of these amazing artists. While exploring Cincy’s music scene, you will find QR codes printed on the informational kiosks along the walkways. Scan any of these QR codes to take a deeper dive into an artist’s history and legacy—you’ll also be able to view an augmented reality experience that brings the artist’s work to life.

So Much in Store

Adopt A Class 
Big Brothers Big Sisters 
BeeLieve The Promise Inc. 
Brothas Inc 
The Chatfield Edge 
Cincinnati Youth Collaborative & Saturday Hoops 
City Gospel Mission 
Empowered Mentoring Group
ExKlusive Jewels 
Kentucky Refuge Ministries 
NAACP–JUMP
Partners for Change 
SuperSeeds 

Looking for a meaningful way to give back?

Think of the Regional Mentoring Showcase as a mentor market.

This Saturday, July 18, We Mentor Cincy will bring together 13 mentoring organizations outside historic Findlay Market, from noon to 3 p.m.

The showcase will make it simple to explore volunteer opportunities, ask questions, and find the mentoring program that's right for you. Admission is free.

Guests can stop by, meet local organizations making a difference in the lives of young people, then head inside the market to shop local and grab lunch. It’s an easy way to spend an afternoon while discovering how you can make a lasting impact in our community.

Hosted by We Mentor Cincy, the Regional Mentoring Showcase is part of a broader effort to unlock the potential of Greater Cincinnati's youth by connecting caring adults with meaningful mentoring opportunities. As a collaborative network of local mentoring organizations, We Mentor Cincy is working toward a bold vision: a mentor for every young person in our community. Whether you’re a professional, retiree, student, or parent, there's a mentoring opportunity that fits your interests, experience, and schedule. Because when more adults show up, more young people have the opportunity to thrive.

Find out how to get involved at www.wementorcincy.org.

Beat the Heat

It’s one of those Cincinnati afternoons. Maybe the humidity is pushing 90%, making a playground trip feel like a trek through a sauna, or perhaps a sudden Midwest thunderstorm has just washed out your afternoon plans. The kids are bouncing off the walls with cabin fever, and you desperately need a lifeline that gets everyone out of the house without battling the elements.

Cincinnati Fire Museum
315 W Court St.
Open Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission:
Adults: $10, seniors (65+): $9
Children: 7–17, $8; 2–6, $5

More at cincyfiremuseum.com.

Enter the Cincinnati Fire Museum.

I recently took my two energetic toddlers to this Court Street gem on one such drizzly, disgustingly humid morning.

I think there is technically a path you're supposed to take, but my girls led the way directly into the big room with the massive vintage fire trucks. This room also has a firetruck cab for kids to play in. You better believe we spent a good 10 minutes pretending to be on a fire run. Rosie is a terrible driver.

We grabbed a scavenger hunt list when we first arrived. I had fun looking for the various artifacts it contained while the girls mostly marveled at the Dalmatian-themed flying pig (only in Cincinnati) and the massive horse statues drawing an old firetruck from my hometown of Aurora, Indiana.

We tried to get Rosie to go down the real-life fire pole (she declined) and try on some fireman's gear (she happily acquiesced) and then we ended up in a play room where the girls played with toy trucks for a few minutes. In another room, Rosie very much enjoyed playing with a pumping apparatus while Ruby watched. We hit up the gift shop on the way out for a tiny toy firetruck and a stuffed Dalmatian and walked back into the drizzle after a lovely 1.5 hour excursion.

Cincinnati actually established the first paid, professional fire department in the United States back in 1853, and they've created a very cool, hands-on museum to honor that heritage. It's just another thing that makes me appreciate how cool Cincinnati is and how much there is to do with my girls!

– Shae Huth

Dog Days of Summer

Partying with Animal Friends
Dog Adoption & Donation Event

Saturday, July 11, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Cutting Edge Flooring & Tile
7708 Service Center Drive, West Chester

Admission is Free and Open to the Public

More info at www.animalfriendshs.org/events/event/the-cutting-edge-flooring-adoption-event/2026-07-11/

Longing for a new best friend to who will enjoy pool days, road trips, and lazing around in the AC?

Have we got an idea for you!

Cutting Edge Flooring & Tile is holding a special dog adoption and donation event, “Partying with Animal Friends,” this Saturday, July 11.

“We’re excited to partner with Animal Friends Humane Society to help connect deserving dogs with loving families while supporting the incredible work the shelter does every day,” said Amy Hopkins of Cutting Edge Flooring & Tile. “This event is about bringing our community together to make a real difference in the lives of animals.”

The event, held in partnership with Animal Friends Humane Society of Butler County, will give local families the opportunity to meet adoptable dogs, support shelter animals in need, and enjoy a fun morning filled with activities for both people and pets.

Guests will have the chance to meet adoptable dogs looking for forever homes, enjoy a pet photo booth, receive treats for both humans and furry friends, and participate in raffle drawings featuring great prizes. Attendees are also encouraged to bring donations to support Animal Friends Humane Society.

For every donated item, participants will receive a raffle ticket, increasing their chances to win one of several raffle prizes. Most-needed donations include pet food, paper towels, bleach, cat litter, laundry detergent, gloves, blankets, towels, leashes, collars, trash bags, and other animal care supplies.

Animal Friends Humane Society is a nonprofit organization serving Butler County and surrounding communities by providing shelter, care, adoption services, and advocacy for homeless animals.

Cutting Edge Flooring & Tile is a locally owned flooring company serving the Greater Cincinnati area with professional flooring and tile solutions for residential and commercial customers. The company is committed to supporting local organizations and giving back to the communities it serves.

Sparks Fly

Hot dogs? Check.

Fireworks? Check.

People pursuing happiness? Absolutely

Whether you want to watch the parade go by or dance like no one is watching, Cincinnati is serving up great ways to celebrate America 250.

Star-Spangled Nights Presented by M&M's
July 3–5, 2 p.m.
Kings Island, 6300 Kings Island Drive
www.sixflags.com/kingsisland

All-American thrills await at Kings Island during “Star-Spangled Nights presented by M&M’s.” Experience the new dark ride, Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare, or take on the twists and turns of Banshee. The night sky comes alive with dazzling fireworks at 10 p.m. on Saturday, synchronized to patriotic music, creating an unforgettable experience for guests of all ages.

Northside Rock & Roll Carnival and Parade
July 3, 4 p.m.
July 4, parade @ 12 p.m.; festival @ 1:45 p.m.
Hoffner Park 4101 Hamilton Ave.
northsiderocks.com

 Marking its 20th anniversary, Northside Rock & Roll Carnival features a packed concert schedule with dozens of live performances, alongside a curated mix of food vendors, local makers, and refreshing drinks. The lineup reflects the eclectic, independent spirit that defines Northside – including Sharp Toys, Fairmount Girls, Soledad Brothers, and Lemon Sky – while the vendor marketplace and festival offerings create a dynamic, family-friendly gathering space unique to Northside.

The Northside 4th of July Parade, a cherished Cincinnati tradition since 1854, steps off at noon. on Saturday, July 4, and travels down Hamilton Avenue from Ashtree, ending at the festival in Hoffner Park.

All American Bash
July 3 and 4, 4 p.m.
VOA Metropark, 7050 VOA Park Drive
www.facebook.com/allamericanbash/

Get ready for one of the region’s biggest Independence Day celebration, as the Kemba Credit Union All American Bash returns to VOA MetroPark 6 with free admission, live entertainment, family fun, and a massive fireworks spectacular set to take place Saturday night at 10 p.m.

Madeira Independence Day Parade and Friendly Fourth Celebration
July 3, 6 p.m.
McDonald Commons Park, 7502-7110 Dawson Road

The parade kicks off the evening on with community groups, businesses, and many other units proceeding down Miami Avenue. Activities follow at McDonald Commons Park with food, drinks, entertainment and fireworks at 10 p.m.

Green Township Independence Day Fireworks and Concert
July 3, 6:30 p.m.
Kuliga Park, 6717 Bridgetown Road

Enjoy live band performances throughout the night, with concessions and beverages sold by local non-profit organizations as a community fundraiser. The fireworks show takes place at dusk.

Fairfield Red, White & Kaboom
July 3, 7 p.m.,
Harbin Park, 1300 Hunter Road
www.fairfield-city.org/578/Red-White-Kaboom

Red, White & Kaboom celebrates Independence Day in Fairfield. The evening starts with food trucks and fun, and with live music begining at 7:30 p.m., with an amazing fireworks display from Rozzi Famous Fireworks at 10 p.m

Reds White and Blue
July 4, 7:10 p.m.
Great American Ball Park
www.mlb.com/reds/tickets/themes/july-4th

Join the Reds to celebrate America’s 250th birthday on the Fourth of July! Great American Ball Park is the ultimate fireworks destination with a special show after the game. Plus, fans in attendance will receive a USA Cowboy Hat and more patriotic fun.

Pregame ceremonies honor military groups as part of a Veterans and Military Appreciation Day, presented by Hamilton County Veterans, with a giant American flag displayed on the field during the national anthem, and a flyover by two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.

Fans will receive commemorative American flags as part of America Waves, a tribute to our iconic flag taking place in ballparks throughout MLB on July 4th for America250.

City of Wyoming Fourth of July Celebration
July 4, 10 a.m.
Oak Park 1411 Wabash Ave.
www.wyomingohio.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=871

The festivities begin with the annual parade at 10 a.m., followed by an awards ceremony. Keep the celebration going in the afternoon with swimming at the Wyoming Family Aquatic Center from noon to 5 p.m. Then head to Oak Park for an evening packed with family fun, including bounce houses, an obstacle course, games, delicious food and a special concert. The night concludes with Rozzi’s Fireworks lighting up the sky at 9:45 p.m.

4th on the Loop
July 4, 12 p.m.
Downtown Sharonville, 11115 Main St.
www.sharonville.org/m/newsflash/home/detail/539

The parade starts at noon with grand marshal Olympic Gold Medalist, Connor Curran! The After Party follows on Creek Road between Main Street and Reading Road. The family friendly celebration includes music, food, inflatables, and games.

Fourth of July Brass Band Concert
July 4, 2 p.m.
Armstrong Chapel, 5125 Drake Road
www.eventtickets.com/cincinnati/events/5125-drake-rd/4th-of-july-free-brass-band-concert-673472?ref=uceh

Celebrate Independence Day with an inspiring afternoon of patriotic music and festive fun at Armstrong Chapel. The Rivers Edge Brass Band commemorates the nation’s 250th anniversary with patriotic favorites, stirring brass arrangements and music that honors America’s history, freedom and enduring spirit.

MadTree Red White & Blue Ash
July 4, 4 p.m.
Summit Park, 4335 Glendale Milford Road
summitparkblueash.com/events/red,_white___blue_ash/index.php

The July 4th event at Summit Park features powerhouse performances by SWITCHFOOT and Fuel, the biggest and best fireworks from Arthur Rozzi Pyrotechnics, exciting carnival rides from Murray Bros., and mouthwatering food and drinks.

Headliner SWITCHFOOT sold almost 10 million copies worldwide of their 12 studio albums, including their 2003 double-platinum breakthrough“The Beautiful Letdown” and 2009’s Grammy Award-winning “Hello Hurricane,” which racked up a string of Alternative radio hit singles. Opener Fuel is known for hit songs “Shimmer,” “Hemorrhage (In My Hands)” and “Bad Day.”

4th of July Celebration
July 4, 6 p.m.
Washington Park, 1230 Elm St.
washingtonpark.org/events/4th-of-july-celebration-26/

Enjoy live music, a fantastic firework show, and tons of red, white, and blue fun! Find kids activities and games throughout the park, with food from local vendors. The fireworks show will take place after sunset.

Independence Day Rooftop Party
July 4, 8 p.m.
Rhinegeist Brewery 1910 Elm St.

Gather with friends, grab a drink, enjoy great food and take in ALL of the fireworks displays from rooftop overlooking the city. 21 and over.

Red, White, and BOOM
July 4, 8 p.m.
Riverbend Music Center 6295 Kellogg Ave
www.cincinnatisymphony.org/tickets-and-events/buy-tickets/pops/2526-pops-season/red-white--boom/

The Cincinnati Pops’ annual July 4 celebration continues with a star-spangled evening honoring our nation’s rich musical heritage and the service of veterans and active-duty military. Under the baton of John Morris Russell, The Pops welcome powerhouse Broadway star Mandy Gonzalez, acclaimed for her roles in “Hamilton,” “In the Heights” and “Wicked,” alongside a special appearance by members of the United States Army.

– Hannah Peri

Bursting with Pride

June in Cincinnati isn’t just about the shift into sticky summer heat or the mid-season grind at Great American Ball Park—it’s the month our streets transform into a massive, unapologetic tapestry of love, history, and queer joy.

From the vibrant energy of Over-the-Rhine to the deep-rooted activism of Northside, the Tristate comes alive with a packed calendar of community celebrations.

Cincinnati Pride Parade and Festival
Saturday, June 27
11 a.m. – The parade starts at Seventh and Plum streets
12 – 8 p.m. – Festival at Sawyer Point and Yeatman’s Cove

For more info, click here.

Whether you’re looking to support local queer-owned businesses or secure your spot along the route for the parade, there’s space for everyone to show up exactly as they are.

The pinnacle of the month is the parade and festival this Saturday, anchoring a weekend of community-focused events.

The Cincinnati Pride Parade is a high-energy procession that steps off downtown at Seventh and Plum streets. Marchers make their way down Vine Street, passing a packed Fountain Square before heading through the DORA district at The Banks and moving toward the river. The parade pours directly into Sawyer Point Park and Yeatman’s Cove for the Festival.. This massive, free, family-friendly riverfront festival features live music, show-stopping drag performances, local food trucks, and dedicated community spaces, drawing more than 280,000 attendees each year.

The fun continues after hours, as Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati become the nightlife hub, from 8 p.m. to midnight. The Center Bar, located right in the heart of the casino floor, takes center stage with live music, themed cocktails, and a high-energy atmosphere designed to keep the celebration alive, as DJ Boywife and DJ Ruze face off in a DJ duel!

The party continues on Sunday, June 28, with the Afterglo Drag Brunch at Contemporary Arts Center, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Guests will enjoy an unforgettable drag variety show featuring regional performers, including Penny Tration, Molly Mormen, Bella D Roxx, and the singular, Nala Jone. While you feast your eyes on the show, your palette will be satisfied by an incredible selection of brunch favorites from our buffet and mimosas and other from the bar. All-inclusive tickets are $55.

The fun wraps up at the Pride Tea Dance in the Music Hall Ballroom from 4 to 8 p.m. This massive celebration spanning the historic ballroom, with six featured guest DJs and pop-up performers. A Pride weekend institution.

Take Your Pick

Quick Trip Details for Cincy Parents:

• Where: McGlasson Farms (Hebron, KY – a quick drive from Cincinnati)

• Cost: Great prices – We paid about $14 for 2 pounds of fresh berries!

• Pro-Mom Tips: It gets hot in the June sun, so go early! If you have a baby who isn’t a fan of the grass, definitely bring your baby carrier. Don’t forget hats, sunscreen and water bottles! 

• If blueberries aren’t your speed, they will soon have U-pick blackberries and peaches!

It's that time of year again: BLUEBERRY SEASON. 

If you happen to have a toddler, you know what a hot commodity blueberries can be. Nothing can break a cranky toddler out of a post-nap funk quite like a handful of sweet, delicious blueberries. And nothing gets them into that long luxurious nap like a morning of blueberry-picking in the June sun. 

To that end, I present to you McGlasson Farms. My friend, Rebecca, and I packed up our kiddos and made the trek to Hebron, Kentucky for a little Family Friday Adventure. We visited McGlasson last year and couldn’t get those amazing fresh-picked fruits out of our minds so we knew we needed to go back. 

Upon arrival, we were given buckets and directions to the lines of blueberries bushes. Rosie and Maeve were our official bucket-carriers and hustled us along excitedly. The girls fell on the little bushes like locusts, picking handfuls and moving quickly from one plant to the next. We had to remind them a few times to only pluck the bluest berries (Maeve wanted to collect the “rainbow” ones.) 

Rebecca and I helped, but the girls were honestly very focused on their little collections, often holding them up and proudly showing how many they had. Baby Isla was much more interested in grabbing handfuls of berries to eat, and little Ruby mostly stayed strapped to me in the carrier as the alternative was sitting in the grass (her nemesis.)

The heat eventually caught up to us and the girls were ready to head home. We each paid for our buckets of berries (Two Pounds for $14!) And we snacked on a few before driving home. 

My girls were fast asleep before we hit the highway.

 – Shae Huth