The weekend is finally here…has anyone else had a long week of counting the days until the weekend?!?! Or is it just me? My family is loving this weather we’ve been having, and we’re looking forward to getting outside and having some fun this weekend. And there is a HUGE list of happenings around town to choose from! Let us help you plan your weekend fun with our Weekend Post below, and also be sure to visit our Halloween Happenings Post for all things Halloween.
Family Friendly Things to Do in Cincinnati & NKY ::
Friday ::
SCPA in the Park ~ Pack a picnic lunch and head to Washington Park on Fridays from Noon until 1pm to enjoy music & 
performances by students from SCPA in Over the Rhine.
Meet the Boxtrolls on Friday from 3-5pm in front of the Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern on Deerfield Blvd. in Mason!
Saturday ::
Playhouse in the Park presents: Roses & Thorns (A Tale of Beauty & The Beast) Saturday, September 27, 2:30 p.m. Kenton County Public Library http://www.kentonlibrary.org/events Covington Branch – 502 Scott St., Covington, KY 40111 FREE! Based on the 18th century version of the story – long before Disney – this retelling embraces slapstick comedy to show how true beauty if more than skin deep. No registration required. Q&A with actors, for children, will follow! Play is family friendly but recommended for children ages 7 and up. No tickets necessary – registration is not required. For questions, please contact Children’s Librarian Krista King-Oaks at (859) 962-4060 x.4256
Lebanon’s Country Applefest September 27, 2014 FREE Admission Downtown Lebanon, Ohio Old-fashioned apple pies, strudel, caramel apples in the town with the best apple farmers! Clowns, musicians, food, Johnny Appleseed! Very family friendly! http://www.countryapplefest.com/
Wimington Oktoberfest Sept. 27, 2014 from Noon-11 p.m. Knights of Columbus Council 3369 St. Columbkille Catholic Church, 73 N. Mulberry, Wilmington, OH 45177 Admission is free and open to the public. There is a fee for food, beverages and children’s games Wilmington Oktoberfest is a family/community celebration that blends a time-honored German festival with the vitality and charm of small-town America. There is plenty of activities for the entire family from children’s games and inflatables to games of chance and bands. Proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity, Energize Clinton County and the Clinton County Youth Council. For more Oktoberfest events in our region read this post on FFC.
Taste of the Levee ~ Visit Newport on the Levee on Saturday from 12-7pm and try all kinds of food from the Levee’s many restaurants (each item $3 or less). There will also be music, entertainment, beer and more! Visit the Newport on the Levee Website for all the details.
Family Festival at the Contemporary Arts Center: Robot Party! On Saturday from 1-4pm. Join your friends at the UnMuseum for lots of robot fun…you can practice your robot dance moves or even create your own robot out of recycled materials. Visit the Robot Party FB page for more details.
It’s a String Thing! September 27, 2014 (10am & 11:30am) Linton Music’s Peanut Butter & Jam Sessions www.lintonmusic.org Heritage Presbyterian Church in Mason 6546 S. Mason-Montgomery Road, Mason, OH 45040 $5 for an individual ticket or $15 for a book of 4 tickets; Children under 2 are free! The wonderful sounds of the violin, viola and cello will “string you along” as you listen, dance, and sing to the music of the string family! Come hear why Mozart and Beethoven loved this family of instruments. During PB&J performances, children are invited to sit on the floor, close to the performers, allowing them to be “part of the action.” An educational coordinator hosts each 40-minute concert, leading dances, beat patterns, songs, and question & answer sessions to guide and enhance the experience for children and their families. At the end of the concert, we invite you to meet the performers and get an up-close introduction to their instruments.
St. John Cemetery Tour September 27, 9-11am Kenton Library kentonlibrary.org St. John Cemetery FREE – Join us for a biographical tour of this historic cemetery. Be prepared to walk on slightly inclined paths!
Sunday ::
Art Off Pike Sunday, September 28 11am-5pm Art Off Pike artoffpike.org 7th Street in Covington between Washington and Madison Free The 10th Annual Art Off Pike will feature work from more than 50 talented artists, performances presented by Artswave and sponsored by the Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trusts, and an Upcycled Jean-jacket Fashion Show and Auction. Debuting at Art Off Pike are the signs created by CoSign. The family-friendly event is free and open to the public.
Performances include:
11-12:00 – Why Shakespeare?
12-12:45 – Bi-Okoto African Roots-Global Dance and Rhythms performance
1:00-1:45 – Bach and Boombox (Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra)
2:30-3:00 – Elementz Dance performance by Studio Kre8v
11 – 4:00* – Forealism Tribe will be perform throughout the event (in the crowd)
Where the Wild Things Play ~ Sundays from 1-3pm head to Washington Park for kid-friendly fun! This week’s theme is “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”. Get all the details at the Washington Park website.
Great Ohio River Swim September 28, 2014, 8:00 am Brewster Rhoads http://www.ohioriverpaddlefest.org/great-ohio-river-swim/ Cincinnati’s Serpentine Wall $37 for adults 20 and older, $27 for youth 19 and younger The 7th Annual Great Ohio River Swim is the largest cross river swim along the 981 miles of the Ohio. It is a 900 yard round trip swim from the Serpentine Wall to the KY shoreline and back. The Ohio will be closed to barges and power boats during the Swim. Proceeds will benefit Green Umbrella, the region’s sustainability alliance.
Sensory Sunday: Stories, Songs and Fun for you and your Little One September 28, 2014 | 2-3pm Shalom Family www.myshalomfamily.org Gymboree, 6209 Snider Road, Mason, OH 45040 Free with RSVP These private interactive play groups take place on the second and fourth Sundays of each month, featuring the popular Miss Meliss, who keeps babies and their parents engaged and entertained with her unique brand of fun. Play dates are open to families in the Jewish community with children two years and younger in which at least one parent is Jewish. The programs are free and always include a snack. Plus, two families will each win a $50 Target Gift Card at every event! Dates and times are subject to change, please check myshalomfamily.org for updates and to RSVP. Sensory Sunday is a program of Shalom Family, an initiative of The Mayerson Foundation.
All Weekend Long ::
The Old West Festival ~ Saturdays & Sundays, September 6 to October 12, 2014 ~ 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Rain or shine. Howdy partners! Head out to The Old West Festival for a gun-slinging, sasparilla drinkin’ good time with the whole family! The Old West Festival is located at 1449 Greenbush Cobb Rd between Mt. Orab and Williamsburg, Ohio just off St. Rt. 32. Cost is $12 general admission; $6 for children ages 6 to 12; and children under 5 are free. Parking is FREE. Please visit www.oldwestfestival.com or call 1-866-WEST-FES (1-866-937-8337)
The Starlite Drive In Theater is playing the newly released “Boxtrolls” along with “When the Game Stands Tall”. A night at the drive-in is so much fun! Read more about our visit in this post.
3rd Annual CliftonFest Friday, September 26, 2014 to Sunday, September 28, 2014 CliftonFest http://on.fb.me/19QUcB5 Ludlow Avenue Free and open to the public Mark your calendars for an activity-filled weekend in Clifton. The 3rd annual CliftonFest returns to Ludlow Avenue September 26-28 with some exciting new additions for 2014, including 33 Art Carpet artists and more than 35 artists’ booths with original artwork for sale. Friday through Sunday spectators can enjoy performances on three stages, artists’ creation of pastel Art Carpets along Ludlow Avenue sidewalks, family fun at Diggs Plaza, Open Biergarten, Yoga on Clifton Plaza, 5K Run around Clifton and Pet Parade. Admission: Free and open to the public. For more information, call (513) 751-4783 or visit http://on.fb.me/19QUcB5.
Log House Country Store Saturday 9/27, 10-5 and Sunday 9/28, 12-5 Anderson Twp. Historical Society Miller-Leuser Log House, 6550 Clough Pike, Cincinnati Free admission. Wander the grounds of a 200 year old log house while enjoying musical entertainment and old-time charm. Items for sale include delicious food, a small farmer’s market, bakery, games, stitchery and craft items and a barn full of flea market finds.
Bonnybrook Farms’ Fall Farm Days Sat. & Sun. Sept. 20 – Oct. 26 2014 Bonnybrook Farms www.BonnybrookFarms.com 3779 State Route 132, Clarksville, OH 45113 No Admission, $ for individual activites Fun on the Farm’ activities include a family friendly Adventure Wagon Ride, “Pick your Own” Pumpkin Patch; Clodhopper Golf; Crazed Corn Maze; Pony Rides; Giant Slingshots; Orienteering; Horse Shoe Hill with 80’ Underground Slide; Farm Yard Play Area; Birthday Parties; Farm Animals to Pet and Brush and Fish to Feed. Guess the Weight of the Gianormous Pumpkin and The Great Pumpkin Hunt. Pumpkin Chunkin’ on Halloween weekend. Made from scratch Farm Kitchen Cafe.
Great Outdoor Weekend ~ Sept 27 & 28 there will be over 100 FREE outdoor events & activities all over the Greater Cincinnati area! Visit the Great Outdoor Weekend website or the Family Friendly Cincinnati post about the Great Outdoor Weekend for all the details!
The Ohio Renaissance Festival: Come Lords and Ladies, pirates and tavern wenches, to one of the most amazing events around! August 30th – October 19th, 2014 • Saturdays, Sundays, & Labor Day Monday • 10:30am – 6:00pm www.renfestival.com Food, fun, jousting, music, entertainers, shopping….What’s not to love?
World War I Dawn Patrol Rendezvous September 27-28, 2014 | 9 am-5 pm National Museum of the U.S. Air Force http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/wwi.asp National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, 1100 Spaatz St., Dayton, OH Free Commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I as one of the nation’s premiere historical aviation events brings the excitement of early air power to Ohio. The WWI Dawn Patrol Rendezvous features aircraft fly-bys, radio-controlled models, era automobiles, period re-enactors, educational programs and more.
Bonnybrook Farms’ Lantern Light Nights Fri. & Sat. Sept. 26 – Oct. 25, 2014 7:30pm-10:30pm Bonnybrook Farms www.BonnybrookFarms.com 3779 State Route 132, Clarksville, OH 45113 No Admission, $ for individual activites Take a wagon ride along the old stone roads of this historic farm, back to a time when only lanterns lit the way. Tune your eyes and ears and you may catch a glimpse of travelers past! Soldiers, town folk, spies and politicians portrayed by professional theater actors commemorate the 150 year anniversary of the Civil War in Ohio. The Lantern Light Wagon Ride is a family friendly, history-based ghost tour. Bring a flashlight to find your way through the shadowy rows of the CrAzEd C0Rn MAzE, but beware of what you might see….or what might see you….along the way.
Historic Dinsmore Homestead Harvest Festival Saturday & Sunday, September 27-28, 2014 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. Dinsmore Homestead www.dinsmorefarm.org 5656 Burlington Pike, Burlington, Kentucky 41005 Admission is $4.00 for seniors & Dinsmore members, $6.00 for adults, and free for children under 5. Join us for a weekend of heritage crafts and arts! We offer tours, live music, food, attic sale, pony rides, games, scarecrow making (bring old clothes), pumpkin painting, and much more!
Directions: Take I-75/71 to Exit 181 (Florence-Burlington exit) and follow Route 18 (Burlington Pike) west to Burlington. Keep going on Route 18 for another 6 ½ miles and the Dinsmore will be on the right. For further information, please call 859-586-6117
BB Riverboats offers many family friendly cruises and summer is a perfect time to take a cruise on the Ohio! On Fridays there are Pirate cruises and on Sundays they have Ice Cream Socials. There are also Super Hero Cruises, Princess Cruises, Sightseeing Tours and MORE! Visit BB Riverboats for all of the details and to purchase your tickets: www.bbriverboats.com
MidPoint Music Festival September 25-27, 2014 MidPoint Music Festival www.mpmf.com 14 stages in Downtown and Over-the-Rhine $0-$79 More than 150 artists will be showcased at the 13th annual MidPoint Music Festival. There are 14 stages in a very walkable area of Downtown and Over-the-Rhine. Six of those stages are all-ages. Perfect for teens who want to see a lot of concerts in a weekend. Plus, parents with tickets for the main stage at Washington Park can bring their children 10 and under for free. The MidPoint Midway stage at 12th Street is completely free all three days.
Civil War Living History September 26-28 Kenton Library www.kentonlibrary.org William E. Durr Library FREE Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Observe the sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry as they recreate an infantry company of the Civil War. Activities will include camp life, company drill, firing demonstrations, cooking and interaction with the public. Register to camp overnight the evening of the 27th with the troops and enjoy a pig roast dinner! Additional crafts and activities provided during the day on the 27th.
“Going Gold” for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month 9/22/2014 – 9/28/2014, during salon’s hours of operation Junior Cuts https://www.facebook.com/events/283536458513623/ 885 Old State Route 28, Milford, OH 45150 None; cost of salon appointment September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The color is gold. So, to honor children and families fighting childhood cancers, Junior Cuts salon will “go gold” 9/22 to 9/28 sharing informative and inspirational stories, hosting PJ Days (9/25 and 9/27) with discounted haircuts and double donations, and donating 10% of salon proceeds and 100% of in-store donations to Cincinnati Children’s Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute. Visit the salon this week and help us support this very important cause.
Farmers Markets: Warm weather means that it is Farmers Market Season! Find a market near you, or try a new one in a different neighborhood, either way you are sure to find fresh produce and other delicious and healthy things to feed your family. Here’s our line up of some of the great Farmers Markets in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati
Yarn Bomb the Covington Library September 1-October 12 Kenton Library www.kentonlibrary.org Covington Library FREE Help us yarn bomb the Covington branch in celebration for the one year anniversary of the renovation. Everyone is welcome!
Krohn Conservatory Fall Show “Ancient Gardeners: Indigenous Earthworks” September 6-October 26 Krohn Conservatory www.cincinnatiparks.com/krohn Krohn Conservatory $4 Adults • $2 Children (5-12 ) • FREE 4 and under The Krohn Fall Show, Ancient Gardeners: Indigenous Earthworks will provide an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful fall flowers, and to learn about the amazing ancient gardeners and their incredible indigenous earthworks! Plus special events scheduled through out run of show.
Banned Book Week September 21-27, 2014 Kenton Library www.kentonlibrary.org Covington Library FREE The library challenges you to read as many banned books as you can this week. Enter our drawing for gift cards to local Covington businesses. This event is for EVERYONE!
Jack-O-Lantern Junction September 27 through November 2 at. EnterTRAINment Junction www.entertrainmentjunction.com 7379 Squire Ct., West Chester, OH 45069 Starts at $9.95 Halloween celebration in a kid-friendly, themed environment; Main Street Halloween decorations; walk-through trick-or-treat maze with non-scare ghosts, skeletons, cobwebs and multiple treat stations; area’s only indoor Pumpkin Patch (where kids get a free mini-pumpkin); Halloween crafts and more!
Looking for somewhere to take the family for Brunch this weekend? Check out our post about all the best places to grab brunch in Cincinnati & NKY: http://bit.ly/1lgwq2F
The post Family Friendly Things to Do in Cincinnati & NKY {September 26-28} appeared first on Family Friendly Cincinnati.