Top 10 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend: June 16-18

Luann Gibbs, Cincinnati Enquirer
·6 min read
Cincinnati Juneteenth hosts its 36th annual festival this weekend at Eden Park. The Cincinnati Juneteenth Parade takes place on Monday in the West End.
Cincinnati Juneteenth hosts its 36th annual festival this weekend at Eden Park. The Cincinnati Juneteenth Parade takes place on Monday in the West End.
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1. Juneteenth Festival and Parade

Now in its 36th year, Cincinnati's Juneteenth Festival features entertainment on two stages, shopping, art, food, health screenings, historical reenactors, a chess tournament, supervised children's play area and more. Saturday's includes a live musical tribute to Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner. Sunday's highlight is a Father's Day concert with 10 acts, including Neva Ford Nation, Heavenly Doves and Charles Fold Singers. On Monday, head to the city's West End neighborhood for the Juneteenth Parade.

Details: Festival: noon-9 p.m. Saturday, 2-6 p.m. Sunday, Eden Park, 950 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Parade 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday. Free. juneteenthcincinnati.org; thecojp.com.

Schutzenfest is America's oldest German festival. It takes place June 16-18 at Kolping Center.
Schutzenfest is America's oldest German festival. It takes place June 16-18 at Kolping Center.

2. Schutzenfest

Dating back to medieval times, Schutzenfest celebrates a marksman who saved a child from an eagle attack. The festival was brought to Cincinnati in 1866 by German immigrants, and each year marksmen compete for the title of "Schutzenkonig." Highlights include a 1K Bier Dash Fun Run, a stein holding competition, authentic German entertainment, food and three exclusive German draft beers, a family zone with inflatables, games, balloon artists and kids’ activities, and of course, the marksman shooting competition,

Details: 6 p.m.-midnight Friday, 3-11 p.m. Saturday, 1-9 p.m. Sunday, Kolping Society of Cincinnati, 10235 Mill Road, Springfield Township. $5, free ages 15-under. schuetzenfestcincy.com.

3. International Craft Beer Festival

Jungle Jim's International Market's beer department is one of the top beer retailers in the country, and this festival is a way for you to sample craft beers from around the world – more than 400 in all. Your ticket includes a 6-ounce commemorative tasting glass, a tasting guide, samples of your choice and live music. Eastgate bus tickets to the Fairfield store include transportation and early entry.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Jungle Jim’s International Market, Oscar Station, 8871 N. Gilmore Road, Fairfield. $55-$70. junglejims.com.

If you have ancestors from Brittany, Cornwall, Ireland, Manx, Scotland or Wales, or if you just enjoy a fun day out, you can celebrate Celtic heritage Saturday at Celtic Fest Ohio.
If you have ancestors from Brittany, Cornwall, Ireland, Manx, Scotland or Wales, or if you just enjoy a fun day out, you can celebrate Celtic heritage Saturday at Celtic Fest Ohio.

4. Celtic Fest Ohio

Celebrate Celtic heritage with live music, food and drinks, games, whiskey tasting, shopping, visits from Miller Border Collies, a reenactment camp portraying the 42nd Royal Highlanders, music workshops and Shamrock Shenanigans, a game of challenges using your resourcefulness and wit.

Details: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, Renaissance Park, 10542 E. Ohio 73, Harveysburg. $15, free ages 12-under. celticfestohio.com.

The Cincy on Tap Beer Festival takes place Saturday at Great American Ball Park.
The Cincy on Tap Beer Festival takes place Saturday at Great American Ball Park.

5. Cincy on Tap Beer Festival

This beer festival inside Great American Ball Park features more than 60 breweries, 150 beers and access throughout the stadium. Admission includes beer samples and a ticket to the Reds vs. Atlanta Braves baseball game on June 25. Food is sold separately.

Details: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Great American Ball Park, 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown. $90 VIP, $70 early admission, $55 general admission. cincyontap.com.

To honor a decade of service, Rhinegeist Brewery will host a Now and Ten anniversary party on Saturday, June 17, at 1910 Elm Street in Over-the-Rhine.
To honor a decade of service, Rhinegeist Brewery will host a Now and Ten anniversary party on Saturday, June 17, at 1910 Elm Street in Over-the-Rhine.

6. Now and Ten: Rhinegeist Brewery 10th Anniversary Party

Ten years ago this month, Rhinegeist Brewery opened the doors to its 25,000-square-foot taproom. In celebration of its 10th anniversary, the "Ghost of the Rhine" is throwing a party – and everyone's invited. Take a trip down memory lane with an interactive, year-by-year brewery timeline, activations based on its most popular brands, check out the rare and specialty beer bar, and get a look at the limited-edition steins created by Rookwood Pottery.

Details: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, Rhinegeist, 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free admission. rhinegeist.com.

Tequila Fest takes place Saturday evening at Fountain Square.
Tequila Fest takes place Saturday evening at Fountain Square.

7. Tequila Fest

Tequila Fest showcases more than 50 different tequilas for you to sample. Admission includes 12 sampling tickets of top-shelf tequila, food from Mazunte, a souvenir flask, a margarita competition and live entertainment from The Cliftones and Cloud9 Vibes. All sampling takes place from 5-9 p.m.; entertainment continues until 11 p.m.

Details: 4-11 p.m. Saturday, Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. $125 VIP, $65 general. tequilafestcincinnati.com.

The Tusculum Street Fest features lots of kid-friendly activities, including free face painting.
The Tusculum Street Fest features lots of kid-friendly activities, including free face painting.

8. Tusculum Street Fest

Enjoy live music, local vendors, food and drinks, including craft beer, seltzer and wine at this family-friendly festival benefiting neighborhood beautification projects and RiverView East Academy. There are plenty of kids' activities, free face painting, a kids' fun run at Streetside Brewery (4003 Eastern Ave.), games and more.

Details: 3-10 p.m. Saturday, Eastern Avenue between Tennyson Court and Carrel Street, Columbia Tusculum. Free admission. tusculumstreetfest.org.

"The Boat Trip: Etchings by Charles Francois Daubigny" opens this weekend at the Taft Museum of Art. Pictured: The Cabin Boy Fishing, (1861) from the Collection of the Estate of Sallie Robinson Wadsworth.
"The Boat Trip: Etchings by Charles Francois Daubigny" opens this weekend at the Taft Museum of Art. Pictured: The Cabin Boy Fishing, (1861) from the Collection of the Estate of Sallie Robinson Wadsworth.

9. The Boat Trip: Etchings by Charles Francois Daubigny

In 1857, French landscape painter Charles Francois Daubigny purchased a 27-foot ferryboat and converted it into a floating studio. The artist's sense of humor and endearing relationship with his 12-year-old son and "cabin boy" Charlot, shine in this special exhibition of etchings documenting the pair's journey on the river Seine north of Paris. Runs June 17-Sept. 10.

Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Taft Museum of Art, Pike St., Downtown. $12, $10 seniors, free ages 18-under. Free Sundays. Museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Taftmuseum.org.

Melvin Grier spent over 30 years documenting news events and the people of Cincinnati while working as a photographer at The Cincinnati Post. His new exhibition It Was Always About the Work, opens Friday at the Weston Art Gallery. Pictured: One By One.
Melvin Grier spent over 30 years documenting news events and the people of Cincinnati while working as a photographer at The Cincinnati Post. His new exhibition It Was Always About the Work, opens Friday at the Weston Art Gallery. Pictured: One By One.

10. Art exhibit openings

Three new summer exhibitions open this weekend at the Weston Art Gallery (inside the Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., Downtown) and the gallery is hosting a free artists' reception from 6-8 p.m. Friday. All three exhibits run June 16-Aug. 20. cincinnatiarts.org.

  • Melvin Grier: It Was Always About the Work: This photographer spent 30 years honing his skills at the Cincinnati Post, documenting news events and the people of Cincinnati. This survey of his work features the people and places throughout his long and accomplished career.

  • Mychaelyn Michalec: Not to Stifle, but to Clarify: In her new series of textile works, this artist addresses themes of gendered labor, feminism, sexuality and art history.

  • Anissa Lewis: Open Lots (We All Rise): This photographer revisited her childhood neighborhood to reconcile her memories with the present-day neighborhood's changing social fabric, identity and architecture. Through her lens, she reveals its decline and transformation through abandoned homes and empty lots resulting from social, economic and racial disparities.

Amusement rides are a highlight of county fairs.
Amusement rides are a highlight of county fairs.

Honorable mention: County fair openings

  • Dearborn County Fair: This family-friendly fair showcases traditional 4-H competitions as well as a petting zoo, square dance, pedal tractor pull, carnival rides on the midway and more.

    • Details: 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday (June 19-23), Lawrenceburg Fairgrounds, 351 E. Eads Parkway. Free admission, $25 wristband for daily unlimited rides. dearborncountyfair.com.

  • Pendleton County Fair: This family-friendly fair features livestock and pet shows, contests, tractor pulls, a demolition derby, games like rabbit poop bingo, and carnival rides.

    • Details: 4 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. Saturday (June 19-24), Pendleton County Fairgrounds, 68 Fairgrounds Road, Falmouth. $10 Monday-Thursday, $15 Friday-Saturday, $50 week-long pass. pcyouthfair.com.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Top 10 things to do in Cincy this weekend: June 16-18