A Mom’s Guide to July Family Fun in Cincinnati & NKY {2017}

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Party on the Purple

Wednesdays June 28 – August 30
Purple People Bridge
Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati; Third Street, Newport, Newport, KY 41071
5-10pm
FREE

Weekly party on bridge with live bands, food from local food trucks, and drinks to raise money for bridge maintenance.

Jolly Thursdays 

Thursdays through July 27
A.J. Jolly Park
1565 Race Track Road, Alexandria, KY 41011
10 am
FREE

Fun activities for kids! The Campbell County Public Library partnered with the Campbell County Parks & Recreations Department and the Campbell County Cooperative Extension to bring fun educational programming to the southern part of the county.

Paradise on the Point 

June 30 – July 1
Sawyer Point
Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Friday: 4 pm & Saturday: 11 am
FREE

The 2-day event, a celebration of Cincinnati’s blossoming music and beer industries, will feature live music from local and national acts as well as a variety of local craft beers. For those with little ones, fear not! This event is kid-friendly, with fun activities for all ages.

Great Parks of Hamilton County 

July 1 & August 1
ANY Great Park of Hamilton County
FREE Park Entry

As a special thank you for their continued support of Great Parks, the public can enjoy free entry into any Great Park on the first day of June, July and August without the need for a Motor Vehicle Permit.

Monkey See, Monkey Do 

July 1
Warsaw Federal Incline Theater
801 Matson Place, Cincinnati, OH 45204
1:00pm
$6

Max and Vinnie are expert zookeepers, but keeping rascally monkeys from getting into trouble is easier said than done.


The Lego Batman Movie at Memorial Hall

July 2
Memorial Hall in OTR
1225 Elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
11am & 1pm
$6

The summer movies offered at Memorial Hall offer families with that welcome (air conditioned) break that provides a perfect addition to a day of fun in the sun downtown in OTR. Outside food and drinks are permitted!


Chuck Wagon Dinner Rides 

Saturdays July 1 – September 16
Bonnybrook Farms
3779 Ohio 132, Clarksville, OH 45113
5-9 pm
$40, $28 ages 5-12, FREE ages 4 and under; Reservations required

Food and fun at historic 370-acre working farm. Activities, dinner, wagon ride to old chuck wagon at Todd Fork Creek for dessert and s’mores.

Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat 

June 2 – July 9
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati
4015 Red Bank Road
Cincinnati, OH 45227
Friday: 10am & 7pm; Saturday: 12pm-5pm; Sunday: 2pm-5pm
$20

This summertime adventure features silliness for all ages when everyone’s favorite cat comes to mischievous life in this theatrical adaptation of the Dr. Seuss classic. From the moment his tall, red-and-white-striped hat appears around the door, Sally and her brother know that The Cat in the Hat is the funniest, most mischievous cat that they have ever met. With the trickiest of tricks and the craziest of ideas, he is certainly loads of fun. He turns a rainy afternoon into an amazing adventure… but what will mum find when she gets home…?


 

Larosa’s Balloon Glow

July 3
Coney Island
6201 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45228
7-11pm
Regular park admission applies

There’s nothing else like it in the Cincinnati area! Along with music, entertainment and rides, we add a few special attractions to make LaRosa’s Balloon Glow a memorable night for all ages. The evening sky will illuminate when hot air balloons of every color “glow” for all to see. The grand finale for the event is a spectacular Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks display over the banks of Lake Como. This is an event you do not want to miss.


Northside Rock ‘n’ Roll Carnival 

July 3 & 4
Hoffner Park
Blue Rock and Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45223
FREE

Music, beer, and family fun.

Fort Thomas 150 Birthday Celebration 

July 3-8
Tower Park
950 S. Fort Thomas Avenue, Fort Thomas, KY 41075
Various times
FREE

Multiple events all week long. See website for details.

Wednesdays on the Green 

July 5, 12, 19 & 26
Clifton Cultural Arts Center
3711 Clifton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45220
7pm
FREE

Join us for the opening concert of this year’s Wednesdays on the Green – free evening concerts every Wednesday at 7pm. We’ve lined up musical performances from May 31 – August 9, and we can’t wait for a summer filled with music, dancing, hands-on art making for kids, picnics, summer treats and shared memories. Kick back in the grass, enjoy the show and meet some new friends on the beautiful lawn at CCAC.

Pirates of the Ohio Cruise 

Fridays July 7 – August 18
BB Riverboats
101 Riverboat Row, Newport, KY 41071
3-4:30pm; July 14: 12-1:30pm; Boarding occurs ½ hour before departure.
$23, $19 children; Reservations required; Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Ahoy Mateys! Board the Captain’s boat for an afternoon cruise full of fun and games for the entire family. The kids will pick up their free pirate hat and eye patch before boarding this popular cruise on the Ohio River. Get your pirate tattoo or participate in one of our pirate games to see if anyone will have to “Walk the Plank”. See if you can use your treasure map to collect your bounty before the cruise pulls back into dock. Ever wonder why BB Riverboats flies the “Jolly Roger”? Listen to the Captain’s commentary as you cruise by all of the sights!

Taco Festival 

July 8
Yeatman’s Cove
805 Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202
4-10pm
$12 general / $85 VIP

$2 tacos, Lucha Libre Wrestling, Chihuahua beauty pageant, hot chili pepper eating contest, live music, kids zone and more.

Kentucky Symphony Orchestra: Let Freedom Sing 

July 8
Devou Park
1344 Audubon Road, Covington, KY 41011
7:30 pm
FREE, $5 suggested donation

Join us under the stars again this summer as the KSO presents another spectacular series of free, family-friendly performances in the beautiful, natural setting of Devou Park Bandshell. The series, sponsored again by Toyota, has become a family tradition for thousands of Greater Cincinnatians from both sides of the river. Come on down, bring a picnic basket, sit back and make some memories that will last a lifetime.

Civil War Weekend 

July 8 & 9
Heritage Village Museum
11450 Lebanon Road, Cincinnati, OH 45241
Saturday: 10am–5pm, Sunday: 10am–3pm
$10, $6 ages 5-11, FREE ages 4 and under

Civil War Weekend at Heritage Village Museum brings re-enactor soldiers, citizens, and cavalry to the Village. Each year’s event includes a daily battle. Cavalry, artillery, infantry, and civilians from both sides of the conflict will be on hand to tell the story. Meet Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis, see living history scenarios in our 19th-century buildings, and participate in hands-on activities.

MiniMakers at Duke Energy Children’s Museum 

July 8 & 15
Cincinnati Museum Center
1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45231
2:30 pm
$8 member child, $10 non-member child; Museum admission is not included in the workshop fee; Register online or call (513) 287-7001

miniMAKERS programs are a chance to do new, fun and creative things when you visit the Duke Energy Children’s Museum! These interactive family workshops are designed for 5-10 year olds and provide an enriching experience for the whole family. This month, learn simple techniques on a loom you can use at home and weave your own wonderful work of art.


Beauty and the Beast Movie at Memorial Hall

July 9
Memorial Hall in OTR
1225 Elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
11am & 1pm
$6

The summer movies offered at Memorial Hall offer families with that welcome (air conditioned) break that provides a perfect addition to a day of fun in the sun downtown in OTR. Outside food and drinks are permitted! There will be a meet and great with costumed characters at this one!


Second Sunday on Main 

July 9
Cincinnati’s Main Street
14th and Main Streets, Cincinnati, OH 45202
12-5pm
FREE

Street fair on Main featuring craft and food vendors, entertainment, demonstrations and more.

Cincinnati Landmark Productions presents Beauty and The Beast 

July 9
Washington Park
1230 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
7-9pm
FREE

Arts programming for whole family. Drinks available for purchase through Washington Park concessions.

Pop Up Play: Youngster Yoga 

July 11 – August 1
Washington Park
1230 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
11am-2pm
FREE; No registration required

Bring your mini-yogis to the park for a FREE kid’s yoga class with The Yoga Bar! Meet us on the grassy knoll outside the kid’s play park on sunny days, and under The Deck tent on rainy days! Bring your own mat, or use one of the ones we provide every week. Mats are first come, first serve.

Wump Mucket Puppets 

July 12
Loveland Branch Library
649 Loveland-Madeira Road, Loveland, OH 45140
2pm
FREE

30-minute show features cast of hand-crafted puppet stars performing Bee Happy.

Madcap Puppets: Monkey See, Monkey Do 

July 13
Boone Woods Park
Veterans Way and KY 18, Burlington, KY 41005
7-8pm
FREE

Help Max and Vinnie keep rascally monkeys from getting into trouble. In case of rain, show held at Main Library. Call Parks Hotline at 334-2283 for weather updates.

Shakespeare in the Park: The Merry Wives of Windsor 

July 14
Seasongood Pavilion
950 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202
7-9pm
FREE

How do you con a conman? You beat him at his own game, of course! That’s the lesson learned by Shakespeare’s legendary comedic cad, Sir John Falstaff, as he tries to remedy his financial woes by chasing two happily married women–using the same scam at the same time. But it’s not long before these witty wives sniff out his scheme, turning the tables on their would-be wooer and illustrating emphatically that “wives may be merry and yet honest too.”

Bacon, Bourbon and Brew Festival 

July 14-16
Festival Park Newport
Riverboat Row, Newport, KY 41071
Friday: 5-11pm; Saturday: 12-11pm; Sunday: 12-9pm
FREE admission

Features bacon and other pork products, Kentucky bourbon and beers from local breweries. Live music, games and activities.

Breyerfest 2017 

July 14-16
Kentucky Horse Park
4089 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511
9 am
Single day tickets start at $15; FREE for children 6 and under

Now in its 28th year and host to more than 10,000 guests annually, BreyerFest is the place to have fun with horses and model horses! Whether you have horse experience or not, BreyerFest has plenty of activities for you to enjoy. New to horses and the model horse hobby? BreyerFest is a great way to learn more about them from experts in both the real horse world and the model horse world! So, join us at BreyerFest for a family vacation that you will never forget!

The City Flea 

July 15
Washington Park
1230 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
10am-4pm
FREE admission

The City Flea is Cincinnati’s original curated, urban flea market that takes place once a month at Washington Park and various other locations throughout the year. Since its conception in 2011 The Flea has seen dozens of vendors grow from hobby to full time business and it is with much pride that we consider ourselves not only a monthly market, but a small business incubator, community organization, and city advocate. The Flea is a place to keep your dollars local, support small business and experience YOUR city in a unique and engaging way. Our vendors range from vintage dealers to artisan pizza makers to plant studios. We have something for everyone.

Castle Days 

July 15
Loveland Castle
12025 Shore Road, Loveland, OH 45140
11am-5pm
$8 per person, FREE kids 5 and under

Join the Knights of the Golden Trail for a fun-filled day. Take a jaunt through the beautiful castle gardens, visit the marketplace full of handmade crafts, or sit for a spell and watch comedy acts, Music & historic reenactments. There’s something for everyone! It’s sure to be another wonderful Saturday outing for you and your family!

Bastille Day Celebration! 

July 15
Downtown Montgomery
Between Remington and Cooper Roads, Montgomery, OH 45242
12-11 pm
FREE

French-American celebration. Food, entertainment, games, stilt walkers, pony rides, face painting, putt-putt, walking tours.


Toy Story Movie at Memorial Hall

July 16
Memorial Hall in OTR
1225 Elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
11am & 1pm
$6

The summer movies offered at Memorial Hall offer families with that welcome (air conditioned) break that provides a perfect addition to a day of fun in the sun downtown in OTR. Outside food and drinks are permitted!


3rd Sunday Funday: Chill Out Funday 

July 16
Taft Museum of Art
316 Pike Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
1-4pm
FREE; No reservations required

Spend this Funday relaxing with art! Tour the museum to find peaceful landscapes, complete some art puzzles at the Art Cart, and make a craft to take home. Learn how reptiles and amphibians manage their temperature during a presentation by Cool Critters at 2 p.m. Chill out even more with yoga in the garden from 3-4 p.m.

Sun-Day Sunday Sundae 

July 16
Cincinnati Observatory
3489 Observatory Place, Cincinnati, OH 45208
1-4pm
FREE admission thanks to the Duke Energy Foundation; No reservations needed

The Sun is the star attraction and you can learn all about our nearest stellar neighbor. Sun-day Sunday Sundae includes short talks about the Sun, tours of our historic buildings, and safe viewing of sunspots and solar flares from our 1845 telescope (weather permitting).
As a special treat we will also have free sundaes for those in attendance.

Pets In Need Ice Cream Social 

July 16
Pets in Need of Greater Cincinnati
520 Wyoming Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45215
12-3pm
FREE

Games, face painting, food, ice cream and special visits from Lockland Fire Department fire truck and SPCA Cincinnati. Well-behaved pets welcome.

Cincinnati Circus Co. Magic and Juggling Show 

July 19
Beech Acres Park
6910 Salem Road, Cincinnati, OH 45230
10-11am
FREE

Bring seating

Magician Presto Paul 

July 21
Boone County Main Library
1786 Burlington Pike, Burlington, KY 41005
6:30-7:30pm
FREE

Optical illusions, crazy machines, wacky experiments and more.

Family Festival: CAC Circus 

July 22
Contemporary Arts Center
44 E. 6th Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
12-3pm
FREE

Step right up for a sensational circus filled with fun for the whole family! The CAC will be transforming the UnMuseum with circus inspired art making, performers and activities. Try out your tightrope walking skills on the “high wire,” create a trapeze mobile, paint with balloons and decorate a ringmaster’s top hat. Don’t leave without visiting the face painting station and snacking on some fluffy cotton candy.

Wump Mucket Puppets 

July 22
Clifton Branch Library
3400 Brookline Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45220
11am
FREE

30-minute show features cast of hand-crafted puppet stars performing Bee Happy.

Sensory Friendly Movie: Lego Batman 

July 22
Newport Branch of Campbell County Public Library
901 E. Sixth Street, Newport, KY 41071
6-8pm
FREE

Sensory friendly films offer accepting and understanding environment for individuals with autism or other special needs and their families to enjoy movie.


The Incredibles Movie at Memorial Hall

July 23
Memorial Hall in OTR
1225 Elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
11am & 1pm
$6

The summer movies offered at Memorial Hall offer families with that welcome (air conditioned) break that provides a perfect addition to a day of fun in the sun downtown in OTR. Outside food and drinks are permitted!


Kidz Bop

July 28
PNC Pavilion at Riverbend
6295 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45230
7pm
$45, $25; Registration required

Today’s hits sung by kids for kids.

Oakley After Hours 

July 28
Oakley Square
Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45209
6-10pm
FREE

Music, entertainment and various games and samples from sponsors.

Greater Anderson Days 

July 28-30
Beech Acres Park
6910 Salem Road, Cincinnati, OH 45230
Friday & Saturday: 5-11pm & Sunday: 5-10pm
FREE

Features live music, games, rides, delicious food, Anderson’s Got Talent competition, and fireworks display by Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks (Sunday at 9:45 p.m.).

Family Nature Day 

July 29
Boone Woods Park
Veterans Way and KY 18, Burlington, KY 41005
11am-2pm
FREE

Hands-on activities for all ages with over 20 participating organizations.

O.F.F. Market 

July 29
Oakley Square
2890 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45209
10am-4pm
FREE admission

The Oakley Fancy Flea Market is Oakley’s neighborhood monthly marketplace and the stomping ground to specialty food and beverage vendors, independent small businesses, artists, and farmers from across the region.

Saturnday 

July 29 & August 5
Cincinnati Observatory Center
3489 Observatory Place, Cincinnati, OH 45208
9-11pm
$10, $5 children

Viewing of Saturn through telescopes (weather permitting), running talks, and tours of buildings. If clear, see moon, Mars, and Jupiter too.


SING Movie at Memorial Hall

July 30
Memorial Hall in OTR
1225 Elm Street Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
11am & 1pm
$6

The summer movies offered at Memorial Hall offer families with that welcome (air conditioned) break that provides a perfect addition to a day of fun in the sun downtown in OTR. Outside food and drinks are permitted!


Star Wars And The Power of Costume

Through October 1
Cincinnati Museum Center
1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45203
Mondays-Saturdays: 10am-5pm; Sundays: 11am-6pm
$24 Adult, $17 Member Adult, $21 Senior (60 and over), $16 Child (3-12), $12 Member Child

Iconic costumes from “a galaxy far, far away” are presented in the Smithsonian traveling exhibition.

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Lisa Springer
I am a native Cincinnatian, born and raised on the West Side and currently settled across the river in Northern Kentucky. I’m a former Highlander, Bearcat, Falcon, and Fulbright Scholar. My greatest challenge hitherto is the one I love the most: being a Mom to an energetic eight-year-old boy. When not working full-time at one of the city’s great hospitals, I’m trying to fit in all there is to do in this wonderful city – and there is certainly A LOT to do! As one who loves to read, I am an advocate for the public library and go multiple times a week. You can often find me at Music Hall enjoying the ballet, opera, and orchestra. I am an introvert, a bit of a foodie, an NPR listener, a pessimist who likes to think she’s a realist, a middle child, an ex-wife and amicable co-parent, a fiancée, and much, much more. I feel lucky to have grown up in Cincinnati and to be raising my own child in this wonderful city.

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