BLINK takes over the streets of downtown Cincinnati, Over-the-Rhine and Covington this week.
The four-day, free event will showcase more than 100 art installations spanning more than 30 city blocks. The event will also feature a parade, live music, food and more.
Here's a breakdown of everything you need to know about Blink 2022:
Opening night parade
This year's theme for the BLINK parade is "Together: a constellation of shared cultures and unique identities; we illuminate joy through creative expression."
Watch the full parade below:
The art installations
BLINK incorporates multiple different types of art, including projection installations, murals, light sculptures and performances, lighting effects and more.
This year's event features 101 installations between OTR, downtown Cincinnati and Covington. The artists for the various displays come from all over the world, while others are Cincinnati residents and locals. Check out the full list of artists here.
There will be a drone show over the Ohio River that will take place twice each night. The show is scheduled for 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Thursday and 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. for Friday through Sunday.
View a full map detailing all of the art installations here:
Blink 2022 Map by WCPO 9 News on Scribd
Asianati Night Market
Running all four nights, Court Street will offer an Asianati Night Market this year. Food stalls begin at 6 p.m., but the market itself will run from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The market will include various things, including lit lanterns, Asian-inspired art installations, family-friendly glow in the dark activities and more.
Live music locations
BLINK will offer live music at various locations over its four days. There are multiple local and regional bands playing, and 13 of those bands have performed in WCPO's Lounge Acts.
Here are where the eight live music stages are located:
- Near Dunlap Street in northern OTR
- Washington Park in OTR
- Near the corner of 13th and Main streets in OTR
- Court Street in downtown Cincinnati
- Eighth Street in downtown Cincinnati near Garfield Place
- Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati
- Freedom Way at the Banks
- Near Fourth Street and Scott Boulevard in Covington
Parking
While BLINK encourages attendees to use public transportation to navigate the festival, there are multiple areas in both Cincinnati and Covington where you will be able to park. Click here for a rundown of the best parking options during BLINK.
Cincinnati Road Closures
No vehicle traffic from Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 9 a.m. until Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 5 a.m.:
- Court Street between Race and Walnut streets
- Vine Street between Ninth Street and Central Parkway
- Eighth Street westbound between Vine and Elm streets
- Jackson Street between Central Parkway and 12th Street
- Stark Street between Branch and Dunlap streets
- Eton Alley between Elm and Race streets
- Freedom Way between Rosa Parks Street and Marian Spencer Way
- Marian Spencer Way between Theodore M Berry Way and Second Street (there will be garage access maintained from Second Street)
Closes at Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 9 a.m. for parade stage construction:
- Elm Street between Fifth and Sixth streets
Closes at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13 for parade staging area:
- Sentinel Street between Fifth Street and Eggleston Avenue
- New Street between Broadway and Culvert Street
- Seventh Street between Broadway and Culvert Street
- Reedy Street between Broadway and Eggleston Avenue
- Culvert Street between Fifth and Reedy streets
Closes at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13 for parade route and will reopen at approximately 11 p.m.
- Fifth Street between Central Avenue and Pike Street
- Broadway between Fourth and Sixth streets
- Sycamore Street between Sixth and Fourth streets (garage access maintained from Sixth Street)
- Main Street between Fourth and Sixth streets
- Walnut Street between Sixth and Fourth streets (garage access maintained from Sixth Street)
- Vine Street between Fourth and Sixth streets (hotel access maintained on Fourth Street)
- Race Street between Sixth and Fourth streets (garage access maintained on Fourth Street)
- Elm Street between Fourth and Sixth streets
Closing nightly to private vehicle traffic from 6:30 p.m. until approximately 11 p.m. on Oct. 14, 15 and 16:
- Dunlap Street between McMicken and Findlay streets
- Elm Street between 12th and McMicken streets
- Race Street between 12th and McMicken streets
- Findlay Street between Central Parkway and Vine Street
- Elder Street between Central Parkway and Vine Street
- Green Street between Vine and Logan streets
- Pleasant Street between Liberty and 14th streets
- Wade Street between Central Parkway and Elm Street
- Odeon Street between Central Parkway and Elm Street
- 15th Street between Walnut Street and Central Parkway
- Magnolia Street between Central Parkway and Elm Street
- 14th Street between Central Parkway and Sycamore Street
- 13th Street is restricted between Race and Sycamore streets (garage access maintained)
- 12th Street between Vine and Main streets
- Jackson Street between Central Parkway and 12 Street
- Main Street between Second and Liberty streets
- Walnut Street between Liberty and Second streets
- Vine Street between Sixth Street and Central Parkway
- Eighth Street between Elm and Sycamore streets
- Seventh Street restricted between Race and Sycamore streets (may close depending on traffic volumes)
- Fourth Street restricted between Sycamore and Vine streets (may close depending on traffic volume)
Local residential access will be maintained with the assistance of Cincinnati Police Department officers on site. Additional streets may close as needed for traffic volumes.
Covington Road Closures
Closed 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 11 to 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 17:
- Court Street between Third Street and Fourth Street
- Park Place between Scott and Greenup streets
Closes Thursday, Oct. 13 to Sunday, Oct. 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.:
- Seventh Street Alcove
Closes Thursday, Oct. 13 through Sunday, Oct. 16 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.:
- Roebling Bridge
- W Pike Street between Madison Avenue and Washington Street
- Washington Street between W Pike Street and Sixth Street
- Sixth Street between Madison Avenue to Main
Here is a guide to navigating BLINK in Covington.
