CINCINNATI – Transport yourself to a galaxy far, far away, raise a toast as Mainstrasse Oktoberfest celebrates its 40th and take part in one of the region's oldest fairs this weekend.
Ohio Renaissance Festival
I hope the organizers of the Ohio Renaissance Festival don't go medieval on me for forgetting to mention the festival's opening weekend last week. And don't worry, you still have plenty of time to enjoy dozens of shows on 14 stages, 150 vendors, food and drink, games of skills and human-powered rides at the festival, which continues through Oct. 28. This weekend's theme is "Time Travelers Weekend." Visitors are welcome to come dressed as their favorite character inspired by a movie, TV series, comic book, sci-fi or fantasy work. The Pandora Society is sponsoring costume contests for adults and children all weekend long.
10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Ohio Renaissance Festival, 10542 E. State Route 73, Waynesville, OH. $23 for adults ages 13 and over; $9.50 children 5-12; $21 seniors 65 and older; $21 military, police, fire and EMS; $60 adult season pass. www.renfestival.com
Harvest Home Fair
Who is ready for "The Biggest Little Fair in Ohio?" The 159th annual Harvest Home Fair kicks off at 6 p.m. Thursday with its annual parade and continues through the weekend with live entertainment, food, amusement rides, 4-H animal and horticulture exhibits. This year's fair theme celebrates Cheviot's bicentennial. Admission to the fair is free on Thursday.
6-11 p.m. Thursday; 5-11 p.m. Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday; noon-9:30 p.m. Sunday. Harvest Home Fair, 3961 North Bend Road, Cheviot. $5 admission 13-years-old and older; children 12 and under free. www.harvesthomefair.com
Red Bull Soapbox Race
For those with a need for speed, the Red Bull Soapbox Race is definitely worth checking out. Teams of racers will compete for glory as they navigate the hills of Eden Park in soapbox cars. This will be the third time since 2008 that Red Bull has coordinated a race in Cincinnati. The best part is the race is free to watch.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Eden Park, 950 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Free. soapboxrace.redbull.com
17th Annual Art in the Park
Browse the works of local artists and makers while listening to live music, watching belly dance performances, letting your children get creative and enjoying food and drink from local restaurants. And take it all in with a spectacular view of the Ohio River at Bellevue Beach Park.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Bellevue Beach Park, Bellevue. Free. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Dragon Boat Festival
Cheer on teams of 18 people as they race for glory during the 2018 Kentucky Dragon Boat Festival in Campbell County, Kentucky. Dragon Boat Racing has its roots in ancient China, with teams and competitions currently found in more than 57 countries around the world. Saturday's event is sponsored by Paddling for Cancer Awareness (p4ca) and presented by The Kentucky Thorough-Breasts, Kentucky’s first breast cancer survivor Dragon Boat Racing team and the Saddle & Paddle Team. The event is free to watch. Vendors will be selling food and non-alcoholic beverages during the races.
8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. A.J. Jolly Park, 1495 Race Track Road, Alexandria, Ky. p4ca.org
Old West Festival
Howdy, partner. The Old West Fest begins this weekend in Williamsburg, Ohio. This year's celebration of all things Western will include music, food, live reenactments of scenes from John Wayne movies and a living replica of an Old West town. The Old West Festival will continue each weekend through Oct. 14.
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Old West Festival, 1449 Greenbush Cobb Road, Williamsburg. $12.99 adults 13 and up; $9.99 children 3-12. www.oldwestfestival.com
Mainstrasse Village Oktoberfest
Hoist a stein and help Mainstrasse Village Oktoberfest celebrate its 40th anniversary. The three-day event will feature live entertainment, German food and beer, rides, clock tower tours and a showcase of local businesses.
5-11 p.m. Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Mainstrasse Village, Main and West Sixth streets, Covington. www.mainstrasse.org
Listermann Brewing 10th Anniversary Party
While we're on the topic of anniversaries, Listermann Brewing Co. will celebrate a decade of making craft beer in Evanston this weekend. Listermann was one of the first in a wave of new local craft breweries when it opened in June 2008. The weekend celebration will include live entertainment, guest beers on tap and ends with family festivities on Sunday. Saturday and Sunday are free to attend. Friday evening's kick-off event is ticketed. VIP tickets for the evening are $79.99 and regular admission is $59.99.
6:30-10:30 p.m. Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Listermann Brewing Co., 1621 Dana Ave., Evanston. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Art & Wine Festival 2018
Escape to the countryside this weekend during Vinoklet Winery & Restaurant's 2018 Art & Wine Festival in Colerain Township. The festival will feature free live music, along with the chance to purchase wine samplings, dinner and food vendor at the vineyard. Parking at the vineyard is free.
7-11 p.m. Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday; noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Vinoklet Winery & Restaurant, 11069 Colerain Ave., Colerain Township. www.vinokletwines.com
Star Wars: A New Hope
The Force will definitely be with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra this weekend. Conductor John Morris Russell will lead the orchestra as they perform John Williams' unforgettable score as the 1977 cultural phenomena "Star Wars: A New Hope" is projected onto a big screen. The concert will last approximately two-and-a-half hours and promises to transport guests to a galaxy far, far away.
7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Cincinnati Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. $25-$105. cincinnatisymphony.org
Rhythm on the River
Find your flow during Rhythm on the River this Friday and Saturday. The annual party will feature R&B and other performances by groups such as Natural Progression and Jaminoke. There will also be food, drinks and family fun during each day of the festival.
5-11 p.m. Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday. Rhythm on the River, Riverboat Row, Newport. rnbcincy.com
D.L. Hughley at Liberty Funny Bone
Comedian D.L Hughley will deliver sharp social commentary guaranteed to make you laugh. Hughley will perform four shows this weekend at the Liberty Town Center Funny Bone. Hughley has appeared on "Def Comedy Jam," BET's "Comic View" and in the television series "The Hughleys."
7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Friday; 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday. Liberty Funny Bone, 7518 Bale St. Space A-120, Liberty Township. 21 and older. $35-$70. http://liberty.funnybone.com
NKY Music Festival
Take a break from Mainstrasse Oktoberfest on Saturday and enjoy a full day of free, live music at the Devou Park Bandshell. The first band will take the stage at approximately 11:45 a.m. There will be brats, hamburgers and drinks for sale for $1 as well.
11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Saturday. Devou Park Bandshell, 1700 Montague Road, Covington. Free. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Cincinnati Jazz and Barbecue Festival
Relax to the smooth tunes played by Nasty Nati Brass Band, Triage featuring Eugene Goss and Jazz Renaissance in Madisonville this Saturday. The annual festival, which has moved to Bramble Park this year, will also feature food from Ron D’s BBQ, Sweets & Meats BBQ, Depot Barbecue and Pit to Plate. Bad Tom Smith Brewing will supply the craft beer.
4-9 p.m. Saturday. Bramble Park, 6300 Bramble Ave., Madisonville. Free. www.mcurc.org
