CINCINNATI — BLINK 2022 kicked off Thursday with a parade through downtown Cincinnati that included a surprise finale.
The parade featured everything from dancers and marching bands to local libraries.
"We're all about celebrating who people are and where they come from," said Marie Krulewitch-Brown, parade organizer and founder of Ish. "We have a parade of the nations, we have a ton of regional pride, we have people who are creatively representing their neighborhoods, we have people who are representing the universe and space and nature."
Following a three-year hiatus, BLINK organizers wanted to come back bigger and better than ever.
"The last couple years have been really difficult," Krulewitch-Brown said. "People are really hungry for an opportunity to come together to see our city lit up."
WATCH THE FULL BLINK PARADE HERE:
One parade goer, Chad James, came to the festival kickoff with no expectations.
"I haven't looked up anything, I just want to be totally surprised by the experience and I can't wait to see all the lights," he said.
There was a surprise in the parade for even those who have been keeping up with the latest information on BLINK: a finale.
"We need a big bang moment. We need a Super Bowl halftime show meets show choir competition set all within five to 10 minutes," Krulewitch-Brown said.
BLINK continues 7-11 p.m. every night through Sunday.
More on BLINK
BLINK 2022: Where to park during the four-day festival
Road closures, major events and everything you need to know for BLINK
Cincinnati BLINK map: Where to find art, installations, murals
