The status of many big annual events around the Tri-State remains uncertain due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but at least two late-winter events have pivoted to keep their celebrations going.
Check the status of those two events, along with a few others, below:
Bockfest: March 5-7. Virtual. Bockfest was the last major community celebration to be held in Cincinnati before coronavirus restrictions were put in place last year. Organizers said that this year's Bockfest will be mostly virtual with swag bags that include an official t-shirt, pint glass and a six-pack of select Bock beers. For those who feel comfortable enough to go out, organizers also partnered with a few local bars that also will offer select Bock beer specials. www.bockfest.com.
Cincinnati International Wine Festival: Virtual event in March and in-person Oct. 1-2 at Duke Energy Convention Center. The Cincinnati International Wine Festival organizers are covering all of their bases by holding both a virtual event in March and then an in-person tasting in October. The festival typically takes place the first or second weekend in March at the Duke Energy Convention Center. Organizers are pushing that in-person event to October and tiding wine lovers over with a virtual at-home tasting package in the spring. winefestival.com
Cavalcade of Customs Car Show: March 12-14. Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown. No longer listed as the KOI Cavalcade of Customs on its website, the O'Reilly Cavalcade is scheduled to take place inside the Duke Energy Convention Center this March, two months later than usual. autorama.com
Cincinnati St. Patrick’s Parade: Saturday, March 13. Due to the ongoing state restrictions in the battle of COVID-19, organizers canceled the annual Cincinnati St. Patrick’s Parade this year. Organizers stated that while the decision was difficult to make for the second year in a row, they appreciate and respect the times everyone is living in.
Findlay Market Opening Day Parade: Postponed indefinitely. The Reds Opening Day Parade has been postponed indefinitely for 2021, the Findlay Market Association announced in December. Organizers said the parade will be back on when the Reds can accommodate 45,000 fans at Great American Ball Park for the start of the 2021 season.
The Flying Pig Marathon Weekend: Traditionally the first weekend in May. After conferring with health officials, marathon organizers decided to delay the event until October, much like the group did last year. This year's Flying Pig half and full marathon, along with the Queen Bee Half Marathon will take place Oct. 29-31. flyingpigmarathon.com
Taste of Cincinnati: Memorial Day Weekend. Status unknown. There has been no word whether Taste of Cincinnati will return to in-person this year or remain a virtual event, as it was last year. www.tasteofcincinnati.com
Bunbury Music Festival: Typically held in June each year, organizers announced in January that the music festival would be postponed for a second year in a row.
Cincinnati Music Festival: July 22-24. Paul Brown Stadium. Status unknown. Officials with the Cincinnati Music Festival announced last year's festival would be postponed for a year last May. The hope is that the festival returns this year with the same lineup that includes headline act Janet Jackson. Organizers have yet to announce a final decision on whether this year's concert will take place. www.cincymusicfestival.com
