Top 5 things to do this weekend (besides the fireworks and parades)
It's a big holiday weekend and Greater Cincinnati has pulled out all the stops for Independence Day celebrations. Biggies include Red, White and Blue Ash and Taps, Tastes and Tunes, but honestly? There are just too many to choose favorites, so we have created a separate list for all those Fourth of July festivities and fireworks displays. Here are our choices of other noteworthy events this weekend.
1. Made in Cincinnati
It's high summer and hot outside, so why not chill with the cool new exhibit opening Friday at the Cincinnati Museum Center? Made in Cincinnati tells the story of well-known juggernauts like Procter & Gamble and Kroger, as well as the uniquely Cincinnati stories that changed our daily lives in ways we take for granted.
For instance, did you know the country's first weather maps originated in Cincinnati, predicting the weather rather than just reporting on it? What about the Cincinnati-based company that made the first glass oven door, allowing bakers to look inside their ovens without opening the door? You'll learn about these stories and many more in this celebration of the city's entrepreneurial spirit, which showcases products made in Cincinnati, innovations that transformed the market and the people who've helped shape our history.
This interactive exhibit is part of the Cincinnati History Museum's permanent collection. Admission is $16.50, $12.50 seniors and ages 3-12, free members and includes the Cincinnati History Museum, the Museum of Natural History & Science and the Children's Museum. The Cincinnati Museum Center is located at 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate. cincymuseum.org.
2. The Science of Color featuring Prismatica
Blink is still months away, but here's a colorful new installation at Krohn Conservatory to whet your appetite. Prismatica features a collection of large, rotatable prisms, each around 6 feet high and made of panels covered with a dichroic film that reflects the colors of the rainbow. Each prism also contains a projector that gives the installation a new dimension at night. As you wander among and manipulate the prisms, the interplay of light and reflection varies with the viewing angle, transforming the Krohn into a kaleidoscope of color.
The installation opens Saturday and runs through Oct. 16. Hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. Krohn Conservatory is located at 1501 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Tickets are $10, $7 ages 5-17, free ages 4-under. cincinnati-oh-gov.
3. "Hairspray"
Broadway’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy that inspired the blockbuster film and live television event is back on tour. Join 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad in 1960s Baltimore as she sets out to dance her way onto TV’s most popular show. Can a girl with big dreams (and even bigger hair) change the world?
This all-new touring production reunites Broadway’s award-winning creative team to bring "Hairspray" to a new generation of theater audiences. The cast is led by Andrew Levitt aka Nina West (from "RuPaul’s Drag Race") as Edna Turnblad, Niki Metcalf as Tracy Turnblad and Toneisha Harris (from NBC’s "The Voice") as Motormouth Maybelle and features the beloved score of hit songs.
"Hairspray" runs 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and at 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. Ticket prices start at $34. 513-621-2787; cincinnatiarts.org.
4. Ice Cream Run 5K/10K
Here's another fun (and delicious) way to cool off, with the added bonus of giving back to the community. The Ice Cream Run takes place Saturday at Sawyer Point (705 E. Pete Rose Way, Downtown) and is open to ice cream lovers of all ages. The kids 1-mile run is open to ages 3-13 and takes place at 8 a.m., followed by the 5K/10K at 8:45 a.m. and a baby/toddler crawl/walk at 10 a.m. Races include a T-shirt, United Dairy Farmers ice cream and other goodies.
The afterparty includes face painting, line dance lessons, games and more. Proceeds benefit Giving Hope to Kids at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. The 10K costs $45, 5K is $35, the kids run is $20 and the baby race is $5. 859-620-2862; icecreamrun5k.com.
5. Shop Local
Browse local businesses, mobile boutiques, artists, vintage sellers and food trucks from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at the Westside Market, located on the lawn outside Westwood Town Hall (3017 Harrison Ave.) and along Epworth Ave. between Harrison and Montana avenues. This open-air pop-up market also boasts fresh produce, handmade baked goods and even hosts a free fitness class at 10 a.m. westsidemarketcincy.com.
If you love collecting antiques or just browsing items from bygone days, do yourself a favor and head to Tri-State Antique Market. All merchandise at the market is required to be at least 30 years old and out of production, and with more than 200 vendors, you can be guaranteed to find some good, old stuff. The market takes place from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday at the Lawrenceburg Fairgrounds (351 E. Eads Parkway). Admission is $4, and early birds can get in at 6 a.m. at no additional charge. lawrenceburgantiqueshow.com.
You can support local artists and makers from noon-6 p.m. Sunday as Art on Vine takes over Fountain Square (520 Vine St., Downtown). You can also enjoy food and a full bar on the square and watch the Reds play the Braves on the big screen. artonvinecincy.com.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Top 5 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend: July 1-3
