Vote for Your Favorites in Our Annual Reader’s Poll

We want to know who you think is the best in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area. What businesses and services do you feel provide the best-of-the-best?

VOTE NOW!

We have posted the top nominations in each category and opened the voting. Voting is open through August 31.

Winners

We will announce the winners in our November issue. Winners will also appear on our website November 1.

FREE SHOW AND TELL ON THE FARM: ROCK ON IT

This rockin’ program will explore rocks found at the farm through hands-on activities, experiments and crafts. Chrisholm MetroPark Historic Farmstead, 2070 Woodsdale Road, Trenton; 2 - 3 p.m.; 513- 867-5835 or yourmetroparks.net.

FREE SKATE DOWNTOWN

CINCY

Skate the outdoor rink at Sawyer Point every Sunday, weather permitting, for free! Riverfront Outdoor Rink, 925 Riverside Drive, Cincinnati; 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.; skatedowntowncincinnati.com.

WILDFLOWER STROLL (register)

Join naturalist, Noel, for a Sunday stroll to learn what wildflowers are blooming. Cincinnati Nature Center, 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford; 11 a.m.; $11 non-members, included daily admission, $5 members; 513831-1711 or cincynature.org.

Mon 7

FREE BARKS AND BREWS

Furry friends and their owners are welcome to head to the levee for the best doggone summer event for pups. There will be live music, visits from local dog shelters and more. Newport on the Levee, 1 Levee Way, Newport; 6 - 8 p.m.; 859-291-0550 or newportonthelevee.com/barksbrews.

Tue 8

WILD SENSES

Venture to Rowe Woods Visitor Center to discover senses and feed the center’s resident nonvenomous snake. Cincinnati Nature Center, Rowe Woods, 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford; 11 a.m.; included with daily admission, $10 adults, $6 children; free for members; 513-831-1711 or cincynature.org.

Wed 9

FREE METROPARKS ART IN THE PARK

Pop into the park for a special free art project, presented by MidPointe Library. Chrisholm MetroPark, 2070 Woodsdale Road, Trenton; 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.; 513-867-5835 or youretroparks.net.

Thu 10

FREE “FREE DAYS” AT HERITAGE VILLAGE

Discover what life was like in Ohio during the 1800s. Historical interpreters will be doing demonstrations. Heritage Village, 11450 Lebanon Road, Cincinnati; August 10 and 11: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; 513-563-9484 or heritagevillagecincinnati.org/events/ free-days-at-the-village.

FREE GREAT INLAND SEAFOOD FESTIVAL

Get your nets, hooks and forks ready! The menu for this yummy festival includes delicious seafood snacks and meals galore. There will also be live music each night, too. Newport Festival Park, Riverboat Row, Newport; August 10 & 11: 5 - 11 p.m., August 12: 12 - 11 p.m., August 13: 12 - 9 p.m.; thingstodocincinnati.com/greatinland-seafood-festival.

THURSDAY ART PLAY: CAMP OUT!

Create unique nature-inspired artwork. Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E 6th St., Cincinnati; 10:3011:30 a.m.; $5 non-member child, free for members; 513-345-8400 or contemporaryartscenter.org/ experience/calendar/2023/08.

FREE NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

Meet and greet Great Parks Rangers and local first responders at this fun community event. Kids can get an up-close look at emergency vehicles, play games, enjoy music and more! Winton Woods Harbor, 10245 Winton Road, Cincinnati; 5 - 8 p.m.; valid vehicle permit required for park entry; 513931-1849 or greatparks.org.

Fri 11

FREE AMPED UP

Participate in some casual or competitive pickleball, enjoy a free live concert and grab a bite to eat during this fun park program. Featuring tunes by Union Son. Yeatman’s Cove, 705 Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati; 6 - 9 p.m.; cincinnati-oh.gov.

FREE BACK-TO-SCHOOL BASH

Get the whole family ready for the upcoming school year with this celebration featuring activities, crafts, local children’s authors and mascots. Backpacks and books will be given away to children in attendance, while supplies last. At dusk, see the big screen movie DC League of Super-Pets. Clifford George Park, 12089 Mill Road, Cincinnati; 7 p.m.; theartsconnect. us.

Cincinnati Bengals Preseason Home Game

Who Dey! Experience the jungle during a Bengals preseason home game against the Green Bay Packers. Paycor Stadium, 1 Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati; 7 p.m.; see website for ticket pricing details; 513-455-4800 or bengals. com.

FLORENCE Y’ALLS FIREWORKS FRIDAY

(See Fri., August 4)

Sat 12

FREE ARTIFACT, FOSSIL & ROCK IDENTIFICATION SESSION

Bring in artifacts, rocks and fossils to be identified by an ARI team member. The Archaeological Research Institute, 424 Walnut St., Lawrenceburg, In; 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.; 812-290-2966 or exploreARI.org.

Family Fun On The Hill

Family game night. Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, 1763 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton; 7 - 11 p.m.; included with daily admission for non-members, $10 adults, $5 children; free for members and ages 5 and younger; 513-868-8336 or pyramidhill.org.

Free Fun At Ezzard Charles Park

Head to the historic West End for a fun family-friendly concert, games and more. Featuring live music by Soul Criminal. Ezzard Charles Park, 500 Ezzard Charles Drive, Cincinnati; 4 - 7 p.m.; cincinnatioh.gov/cincyparks/visit-a-park/ parks-events-calendar/fun-at-ezzardcharles-park.

Free Northside Summer Sideshow

Celebrate the Northside neighborhood with local live music, food trucks and more. Hoffner Park, 4101 Hamilton Ave., Cincinnati; 611 p.m.; cincinnati-oh.gov.

FREE THE CITY FLEA

A unique outdoor market featuring vendors, food trucks and more. The August 12 flea features the Kids Market. Come support cool kids and their unique wares. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Cincinnati; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; thecityflea.com.

FREE THE O.F.F.

Market

Browse businesses, artisans, brewers, bakers and farmers during this unique outdoor shopping experience. Summit Park, 4335 Glendale Milford Road, Blue Ash; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; shop small and support local businesses; theoffmarket.org.

Sun 13

FREE KIDCHELLA 2023

(See Things to Do opener on page 17)

Free Show And Tell On The Farm

Butterflies abound! Explore the beautiful gardens in search of a unique insect that tastes … with their feet. Participants will take home a butterfly loving plant, too. Chrisholm MetroPark, 2070 Woodsdale Road, Trenton; 2 - 3 p.m.; 513-867-5835 or yourmetroparks.net.

Mon 14

FOWLING KIDS DAY OUT (register)

Kids will have a fun day of learning Fowling, competing to win prizes, making friends and more. Pizza lunch included. August 14 program is for ages 9 - 11; August 15 program is for ages 12 - 14. Fowling Warehouse Cincinnati, 2940 Highland Ave, Suite 230, Cincinnati; 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.; $39; 513-900-0959 or fowlingwarehouse.com/cincinnati/ events/kids-fowling-day-camp.

Tue 15

FLORENCE Y’ALLS $2

TUESDAYS

See a Y’alls game for the lowest price ever - $2! There will also be $2 concession deals on soft drinks, hot dogs, popcorn and soft serve. Thomas More Stadium, 7950 Freedom Way, Florence;

6:32 p.m.; $2 tickets and select concessions; 859-594-4487 or florenceyalls.com.

Wed 16

CREATE & PLAY: MODERN WOMEN

(register)

Ages 2 - 6 can explore the galleries then get creative in the studio by creating a masterpiece to take home. Taft Museum of Art, 316 Pike St., Cincinnati, 10:15 - 11 a.m.; $10 adult, $8 seniors 65+, free for children and adult members; 513-241-0343 or taftmuseum.org.

FREE REC READS

Get little ones excited for art with this 30-minute class in the Rosenthal Education Center. Young artists will hear art-themed stories, sing songs and explore the world around them through sensory activities. Cincinnati

Art Museum, 953 Eden Park, Cincinnati; 11:30 a.m.; 513-7212787 or cincinnatiartmuseum.org.

UNDER THE BOARDWALK: FISH AND TURTLE FEEDING

Come meet the critters that call Powel Crosley Lake home. Cincinnati Nature Center 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford; 3 p.m.; included in daily admission; $10 non-member adults, $6 non-member children, free for members; 513-831-1711 or cincynature.org.

Thu 17

FREE AULT PARK SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL

Families can enjoy a fun and free evening at the park; there will be kids activities from 6 - 8 p.m and local food and drink. Enjoy a rocking concert by Floyd and the Walkmen. Ault Park, 6 - 10 p.m.; proceeds from food and drink benefit Ault Park; aultparkac.com.

THURSDAY ART PLAY: EDIBLE ART

Discover artists who use food as inspiration before creating some tasty, colorful snack art. Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E

6th St., Cincinnati; 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.; $5 non-member child, free for members; 513-345-8400 or contemporaryartscenter.org.

Fri 18

FREE CAM BABY TOURS (register)

Enjoy a 40-minute tour to stimulate babies *Strollers are not permitted on this tour featuring programming to make Baby “Smile at the Art.” Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Cincinnati; 11 a.m., 2 OR 3 p.m.; 513-721-2787 or cincinnatiartmuseum.org.

Portrait Of Aretha

Award-winning vocalist CeCe Teneal celebrates Aretha Franklin. A dinner will be served to make the evening complete! The Grove, 9158 Winton Road, Cincinnati; 6:30 - 10 p.m.; $68 non-members, $61 ArtsConnect Members; theartsconnect.us/408/ Portrait-of-Aretha.

STORYBOOK WEEKEND: PETER PAN

Join Great Parks in Neverland! Children can trade natural items at the trading post, follow a treasure map, play with shadows, hunt with fairies and more; valid vehicle permit required for park entry; Highfield Discovery Garden, 10397 Springfield Pike, Cincinnati; 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; $6 per person; 513-771-8733 or greatparks.org.

Sat 19

Free Augspurger Open House

During this tour from the Friends of Chrisholm, families will learn about the rich history of the Augspurger family. Chrisholm MetroPark Historic Farmstead, 2070 Woodsdale Road, Trenton; 1 - 3 p.m.; 513-867-5835 or yourmetroparks.net.

Free Historic Schoolhouse Open House

Take a step back in time to walk in the footsteps of Ohio’s past. Families can go on a guided open house of Shawnee Lookout’s Historic Schoolhouse. Shawnee Lookout, 2008 Lawrenceburg Road, North Bend; 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.; valid vehicle permit required for park entry; 513-941-0120 or greatparks.org.

Daily Events

History Alive Days

Step back in time to watch history come alive. Heritage Village Museum, 11500 Lebanon Road, Sharonville; 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; selfguided tour: $5 adults, $1 ages 5 - 11, free for ages 4 and younger; guided tours at 10:30 a.m., 12:45 and 3 p.m. $10 adults, $3 ages 5 - 11, free for members and ages 4 and younger; 513-563-9484 or heritagevillagecincinnati.org.

NATURE PLAYSCAPE GNOME HUNT

Embark on some whimsical summer fun while searching for these sneaky little visitors! Cincinnati Nature Center, 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford; 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.; included with daily admission, $10 adults, $6 children; free for members and ages 3 and younger; 513-831-1711 or cincynature.org.

FREE WAYNESVILLE STREET FAIRE

Spend a summer afternoon shopping local vendor booths, listening to music and be sure to grab a yummy snack, too! Waynesville, Main St., Waynesville, Oh; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; 513-855-4315 or waynesvilleshops.com.

Sun 20

FREE SHOW AND TELL ON THE FARM: MACHINES THAT HELP US

What kinds of machines do farmers use? Find out through fun experiments, games and a craft. Chrisholm MetroPark Historic Farmstead, 2070 Woodsdale Road, Trenton; 2 - 3 p.m.; 513867-5835 or yourmetroparks.net.

Tue 22

FLORENCE Y’ALLS $2 TUESDAY

(See Tue., August 15) wed 23

CANDLELIGHT: A TRIBUTE TO TAYLOR SWIFT

Discover the music of Taylor Swift at The Transept under the gentle glow of candlelight. For ages 8 and older; The Transept, 1205 Elm St., Cincinnati; 9:15 p.m.; tickets starting at $30; feverup.com.

(please turn the page)

Thu 24

THURSDAY ART PLAY: ART ON THE GO

Little ones can get moving and investigate how movement can inspire art before creating a motion-inspired masterpiece. Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E 6th St., Cincinnati; 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.; $5 non-member child, free for members; 513-345-8400 or contemporaryartscenter.org/ experience/calendar/2023/08/24/ thursday-art-play-art-on-the-go.

Fri 25

BAT NIGHT (register)

Get to know the mysterious nocturnal flying mammal, bats, a little bit better. Families will meet a live bat up close and personal before heading on a night hike to use high-tech equipment to listen to bats as they search for food. Long Branch Farm & Trails, 6926 Gaynor Road, Goshen; 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.; $15 non-members (includes daily admission), $10 members; 513-831-1711 or cincynature.org.

Growing Snacks

The veggie garden has been growing all summer and there are lots of tasty foods ready to be turned into yummy snacks.

Drop by to prepare a healthy snack at Highfield Discovery Garden. Glenwood Gardens, Highfield Discovery Center, 10397 Springfield Pike, Cincinnati; 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.; $2 per person; 513-771-8733 or greatparks.org.

PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT (register)

Kids can blow off some steam during this high-energy night out! The August PNO theme is “Kids First, Too Carnival”; kids will enjoy gym time, crafts, fun with friends, pizza, dessert and more. Perfect for ages 5 - 12; ages 3 - 4 welcome IF potty trained AND have an older sibling attending PNO. Kids First, Too, 885 State Route 28, Milford; 6 - 9 p.m.; $49 first child + $38 each additional child - discounts available for enrolled participants; 513-831-4333 or kidsfirsttoo.com/ programs/parents-night-out.

Sat 26

1940S DAY

Experience an immersive day rich with 1940s fashion, music, dance lessons, a classic car show and so much more! Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave, Cincinnati 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; programming included with membership or discovery pass admission ($14.50 adults, $13.50 seniors, $10.50 children); 513-2877000 or cincymuseum.org.

FREE FC SOCCER PRE-MATCH IN THE PARK

Enjoy family-friendly activities at the park and grab a bite from local food trucks. Presented by ProLink Staffing. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Cincinnati; 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.; washingtonpark.org/series/ fc-cincinnati-pre-match-at-the-parkpresented-by-prolink-staffing-3.

FREE PLAY MUSIC ON THE PORCH DAY

Head to the Historic Hayner House to hear the Cincinnati Dulcimer Society’s tunes. Heritage Village Museum, 11500 Lebanon Road, Sharonville; 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.; 513-563-9484 or heritagevillagecincinnati.org.

QUEEN CITY BEAUTIFUL DOLL CLUB’S SHOW & SALE

Browse aisles of beautiful dolls available for admiring or purchase! EnterTRAINment Junction, 7379 Squire Court, West Chester Township, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.; $5 adult, free for ages 12 and younger; facebook.com/ groups/809129175842260.

Free Sign Crafting

SATURDAY (register)

Kids can explore the skills needed to become an expert sign-maker while playing with different materials and learning about different elements of sign-making. The August Sign Crafting Saturday is FREE with registration, see website for details. American Sign Museum, 1330 Monmouth Ave., Cincinnati, 1 - 3 p.m.; 513-541-6366 or americansignmuseum.org.

Sun 27

FREE MV FLEA

Tons of fun booths with unique wares. Find something for everyone! Mainstrasse Promenade, W 6th Sy., Covington; 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.; 859669-1425 or creativehousead. com.

FREE RAPTOR INC. OPEN HOUSE

Learn about birds of prey at Raptor Inc.’s open house. Families can get up close, compare wingspans and touch biological artifacts. Donations are accepted, but this event is fun, familyfriendly and free! Raptor Inc., 961 Barg Salt Run Road, Milford; 1 - 4 p.m.; 513-825-3325 or raptorinc. org.

FREE SHOW AND TELL ON THE FARM: ANIMAL OBSTACLE GAMES

Kiddos can test their skills against animals during this fun program. Can they hop as far as a toad? Stand on one leg like a heron? The farm animals will then take to their own obstacle course to show off their skills, too. Chrisholm MetroPark Historic Farmstead, 2070 Woodsdale Road, Trenton; 2 - 3 p.m.; 513867-5835 or yourmetroparks.net.

STORIES FROM OUR HISTORY (register)

Discover the history of the Cincinnati Observatory during this daytime tour. Learn the Observatory’s role in weather forecasting and timekeeping during this behind-the-scenes look into local history. Cincinnati Observatory, 3489 Observatory Place, Cincinnati; 12 - 3 p.m.; $10 adult, $5 children/senior/ veteran, free for Observatory members; 513-321-5186 or cincinnatiobservatory.org.

Tue 29

FLORENCE Y’ALLS $2 TUESDAY (See Tue., August 15)

Thu 31

THURSDAY ART PLAY: PAINTING PARTY!

Pint-sized painters will love creating unique works of art with traditional materials (watercolors) and some silly supplies, too (ever paint with toothpaste ... or chocolate sauce?!).

Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E 6th St., Cincinnati; 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.; $5 non-member child, free for members; 513-345-8400 or contemporaryartscenter.org.