Cincinnati Summer Festivals
Italianfest - June 13-16
Held in Festival Park Newport along Riverboat Row, Italianfest brings authentic Italian food and live Italian music to the city. Enjoy fireworks on opening night. Activites will include cooking contests, games and rides for the kids.
Goettafest - June 14-16
MainStrasse Village in Covington again brings the German immigrants' favorite, Goetta, to pizza, chili, burgers, and more. Everyone will enjoy the children's activities, arts and crafts, music and entertainment.
Paddlefest - June 20-22.jpg)
As the paddling capital of the United States, the Ohio River Paddlefest is the largest canoe / kayak paddling event in the Midwest. Coney Island is going to be abuzz with activity. The weekend begins on Thursday with the Kids Outdoor Expo. They have set up four villages to expand kid's knowledge...Let's Explore, Let's Go Green, Let's Splash, and Let's Move. Friday's activities feature the Ohio River Music and Outdoor Festival in the picnic grove. There will be music from 5 bands, cardboard boat races, a kayak fishing contest, Dragonfest and more. Saturday is the big day for boaters; the 8.2 mile float trip, 11 mile canoe and kayak races and 5 mile SUP race all take place. It all leads to the Gold Star Chili Finish Line Festival at Yeatman's Cove.
Pedalfest - June 22
Planned to coincide with Paddlefest, bike riders can choose two different opportunities. One group will ride the Trail from Yeatman's Cove to Coney Island and paddle back to Yeatman's Cove. Other riders will go from Yeatman's Cove to Lunken Airport Playfield and then on to Armleder Park and back in time for the Gold Star Chili finish line. Everyone can look forward to hearing the Hickory Robot Bluegrass Band.
Panegyri Greek Festival - June 28-30
The Holy Trinity - St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church brings us the 39th annual festival. Fill up on their incredible foods...saganaki, moussaka,, tiropites and baklava. Immerse yourself in Greek culture, music and dance, shop for jewelry, leather goods, linens, art, and more. There are also rides and games for the kids. Free parking and shuttle from St. Xavier High School.
Anderson Township Parks Concerts - Thursdays
Once again the Parks are sponsoring weekly concerts at 7 pm in Beech Acres Amphitheater. Be sure to bring your blankets and chairs to enjoy being surrounded by friends and neighbors. Concessions will be available for purchase, or bring your own picnic basket. Children must be 16 or accompanied by an adult. Concerts are all free.
- June 13 - Hickory Robot - bluegrass band
- June 20 - Stagger Lee Band - classic Rock and country music
- June 27 - Robin Lacy and DeZydeco - New Orleans R & B, Creole Funk and Blues
- July 11 - Shoot out the Lights - Rock / Americana
- July 18 - Slim Tempo and the ChangeUps - Classic Rock
Carnegie Center of Columbia Township Summer Camps
The Carnegie Center, located in Columbia Township, is one of the many donated over the years by Andrew Carnegie. It was designed by the renowned architectural firm of Samuel Hannaford. The Beaux Arts building has large, arched windows, 22-foot ceilings, patterned wood floors and is flooded with light. It was a public library until 1959 and is now directed by the Columbia Tusculum Neighborhood Association.
Partly due to a donation from Artsworks, they are bringing many activities and summer camps to the area this summer. There is something for almost any interest. Consider summer chess, salsa, island, or hip hop dancing, Hindu arts and movement, or Nigerian Drumming. The Art Academy is teaching classes in Narrative Painting, Comic Drawing, and Figure drawing. Next year the Playhouse in the Park will also be bringing two of their Off the Hill productions (January 19 and May 18th)
To find out more about the activities that will set the building to humming this year, see their website.

Urbanspoon released its list of top restaurants in Cincinnati. The crowdsourcing restaurant review site regularly produces a list of 200 nationally popular restaurants. Included this year are Terry's Turf Club, Nada, Adriatico's Pizza, A.Tavola, Bakersfield, Senate, and Taste of Belgium.