1. Kings Island Opening Day
The area's largest amusement park opens for the season Saturday, and you can be among the first visitors of the year to experience the award-winning Orion – one of only seven giga coasters in the world – as well as the Beast, Banshee, Invertigo and other thrilling coasters and rides.
Families with little ones and those of us wanting a more leisurely, sedate experience will enjoy the Kings Mills Antique Autos, K.I. & Miami Valley Railroad, Snoopy's Junction and Boo Blasters on Boo Hill, a family-themed interactive dark ride.
Daily tickets start at $45, or go after 4 p.m. and pay $29.99. The park is open weekends 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday through the end of May. Daily park operations begin June 1, and Soak City opens for the season on that date as well. Kings Island Amusement Park is located at 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason. visitkingsisland.com.
2. Cincinnati Tattoo Arts Convention
Thinking of getting some new ink? The Duke Energy Convention Center is a sure bet this weekend when the Cincinnati Tattoo Arts Convention hits town with more than 100 tattoo artists and vendors on hand to help you create a wearable masterpiece. Special guests from the "Ink Master" television series include Cee Jay Jones from season 2, Al Fliction from season 1 and Emac from season 13.
Already wearing art legit enough to win a prize? Enter yours in one of the daily contests – awards are given to both the canvas and the artist in a multitude of categories. There's plenty of unique live entertainment too, with daily shows by Magic Brian, Alakazam: The Human Knot and the Captain and Maybelle Sideshow. The show runs 2 p.m. to midnight Friday, 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $40 for a 3-day pass or $20 per day. Kids under age 12 are admitted free. villainarts.com.
3. Burlington Antique Show
Antique lovers flock to this monthly antique show at Boone County Fairgrounds (5819 Idlewild Road, Burlington) because they know it's a great place to uncover some real gems and find some fabulous bargains. With more than 200 dealers – everything from primitives and garden/architectural elements to vintage jewelry and mid-century collectibles – you're sure to find something to tickle your fancy.
The Burlington Antique Show opens 6-8 a.m. Sunday for the early birds, with an entry fee of $6. Regular admission is $4 and runs from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Ages 12-under get in free. burlingtonantiqueshow.com.
4. Craft Shows
The pandemic decimated our robust holiday craft show season in 2020, but as more of us become vaccinated, life as we knew it is slowly starting to resume. Most notably, craft shows are cropping up around town this weekend! Here are two that we are super stoked about: The Sycamore Arts and Crafts Show happens from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday in the Sycamore High School parking lot (7400 Cornell Road, Montgomery). More than 70 artists and crafters will be on hand, as well as live music performances, raffles and concessions. Masks and other COVID-19 measures will be enforced. sbob.org/craftshow.
In Kentucky, the Benton Farm Spring Fling Craft Show runs from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. It's an outdoor show with over 140 crafters and vendors, plus food trucks, live music and more. It's located at Benton Farm Agricultural Learning Center, 11896 Old Lexington Pike, Walton. Admission is $3, free for ages 12-under.
5. The Oscar-Nominated Shorts: Vaxxer Weekend
After being closed for the past year due to the pandemic, the Garfield Theatre has reopened for in-person viewing, and while the shorts will be available to watch virtually through May 23, this is the final weekend to catch the 2021 Oscar-nominated short films inside the theater. Just bring your COVID-19 vaccination card with you, because this weekend's screenings are exclusively for those who are fully vaccinated.
There are three different programs to choose from: Animated, live-action and documentary. Documentaries are shown at 7 p.m. Friday, while the live-action and animation programs run at 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday. Individual programs cost $15 each and same-day combo tickets are $24. You can also choose the virtual option and pay $15 per program or $36 for all three programs. Garfield Theatre is located at 719 Race St., Downtown. 859-957-3456; bit.ly/CWC_OscarShorts2021
Honorable mention: Sweet Symphonic Sounds
There's music in the air this weekend on both sides of the river. At Music Hall (1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine), Ruth Reinhardt leads the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in a colorful season finale, with a program featuring Mendelssohn's Italian. Shows happen at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Sunday. 513-381-3300; cincinnatisymphony.org.
In Kentucky, you can hear the music of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin as the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra performs "A Rat Pack Reboot" at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Newport Car Barn (1102 Brighton St., Newport). Tickets are $35. kyso.org.
Honorable mention: Kids to Parks Day
Great Parks of Hamilton County offers free entry days throughout the year – days when visitors do not need a Great Parks Motor Vehicle Permit – and the next one is coming up on Saturday. Kids to Parks Day helps connect kids to nature, outdoor recreation and stewardship with engaging, fun activities. Families can enjoy trails, lakes and river access, playgrounds, dog parks, golf courses and more. greatparks.org.
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