1. Pride Celebrations
June is Pride Month, and there are two local events this week where you can be absolutely fabulous. The first is a newcomer: Hamilton Ohio Pride hosts its first in-person pride event on Saturday. The march starts at 11 a.m. from Rotary Park (208 S. High St.) and winds to Marcum Park (116 Dayton St.), where you'll find a festival with vendors, food trucks, live music and DJ, and games and activities for the kids. At 6 p.m. there will be a free concert at RiversEdge Amphitheatre featuring drag performances, Dakota Green and headliners The Skivvies. The march and festival are all-ages, but the concert is ages 18 and older. hamiltonohiopride.com.
On Sunday head to Mainstrasse Village for a socially distanced NKY Pride, with vendors, performers, family-friendly activities and food and drink options. It runs from noon-5 p.m. nkypridecenter.org.
More:Pride Month events in Greater Cincinnati ?️?
2. Tractor and Machinery Show
See antique tractors, stationary engines, garden tractors, machinery displays and more this weekend at the Pendleton County Fairgrounds, (320 Falmouth Road, Falmouth) when the Licking Valley Antique Machinery Association hosts its annual show. It's a "trophy-free" environment with no entrance fees, and you don't have to be a member to participate. If you have an antique tractor, engine, car or truck, bring it along and show it off. The more the merrier!
You don't want to miss one of the highlights of the weekend: a tractor parade through Falmouth, which starts at noon Saturday. You'll also enjoy tractor games, an old-time tug pull, a craft fair, flea market and a silent auction. The show is free to attend and parking is free, too. The show runs from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, rain or shine.
More:The ultimate Kentucky summer bucket list ☀️?
More:The ultimate Ohio summer bucket list ☀️❤️
3. Cincinnati Fringe Festival
When the pandemic shut down everything, the Know Theatre quickly pivoted to a mostly-digital season, and that tradition has carried over to this year's Fringe Festival, where you'll be able to catch 10 of its primary lineup shows as true livestreamed performances, giving viewers the opportunity to experience the energy of live performances – presented in real time, not pre-recorded – from wherever in the world you happen to be.
It's not all digital, however. You can also experience live art, music, dance and theatre in-person on two outdoor stages throughout the 14-day festival. Outdoor and on-demand ticketed performances run from 6-10 p.m. weekdays and 2-10 p.m. at weekends, with additional programming and nightly afterparties happening outside those timeframes. The outdoor stages are located on Jackson Street near the theater (1120 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine). Cincy Fringe Festival opens Friday and runs through June 19 (no performances on Mondays). All-access passes are $275, with tickets to single performances at $11. cincyfringe.com.
4. Summerfair
One of the nation's oldest continuing art fairs, Summerfair has consistently been identified as one of the 200 best art shows in the United States. Featuring over 300 juried exhibitors – only top quality artists and craftspeople are accepted to exhibit – you'll find original art in 2D and 3D mixed media, ceramics, drawing and printmaking, fiber and leather, glass, jewelry, painting, photography, sculpture and metal, and woodworking.
In addition to art, there's also music, entertainment and food vendors at this three-day event, which runs from noon-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at Coney Island (6201 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township). Admission is $10. summerfair.org.
5. Step Afrika! presents Stono
This world premiere highlights the spirit of resistance and activism as part of American history that has often been overlooked: The largest insurrection of enslaved Africans in North America. It happened in 1739 in South Carolina on the banks of the Stono River, and this powerful, pulsing piece from Step Afrika! integrates songs, dance and humor to tell the story.
The 30-minute performance of "Stono" is available for streaming via Cincinnati Arts Association from Saturday June 5 through June 18. Also, at 7:30 p.m. June 8, CAA will host C. Brian Williams, the founder and artistic director of Step Afrika!, along with a variety of local artists, in a live discussion via Zoom on the effects of racism on artists of color and the arts community as a whole. The virtual events may be purchased separately for $6, or in combination for $10. cincinnatiarts.org.
Honorable mention: American Idiot: The Reunion
For one night only, the original cast of The Carnegie's production of "American Idiot" reunites to perform this fun and popular musical based on Green Day's Grammy Award-winning multi-platinum album of the same name. The show follows three disaffected young men living in suburbia, who have dreams of a different life in the city. There's a happy hour mix and mingle with the cast at 7 p.m. Saturday at The Carnegie (1028 Scott Blvd., Covington) followed by the show. Proceeds benefit local performers and crew affected by the pandemic. $15. 859-957-1940; thecarnegie.com.
Honorable mention: Historic shoe exhibit
If you haven't yet had a chance to see the exquisite collection of kicks on display at Taft Museum of Art (316 Pike St., Downtown), this weekend is your last chance. "Walk This Way: The Stuart Weitzman Collection of Historic Shoes" features more than 100 striking pairs of shoes spanning nearly 200 years and multiple countries. Catch it from noon-4 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Book your timed entry reservations at taftmuseum.org.
Honorable mention: Outdoor shopping
There are three distinct outdoor shopping events happening on Sunday with something for every taste.
The largest of the three is Tri-State Antiques Market (Lawrenceburg Fairgrounds, 351 E. Eads Parkway, Lawrenceburg), spread out over 5 acres with over 200 vendors selling antique, vintage and retro merchandise from a variety of time periods. It's open 7 a.m.-3 p.m. (early birds can enter at 6 p.m.). Admission is $4. lawrenceburgantiqueshow.com.
Flea in the Fort happens from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Tower Park (900 Fort Thomas Ave.) in Fort Thomas. You'll find local artisans, crafters, vendors and food trucks at this market. ftthomas.org.
Looking for quality art? Art on Vine boasts up to 80 local artists showcasing and selling fine art and handmade goods on Fountain Square (520 Vine St., Downtown) from noon-6 p.m. artonvinecincy.com.
Coney Island's opening was delayed by a water main break, but the park and pool are finally open for the season on
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