1. It's Flying Pig Weekend
After a pandemic canceled the in-person race in 2020, the largest party in town returns this weekend and we are pigstatic about it. The three-day festival kicks off at noon Friday with the P&G Health & Fitness Expo, where you can shop for fitness gear, fun race-related merchandise and tchotchkes, pick up loads of free stuff from sponsors and, of course, get your racing packets. It takes place at Duke Energy Convention Center (525 Elm St., Downtown) and continues from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.
More:Since Flying Pig Marathon is on Halloween, we've got ideas for costumes to run in
Then the real fun begins. The Fifty West Mile – part of the TQL Beer Series – steps off at 7 p.m. Friday on West Pete Rose Way by Paul Brown Stadium. On Saturday, the Toyota 10K starts at 7:30 a.m. followed by the Tri-State Running Co. 5K at 9:30 a.m., the Medpace 4-miler at 11 a.m. and the Flying Fur at 12:30 p.m. On Sunday, the Flying Pig Marathon, half marathon, Queen Bee half marathon and the relay start at 7:30 a.m.
On both Saturday and Sunday, racers and spectators alike can enjoy the post-race party at Smale Park from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. flyingpigmarathon.com.
More:Everything you need to know for the spookiest Flying Pig Marathon and Queen Bee Half Marathon
2. Queen City Beer Mile
All these fit, healthy athletes roaming around Cincinnati this weekend sure can make a regular Joe or Jane feel a bit, well, out of shape, amiright? What if we told you there's another competition in town, and it's one that features doing some 12-ounce curls along the way? This is a judgement-free race where you can run, walk or mosey the one-mile course over a four-hour period and have a beer at four separate bars along the way. Are you up for the challenge?
The Queen City Beer Mile starts at 1 p.m. Saturday at Queen City Exchange (32 W. Court St., Downtown) and the $30 registration includes a T-shirt, four 12-ounce beers along the route and one 16-ounce draft beer at QCE after the race. No workout clothes? No problem. As it is Halloween weekend, participants are encouraged to dress in their best Halloween costumes. Proceeds benefit Lighthouse Youth & Family Services. eventbrite.com.
3. Cincinnati Cyclones First Face-Off
It's been a long ole time since we've gotten to see our Cincinnati Cyclones in action – 602 days, to be precise – but FINALLY, we can celebrate the return of hockey to the Queen City this Saturday with the First Face-Off, when the Cyclones take on Indy Fuel in the first game of the 2021-2022 season. There's a lot of new talent to watch on the ice, and a new head coach (former Cincinnati Mighty Ducks player Jason Payne) to rally around, but be assured that many of the fun events and promotions that fans look forward to will be returning.
This contest features a team calendar giveaway to the first 5,000 fans, and it's also $1 hot dog, soda and beer night, so come hungry, thirsty and ready to cheer the team to victory. Tickets start at $19 and the puck drops at 7:30 p.m. at Heritage Bank Center, 100 Broadway, Downtown. cycloneshockey.com.
4. "Death & Dying on the Dinsmore Farm"
In the 2017 Disney/Pixar animated movie "Coco," a youngster named Miguel is mistakenly transported to the Land of the Dead, where he meets generations of his ancestors and learns their stories. And while we don't have the ability to take the journey that Miguel does in the film, we do get a chance to speak to people from the past through the interactive program "Death & Dying on the Dinsmore Farm," happening this weekend at the Dinsmore Homestead Museum (5656 Burlington Pike, Burlington).
You'll get the chance to learn about mourning rituals of the past and how our ancestors viewed death through stories told by costumed performers from Falcon Theatre, and you'll also get the opportunity to talk to them and ask questions. Tours run on the hour from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $7, $3 for ages 5-15. Reservations can be made by calling 859-586-6117 or emailing [email protected].
5. "Need Your Love"
From the creator of "Cincinnati King" comes a new play highlighting famed Cincinnati record label King Records, this time taking an intimate look at one of the label's stars: Little Willie John. Written and directed by KJ Sanchez and starring Antonio Michael Woodard, this world premiere features hits from the King Records catalog – "Fever," "My Love Is," "Shakin'" and, of course, "Need Your Love So Bad" – and chronicles the singer's meteoric career and turbulent life in the music industry's fast-lane, painting an extraordinary portrait of one of the most talented, influential and underrated R&B singers of all time.
Due to some mild adult language and mature themes, this musical docudrama is recommended for mature audiences. It opens Saturday at Playhouse in the Park (962 Mount Adams Circe, Mount Adams) and runs through Dec. 12. Tickets start at $35. cincyplay.com.
Honorable mention: Bricks, Trick and Treats
See displays of custom Lego builds and enjoy interactive exhibits at Bricks, Tricks and Treats, happening this weekend at Northern Kentucky Convention Center (1 W. Rivercenter Blvd., Covington). The Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana Lego User Group, a non-profit club of fans of the Danish interlocking plastic brick toy, hosts the event to spotlight their incredible builds.
It runs 3-9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. VIPs can enter an hour earlier on Friday and Saturday, and kids ages 13-under get in free on Sunday if they are wearing their Halloween costume. Tickets are $25 VIP, $10 ages 9-up, $5 ages 4-9 and free for ages 3 and under. Information: 513-432-6547; cincybrickshow.com.
Honorable mention: "Higher: A Rock Musical"
The opioid crisis has affected millions of people from all walks of life in America, especially here in the Midwest. The crisis does not discriminate. Some people did not make it through, but for others, there is a tale of hope. American Legacy Theater presents one such story. Written by Mark Levine – who spent 12 years working at Cincinnati's Joseph House, a treatment center for veterans with various additions – and directed by Matthew David Gellin, this original rock musical is the first of its kind in American musical theatre: telling a story of addiction honestly and without prejudice.
Each performance includes a post-show discussion with cast and creatives to explore the themes of the musical and how people may be able to move their newfound awareness into action for reducing the stigma of addiction.
This world premiere play opens Friday at the Carnegie, 1028 Scott St., Covington and runs through Nov. 7. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $30, $25 in advance. 513-443-5429; americanlegacytheatre.org.
Honorable mention: Boos & Brews
Don your most clever costume and head over to the riverfront for Boos & Brews, happening from 7-10 p.m. Saturday at the Bridgeview Box Park at Newport on the Levee (1 Levee Way). The area transforms into a scary-fun dance party with a live DJ, roaming stilt walkers and a costume contest with cool prizes, including an overnight stay at the Aloft Hotel, tickets to USS Nightmare, treats from onsite retailers and restaurants, and more. Dog lovers can dress up their pets and bring them along for trick-or-treating at Little Spoon Bakery and Cafe from 6-7 p.m. Each furry friend receives a Halloween bag to explore the area to collect doggie treats and toys. Admission is free. newportonthelevee.com.
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