Grand tastings are sold in sessions. Friday's session runs from 7-9:30 p.m., while Saturday's sessions are from 2-4:30 p.m. and 6:30-9 p.m. Tickets cost between $70 and $90, depending on the day and time. There's an additional option available during each session called "The Collectors Tasting Room." This event costs an additional $40-$45 and includes seven high-end wines.
Also on Saturday is the charity auction and luncheon, which takes place from 9:30 a.m.-noon at the Hilton Netherland Plaza Hotel, 35 W. Fifth St., Downtown. It runs $135 and includes a gourmet lunch paired with wines, and the chance to bid on large format bottles of wine, limited releases and other rare wines. Proceeds benefit more than 30 different local charities. winefestival.com .
Another wine festival happens at Oxford's Uptown Memorial Park on High Street. Roam rows of wine booths and art vendors in the heart of the city's historic business district from 2-10 p.m. Saturday, May 21. Not a fan of liquid grapes? There's also a beer garden, live music, tasty treats and family fun. Your $30 ticket includes a wristband, five tasting tickets and a souvenir glass. Additional tasting tickets can be purchased at the event for $5 for two, $10 for five. oxfordwinefestival.com .
This church festival takes place 6-11 p.m. Friday, 5:30-11 p.m. Saturday and 3-10 p.m. Sunday. You'll find games of skill and chance, games for kids and plenty of festival food. Live music is also a staple at this festival, with this year's offerings being Doghouse on Friday, Bobby McClendon on Saturday and the Menus on Sunday. Our Lady of Victory is located at 810 Neeb Road, Delhi Township. 513-922-4460.
May Festival
The longest-running choral festival in North America takes place from May 20-28 at Music Hall (1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine). Featuring the May Festival Chorus, comprised of 120 of the region's most talented singers, and the May Festival Youth Chorus, who lift their voices in song to the music of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
This year, the festival explores works from the Americas, with both established and new voices telling the stories. Along with musical programs, there is also a series called May Minis, designed especially for children ages 0-12, taking place from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 21. There's also a free concert at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, May 24, at Christ Church Cathedral, as part of the "Music Live at Lunch" series. May Festival opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 20, with John Adams conducting El Nino. Enjoy Bernstein's "Candide" at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 22, South American Epics conducted by Juanjo Mena at 7:30 p.m. May 27, and finishing at 7:30 p.m. May 28 with Beethoven's "Ode to Joy." May Festival tickets range in price from $14-$89. mayfestival.com .
Big River Get Down
David Shaw of the celebrated Americana band the Revivalists was born and raised in Hamilton, and he's a long-time champion of the city. Each year, Shaw hosts an outdoor music festival at RiversEdge Amphitheatre (116 Dayton St.) at Marcum Park. Shaw's musical connections bring in a good mix of big-name acts as well as up-and-comers.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Friday with music kicking off an hour later with Chris Gelbuda, followed by Judith Hill. David Shaw performs solo to cap off the night at 9:30 p.m. On Saturday, doors open at 2:30 p.m. with a lineup that features Raelyn Nelson Band at 3:30 p.m., Karina Rykman at 5, Maggie Rose at 6:30 and Grammy-nominated rockers the Record Company at 8 p.m. The Revivalists headline the night with a 9:30 p.m. performance. General admission is $40 on Friday, $75 for Saturday and $80 for a 2-day pass. bigrivergetdown.com .
Geo Fair
Amateur geologists, mineralogists and fossil collectors convene the weekend of May 21-22 at Sharonville Convention Center (11355 Chester Road) for Geo Fair, celebrating minerals, gems, fossils, jewelry and more. A number of local museums and organizations will be on hand, as will gem and mineral dealers, and family-friendly activities include geode cracking, games and Scout merit badge assistance. Kids ages 12 and under get free fossils, and there's a dedicated swap area, too.
Do you have a gemstone or jewelry you'd like identified? What about a rock, mineral or meteorite? You can get it done for free each day, and there's a fossil identification booth as well. Adult tickets to Geo Fair are $10, $15 for a 2-day pass. Children are admitted for $4, and scouts in uniform get in free. Geo Fair runs from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. geofair.com .
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, MAY 28-30 Taste of Cincinnati
We Cincinnatians love a good food festival, and there's no better food fest in the country than Taste of Cincinnati, taking place May 28-30 along Fifth St., Downtown. Featuring more than 65 restaurants, food trucks and Findlay Market vendors, you'll be spoiled for choice with over 300 menu items to choose from. The festival takes place along Fifth St., from Main Street to the ramps of I-71 and Columbia Parkway, and includes live music and other entertainment. tasteofcincinnati.com .
