Music figures prominently in Greater Cincinnati's biggest and best things to do this weekend, with country, bluegrass and local indie artists equally represented. It's also a big weekend for sports fans, with offerings of tennis, disc golf and the return of football. You'll also find a couple of family-friendly events and some excellent, artsy goings-on, too.
1. Voices of America Country Music Fest
This four-day music festival brings in some of the biggest names in country music and offers fun themed nights for festivalgoers to dress up and show off their style. Thursday is Camo Country, Friday is Small Town, USA, Saturday is Runway Rodeo, and Sunday is Leave the Night (Ne)on.
Here's a look at each night's Mainstage lineup. Thursday: Ernest, Larry Fleet, Thomas Mac, Blake Tyler. Friday: Jason Aldean, Lauren Alaina, Chase Matthew, Cooper Alan, Kylie Morgan, Dee Jay Silver, Blake Tyler. Saturday: Diplo, Keith Urban, Brett Young, Brian Kelley, Michael Ray, Lily Rose, DJ Slim McGraw, Shaylen, Michelle Robinson. Sunday: Redferrin, DJ Slim McGraw, Drew Green, Maddie & Tae, Priscilla Block, Russell Dickerson, Sam Hunt.
Here's what you can bring: Empty, squeezable soft plastic water bottles, phones, sunscreen and festival flags without poles. You are also allowed to bring personal, soft folding chairs, or forego the hassle and rent a chair. Bag policy: Only one-gallon (or smaller) clear plastic freezer bags are permitted.
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Details: 5 p.m. Thursday, 1 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Voice of American MetroPark, 7850 VOA Park Drive, West Chester Township. 4-day Mainstage VIP: $490-up; single day VIP: $130-up; 4-day general admission: $240-up; single day general admission: $60-up. Some Mainstage VIP tickets remain, but Super VIP is sold out. voacountrymusicfest.com.
2. Old Town Music & Arts Festival
If you like your music to have a bit more twang and a lot more banjo and mandolin, head to Williamsburg for two full days of live bluegrass, which also features food, beverage and arts/crafts vendors, and camping. Friday's lineup includes Slippery Creek & Friends, Seth Mulder & Midnight Run, Laid Back Country Picker, Evan Lanier and the Bluegrass Express, Joe's Truck Stop, Bedel & Hibbard, and Poor Edgar. Saturday's lineup includes Larry Efaw and the Bluegrass Mountaineers, Whiskey Bent Valley Boys, Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers, The Harry Pedigo Band, Poplar Ridge Bluegrass Band, Bedel & Hibbard, and Joe's Truck Stop.
For the safety of all guests, no pets, fireworks, weapons or glass containers are permitted. Only above-ground fire rings are permitted for campfires; no ground fires.
Details: 1 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday, Terror Town, 1449 Greenbush Cobb Road, Williamsburg. $100 includes both days and primitive camping. RV is additional $75. oldtownmusicandartsfestival.com.
3. On Point Music Festival
Budget-wise, this music festival can't be beat. Cincinnati Parks brings this two-day festival to Sawyer Point, featuring live music on three stages, plus beach volleyball, a roller rink and pickleball tournament. Here's who's playing. Friday: P& G Stage: Gee Your Band Smells Terrific, Cassette Junkies. Schott Stage: The Dreaded Mids, Static Falls, Tweens. Saturday: P&G Stage: Bershy, Dead Humor, Run Katie Run, Coastal Club. Acoustic Stage: Tracey Walker, Knowrules, Temani, Catlea. Schott Stage: The Traveling Jam, The Foles, Jake Speed & the Freddies, The Tillers.
DJ Butch Gibson will be spinning at the Riverfront Rink (925 Riverside Drive) from 7-10 p.m. Friday and 5-10 p.m. Saturday as part of the festival. Enjoy free skate rentals with ID.
Details: 5:30-10 p.m. Friday, 2:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Sawyer Point Park, 705 E. Pete Rose Way, Downtown. Free. facebook.com; Skatedowntowncincinnati.com.
4. Taste of India
Enjoy the food and culture of India at this festival, which also features the Naach Sitare dance competition, rides, games, shopping and more.
Details: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Hindu Temple of Greater Cincinnati, 720 Barg Salt Run Road, Union Township. Free admission. cincinnatitemple.com.
5. Stricker's Grove 100th Birthday Party Celebration
This private amusem*nt park celebrates 100 years in business with a party that's open to the general public. Admission includes all rides, 18-hole mini golf, soft drinks, live music by Elder Steel Drum Band, horse-drawn wagon rides and a petting zoo. The park is family-owned and operated, so be aware that all rides close from 4-5 p.m. for dinner. Food and beverages can be purchased at the park, and you are also welcome to bring your own. No alcohol is permitted.
Details: 1-8 p.m. Sunday, Stricker's Grove, 11490 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton. $18, free ages 2-under. Parking is $5. strickersgrove.com.
6. Cincinnati Open
See tennis stars of the WTA and ATP tours compete. The tournament features a Fan Zone with music, chef demonstrations, Q&As with current and legendary players, coaches and more. Community Day on Saturday features the chance to watch player practices, enjoy live music, autograph sessions and special events like yoga, boot camp, cardio tennis and Taste the Tournament. There will also be a doubles exhibition featuring Andre Agassi & John Isner vs. Andy Roddick & Mardy Fish. Proceeds from Community Day benefit Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, and each special event also benefits a designated charity.
Qualifiers start Sunday, which is also P&G Kids Day with face painting, balloon art, player autograph signings and more. First-round matches start Monday, Aug. 12. The roster of competitors includes Coco Gauff, Novak Djokovic, Iga Swiatek, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Victoria Azarenka, Grigor Dimitrov, Caroline Garcia, Madison Keys, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev.
Details: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. Sunday, Lindner Family Tennis Center, 5460 Courseview Drive, Mason. Runs Aug. 10-19. Community Day tickets range from $10-$50, with options to purchase tickets for special events. Match tickets via verified resale only. cincinnatiopen.com.
7. 2024 LWS Open
Did you know that Idlewild Disc Golf Course is considered one of the best courses in the world? The 18-hole, par 67 layout challenges both amateur and pro, and this weekend you can watch the world's top disc golfers compete. Food and beverages are available for purchase onsite.
Details: 8 a.m. Friday-Sunday, Idlewild Disc Golf Course, 5550 Idlewild Road, Burlington. Runs Aug. 9-11. $140 VIP 3-day pass, $45 general admission 3-day pass, $15 Friday only, $20 Saturday only, $25 Sunday only. Ages 10-under get in free with paying adult. Single-day VIP tickets are already sold out. dgpt.com.
8. Bengals preseason begins
The Bengals' first preseason game is at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Details: 7 p.m. Saturday, Paycor Stadium, 1 Paul Brown Way, Downtown. $60. bengals.com.
9. 'Beautiful: The Carole King Musical'
Witness the remarkable true story of the legendary singer-songwriter who became one of the most successful solo acts in pop music history. The play follows King's journey from teenage songwriter to international superstar and includes over two dozen pop classics.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, The Carnegie, 1028 Scott St., Covington. Runs Aug. 10-25. $18-$45. Thecarnegie.com.
10. Jessica Caldas: The Library of Birthing and Unbirthing
This community-focused exhibition serves as a resource for building an archive of stories about birth, as well as stories of child loss, abortion and choices not to reproduce.
Details: 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Wave Pool Gallery, 2940 Colerain Ave., Camp Washington. Runs Aug. 10-Sept. 14. Free. wavepoolgallery.org.
11. An Afternoon with the Beer Barons
The Spring Grove Heritage Foundation hosts this event, where participating brewers provide samples of their most popular and unique beers. There will be docent-led tours of founding beer barons buried at the cemetery, as well as live music and food trucks on-site.
Details: 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum, 4521 Spring Grove Ave., Spring Grove Village. Ages 21-up. $30, $20 designated driver. Springgrove.org.
12. Celestial Market
Enjoy beer infused with lavender, ginger and good vibes at this fun event hosted by Darkness Brewing. You can get a Reiki session, shoulder and neck massage, tarot card reading, and visit arts and crafts booths with items made by local artists. The market also includes live music, rhythmic drum circle, singing bowls and more.
Details: 3-9 p.m. Saturday, Darkness Brewing, 224 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue. Free admission. facebook.com.
