This weekend is the mack-daddy of weekends in the Cincinnati.  The 3-day break brings the return of the WEBN Fireworks and Riverfest, but there are oh so many more things to do in the Tri-State.

Our top picks?

Take a CREEK ROMP at the Cincinnati Nature Center on Saturday either at 1pm or 4pm.

Leash up your favorite four-legged fury and treat him or her to the Free Beggin’ Bark and Bacon Bash.  Blue Ash Recreation Center will celebrate International Bacon Day.  Cooking demos by Kevin Gillespie (Top Chef’s top pork performer), there’s a bacon eating contest and even a bacon maze for the pooches!  Saturday 10am-5pm

Should you find yourself in need of even more bacon, visit Kroeger & Son Meats at Findlay Market and stock up.  Summer is nearly over, so soak up all the goodness the Market has with fresh veggies, fruits and oh, don’t forget the Belgian Waffles!  Please note – Finlay Market is CLOSED on Monday! But you can visit all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday!

VAROOOM all weekend long at the Cincinnati Museum Center with Legends of Flight.  Check site for showtimes.

Or if you want to check out the real thing , in miniature anyways, head to Wright Patterson Air Force Base 8am to 5pm on Friday.  They will play host to an amazing display and aerial show for giant-scale radio-controlled aircraft.  FREE!  Call 937-255-1283 or nationalmuseum.af.mil for more details.

Do a little fishing in the dark at Voice of America Park on Friday at dusk.  Contact VOA at 513-867-5835 or metroparksofbutlercounty.org

Madcap Puppets will present “Annie Oakley’s Wild West Show” Friday at 7pm at Sharonville Community Center.  I took P to see this show earlier this summer and SHE LOVED IT!  It’s fun for the whole family!

As we reported earlier this week, Cirque Devou is back in business on Saturday at (well, where else?) Devou Park.  You can save yourself the headache of parking and catch the FREE TANK BUS from Covington Catholic High School and they’ll drop you right there.

Who doesn’t love a little Riverdance?  If your little people have ever expressed an interest in dance, Erickson Academy of Irish Dance is hosting an Open House Saturday at 10am.  Something out of the ordinary to check out!

Take a run on the wild side with The Cincinnati Zoo’s annual Cheetah Run this Sunday.  Ages 12 and up are welcome to have the wind rush through their hair as they tackle this 5k tradition.

Shannan shared the scoop on the amazing Rubber Duck Regatta and it is finally here!  You’ll QUACK up as thousands of duckies plung from the Purple People Bridge Sunday at 3pm.  One lucky duck will win a NEW CAR!  Swim duckies SWIM!

As with every weekend, the Hamilton County Park District has a ton of fun for our families:

• LIAR’S CLUB: Can you smell out a fib?  Test your truth-o-meter as the naturalist spins some yarns.  Prizes for the best truth-seekers.  Winton Woods – Harbor Pavilion at 2pm on Saturday
• Go TAKE A HIKE on Saturday, 9am at Woodland Mound Seasongood Nature Center; enjoy a hike led by a naturalist to the prairie
• Jeepers Creatures!  Miami Whitewater Forest Visitor Center on Sunday at 11am and 2pm

Kids Cooking Classes at both Whole Foods locations – 10am on Saturday.  Make sure you register either with Rookwood or Deerfield.

The annual Florence Labor Day Parade kicks off at 2pm on Sunday starting at the Florence Government Building and rolling down Ky 18.

When Monday rolls around…REST PEOPLE!  I know I’m gonna!

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A few weeks back a friend and I decided to take our children on a little road trip before school started.  We loaded up our minivans and made the drive to Indianapolis for a day at the Children’s Museum.

The drive is a fairly easy drive…straight roads, not many hills, and corn fields as far as the eye can see.  It took us two hours to reach the Museum.  I have not been to the Children’s Museum of Indy since I myself was a child, and I had almost forgotten what a magical place it was!

The fun starts before you even get inside the museum.  From the parking lot you can see a dinosaur as tall as the museum with it’s body standing in front of the museum, and it’s head bursting through the window to look at the visitors in the lobby.  There’s also a baby dino hanging out with the mama.  My kids were fascinated!  Sam is still asking when we get to go back to the dini-saur museum.  And that is just the beginning of the magic & adventure!  I don’t even know where to begin in my description of the museum, there was just way too much to see.  We spent over four hours there and I feel like we still did not explore everything there was to explore!  Everything about this museum is child-friendly, touching is encouraged, hands on exploration is a must!  There is so much for the kids to do and explore here.

Instead of trying to tell you about everything there is to see, you are just going to have to trust me, and head up there with your children!  I will give you a bulleted list of our favorite things that we saw or did that day, to help you understand how very cool this museum is!

• Star Wars: The Clone Wars Exhibition was very very cool.  Unfortunately, it is only on display until September 6, 2010.  I have to admit, this exhibit is the reason I drove two hours to the museum.  My boys are big Star Wars fans!  We had four young boys with us who were very excited to check out the costumes, weapons, and other items from their favorite movies.
• Barbie, the Fashion Exhibit was another highlight of our trip.  Well, not for everyone, but Ella endured the Star Wars exhibit, so the boys had to endure the Barbie exhibit.  It was fascinating!  So many Barbies, so many outfits!  It was cool to see all the changes over the years!  And you could design your own outfits, participate in a fashion show, and more!  This exhibit will be open until February 2011.
• Take Me There: Egypt is a permanent exhibit at the museum, and I think that this was my favorite of the day.  Upon entering the exhibit you board a simulated flight on EgyptAir where the pilot & flight attendant help you learn a few Egyptian words & tell you a bit about the country.  After the flight you enter Egypt, you can visit homes, go to the market, all while learning about the history, traditions & culture of Egypt.
• Rock Stars, Cars & Guitars will be at the museum until September 12, 2010.  Here you can check out the guitars & cars of music legends, gaze upon one of Elvis’ fantastic jumpsuits, perform in your own rock video, test drive a motorcycle, design and album cover and more!  This is a must for the rock & roll lovers out there.
• Dinosphere: Now you’re in their worldwas another great exhibit.  So many things to do in this exhibit: dig for dino bones, talk to paleontologists as they work on fossils, protect your eggs from predators & gaze up at the huge dinosaur models.

So there’s a short list, a few highlights if you will.  But please don’t think that this is all of the excitement in these exhibits I listed!  There is so much more to see, like the carousal, the tree house, the constructions site, the race car, the Chihuly glass sculpture, and the list goes on and on and on.  I want to leave a few surprises for you!

I hope that you take my advice and journey to Indy for a field trip with your children!  And if you have already been please leave a comment below telling us what your favorite thing was at the museum!

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

3000 North Meridian Street   Indianapolis, IN 46208

Youth under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Youth will not be permitted to purchase admission or enter the museum without a chaperone.

Free Parking, see site for coupons, discount admissions, group rates, etc.  Please be advised, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis does not offer discounts for members of the Cincinnati Museum Center.

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Continuing our efforts to highlight local non-profits, we are pleased to introduce you to A Kid Again, a non-profit organization that supports children and families dealing with life threatening illnesses. The following overview is courtesy of Hap Durkin, the Executive Director of the Cincinnati Chapter of A Kid Again.

A Kid Again is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization whose is mission is to enrich the lives of children with life threatening illnesses and their families by providing healing times of respite through our fun-filled group activities and destination events, which we call adventures. Our year round adventures foster laughter, joy, normalcy and supportive networking opportunities. We strive to offer our children, siblings and parents a cost free occasion to enjoy quality time together and to create lasting memories.

We accomplish this mission through the dedication of our volunteer network and the generosity of our donors, providing them with the opportunity to enrich their own lives as they ease the lives of our A Kid Again Families.

Currently, we serve the needs of over 560 brave children with life threatening illnesses throughout the Greater Cincinnati region. In total, we serve over 2,600 family members affected by a life threatening illness.

Since 2000, we have taken these wonderful children and their families on fun-filled, group oriented outings to the Ringling Bros. Circus, Cincinnati Cyclones Games, Cincinnati Reds Games, Halloween Parties at Miami University, Holiday Parties at Crossroads Church and Kings Island just to name a few.

A fun way to help:

This October, A Kid Again is bringing the magic back to Cincinnati with Miracles & Magic, Ohio’s premier comedy-magic & grand illusion variety show.

From the website:

This special event was originally created for children with life threatening illnesses to provide them a day away from treatments, hospital beds and the stresses of their daily lives. Now open to the general public, Miracles & Magic has featured local, national and international performers who have come to take part in this annual event and offer the best medicine possible … laughter!  Miracles & Magic is now approaching its eighth year in bringing first-class entertainment to Ohio. Proceeds from Miracles & Magic directly benefit A Kid Again, as this is the only event for the children and their families that also raises funds for the year-round programs offered by A Kid Again. To date, the event has raised over $585,000 to continue to support adventures that provide hope, fun and a chance for every child in our program to be … A Kid Again!

Cincinnati’s Miracles & Magic event will feature award-winning entertainers from around the country, and takes place on Saturday, October 23 at 4:00 p.m. at Mason High School Theatre. Tickets are on sale now at www.miraclesandmagic.com.

Miracles & Magic
Saturday, October 23 at 4:00 p.m.
Mason High School Theatre
6100 Mason Montgomery Road
Mason, Ohio 45040

Ticket Prices (Children / Adults)
Premier Seats – $40
General Admission – $15/$30
Children age three and under are admitted for free if seated on guardian’s lap.

All photos courtesy of A Kid Again.

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I’m having a little bit of art envy right now. I wish we lived closer to The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center located in Covington, KY. Since my daughter doesn’t get off the bus until 4:00, we just can’t make the trip in time from Mason to Covington.  But if you’re lucky enough to live  closer, you’ll want to sign up your kids (ages 7-15 years) for the ArtStop Artist Series Fall Workshops.  These workshops are fun, fun, fun plus they incorporate visual arts, performance art and more in a variety of classes.  The workshops will meet once a week for six to eight weeks and at the end, there is an opportunity for friends and family to share in what you’ve done.

Now, one thing that I had to double check because I thought “this is too good to be true” is the cost.  To register for the classes, you have to pay a one-time registration fee of $10 per workshop (this covers all the classes in a series).  If your child has perfect attendance to all of the classes, then you actually get your $10 registration fee back.  I don’t know about you, but having six to eight weeks of free classes sounds like a dream come to true.  The Carnegie is able to offer these classes because of the support they receive from The Scripps Howard Foundation, Fine Arts Fund, Kentucky Arts Council and John & Francie Williams. A big thank you to all the sponsors!

Here’s are listing of the classes courtesy of  The Carnegie:

PS. In the effort to be completely transparent, I should note that Shannan, one of the FFC co-founders, works for The Carnegie… but I would have written about this even if she didn’t!

For a listing of other cultural or enrichment activities for you kids, please visit my website, MasonMetu.

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Are you looking for a family friendly event involving beautiful music and elaborate circus acts?  Then mark your calendars!  This coming Saturday Circus Mojo will be collaborating with the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra for a performance that is sure to entertain the whole family!  Check out the press release below for all of the details.  See you there!

“Cirque Devou”

(The KSO & Circus Mojo team-up to define clowning around)

7:30 p.m. September 4, 2010

Devou Park Amphtitheatre. Covington

The circus is coming to Devou Park on September 4th. There won’t be a big-top tent or elephants, but high flying, spinning, firebreathing, juggling acrobats and clowns will offer fun, thrills and nostalgia for the entire family.

Paul Miller, creator of Circus Mojo, and former Ringling Bros. clown, convinced his professional circus colleagues from around the country to converge on Covington’s Devou Park for a one-night only, multi-ring extravaganza, accompanied live by the KSO. World-class trapeze artists Duo Rose will perform their international award winning aerial / contortion act (check them out on Youtube), while Cincinnati native, Harry Moeller appears as “the human spoke” (Harry is just off the Britney Spears “Circus” tour). New York based Cirque du Soleil instructor Amy Chen offers aerial, firebreathing and juggling skills, while Paul Lopez walks a free standing ladder (Paul has worked with the Flying Wallendas and was a part of the seven-person-pryamid). And these are just a few of the performers slated to appear.

Musically, the KSO digs into the old circus band music as well as new Klezmer-esque sounds of Peter Bufano’s Cirkestra, plus classical and movie favorites (see program).

The concessions have stocked up on popcorn, hotdogs, cotton candy and snowcones, so all we need to close out the KSO’s 16th Summer in Devou Park is you! Join Music Director James Cassidy and the KSO with Circus Mojo, Saturday, September 4 at 7:30 p.m. The Free TANK Shuttle from Covington Catholic to the band shell starts running at 6:00 p.m. Bring blankets or lawn chairs and pack a picnic.

For more information and directions, visit the KSO at www.kyso.org or call (859) 431-6216. Free admission and parking; $5 donation suggested.

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Can you feel it in the air?? The temperature is finally starting to drop and much to my hearts desire, fall is just around the corner!It’s my favorite time of year.

This weekend there’s some great stuff happening all over the Tri-state that will have you out enjoying this weather.From outdoor movies to 5Ks to baseball games, we think you’ll find there’s something for everyone. So what are you waiting for? Get out and enjoy our city with your family!!

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Great sounds and stories from the acclaimed group Drums for Peace and free UDF Homemade Brand Ice Cream—it doesn’t get better than that. Stop by the Taft Museum on Sunday from 1-3 p.m. for its annual end-of-summer event. It’s all free, as is museum admission and parking. Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets. Bring friends and neighbors for a wonderful Sunday afternoon.

Love Mark Twain? Then you’ll want to check out BIG RIVER: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn at The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center in Covington. Playing Friday (7:30), Saturday (7:30) and Sunday (3pm), tickets are just $26; $19 students; Enjoy the Arts & WVXU members $23. For tickets call The Carnegie Box office at (859) 957-1940 or go online to http://www.thecarnegie.com. Disclosure: I work here.

Batter Up! This weekend the Cincinnati Reds take on the Chicago Cubs. Ticket prices vary but start as low as $5; Game times are Friday- 7:10pm; Saturday – 7:10pm; and Sunday 1:10pm. For inside tips & savings, check out Phyllis’ post on Great American Ballpark for families.

Go back in time Saturday at the Heritage Village at Sharon Woods and watch as Vintage Base Ball teams the Cincinnati Red Stockings host the Norwood Highlanders. Games are scheduled for 1pm & 3:30pm and you can read more about it in yesterday’s post from Amy.

Head up North to Mason for their annual Heritage Day Parade on Saturday, Aug. 28 and see the crowing of Little Miss Heritage and her court. Parade starts at 10am and there are festivities all day – music, food booths, entertainment and more. Sponsored by the Festivals of Mason. Click here for a schedule of events.

For any race enthusiasts, join in the fun in the Powder Keg 5K sponsored by the Mason-Deerfield Arts Alliance and Deerfield Township. The race takes place at the historic Kings Mansion on Saturday at 9am and proceeds help with future arts programming for the MDAA.

For any water park fans, head over to Great Wolf Lodge in Mason on Sunday, Aug. 29 and support a great cause during the Rubber Duckie Regaffle. All proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Warren and Clinton Counties. If you purchase your tickets online by 10pm on Aug. 28, they are only $15 ($20 day of event). Open from Noon-8pm.

It’s time for Taste of Blue Ash! In it’s 25th year, Taste of Blue Ash features food from local restaurants, carnival type games, rides and plenty of live music. Taste of Blue Ash runs 6-11 p.m. Friday and noon-11 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.

Saturday evening head down to Fountain Square for Toyota’s Movie Night, featuring Happy Feet at 7:30pm. Be sure to get there early to snag a good spot and bring a folding chair and maybe even a blanket too!

Prepping for the Rubber Duck Regatta, the FreeststoreFoodbank will host its annual Quacky Races Friday from 11-2:30pm on Fountain Square. The races feature corporate teams dressed in awesome duck inspired costumes and are sure to have your children in stitches.

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While I was reading up on the Old West Festival the other night, one of the features I was most intrigued by was their America’s Pastime theme weekend in October.  It was the first I had ever heard of Vintage Base Ball (yes, two words – it didn’t become “baseball” til the 1880’s).  And even more surprising was the fact that my hometown of Norwood has a team!  The Norwood Highlanders are amid their inaugural season and their home turf is Dorl Field – where I played soccer and softball as a child.  Well, once I found that out I had to know more!  So I contacted the Captain of the Highlanders, Col. Jim “Cornbred” Mattingly, to round up more information.

Vintage Base Ball  is played by the rules established in 1869.  The games follow the traditions and values of a time when base ball was pure entertainment and good ol’ exercise.  Sportsmanship and gentlemanly behavior are top priority, making it an ideal activity for families to enjoy together.  The teams play in accurately recreated uniforms with equipment that replicates the standards of the period.  All rules, customs and terminology of base ball’s early days are adhere to.  So not only is it fun and family friendly, it’s educational with a ton of live history played out before you.

The most notable difference fans (known in 1869 as “CRANKS”) will see is the fact that players do not use gloves – wowza! And Cranks are sometimes called upon to weigh in on close calls even!

As we are in most things, Ohio is a leader in Vintage Base Ball clubs – over 19 are listed with the Vintage Base Ball Association and even more  like the Highlanders are starting up around the state.  Luckily, Cincinnati has two other teams: Cincinnati Red Stockings and Cincinnati Buckeyes.  And you can check out and ALL THREE  of our local teams will be at the Old West Festival the weekend of September 18-19.

You can check out the remaining schedules for the Stockings and the Buckeyes on their sites.  Both teams call the Heritage Village at Sharon Woods home – an amazing location to go back in time, eh?

The Highlanders’ remaining matches for this season are as follows:

August 28th (THIS SATURDAY)  vs. Cincinnati Red Stockings – Heritage Village, Sharonville

September 11th vs. Rising Sun Belle Rivers – Rising Sun, Indiana

September 25th vs. Dayton Clodbusters – Carillon Park, Dayton, Ohio

October 9th vs. Cincinnati Red Stockings – Old West Festival, Mt. Orab, Ohio

They play Saturday at 1pm & 3:30pm – you’ll need to pay the usual fees to enter Sharon Woods ($5 for an annual pass – but I bet most of you have that already!) and then $3 per person to enter the Heritage Village outdoor museum where the game is held.

And if Saturday doesn’t work, find another date with one of the teams, pack a picnic and a blanket (or you lawn chairs) and have a memorable family outing everyone is sure to love!  I can’t wait to check the teams out and hope to see you there!

Photographs highlighted in this post were taken from the teams’ websites and facebook pages – be sure to check them out for even more fun pics!

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