Arcade Music Fest will return to Covington on Aug. 8-9 with an expanded footprint, a new outdoor main stage and an interactive gaming hub that organizers say will build a more connected festival experience.
Tickets are now on sale, according to a community announcement, for the second annual music and arts festival, which will feature live performances, visual art, local vendors, food trucks and multiple venue activations throughout the city.
The festival's lineup includes Wax, ZLATI, Dearest, Matt Waters, Season Ten, Moonbeau, Vusive, THAT1DUDE, Adam Paddock, Quinn O'Donnell and Aaron Hedrick.
"Our goal has always been to highlight the wildly eclectic music and arts scene here in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky," co-founder Jared Metz
said. "In addition to the music, attendees can explore a vibrant street market featuring local food trucks, handmade goods, vintage finds, and craft beverages."
Organizers announced a significant change to this year's festival layout by relocating the Main Stage outdoors to the corner of Washington and Pike streets. The new location is intended to better connect the festival's outdoor activities with nearby venues including Second Story and West Sixth Brewing's taproom.
Additional events will take place at Galaxie and Ripple Wine Bar, which will host a secondary street stage.
Historic Arcade Tunnel remains festival centerpiece
The historic Arcade Tunnel, which links Pike Street and Seventh Street, will again serve as the festival's central feature.
Organizers said the tunnel will become an expanded VIP area featuring DJs and lighting installations from BLINK artists Digital Castaway, Kemper Sauce Studios and Dan Shields, according to the announcement.
The space also will include an indie video game showcase curated by RunDevRun and BattleBuddies Gaming.
A second VIP location will be based at Galaxie, replacing Madison Live. Organizers said the venue will host activations across both festival days, regional EDM performers and the Super Local 7 Rap Showcase.
"We were blown away by the community's response last year, but we also took a lot of notes on how to make year two even better," co-founder Emma Ranney said. "By rethinking this year's use of the historic Arcade Tunnel passageway and our street vendors, we're creating a more seamless, walkable festival that really highlights the best of Covington's creative energy."
Additional events planned at Galaxie
Galaxie will host two events outside official festival hours.
An after-party is scheduled from 10 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Aug. 8, followed by a drag brunch from noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 9.
Festival organizers said VIP tickets cost $15 and provide access to the Arcade Tunnel as well as Galaxie's Outerspace venue and renovated patio area.
Venues that do not require tickets include the Rhinegeist Main Stage, Ripple Wine Bar Street Stage, Second Story and West Sixth Brewery.
Additional festival supporters include meetNKY, Mi Campo, High West Whiskey, Prova Spirits, RunDevRun and altaFiber.
More information and tickets are available at arcademusicfest.com.
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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Arcade Music Fest expands in Covington with outdoor stage
