Top 10 events this weekend, the omg-fall-is-coming edition

Prost! September's arrival means lots of Oktoberfest celebrations – three of them of this weekend! NKY is celebrating with both Covington's and Newport's Oktoberfests, and so is Springboro. The beginning of fall also means football season, and the Bengals play the Buccaneers at their home opener Sunday. Other things to do include paying tribute to 9/11 firefighters at Nippert Stadium, sipping a glass of wine at Vinoklet Art & Wine Festival, exploring the oddities at HorrorHound Weekend and much more.

Here are the top 10 things to do this weekend.

Have an event you'd like us to know about? Submit it online at cincinnati.com/events, and we'll tell the world about it. Head to that same site to peruse our full calendar of events.

1. Oktoberfest celebrations

Covington Oktoberfest returned to Goebel Park on Sept. 13, 14 and 15. The event features craft beer, local food, live music, craft vendors and more. Drinking their favorite beer, a Braxton Oktoberfest Fuel are Rob Schumacher of Burlington and Kara Goettl of Covington.

Three cities are celebrating

Oktoberfest this weekend. Get ready for authentic German food from bratwurst to schnitzel. Throw back a cold "bier" or sip on a glass of wine. There will also be fun for the kids in their very own Kids Fun Zone. Prepare to enjoy all your favorite Oktoberfest activities, including brat tossing, stein hoisting, hammerschlagen (ing?) and log sawing. Expect plenty of games, polka music, dancing and fun for the whole family.

Covington: noon-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-8 p.m. Sunday, Goebel Park, 501 Philadelphia St. braxtonbrewing.com.

Newport: 5-11 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday, Newport Festival Park, Riverboat Row. Free. thingstodocincinnati.com.

Springboro: 6 p.m.-midnight Friday, 11 a.m.-midnight Saturday, Springboro United Church of Christ, 5 West Mill St. $5 admission, free active military with I.D. and kids under 12. oktoberfestspringboro.org.

2. Bengals home opener

The Cincinnati Bengals face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at their first home game of the season. Show up early (and secure a parking spot before gametime) to the pre-game block party. Get ready to roar with live music from DV8, food and drinks, including ice cold beer from the Bud Light Tailgate Zone.

Pre-game block party: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, The Banks, Freedom Way, Downtown. Free. bengals.com.

Game: 1 p.m. Sunday, 1 Paycor Stadium, Downtown. bengals.com.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Hakeem Butler (82) attempts to catch a pass as Tampa Bay Buccaneers corner back Andrew Hayes (21) defends in the fourth quarter of the NFL preseason game at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Saturday, August 10, 2024.

3. 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

Pay tribute to a New York Fire Department firefighter by climbing or walking the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center. Students, staff and community members are welcome to participate.

Details: 6:46 a.m. Friday, Nippert Stadium, 2700 Bearcat Way, University of Cincinnati. uc.edu.

The annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb and Walk.

4. Vinoklet Art & Wine Festival

Hear a new lineup of performers each day with special guest MCs Steve Summers on Friday and Chris O'Brien and Janeen Coyle on Saturday. Shop from art vendors, grab tasty bites to eat and, of course, sip on a glass (or two) of wine.

Details: 5:30-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-8 p.m. Sunday, Vinoklet Winery & Restaurant, 11069 Colerain Road, Colerain Township. vinokletwines.com.

The Vinoklet Art & Wine Festival takes place Sept. 8-10 at the vineyard in Colerain Township.

5. (Rescheduled) Bill Keating Jr. Ohio River Swim

The Bill Keating Jr. Ohio River Swim is a 900-meter open water swim. Whether you're a seasoned swimmer or just want to cross this item off your bucket list, this is the ultimate race for you.

Details: 8:15 a.m. Sunday, Public Landing, 435 E Mehring Way, Downtown. Pre-registration: $30 ages 12-17, $50 adult. greatohioriverswim.com.

A wave of swimmers take off during the Bill Keating, Jr. Great Ohio River Swim on Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023 in Downtown Cincinnati.

6. Ohio River Valley Pride Festival

Maysville and August are coming together to celebrate their communities and friends on the other side of the river. Opening night features a welcoming address, 9/11 tribute, dance party and drag performance. Saturday's "Pride in the Park" focuses on education, community advocacy and live musical entertainment.

Details: 6 p.m. Friday, Wild Bull Saloon, 740 Fleming Road, Maysville. $15; daytime Saturday, Augusta River Park, Augusta. cityofmaysvilleky.gov.

7. Harvest Home Fair

Enjoy a horse expo, bands, an art show, a flower show, rides, games, livestock exhibits and more. The Harvest Home Parade is 6 p.m. Thursday, and admission is free afterward.

Details: 6-10 p.m. Thursday, 5-11 p.m. Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-8 p.m. Sunday, Harvest Home Park, 3961 N Bend Road, Cheviot. $5, free first responders, veterans and children 12-under. harvesthomefair.com.

8. Saint George Russian Festival

Enjoy Russian cuisine, live folk music and dancing, local vendors, church tours and kids' activities.

Details: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, St. George Orthodox Church, 118 N. Lebanon Road, Loveland. stgeorgeroc.org.

9. HorrorHound Weekend

HorrorHound Weekend has been celebrating the horror genre and its impact in movies, television, music and pop culture for over 20 years. Get an autograph and photo-op with a celebrity and find answers to the questions you've been dying to ask in on-stage Q&As. Shop from over 100 vendors selling new and rare collectibles such as toys and apparel. At the HorrorHouse Film Fest, attend movie premieres and screenings. Cosplay as your favorite characters and get a sweet, new tatty at the Ink Fusion Tattoo Festival.

Details: 5-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road, Sharonville. Tickets: horrorhoundweekend.com.

HorrorHound Weekend kicked off on Friday, March 23, 2018, at the Sharonville Convention Center and will run through Sunday. Tyler Thompson and Theresa Humphrey of Louisville.

10. Haunted house opening weekends

It isn't fall without the spookiness of haunted houses and other themed frights. Opening this weekend are four haunted houses, offering a variety of horrifying attractions. Run from a murderous janitor, escape killer clowns, hop on a haunted hayride or browse a ghost-town Halloween festival.

Brimstone Haunt: 7:30-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 525 Brimstone Road, Wilmington. Runs weekends Sept. 11-Oct. 31. Tickets: brimstonehaunt.com.

Cincinnati Fear Fest: Opens 7 p.m.-midnight Saturday, continues 7 p.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday, 1449 Greenbush Cobb Road, Williamsburg. Free parking. Runs weekends Sept. 12-Nov. 1. cincinnatifearfest.

Dent Schoolhouse: 7:30-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 5963 Harrison Ave., Green Township. Runs Sept. 11-Oct. 31. Tickets: dentschoolhouse.com.

Haunted Scream Park: 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday-Saturday, Land of Illusion, 8762 Thomas Road, Middletown. Runs weekends Sept. 11-Oct. 31. Tickets: landofillusion.com.

The Dent Schoolhouse is open for its 28th season. The haunted house features animatronics, actors in costumes, scents, sounds and scares.