Prepare for an action-packed weekend here in "Zinzinnati." The largest Oktoberfest celebration in America is here. If you're a Cincy native and don't know what Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is, trust me, you don't want to miss out. And if you're a runner, be sure to sign up for the 14K/7K Brewery Run, too.
If you're looking for a fun, fall-themed festival to ring in the season, there are no shortage of those this weekend. Check out the Benton Farm Fall Craft Show and Festival, Corn Stand Jam or Forager's Fest. Other great events include Cindependent Film Festival, the Brooks & Dunn concert and Ault in Bloom.
Here are our top 10 picks for the best places to be 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 Zinzinnati
America's largest Oktoberfest celebration is here in our own Cincinnati backyard. Register your doggo for the Running of the Wieners, test your strength in the stein hoisting competition or take part in the nation's largest chicken dance.
Details: 4-10 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, Sawyer Point and Yeatman's Cove, 705 E. Pete Rose Way, Downtown. Free admission. oktoberfestzinzinnati.com.
2. 14K/7K Brewery Run
Run the routes that the beer-carrying, horse-drawn carts used to take from the breweries to the riverboats, taking beer throughout the country. Attend the post-race party featuring beer, music and more.
Details: 7:30 a.m. Saturday 14K, 7:45 a.m. Saturday 7K, Mehring Way, east of the Taylor Southgate Bridge, Downtown. flyingpigmarathon.com.
3. Cindependent Film Festival
See over 80 films from over 10 countries and hear live screenplay readings. Enjoy deep dives with filmmakers, masterclasses and after parties.
Details: 5-9 p.m. Wednesday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Sunday, Memorial Hall, 225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. cindependentfilmfest.org.
4. Brooks & Dunn
Country duo Brooks & Dunn are bringing their Neon Moon Tour to Cincy this week. See performances by David Lee Murphy and Kaitlin Butts.
Details: 7 p.m. Saturday, Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Anderson Township. riverbend.org.
5. Benton Farm Fall Craft Show and Festival
Discover artists' work and find a unique gift for a birthday party, wedding/baby shower or Christmas. Or keep something just for yourself. Enjoy family-friendly activities such as food trucks, pony rides, live music, gem mining, face painting, fire trucks demos and, of course, baby goat snuggles.
Details: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Benton Family Farm, 11896 Old Lexington Pike, Walton. $5, free ages 10-under. upcomingevents.com.
6. Corn Stand Jam
Enjoy raffle baskets, vendors, food, trucks, a kids' zone and bands all day long with The Magic Lightnin' Boys headlining, and Rozzi's fireworks to end the night. This festival supports mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
Details: 2-10 p.m. Saturday, RiversEdge Amphitheater, 116 Dayton St., Hamilton. facebook.com.
7. Forager's Fest
Enjoy live music by Adam & Jalen, activities and demos centered around Ohio's wild food sources, complimentary beer samples, foraged sweet treats, artisan goods, and cocktails and food for purchase.
Details: 6-10 p.m. Friday, Krippendorf Lodge, Rowe Woods, 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford. cincynature.ticketapp.org.
8. Newport Aquarium's Underwater Pumpkin Glow
Come to Newport Aquarium's Underwater Pumpkin Glow to find glowing pumpkins in your favorite exhibits. Your animal friends will get tasty pumpkin treats and seasonal enrichment as jack-o'-lanterns become reefs for the underwater creatures.
Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Newport Aquarium, 1 Levee Way, Newport. Included with admission. Runs through Nov. 1. newportaquarium.com.
9. Ault in Bloom
Attend the 12th annual Ault in Bloom. Amateur and experienced exhibitors are invited to enter in their rose blooms, floral arrangements and photographs for judging. This year's theme is "A Nation in Bloom."
Details: 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Ault Park Pavilion, 5090 Observatory Circle, Mount Outlook. rosesgcra.org.
10. Cincy Street Meet
There are only a few simple rules to this event: no basic outfits, and no boring pictures allowed. It's time to get creative and use that out-of-the-box thinking. Participants are encouraged to bring their own props, colored smoke, dramatic makeup looks, costumes, body paint and anything else to stand out.
Details: 4-9 p.m. Sunday, 1658 Cooper St., Northside. Free. cincystreetmeet.com.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Top 10 events in Zinzinnati this weekend. Oktoberfest and plenty more
