Sunday, May 19

Goodnight, Sunday.

The weather is warming up and with it comes lots and lots of great locally grown produce. I think you’ll agree that we are lucky to live in the midwest where we can get soooo many different varieties of fresh, local vegetables and fruit!

I am friends with Farmer Jeff, owner of Blooms and Berries Farm Market in Loveland. They just kicked off their annual Strawberry Days event this weekend, celebrating all things strawberry… including picking those yummy fresh berries from their fields.

But the strawberries didn’t get the memo on timing this year. The crops came in early and then it rained… and rained… and rained some more.

While the weather has been a BIG challenge this season, Farmer Jeff reports that there are a lot of great berries out there and more are ripening daily. 

But because of the weather and what it did to the strawberry crops, it’s impossible know what time they’re going to be all picked out each day when they open. And if they run out of ripe fruit to pick or the fields are just too muddy, they may need to close the field.

So Jeff decided to offer a great discount on Strawberry Days admission right now.

They are offering discounted weekday tickets for $5 (typically $11.95) and weekend tickets are just $7 (typically $16.95). Tickets include the petting farm, bounce pad, bee train, giant slide, farm games and access to the bakery treats... and, hopefully, the ability to pick strawberries while you’re there.

Purchase discounted Strawberry Days tickets online only. Berries are $4.99/lb. See their site for full details and pricing.

This is not a paid ad, by the way. I thought you might like to know about this great discount!

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK 💗 

There’s a Butterfly Show Photography Night happening at the Krohn Conservatory on Monday, 6-8pm. Space is limited to 50 guests so that tripods/other photography equipment can be used. Tickets required.

Queen City Bike invites you to the Norwood Slow Roll event, happening on Thursday starting at 6pm. This ride is an opportunity to see the city of Norwood from a new perspective, pass by historic landmarks, and find new and unique cut-throughs and roads less traveled. The ride will be 10-15 miles long and "party pace". This isn't a pace group or a training ride, but a leisurely wander across under-appreciated pavement. They'll meet at Factory 52 at 6:00pm, and plan on rolling out at 6:20pm.

There’s an Owl Prowl on Thursday evening starting at 8pm. Head to Clermont County’s Clingman Park to learn more (and hopefully spot) these silent predators.

Be sure to check out the NEW Free Live Music List below too!

SIGN UP ✏️ 

Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum has a June Twilight Tour coming up and registration opens on Wednesday, May 22 at noon. June’s tour is “Patriots and Pioneers” and takes place on June 20.

There are still a few tickets left for the August “Bricks and Beer: Cincinnati Music Hall History and Hops” event (earlier dates already sold out). Enter the world of late nineteenth-century history as the tour uncovers the surprising intersection of the Cincinnati beer industry and its contributions to the development of Music Hall. Tour parts of the building and quench your thirst with beer selections from Rhinegeist.

The 122nd Army Band has a free concert (“Rewind to the 80s”) at Memorial Hall on July 5th. Tickets are required and lots are taken already so don’t delay!

GOOD TO KNOW ✔️ 

Marmalade Lily has U-Pick Flowers events on Wednesdays (6-9pm) and Saturdays (9-11am). Purchase an admission ticket to cut your own fresh, specialty-cut blooms straight from their gardens. Flowers are priced anywhere from $1 for a zinnia to $4 for huge hydrangea stems. They suggest bringing your favorite vase if you want to arrange on-site and outdoor shoes for foraging.

COMING SOON 📆 

Memorial Day is right around the corner and we have a list of parades, freebies, and ceremonies over on our website: Memorial Day Celebrations in Cincinnati.

Pack your chairs and head to Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum’s Rose Garden for Outdoor Movie Night on June 7. They’ll be showing “Barbie” starting at 9pm. Reservations requested.

Taste of Cincinnati will be sure to fill your belly AND keep you entertained over Memorial Day Weekend, May 25-27. Taste is on 5th Street (downtown) and features 65+ restaurants, food trucks and Findlay Market vendors. More than 300 menu items will be available, along with a wide variety of beers and live entertainment. 

Summerfair returns to Coney Island this year! The annual juried art show will be there May 31-June 2. More than 300 fine artists and craftspeople from across the country will be exhibiting and selling works ranging from ceramics and sculptures to painting and photography.

FREE LIVE MUSIC THIS WEEK 🪕 

Jazz at the Park, Washington Park, Monday, 6-9pm | Mambo Combo

Jazz at the Square, Fountain Square, Tuesday, 5-8pm | Pamela Mallory Trio

Delhi Concerts in the Park Series, Delhi Park Pavilion, Wednesday, 7pm | The Eagles Project

Summer Sessions Live at VOA, Voice of America Park, Wednesday, 6-9pm | Missin’ Khaos

Salsa on the Square, Fountain Square, Thursday, 7-10pm | Tropicoso/Volaré

Rockin’ the Roebling, Smale Riverfront Park, Thursday, 6-10pm | Naked Karate Girls (DJ starts at 6pm, band starts at 7pm)

The Takeover, The Square at Union Centre, Thursday, 6-9pm | Trailer Park Floosies

Indie Friday, Fountain Square, Friday, 7-10pm | Noah Smith’s Crooner Circus

Fifth and Vine Live, Fountain Square, Saturday, 7-10pm | Soul Pocket

DEALS + DISCOUNTS 😍 

Benken Garden Center will have free Kona Ice on the patio, May 25 from 11am to 1:30pm.

Prasco Park has some great freebies this week. In addition to lots of baseball and family friendly activities, it’s Montgomery Inn Night on May 22, LaRosa’s Night on May 23, and Chick Fil-A Night on May 24. See their site for details.

FAMILY FRIENDLY 🛝 

Blue Ash Public Works is hosting a Touch-A-Truck event on Wednesday, 4-7pm. Head to Summit Park to climb in a street sweeper, wheel loader, dump truck, pick-up truck, skid loader, mini-excavator, snow plow, and more! This event is free and open to the public.

PIC OF THE DAY 📸 

Tag @365Cincinnati on Instagram to get your photo shared!