A new festival celebrating inland river culture and kicking off even more celebrations to come in honor of the United States’ 250th birthday is taking over Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky’s riverfronts this October. 

America’s River Roots will take place Wednesday-Sunday, Oct. 8-12, along the banks of Cincinnati, Newport and Covington, with up to 1 million visitors expected.

“America’s River Roots will focus attention on the Ohio River Valley region and its impact on the nation’s growth and shaping of our diverse cultures,” event co-chair Rick Greiwe said in a press release in May 2024 when the event was first announced. “The event will deepen this awareness with roots music, river cuisine and cultural experiences along our world-class riverfront. Area residents will connect with our common roots and visitors will discover the heritage of America’s inland river culture.”

The Ohio River has played a vital role not just in Cincinnati’s history, but the history of the U.S. — from providing energy and industry to being a beacon of hope to those seeking freedom — and America’s River Roots aims to showcase the multicultural art, history, music and cuisine that has come from the river’s connection to the people of the region.

“We have a world-class riverfront parks system, second to none, designed for world-class national events. And with roots music on both sides of our river, riverboats going in and out and great, multicultural food throughout the venues, this could be something that everyone can enjoy and take pride in,” Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval said at the 2024 announcement. “River Roots has the potential to bring so many new eyes and dollars to our region’s beauty, our river heritage and the common roots that have made us so strong for so many generations.”

From food and bourbon to music and riverboat races, here’s everything you can expect from the America’s River Roots festival this October:

Music & Performances

It wouldn’t be a celebration of river culture without homages to the musical genres that sprang from their banks. From gospel and blues to folk, country and roots music, America’s River Roots will feature performances from nationally and regionally acclaimed artists across three free stages in Newport, Yeatman’s Cove and the Schmidlapp Gardens at The Banks. Signature acts include:

• Cincinnati Jazz All Stars, Thursday from 6-7:30 p.m. in Newport
• Over the Rhine, Thursday from 8:30-10 p.m. at Yeatman’s Cove
• Band of Heathens, Friday from 9:30-11 p.m. in Newport
• Noah Wotherspoon, Saturday from 9:30-11 p.m. in Newport
• Zapp, Saturday from 9:30-11 p.m. at Yeatman’s Cove
• Lauren Eylise, Sunday from 3-5 p.m. at Yeatman’s Cove

America’s River Roots will also feature special musical experiences to complement the stage lineup, like:

Sounds From the River: An interactive educational concert and curriculum from local music icon Kathy Wade that will “trace the historical development and migration of music from the diverse populations that traveled along the Ohio River.” You can catch performances at the festival and the Aronoff Center. It will also be performed for sixth-graders in Cincinnati Public Schools.

The Spirit of America Gala: An evening to honor artistic achievement and cultural storytelling, featuring Cincinnati’s world-class performing arts, including Cincinnati Pops, Cincinnati Opera and Cincinnati Ballet. This will be held at Music Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 7. Tickets are on sale now.

King Of Them All: River Roots Edition: Hosted in partnership with afrochine, this experience offers a look into Cincinnati’s iconic King Records, created from stories and footage behind the full-length documentary.

While main stage headliners Weezer, Janelle Monáe, Maren Morris and Mt. Joy were initially scheduled to perform ticketed concerts, those shows have since been canceled as organizers say they wanted to focus more on free entertainment that’s accessible to all attendees. Ticketholders for those main-stage concerts have been sent refund information.

Riverboat Cruises & Races

If you were in Cincinnati during the ‘80s, ‘90s or early 2000s, you probably remember Tall Stacks, a festival celebrating the Queen City’s riverboat heritage. The festival featured numerous riverboats that paraded and raced on the Ohio River, and America’s River Roots will be bringing back some of that nostalgia. 

During America’s River Roots, nine steamboats and riverboats from Cincinnati and six other river cities will offer cruises and take part in parades and races during the five-day festival.

Boats include: 

• Belle of Cincinnati (Cincinnati)
• River Queen (Cincinnati)
• Steamboat NATCHEZ (New Orleans)
• Belle of Louisville (Louisville)
• Mary M. Miller (Louisville)
• Celebration Belle (Moline)
• Belle of Memphis (Memphis)
• Three Rivers Queen (Pittsburgh)
• Anson & Betsey Northrup (Minneapolis/St. Paul)

With all these boats heading to Cincinnati, that means there will be over 175 cruise experiences available across the nine ships. Organizers say there will be brunch, lunch, dinner and late-night cruises, as well as the Riverboat Races and parade cruises. 

Cruises will also include sightseeing opportunities, as well as family-oriented cruises, themed adventures and history lessons, including:

Mascot Mania on the Celebration Belle: A one-of-a-kind, family-friendly cruise featuring FC Cincinnati’s Gary the Lion, the Bengals’ Who Dey, Xavier University’s D’artagnan, the Cincinnati Reds’ Gapper and Mr. Red, Northern Kentucky University’s The Norse and more. Mascots will roam the deck, taking part in all the fun, as well as taking pictures with fans. 

Graeter’s Ice Cream Social on the Belle of Cincinnati, Celebration Belle and Three Rivers Queen: A sweet adventure with Mr. Cincinnati himself, Jim Tarbell and live music. As you enjoy the sights, you’ll also get to enjoy a scoop of Graeter’s handcrafted ice cream, with a choice between Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip, Cookie Dough Chocolate Chip and Madagascar Vanilla Bean.

Princesses, Pirates & Superheroes Family Sightseeing Cruise on the Celebration Belle and Belle of Cincinnati: Kids will get to meet and take photos with their favorite princesses, pirates or superheroes in person while learning the secrets of royalty, pirate skills and superhero powers with games and sing-alongs.

Dueling Pianos on the Celebration Belle: Sing, laugh, clap and dance during this part-comedy, part-concert cruise. The cruise will feature two pianos and two powerhouse entertainers battling it out on the keys and taking passengers’ requests from seven decades’ worth of music.

The History of Baseball & The River Sightseeing Cruise on the Three Rivers Queen: Presented by American Legacy Tours, this history-infused cruise will share how riverboats helped spread baseball across the country and ultimately led to the creation of the first professional baseball team right here in Cincinnati.

Harbor History: Stories from the Ohio River Sightseeing Cruise on the Mary M. Miller: Indulge in some river history and lore aboard the ship named after America’s first female licensed steamboat captain — “the perfect backdrop for stories of the boldness and gumption of individuals and communities associated with The Great River,” according to the event description.

Themed cruises also include a bourbon-tasting and history cruise with New Riff Distilling; a coffee and beignets cruise on the Steamboat NATCHEZ; an Underground Railroad Freedom Journey sightseeing cruise on the Three Rivers Queen; Visions from the Queen, in which you’ll learn more about how the Ohio River shaped the growth of the region, on the Mary M. Miller and Three Rivers Queen; and a football pre-game sightseeing cruise on the Celebration Belle.

Tickets are available at americasriverroots.com/cruise and range from $20 to $95, depending on the cruise. 

Food & Bourbon

During America’s River Roots, you’ll be able to try cuisine from America’s river regions, with dozens of local food trucks serving up eats. Guests can also visit the Kentucky Boardwalk at the Ovation, where you can stroll and sip your way through pop-up bar The B-Line Speakeasy, as well as the Braxton Bier Garden. Food from The B-Line restaurants Purple Poulet, Greyhound Tavern and Smoke Justis will also be available for purchase. 

Beyond food, America’s River River Roots will also toast to Kentucky’s most iconic export: bourbon. Newport will be home to the Kentucky Bourbon Experience, which will be located within a 200-foot tent at Newport’s Festival Park (100 Riverboat Row) and feature three distinct spaces, including the Bourbon Bottle Shop & Bazaar, the Bourbon Experience and the Merchant’s Club.

“We designed the Kentucky Bourbon Experience to be a full sensory journey into the heart of bourbon culture,” Amy Tobin, bourbon curator for America’s River Roots, said in a press release. “From the moment you step into the tent, you’ll be immersed in the stories, craftsmanship and flavor that make Kentucky bourbon world-renowned.”

In the tent, attendees can visit the Bottle Shop Bazaar, powered by Party Source, the official bourbon retailer of America’s River Roots. The open marketplace will be a one-stop shop for those looking to sample and buy bourbon or discover new favorites. There will also be gifts and bourbon-inspired goods for sale. And, the Merchant’s Club will offer a luxurious, speakeasy-style lounge space overlooking the river that will allow you to escape the crowds and sip on handcrafted bourbon cocktails.

The tent will also feature the Bourbon Experience, ticketed, 90-minute events that will take guests on a journey into the heart of bourbon culture. There will be bourbon blending, the chance to create your own custom bottle and the opportunity to select from single-barrel offerings. 

Some of the ticketed experiences include: 

Bourbon & Boats: A Spirited Journey with Molly Wellmann: Join one of Cincinnati’s favorite bartenders, Molly Wellmann, as you enjoy a curated bourbon flight and live cocktail demonstration. While you sip, Wellmann will share stories on topics like the birth of bourbon and its journey down the Ohio River, historic distilleries, Cincinnati’s Public Landing and tales of smugglers, pioneers and larger-than-life legends of the river.

Step Into the Green River Candy Bar Experience — A Bourbon & Candy Pairing Like No Other: Whiskey meets candy in this one-of-a-kind flavor journey. Green River will pair its Core Four whiskies with beloved candies like Mike & Ike, Andes Mints, Toblerone and Ring Pops, taking you on a sensory ride through the bold flavor combinations. Guests can also take part in the “Shoot the Shoe” challenge and leave with cool giveaways.

Bourbon Blending Experiences with Wenzel Whiskey and Willow Run: Taste from several kinds of bourbon and learn how to craft your own signature blend to take home.

Across the river at Yeatman’s Cove, you can also try the Craft Brewmaster Experience, featuring craft brews of both Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. The experience offers both self-guided and expert-guided tastings, as well as 18 kinds of beer from local breweries like Braxton, Fifty West, MadTree and Rhinegeist, so there will be something for every palate. 

You can see more experiences and buy tickets at americasriverroots.com/cuisine.

Art, History & Culture

To immerse guests in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky’s river culture, there will also be a variety of art and history experiences available to take part in, both during the festival and outside of it. 

During the festival, guests can visit the Purple People Bridge, where they’ll find the Good N’ Rooted artisan market, featuring over 100 local vendors selling handcrafted items, art, jewelry and more. The market will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday-Sunday of the festival. 

There will also be a daily speakers series called “River Talks,” with renowned speakers hosting discussions on topics like civic leadership, arts, music and film. Some events include spoken word poets, a Harriet Tubman play with Brandi La’Sherrill and a conversation with King Records filmmaker Yemi Oyediran.

On Friday and Saturday of the festival, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center will offer free admission, and guests can see its new exhibit as well as take part in family activities. While at The Banks, guests are also encouraged to visit the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame, a free and interactive attraction that highlights Cincinnati’s Black music history.

There are also several app-based experiences inspired by America’s River Roots that you can take part in now. One includes Freedom Journey, which brings the history and stories of the Underground Railroad to life via an immersive, GPS-based app. This storytelling platform explores the accounts of courage and resistance along the Underground Railroad, featuring over 160 points of interest along the Ohio River, including historic sites and people. The app also acts as a historically accurate guide, tracing the routes of people seeking freedom and Underground Railroad conductors in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.

The trail begins at the Freedom Center and follows the Ohio River to places like New Richmond, Ripley, Portsmouth and Marietta, as well as spots in Northern Kentucky and western West Virginia. Along the way, users can learn more about notable people like Levi Coffin, Sarah Fossett and John Rankin, as well as historic sites like Cincinnati’s Harriet Beecher Stowe House and Ripley’s Rankin House.

While you can customize your route using the “Build Your Own Freedom Journey” tool, the app also offers curated tours:

• The Heart of Freedom (3 hours)
• Crossing Boundaries (full day)
• Along the Journey (2 days)

You can download the app from both the App Store and Google Play.

Organizers have also announced the Riverwalk Trail experience, a self-guided tour and animated web-based app featuring a 3.2-mile walk through parks, cultural landmarks and districts along the Ohio River, as well as games and activities. 

What You Should Know Before You Go

America’s River Roots runs Wednesday-Sunday, Oct. 8-12. You’ll be able to find festival activities all along the riverfronts in Downtown Cincinnati, as well as Covington and Newport. 

Apart from ticketed experiences like the riverboat cruises and bourbon tastings, the festival is free to attend. All ages are welcome, though, there may be some ticketed experiences that are strictly 21 and older. The festival is also rain-or-shine, but in the event of severe weather, you can find updates on America’s River Roots’ official website and social media channels.

America’s River Roots organizers will launch an official app in the coming days of the festival to compile everything you need to know in one place. In the meantime, here are some practical matters to expect:

Parking & Rideshares

You’ll be able to find parking at surface parking areas throughout the riverfront areas on both sides of the festival. These nearby garages also offer thousands of spaces: 

• The Banks (Cincinnati)
• East Riverfront Garage (Cincinnati)
• Newport on the Levee (Newport)
• Ovation (Newport)
• Corporex Parking Garage (Covington)

Rideshare drop-offs will be located along East Pete Rose Way at Mehring Way in Downtown Cincinnati. You can also utilize public transportation, as Metro has stops throughout Downtown Cincinnati, and the Cincinnati Connector streetcar can take you from Over-the-Rhine to The Banks and vice versa. TANK bus services in Northern Kentucky will also be available. 

Prohibited Items

Large bags, framed backpacks and luggage will not be allowed at the festival. Personal bags are permitted, but will be searched. No weapons of any kind, including pepper spray, will be allowed. 

Outside food and beverages, including alcohol, as well as cans, glass or metal containers, are prohibited, but you can bring empty, plastic reusable water bottles. Coolers, unless they’re medically required and are individual-sized and soft-sided, will not be permitted. 

Inflatable items like balloons and beach balls are prohibited, as are fireworks and other incendiary devices. You’re also asked to leave animals and pets, unless they’re service animals under ADA regulations, at home. 

You can find a full list of prohibited items, as well as more information on what to expect at americasriverroots.com/faq.