The Coney Gap is a nod to Cincinnati's love affair with coney dogs. (Provided by Hunger Skateparks)
The Coney Gap is a nod to Cincinnati's love affair with coney dogs. (Provided by Hunger Skateparks)
Gavin Tramonte skate boards at the Camp Washington Skatepark on Aug. 25. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Gavin Tramonte skate boards at the Camp Washington Skatepark on Aug. 25. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Nick Smith films Gavin Tramonte while he skateboards at Camp Washington Skatepark on Aug. 25. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Nick Smith films Gavin Tramonte while he skateboards at Camp Washington Skatepark on Aug. 25. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
The Camp Washington Skatepark features what designers and skaters are calling the Coney Gap or Glizzy Gap. (Glizzy is current slang for hot dog.) (Provided by Hunger Skateparks)
The Camp Washington Skatepark features what designers and skaters are calling the Coney Gap or Glizzy Gap. (Glizzy is current slang for hot dog.) (Provided by Hunger Skateparks)
Nick Smith skateboards at the new Camp Washington Skatepark on Aug. 25, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Nick Smith skateboards at the new Camp Washington Skatepark on Aug. 25, 2026. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
The new Camp Washington Skatepark includes a Flow Street Area, with ramps, steps and other features providing a "flowy creative" feel, according to designer Hunger Skateparks. (Provided by Hunger Skateparks)
The new Camp Washington Skatepark includes a Flow Street Area, with ramps, steps and other features providing a "flowy creative" feel, according to designer Hunger Skateparks. (Provided by Hunger Skateparks)
Gabrielle Larkin, community engagement director of Cincinnati Skatepark Project, is a dedicated quad-wheel skater. Her dad and two sons ride skateboards. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Gabrielle Larkin, community engagement director of Cincinnati Skatepark Project, is a dedicated quad-wheel skater. Her dad and two sons ride skateboards. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Ramps in the new park welcome skateboarders as well as people using scooters, rollerblades and BMX bikes. (Provided by Hunger Skateparks)
Ramps in the new park welcome skateboarders as well as people using scooters, rollerblades and BMX bikes. (Provided by Hunger Skateparks)
Cincinnati Skatepark Project organizers pushed for the Camp Washington Skatepark. "We'll pat ourselves on the back and say we never took 'no' or 'later' for an answer," said Randy Browne, a design consultant for the group. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
Cincinnati Skatepark Project organizers pushed for the Camp Washington Skatepark. "We'll pat ourselves on the back and say we never took 'no' or 'later' for an answer," said Randy Browne, a design consultant for the group. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
One part of the new park is inspired by the "Doctors' Office" skate spot behind a Clifton UDF store, so named because an adjacent building had been the home of doctors' offices. (Provided by Hunger Skateparks)
One part of the new park is inspired by the "Doctors' Office" skate spot behind a Clifton UDF store, so named because an adjacent building had been the home of doctors' offices. (Provided by Hunger Skateparks)
The new Camp Washington Skatepark is "huge for the city, huge for the region," said Daniel Betts, Cincinnati Recreation Commission director. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
The new Camp Washington Skatepark is "huge for the city, huge for the region," said Daniel Betts, Cincinnati Recreation Commission director. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
The bowl of the new skatepark is stamped with the letter C, a so-called "Easter egg" or treat for park users that evokes other local skating experiences. (Provided by Hunger Skateparks)
The bowl of the new skatepark is stamped with the letter C, a so-called "Easter egg" or treat for park users that evokes other local skating experiences. (Provided by Hunger Skateparks)
The red-and-blue platform in the new Camp Washington Skatepark bears some resemblance to "Circumspect," a concrete public sculpture by local artist Stuart Fink that sat at Fifth and Elm streets from 1984 to 2023. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)
The red-and-blue platform in the new Camp Washington Skatepark bears some resemblance to "Circumspect," a concrete public sculpture by local artist Stuart Fink that sat at Fifth and Elm streets from 1984 to 2023. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer)

The Coney Gap is a nod to Cincinnati's love affair with coney dogs.

Labor Day weekend is here, leading up to one of the most anticipated fireworks shows in the Midwest. To all those new to the Cincinnati area, you do not want to miss the Riverfest parties on either side of the Ohio River. Labor Day weekend also means the opening of the much-loved Ohio Renaissance Festival, and if you're already looking for Oktoberfest celebrations, the Liberty Home Association's is your best bet.

Other fun activities include riding in a World War II bomber at Lunken Airport Days, watching the acrobats at Cirque du Luxe and finding a new art piece to take home at Loveland Art Festival.

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.

Both sides of the Ohio are throwing all-day parties, including food, live music and entertainment. Rozzi's Famous Fireworks will be set off from barges in the middle of the river at 9 p.m. with a music soundtrack simulcast on radio station WEBN 102.7 FM.

And for those wanting to avoid the traffic and celebrate in style, see one of the Midwest's largest fireworks displays aboard a train or riverboat.

Riverfest/WEBN Fireworks Show: 3 p.m. Sunday, Sawyer Point Park and Yeatman's Cove, 705 E. Pete Rose Way, Downtown; 4 p.m., Festival Park, 100 Riverboat Row, Newport and Covington Plaza, 144 Madison Ave., Covington. cincinnati-oh.gov; newportonthelevee.com.

Cincinnati Dinner Train: 5 p.m. Sunday, 2172 Seymour Ave., Roselawn. $168. Ages 12-up only. cincinnatidinnertrain.com.

BB Riverboats Cruise: 4-10 p.m. Sunday, BB Riverboats, 101 Riverboat Row, Newport. $175 adults and ages 4-12. $25 parking with limited availability. bbriverboats.com.

Transport yourself back in time to the days where kings and queens ruled at Ohio Renaissance Festival. See over 100 daily shows, including a circus show and a sword fight on opening weekend. Try savory cuisine such as turkey legs, burgers and pulled pork. Wash it all down with a cold beer. Browse through the village "shoppes" offering homemade crafts.

Details: 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday-Monday, 10542 E. State Route 73, Waynesville. Runs every weekend Sept. 5-Nov. 1. renfestival.com.

Join Liberty Home Association in its celebration of Oktoberfest. Taste authentic German food and hear a lineup of new bands every day. And, of course, drink refreshing German "bier."

Details: 6-11 p.m. Friday, 1-11 p.m. Saturday, 1-8 p.m. Sunday, 2361 Hamilton-Cleves Road, Hamilton. libertyhome.net.

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. Braxton Brewery brewed the Oktoberfest Fuel, a traditional lager served in the souvenir stein.
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. Braxton Brewery brewed the Oktoberfest Fuel, a traditional lager served in the souvenir stein.

Lunken Airport is offering once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to tour the cockpits of famous, historical WWII Bombers. Ride in the WWII Bombers and helicopters. Other rare aircraft will be on display, as well as classic cars, military vehicles and exhibits. A patriotic flag ceremony takes place each day at noon.

Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Lunken Airport, 262 Wilmer Ave., Linwood. warbirds.clubexpress.com.

The B-17 Flying Fortress “Sentimental Journey” is parked on the tarmac ahead of the “Lunken Airport Days” Labor Day weekend event at Lunken Airport in the East End neighborhood of Cincinnati on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024.
The B-17 Flying Fortress “Sentimental Journey” is parked on the tarmac ahead of the “Lunken Airport Days” Labor Day weekend event at Lunken Airport in the East End neighborhood of Cincinnati on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024.

Enjoy a modern twist on the classic circus. See thrilling performances by world-class circus artists under the big top.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 4:30 and 7:30 Friday, 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Boone County Fairgrounds, 5819 Idlewild Road, Burlington. cirqueduluxe.com.

Cirque Du Luxe’s cast pose for a photo in Panama City, Fla., Sept. 12, 2025. (Tyler Orsburn/News Herald)
Cirque Du Luxe’s cast pose for a photo in Panama City, Fla., Sept. 12, 2025. (Tyler Orsburn/News Herald)

See the work of nearly 70 artists at the ninth annual Loveland Art Festival. Cast your vote for the People's Choice award. Hear live music and grab a bite to eat. There will be a booth highlighting the work of Loveland High School art students and a booth dedicated to the non-profit, Raptors Inc.

Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nisbet Park, ​126 Karl Brown Way, Loveland. lovelandartfestival.com.

Come to Appelman Park for live music, rotary burgers and a performance by the Old Path Cloggers. Enjoy a motor club cruise-in, crosscut sawing, tomahawks and the frog derby.

Details: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 232 Main St., Augusta. allevents.in.

Expect a world-class boutique music and arts festival like no other at Nowhere Else Festival. Join this celebration of music, artists and the community. Hear a lineup of different artists each day. Proceeds benefit the continued restoration of a 140-year-old barn into a fully functioning performing arts center.

Details: Events starting between 4-7:30 p.m. Friday (VIP only), 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-8:15 p.m. Sunday, Nowhere Else Farm, 190 Townsend Road, Martinsville. $90 one day pass, $150 two day pass, $400 three day VIP pass. nowhereelsefestival.com.

It's that time of the year again. Have some fun at one of these waterparks before they close for the season.

Soak City: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday-Monday, Kings Island, 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason. visitkingsisland.com.

Aqua Adventures Waterpark: 5-9 p.m. adult swim Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Land of Illusion Adventure Park, 8762 Thomas Road, Middletown. landofillusion.com.

Soak City Waterpark at Kings Island has more than 50 water activities.
Soak City Waterpark at Kings Island has more than 50 water activities.

Add the Cincinnati Aruna Run or Ridge & Repeat to your Labor Day schedule.

Aruna Run: 8 a.m.-noon Monday, Smale Riverfront Park, 166 W. Mehring Way, Downtown. Every single registration fee goes directly toward freeing, employing and empowering trafficked women. Run either the 10K, 5K or 1-mile. Prices vary per race. raceroster.com.

Ridge & Repeat: 9 a.m. Monday, 5935 Ridge Ave., Pleasant Ridge. This race is organized as part of a Girl Scout Gold Award project aimed at revitalizing local road races. Compete in the 1, 2 or 3-mile race. $33.95. findarace.com.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Top 10 things to do Labor Day weekend in Cincinnati