Sunday, April 28, 2002
Where the Flying Pig ranks
Cincinnati's biggest annual events, based on attendance, hype and anticipation), as selected by The Enquirer:
1. Third Federal Riverfest (Sept.1): An estimated half-million people line both sides of the Ohio River banks to watch the annual Toyota/WEBN fireworks extravaganza. The event started in August 1977.
2. Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati (Sept. 21-22): The nation's largest authentic Octoberfest draws an estimated half-million people to downtown Cincinnati over two days. This year will be the 27th edition.
3. Reds Opening Day and Findlay Market Parade: The home team started playing ball in 1876, and the first game now is, well, more than a game — it's an event. This year's opener against the Cubs drew 41,193 to Cinergy Field. April 1 also marked the 83rd Findlay Market Opening Day Parade.
4. Taste of Cincinnati (May 25-27): The longest-running culinary-arts festival in the country is entering its 23rd year. Taste draws an estimated half-million people over three days.
5. Crosstown Shootout: Cincinnati's Shoemaker Center (13,176) and Xavier's Cintas Center (10,250) take turns selling out this annual basketball game between the Bearcats and Musketeers, which has been nationally televised on ESPN since the 1998-99 season. Not much gets the town talking like this showdown, especially when both teams are winning.
6. Jimmy Buffett at Riverbend (June 18): The concert is already sold out, as usual, which means 20,000 Parrotheads will be wasting away again in Margaritaville. Buffett has sold out 35 consecutive shows at Riverbend dating to 1988, totaling 650,000 people.
7. Browns-Bengals (Nov.17): Last year's game at Paul Brown Stadium drew a sellout crowd of 64,217, the largest audience ever at a one-day sporting event in Cincinnati. The rivalry, which pits two teams founded by the same man (Paul Brown), started in 1970. This might rank higher, but neither team has been challenging for the playoffs, which limits the amount of gloating the winner — and its fans — can do.
8. Tennis Masters Series Cincinnati (Aug. 1-11): Tournament tennis in Cincinnati enters its 103rd year. Last year's 11-day event drew 165,871 fans to the ATP Tennis Center in Mason. The TMS Cincinnati is one of the 13 most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world and one of the top five in North America.
9. Midwest Black Family Reunion Celebration (Aug. 16-18): An estimated 200,000 people attend this event, which is presented by the National Council of Negro Women and Cybervillage USA, Inc. This year's event will be the 14th annual. There are only two such Reunions in the country — in Cincinnati and Washington, D.C.
10. Taste of Blue Ash (Aug. 23-25): This year will mark the 17th for the event. Last year's festival drew 230,000 to 240,000 for three days. Live oldies music is a big drawing card. Among last year's talent: Johnny Rivers, the Kingston Trio, Jerry Lee Lewis and Petula Clark.
11. Gold Star ChiliFest (July 12-14): Going into its 19th year, this event, which will take place at Yeatman's Cove and the Serpentine Wall, is a fund-raiser for the Cincinnati Fire Museum. It typically draws 80,000 people over three days.
12. Flying Pig Marathon (May 5): More than 8,000 participants, 3,000 volunteers, 25,000 people at the victory party and tens of thousands watching. This is the youngest of Cincinnati's big-time annual events.
13. Summerfair (May 31-June 2): More than 80,000 people, mainly from the Tristate area, come to Coney Island to see 300 arts and crafts exhibitors from across the United States and Canada. This will be the 35th year for the three-day event.
14. Pepsi Jammin' on Main (May 10-11): Canceled last year after the April riots, this street music festival will take place for the seventh time in eight years. There will be live performances on four stages. It is expected to draw nearly 50,000 people over two days.
15. Kroger Senior Classic (Sept. 2-8): Attendance last year was 103,517 for the week. The first Kroger, a Senior PGA Tour event, was held in 1990. Professional golf has been coming since 1973 when it was the Kings Island Open, a PGA Tour event.
* Attendance figures are from event officials and newspaper archives.
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Where the Flying Pig ranks
