Yoga during the 2017 Covington Outdoors Weekend.
COVINGTON, Ky. - Are you a hard-core exercise enthusiast who aspires to be on American Ninja Warrior, or does your notion of outdoor activity consist of sitting in a lawn chair and listening to cellists and woodwinds?
Would you rather paddle or pedal?
Do you have two legs or four?
No matter - wherever you fall on the outdoors enthusiast spectrum, the second-annual Covington Outdoors Weekend features an activity tailored to your interests.
From obstacle course training to golf, yoga to hiking, a “beer run” to browsing stores on Pike Street, the weekend (which technically begins Thursday evening) is packed with activities designed to get people of all ages to leave the confines of their homes and enjoy the fresh air.
“This is a great opportunity for Covington to come together as a community doing a bunch of fun activities,” said Katie Meyer, Executive Director of Renaissance Covington, the nonprofit working to bring vitality to downtown. “But it’s also a way to showcase the City’s rich collection of parks, recreational facilities, and small businesses geared toward health and fitness.”
Biking at the 2017 Covington Outdoors Weekend.
The idea for the weekend was born from LiveWell NKY, a regional effort to improve the overall health of people in Northern Kentucky. Covington set out to improve targets associated with physical activity, nutrition, and tobacco use by celebrating existing events and creating new ones that encouraged residents to get active outdoors.
City officials organized a handful of the events and are helping to organize others.
“Thanks to the leadership from Renaissance Covington, the idea really took off in 2017 with multiple partners stepping up and leading each activity,” said Rosie Santos, Covington’s Parks & Recreation Manager. “We’re blessed - our City is uniquely positioned because of its geography and natural resources to be a hub for urban outdoor recreation, and this event takes advantage of that.”
Almost all the events are free and open to the public, but participants are encouraged to register for individual events by clicking
HERE.
The schedule:
Thursday
- Pike Street Stroll (5 p.m.-8 p.m.):Browse shops, galleries, restaurants, and bars on Pike Street from Scott Boulevard to Holman Street while buskers keep you entertained. Admission: Free.
- Madhatter Park Launch (5 p.m.-9 p.m.): Celebrate the opening of Madhatter Park, a pop-up park at 620 Scott Blvd. Live music, lawn games, food, and drink. Admission: Free.
Friday
- Covington Beer Mile (6 p.m.-8 p.m.): Run a race after drinking beer from Braxton Brewing Co. (four beers, four quarter-mile laps). Must be 21 to participate, and registration required HERE.
- Cinema in the Cemetery (9 p.m.):Bring a blanket or chair and watch an outdoor showing of The Neverending Story in historic Linden Grove Cemetery, 401 W. 13th St. Admission: Free.
Ohio River Paddlefest 2017, from the Covington shore.
Saturday
- Paddlefest Watch Spot (8 a.m. to 10 a.m.):Watch hundreds of kayaks and canoes breeze down the Ohio River from a watch spot under the Roebling Bridge. Admission: Free.
- Covington Farmers Market (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.):Browse over 20 local farmers, vendors, bakers and more at our urban Farmers Market at 3rd and Greenup Streets. This Saturday will feature the Farm to Bar program at the Market, with beers from Bircus Brewing Co. and spirits from Second Sight Spirits.
- Rooted Yoga at The Gruff (9 a.m.): Gentle yoga at The Gruff (129 E. 2nd St.) with the instructors from Rooted Yoga. Admission: Free, but wear comfortable clothing and bring your own mat.
- Covington Urban Hike (10 a.m.): Join The Active Lifestyles and Fitness Group as they take you on a 5-mile hike through Covington beginning at 3rd and Greenup. Admission: Free, but wear comfortable shoes.
- Fairy Scavenger Hunt(2:30 p.m.-5 p.m.): Small children and their parents enjoy a short nature walk while looking for fairies with guides from Behringer-Crawford Museum at 600 Montague Road. Admission: Free.
- Kentucky Symphony Orchestra at Devou Bandshell (7:30 p.m.): Enjoy the KSO in the great outdoors at Devou Park Bandshell, 1700 Montague Road. Admission: Free (though donations welcome).
Dogs took a dip in 2017 in Goebel Pool on the last day of the swimming season.
Sunday
- Conquer Covington Training Zone (9 a.m.-1 p.m.): The Madhatter Park is being transformed into an Obstacle Course Training Zone. There will be four sessions (starting at 9, 10 and 11 a.m. and noon) produced by Bree Singer and Shannon Smith from Conquer Covington with fitness coaching by Joe Stotlar of Iron Rig Fitness Center. Admission: Free.
- Art on the Move (3 p.m.): Enjoy this mobile airstream that provides art projects on the go! Enjoy this with a side of goat-viewing at Goebel Park (Philadelphia Street). Admission: Free.
- Bike Ride to Devou Park (1 p.m.-3:30 p.m.): Enjoy biking through the urban core and Devou Park. Ride leaves from Roebling Point Books & Coffee (3rd and Greenup). Admission: Free. Wearing a bike helmet is highly encouraged.
- Open 9 holes of Golf: (3 p.m.-close): Enjoy complimentary 9 holes of golf at the Devou Golf and Event Center, HERE, 1201 Park Drive. Admission: Free.
- Dog Days at Goebel Pool (6:30 p.m.-8 p.m.): On the last day of Goebel Pool's season, Covington is closing the pool to humans so Fido and friends can take a dip. Admission: Free.
# # #