COVINGTON, Ky. - We can read your mind, right now.

 

You're thinking, "oh no, annoying relatives are coming to town, how in the world are we going to entertain them?"

 

Either that, or "Christmas is coming, I hate shopping, and I wish there was an easy way to find unique things for those hard-to-please people on my list."

 

Or maybe "I'm so bored - no WAY am I watching another Hallmark Thanksgiving special."

 

Well, here in #LoveTheCov we have the perfect answers to all three scenarios. Check this out (and the events start tonight):

 

It's time to get small in Covington by supporting the City's wide array of unique small businesses (yeah, we're just not a big-box mall type of city).

 

Pick up swag, secure maps, and figure out a plan for Small Business Saturday during special events 11 p.m. to 4 p.m. at three different locations: Braxton Brewing in the Duveneck Square area, MainStrasse Village (check out the storefront posters for the Neighborhood Gift Basket raffle), and Ritte's Corner in Latonia, based in the Latonia Community Partners Building at 3705 Winston Ave.

 

Info, HERE and HERE.

 

It's a "Thanksgiving feast! (but with beer)" as Braxton Brewing Company hosts a "Friendsgiving" party in its taproom on Seventh Street tonight, the holiday's eve.

 

Features include the tapping of a very limited (the italics are Braxton's) amount of Graeter's Pumpkin Pie Ale and Cranberry Gose. Also a live DJ from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Info, HERE.

 

By Sunday, the turkey and dressing should have digested. But you'll be feeling guilty and lazy.

 

So attend the Urban Bootcamp put on by Mandi Thompson Fitness starting in the parking lot just north of Roebling Point Books & Coffee (makes sense to us!).

 

It's a resistance and cardiovascular training workout for all fitness levels that will take you throughout downtown and along the riverfront.

 

Info, HERE.

Avoid the hustle and bustle and bring your kids to a quiet and quaint holiday celebration called Polar Express and Holiday Storytime at Behringer-Crawford Museum on Sunday afternoon.

 

Local librarians will read the children's books "The Polar Express" and "The Holiday Adventures of Wiley Wahoo and Me!" There will also be Christmas crafts, hot chocolate and cookies.

 

PJs are encouraged. Reservations required: HERE.

 

Glass, clay, silver, metal, wood. Those are the materials, and they're for sale - crafted into interesting, aesthetic, and functional shapes.

 

Friday is Opening Night of the Westside Artists Pop-up on Pike Street, in this case 11 Pike St.

 

Shop local, drink wine, and cross names off your holiday list - all at the same time.

 

Info, HERE.

 

Another Shop Small opportunity - this with a global twist - takes place at the Hellmann Creative Center.

 

Join artist Tashia Harris and other local artists selling art and food from around the world on Saturday. The Global Holiday Market is hosted by the Center for Great Neighborhoods and the Covington photography business Purplei Potion.

 

Info, HERE.

 

There are the well-known tourist attractions, and then there are the unusual ones.

 

Saturday at Behringer-Crawford Museum, local author Kathy Witt will discuss and sign copies of her new book, "Secret Cincinnati: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful and Obscure," a humor-filled travel guide that lauds the hidden treasures of this region (i.e. both sides of the Ohio River).

 

We're told, btw, that there's a healthy dose of Covington in the book. Info, HERE.

 

Get your discounted Braxton Brewing Co. merchandise and gear during a Black Friday Garage Sale at the taproom, starting at 10 a.m.

 

We're talking T-shirts, glassware and such - all touting Covington's famous brewery.

 

Info, HERE.

 

And then there's the Winterfair Holiday Art Market Cincinnati all weekend at the convention center in Covington, HERE ... the 2018 Season Celebration! (Pajama Party) hosted by the Black-n-Bluegrass Rollergirls on Saturday at Leapin Lizard Lounge, HERE... the 3^rd annual Homegrown Concert with Nash FM 94.1 at the Madison Theater on Saturday, HERE ... and The Dinner Detective - Thanksgiving Show! on Saturday, HERE.

 

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