COVINGTON, Ky. – Other than the safety protocols in place at each event – and we strongly urge you to follow them – this weekend makes it possible to feel like fun still exists.

This weekend’s “Tiny Concert Series” at The Carnegie features fun pop songs with a scary theme from the likes of “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “Pippin,” and others, just for Halloween.

 

The Saturday concert – which is also being billed as “Halloween COVID Cabaret!” – stars Spring Starr Pillow and Heather Hale, and tickets are limited to fulfill pandemic safety protocols.

 

Info is HERE and HERE and HERE.

 

It’s October, right? So, Oktoberfest. (Ha, we made a calendar funny.)

 

Seriously tho, this weekend you can celebrate the annual (but-during-this-bizarre-year-abbreviated) German-themed beer festival on Saturday at Butler’s Pantry and Café.

 

It’s a ticketed event featuring live music, German food (yum, sauerkraut and brats), beer, and games. Kids are welcome.

Info, HERE.

You know that huge parking lot between the shuttered IRS facility and the CSX Railroad tracks’ approach across the Ohio River?

 

Saturday night, it’ll be the site of an old-fashioned drive-in movie, put on by the Over-The-Rhine International Film Festival. The feature is a local indie film, “The Fits,” about an 11-year-old tomboy trying to fit into a tight-knit dance team in Cincinnati’s West End.

 

Cost is only $20 a carload. Sound comes via speakers and FM radio.

 

Info and tickets, HERE. (Note: Organizers said that if the rain wipes out the event, they’ll offer refunds.)

 

If it does rain Saturday, what better place to be than in a bookstore, drinking coffee and curling up (figuratively speaking) not only with a new book but with the book’s author.

 

One of Sheila Williams’ books, “Dancing on the Edge of the Roof,” has been made into a movie. Now Williams has released a new tome, “The Secret Women,” which explores the complex relationship between mothers and daughters. It’s been designated a Top Summer 2020 Beach Read by a host of magazines, including Time and Women’s World.

 

The Northern Kentucky author will be signing both books and others at Covington’s only indie bookstore, Roebling Point Books & Coffee.

 

Info, HERE.

 

Head to MainStrasse Village on Saturday to help pick up litter and beautify the neighborhood, but make sure you sign up first HERE.

 

The organized event – set up by Keep Covington Beautiful (KCB) and neighborhood leaders – is a mini version of the Great American Cleanup, the annual volunteer extravaganza canceled by COVID earlier this year.

 

BTW, neighborhoods that have held mini events are competing to host a KCB “Perk Up the Neighborhood” event, which is worth $4,000.

Here’s another book signing, albeit with a much different theme.

 

John Schaaf used to run the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission. Robert Schrage is extremely active in local history circles.

 

They’ve gotten together to write “Hidden History of Kentucky Political Scandals,” and they’ll be signing it Saturday at Behringer-Crawford Museum. The book includes the tales of William Goebel’s assassination, Gov. Desha pardoning his son, “Honest Dick Tate” and massive theft, and the more modern Operation BOPtrot.

 

Info, HERE.

 

Back during World War II, the nation held rubber drives as part of the fight against fascism.

 

On Friday and Saturday, Kenton County and the Kentucky Division of Waste Management will be in Covington holding a rubber drive of sorts – collecting old tires – in the fight to save Mother Earth.

 

This is your chance to – for free – get rid of those old car, truck, ATV, motorcycle, bicycle, and lawn tractor tires stacked in your garage or the corner of your yard.

 

Beautify your surroundings, properly dispose of a problem waste product, and cut down on the mosquito population breeding in the rainwater collected in the tires.

 

(You did notice the word “free,” didn’t you? Usually, this costs money.)

 

The drop-off event happens at Pioneer Park, and info is HERE.

 

If you’re like us, the backyard tomato and pepper plants are – as they say – giving up the ghost.

 

But if you still want the taste of homegrown and home-made, head to the Covington Farmers Market on Saturday, where you can buy everything from kimchi to chiles, honey to hummus, corn to cucumbers, and eggs to gourds.

 

Meanwhile, Stonebrook Winery will have pumpkin wine and hard cider for sale.

 

Info, HERE.

 

Need a one-of-a-kind piece of art to gift this Christmas?

 

Pop in to Purple Paisley, Local Artisan Shop this weekend (and others) to put your name in the proverbial hat for one of three pieces that will be raffled off Dec. 17. Tickets are free but a little coin to help the local shop pay its bills would be more than welcome.

 

Info, HERE.

 

And then there’s … the Covington Bourbon Experience! (Pedal Wagon) all weekend, HERE ... the Bring Your Vision to Life (self-help) Workshop on Saturday at Devou Park, HERE … and live music at Smoke Justis, Mac’s Pizza Pub Mainstrasse, Frida 602, and Goodtimers II.

 

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