COVINGTON, Ky. – This weekend is about freedom and fatherhood (and a lot of other stuff too).
If you’ve noticed the flags with a bold starburst in the center flying in Covington, that’s the Juneteenth flag. The City raised those flags in MainStrasse Village and Randolph Park in recognition of the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in this country. 158 years ago, to be exact. This weekend there’s a Juneteenth celebration, a parade, and a festival happening in The Cov. Check them out and you’ll likely learn a lot.
Father’s Day is Sunday, and don’t worry if you’re behind on your gift-shopping. You can treat your Dad to cool events involving food and libations (just try not to let him pick up the bill).
Meanwhile, there’s the usual assortment of live music, art exhibits, and craft projects.
The concept of “Juneteenth” is new to many. So take some time Saturday to feel the joy AND learn history at a variety of freedom celebrations in The Cov.
The City is a sponsor of the Juneteenth Celebration at Lincoln Grant Scholar House/Randolph Park organized by the Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission with St. Elizabeth Healthcare.
The day will feature African dancers and free food and drink, but it will emphasize education and achievement, with Read Ready Covington, a guest panel, vendors, and free onsite screenings and/or information related to blood pressure, cardiac disease, diabetes management, breast cancer, colon cancer, and lung cancer.
There’s also a Juneteenth Freedom Day Parade that starts at 9th and Greenup Streets, followed by a family-friendly Northern Kentucky Juneteenth Festival at Covington Landing that features music, games, vendors, community resources, and recognition of the 2023 Black Excellence Awards honorees.
Bet we’d only have play a few notes from “Dueling Banjos” to elicit a whole heap of gut-tightening emotions. Such is the power of music, and in particular the banjo. On the other hand, the notes put forth by the plucked strings of a dulcimer are more mellow and innocent, sounds that transcend the quiet, verdant hills of Appalachia.
Hence, it’s no surprise to learn that the dulcimer’s etymology is the Greek word “dulce” (which means “sweet”), and the Latin word “melos” (which means “melody”).
On Saturday, the sweet melodies of the Hills of Kentucky Dulcimers will lilt through the halls of the Kenton County Public Library, when they bring their dulcimers to the library’s Jam Around.
This dulcimer club has been around since 1992, entertaining and educating folks about the Appalachian dulcimer. Stop in Saturday and find out why it’s worth a listen.
Dear old Dad deserves some thoughtful attention, don’t you think? Sure, maybe his jokes are corny, or he wears those weird sandals, or he plays too much golf, and perhaps he’s on the 82nd season of that British mystery series he keeps trying to convince you to watch, but his intentions are good, and, truth be told, you’re probably an awful lot like him.
Let him know how much he’s appreciated this weekend by taking him out for ice cream, a beer, a slice of pizza, a burger, or bourbon (maybe all of those things, because he’s a good guy, right?).
On Saturday, a day early, there’s a Father’s Day Ice Cream Social Presented by Graeter’s, Dewey’s, and Braxton at Braxton Brewing Co. On Sunday, there’s … Father’s Day at Keystone at Keystone Bar & Grill … Father’s Day and Smoke Justis. … and the Father’s Day Van Winkle Legends Tasting at Knowledge Bar and Social Room.
Belly full? Thank a farmer.
On Saturday you can, when the Covington Farmers Market celebrates National Farmers Day with special events like a planting station where kids can learn how to drop seeds, a corny (literally) photo op booth, Yoga with Destiny (starting at 8:30 a.m. in the nearby grassy area), and labyrinth-making with Art Equals.
And of course the professional growers and food folks will be doling out tips and advice at booths selling a wide assortment of grown and manufactured goods, such as leafy greens, beets, turnips, eggs, wine, meat etc. This is healthy and tasty food that’s free of disease, harmful microbes, and chemicals.
It’s from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Third & Court streets.
Tonight: Music@BCM: The Turkeys at Behringer-Crawford Museum … Swollen Teeth at Madison Live … The Missy Werner Band at Molly Malone’s Irish Pub & Restaurant … The Chuck Brisbin Trio at Smoke Justis.
Friday: Michael Williams at Madison Live … Leroy Ellington at Smoke Justis … Greg Chako at Juniper’s … Black Mountain Throwdown at Wunderbar … Cincy Rhythm Kings at Cock & Bull.
Saturday: Nascar Aloe With Yun Mo$h at Madison Live … The Recreational at The Rooftop at Madison Theater … Kenny Cowden at Smoke Justis … With Glee, Blush, Lay Low, As it May at Pandemonium … The Pickin’ Pear at Wunderbar … Cocktail Jazz with Daniel Bennett & The Dirty Shirley’s at Juniper’s … GCGS Guitar Picnic and Open Mic at Devou Park Band Shell … 4DE Strasse Haus
Sunday: Sunday Funday at Zazou.
Tonight: SWET DanceFit at Kenton County Public Library … Dynamics of Flow at The Carnegie … The Art of Fashion: Fay Applegarth Maddux at Behringer-Crawford Museum.
Friday: Dynamics of Flow at The Carnegie … The Art of Fashion: Fay Applegarth Maddux at Behringer-Crawford Museum. … Indigo Dye Party at Redden Gardens.
Saturday: MainStrasse Village Food Tour. … Dynamics of Flow at The Carnegie …The Art of Fashion: Fay Applegarth Maddux at Behringer-Crawford Museum … Create A Ceramic Kaleidoscope! Two-Part /Class with Scott Aleshire – Class 1 at Purple Paisley, Local Artisan Shop … Live Art with Steve Nassano at Purple Paisley, Local Artisan Shop.
Sunday: Devou Trail Improvement Days at Devou Park.
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