Northside Rock and Roll Carnival: Tradition & Music at Hoffner Park

July 4th is right around the corner and, of course, there are hundreds of festivals and parades happening all over the city featuring world-class firework displays, billboard musicians, hotdogs and hamburgers galore!

The 4th of July is always a great excuse to relax outside, eat, drink and expose your stars and stripes, but after years of the same old parade and fireworks it’s time to put down your sparklers and hightail it over to Northside for the annual 4th of July Rock and Roll Carnival.

The whole thing began on July 4th, 1854 when Jacob Hoffner (the man whose name was given to the Northside park where the event is held) marched a group of orphans from downtown to Northside to celebrate the opening of St. Joseph Orphanage, which once occupied an 11-acre plot just behind the park. The march became a tradition and that tradition continues to this day.

The Carnival, as they call it, is a two-day event that takes place on July 3rd and 4th at Hoffner Park on the corner of Blue Rock and Hamilton Ave. The event features local food and craft beer vendors from around the neighborhood as well as local shops who set up tents around the park.

And what’s a carnival without carnival music? In addition to the food, beer, and merchandise vendors, the event will feature a variety of musical performances from local and regional acts including Listener, The Harlequins, Leggy, TRIIIBE, Blossom Hall, and OIDS just to name a few.

Aside from the various musical performances the parade, which begins at noon on July 4th, is sure to be equally (if not more) entertaining. This is not your typical 4th of July parade; in fact, it’s more of an homage to the eccentric. The parade is strange and whimsical combining the traditional holiday pageantry with a healthy dose of satire, which so perfectly captures the charm of its neighborhood.

The Northside 4th of July Rock and Roll Carnival is a spectacle and a Cincinnati staple. It’s something all Cincinnatians should experience at least once in their lives, but trust me when I say you’ll make this one a tradition.

The festival begins at 10 am on July 3rd at Hoffner Park with kegs and eggs and will continue through the 4th ending with a firework display with live music all day both days. Take a step away from the mundane this 4th of July and check out the carnival, it’s not something you’ll want to miss, plus admission is free so there is no excuse not to be there.Hope to see you there!

When: July 3rd @ 3:00PM and 4th until midnight

Where: Hoffner Park

How much: Free

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