Memorial Day Weekend... the day my kids have been waiting for since the pools closed last Labor Day weekend. This weekend is the unofficial opening weekend of the summer season. And, while the Beach Waterpark may be closed for the 2012 season, there are a lot of other places to cool off when the weather starts to get hot. Let the water works begin!
This weekend is the official opening of both Soak City (Kings Island newly expanded waterpark) and Sunlight Pool (Coney Island -- the Nation's Largest pool). Season passes for the family may set you back. But, if you live close enough to either, they may just save your sanity this summer. The kids will walk away worn out and exhausted (as will you), but they will sleep well at the end of the day. (Priceless in my mind.)
The city of Cincinnati also has a large listing (here) of community pools and spray/splash grounds for you to take advantage of.
And, let us not forget the newly opened John G. and Phyllis W. Smale Riverfront Park adjacent to Great American Ball Park. With two separate splash ground locations in this park, kids (and adults!) can retreat from the heat of the concrete jungle of downtown! (We visited both last weekend -- Saturday & Sunday -- and the kids had a blast.)
If you know of other splash ground locations where kids can cool off, please comment below with those locations!
The Reds are at home right now, through the weekend. And, I just heard that they are offering one of their 4/$48 promotions for the games this weekend (5/25-27 games vs. the Rockies). Offer includes 4 tickets and 4 patriotic hats. Check out the calendar listing below with links to get more information.
I've included below a list of family-friendly Memorial Day events all over the city. Kids LOVE parades. I'm not sure what my kids love more -- the huge fire trucks, the bands, or the candy! But, depending upon if you like small or large, there are plenty of parades this weekend.
Just to note, this is the LAST WEEKEND of Zoo babies. It officially ends on May 31st. So, if you haven't already and want to, get out there and pay those babies a visit. We saw them last weekend. Bogart (the new camel) is adorable. Zebra mama, unfortunately, still hasn't had her baby. I reallly wanted to see that little one. Oh, and I learned the Red Hog is expecting too! So, zoo babies for next year are already in the works.
Oh, and if you are a foodie, TASTE OF CINCINNATI is this weekend. Could mean parking downtown might be a challenge, so plan accordingly and be patient.
I'm headed to Japan at the end of this week for just over a week, and will spend Memorial Day working (you know, my real job; not this fun distraction in my life). I'm sad to miss the parades with my kids. I look forward to seeing their wide eyes and big smiles every year. But will make up for it on 4th of July! So, the e-Newsletter next week will not be heavy in articles, but the calendar is (and will be) choke full of things to do next week and for the entire summer.
May we never forget the sacrifices that our soldiers in uniform make for us every single day. God Bless our heros, God Bless their families, and God Bless the USA!
