Whether or not it is recognized by the government or our employers, Opening Day is a holiday here in Cincinnati. We are the home of baseball’s first professional team and are almost always the home team on Opening Day. (There have been a handful of exceptions since 1869.) As proclaimed by an Enquirer editorial in 1949, “It is well-known fact that Cincinnati unquestionably is the best Opening Day city in either league; that’s why the Reds’ first game perennially is scheduled on the home lot.”
Just like goetta, fish frys, and creamy whips, baseball is part of our culture.
So in honor of Opening Day 2023, here are details of goings-on downtown* for the occasion:
104th Findlay Market Opening Day Parade
Departs Findlay Market at 12p
Grand marshals: Bronson Arroyo and Danny Graves
Route: 1.4 miles—south on Race to east on Fifth; ending at Taft Theatre
Opening Day Party presented by Taft’s
Washington Park, 10a–4p
Food trucks, vendors, and family-friendly activities.
19th Annual Rally on the Square:
Fountain Square Square, 10a–2p
Fountain Bar, parade viewing, and JonJon and Friends recording live from 10 to 1.
Reds Community Fund Charity Block Party
The Banks (Joe Nuxhall Way, Freedom Way and Walnut Street), 11a
Live music, entertainment, and food and drinks available for purchase.
Home Run Opening Day Hang Out:
Moerlein Lager House Schmidlapp Event Lawn, 12–8p
17’ screen, DJs, and JonJon recording his show live.
Reds Opening Day on the Levee:
Newport on the Levee, 3–7p
Watch the game on the big screen and enjoy drink and food specials at Bridgeview Box Park.
My advice? Download the Transit app to plan your trip downtown by Metro. You can also park somewhere north of Findlay Market and make your way down to The Banks by foot or by the fare free @connector_cincy after the parade. (Streetcar service will resume at the conclusion of the parade.)
*All of these Opening Day events are walkable or have close proximity to/from Great American Ball Park. Check with your neighborhood businesses for any festivities they have going on!
Written by: Linsey Kraeling – Woman, wife, and mother about town, proud millennial, and lifelong Cincinnatian with an invested interest in community involvement and having a full plate—literally and figuratively. Follow along with and read more about eating like a sophisticated six-year-old, supporting local, kid-friendly Cincinnati, and acting like a tourist in her own city at instagram.com/linsinnati and tourdecincinnati.com.