Updated 4:16
The parade that kicks off the Blink festival is moving. The Future City Spectacular parade will start at Eighth Street, and travel south on Vine Street to the Freedom Center on Oct. 10, the first night of the light and art show. The first parade, in 2017, was in Over-the-Rhine.
The parade will also feature 19 performance groups, 17 floats/kinetic sculptures, and 7 bands.
"The Blink Future City Spectacular Parade shines a light on the many school, church, nonprofit and civic groups, who light up our region each day,” says Tamara Harkavy, CEO and artistic director of ArtWorks. “Blink is a rainbow that brings a diverse collection of individuals and groups together for a shared moment of incredible art and community."
Jean-Robert de Cavel will be the grand marshal. “Blink puts Cincinnati, the region I love, on a global map as a creative and inclusive future city – and it gives visitors from around the region, the nation and the world the opportunity to enjoy Cincinnati’s booming and innovative food scene. I’m humbled and honored to serve as grand marshal for the Blink parade,” he says.
Blink organizers are encouraging parade spectators to be a part of the show. There are a series of workshops scheduled to help people make their own costumes and props.
The art festival runs Oct. 10 through Oct. 13, with light mapping projections, sculptures, murals and live performances from Covington to Over-the-Rhine.
The story was corrected to clarify the route of the parade.
