Whether or not it is recognized by the government or our employers, Opening Day is a holiday here in The Queen City. 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 2024, here are details of goings-on downtown* for the occasion:
Opening Day Cookout
Eckerlin Meats, 8a–1p
Breakfast sammies, burgers, brats & metts, hot dogs.
8th Annual Opening Day Pierogi Breakfast
Market Wines (Findlay Market), 9a–12p
Kick off your Opening Day Parade festivities with a carb-loaded breakfast to keep you going all day long. Serving pierogi with optional goetta gravy and fried eggs. No reservations or tickets necessary.
Opening Day at Rhinegeist
Rhinegeist Brewery, 9a
Opening Day decor, hot breakfast sandwiches available for purchase from The Bagelry, baseball themed giveaways throughout the day, celebratory bar specials, giant bobble head photo booth, and the season opening of the Rooftop.
Roebling Point’s Opening Day Street Party
Court Street and Park Street, 9a–5p
Live music, ice-cold brews, delicious eats, an outdoor Build-A-Bar, and plenty of Reds-themed shenanigans. Mo Egger and Tony Pike will be broadcasting LIVE from the Bourbon Lounge with ESPN 1530. Hosted by Smoke Justis.
Opening Day at March First
March First on Fountain Square, 10a
$3 beer and seltzer, $5 pizza slices, $8 burgers, $8 ballpark nachos, and watch party at 4:10.
Opening Day Celebration
Washington Park, 10a–4p
Inflatable baseball games, giant yard games, rows of baseball swag vendors, local food trucks, and live music, as well as plenty of spots to watch the Findlay Market Parade.
19th Annual Rally on the Square
Fountain Square Square, 10a–2p
Fountain Bar, parade viewing, and more.
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.
105th Findlay Market Opening Day Parade
Departs Findlay Market at 12p
Grand marshal: Pokey Reese (Reds Infielder, 1997–2001; 2x Golden Glove: 1999 and 2000)
Route: 1.4 miles—south on Race to east on Fifth; ending at Taft Theatre
JonJon & Friends Opening Day Bash
Moerlein Lager House Schmidlapp Event Lawn, 12–7p
Molly Wellman cocktail bar, DJs, food, vendors, entertainment, and JonJon recording his show live.
Barks and Baseball
Rosedale, 12–8p
Dog-friendly Opening Day party featuring photo booth (courtesy of Pet Suites), $1 hot dogs, game on the big screen at 4:10, and a chance to score big with a pair of tickets to Bark in the Park. $1 from every drink sold will be donated to the Reds Community Fund.
Opening Day at Braxton
Braxton Covington, 2p
Game on the TVs along with their new Rally Hard Seltzer, Cracker Jack, Dewey’s Pizza, and more.
Reds Opening Day on the Levee
Newport on the Levee, 3p
Watch the game on the big screen and enjoy drink and food specials at Bridgeview Box Park.
Additional Opening Day festivities in and around downtown include:
Dunlap Cafe, 8a
In Between Tavern, 10a
The Stretch, 10a–2a
Low Spark, 11a
Pilar, 12p
16 Lots Southern Outpost, 12–10:30p
The Drinkery OTR, 12p–2a
Igby’s, 12p–2:30a
Beeline, 3p–2a
Japps Since 1879, 4p–midnight
Metro fixed route, Access paratransit, and MetroNow! on-demand service will be FARE-FREE on Opening Day.
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.)
Game Info
Cincinnati Reds vs. Washington Nationals
Great American Ball Park, 4:10p
TV: WLWT
Radio: 700 WLW
Ceremonial First Pitch: Sean Casey, Reds Hall of Famer (1B, 1998–2005)
Official Game Ball Delivery: George Foster, Reds Hall of Famer & 1977 NL MVP (LF, 1971–1981)
Honorary Captain: Marty Brennaman, Reds Hall of Famer celebrating the 50th anniversary of his debut as a Reds broadcaster in 1974.
Forecast
High: 58º
Low: 41º
🌤 Mostly Sunny
*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!
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