10-16-2024 10:19pm

Don't Blink & Miss Tonight's BLINK Parade!

Beth Callahan Editor

Story and photos submitted by Game Day Communications

CINCINNATI, OHIO -- BLINK, the nation's largest immersive art and light festival, returns to Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, October 17-20, 2024. The event drew two million people to the area in 2022, and is brighter than ever this year, stretching 30+ blocks with 80+ installations, murals and light projections.

BLINK PARADE IS TODAY

The BLINK Parade, presented by Skyline, is Thursday, Oct. 17 at 8pm on West Mehring Way by Paycor Stadium and continue along the riverfront to Barry Larkin Way, ending near Great American Ball Park.

This year's theme is "Let It Shine" and it will feature more than three thousand participants in glowing splendor at The Banks, one of the six zones features during the four nights of BLINK. Nine TorchBearers will also be honored during the parade. WCPO is the broadcast partner of the BLINK parade.

ACCESSIBILITY AT BLINK

BLINK has released its Accessibility Guide and Accessibility Maps geared towards greater engagement and enjoyment of our event for people with disabilities.

BLINK is partnering with All In Events, led by Accessibility Director Holly Maniatty, a 22-year veteran of ASL Performance Interpreting & certified ADA Coordinator. Over the past decade, Holly has worked to make events such as Bonnaroo, Life is Good, Governor’s Ball, Sound on Sound and Music Midtown more accessible.

Holly and BLINK have worked closely with the artists and engineers to ensure accessibility. This means aspects of universal design are integrated into every installation. In addition, our patrons can find a comprehensive FAQ guide on the BLINK website at: https://www.blinkcincinnati.com/plan-your-visit/accessibility.

This guide includes:

Accessible viewing areas for many installations
Accessible pathways to make traveling from one viewing area to another smooth
Accessible drop off and pick up points throughout the city
Alternative print information and ASL Interpreting by request.
A dedicated accessible viewing area for the Opening Ceremony, Parade and Drone Show.

Guests may email Access@blinkcincinnati.com with questions or specific requests.

Nightly BLINK events Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 17-20

BLINK Pop-Up Shop Limelight 1326 Vine St.

Apparel, accessories, collectibles and more are available in person or online, with local pickup. Limelight hours are :
- Wednesday, Oct. 16: 4-8p
- Thursday and Friday, Oct. 17 & 18: 2-11p
- Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19 & 20: 11a-11p

Assailant Night Market, 7-11pm

Court St. Plaza

The Asianati Night Market returns to BLINK, featuring a wide array of unique Asian street foods. This year, we're expanding the market to include not just food vendors but also Asian-owned businesses and artists in our immersive installation. Expect more family-friendly activities, games, snacks, and merch.

Silent Disco, 7-11 PM

Newport on the Levee, 1 Levee Way, Newport

Nearby two BLINK installations, Cincy Silent Disco celebrates BLINK's expansion into Newport. Grab a special set of headphones and choose your own soundtrack as you rock out nightly to the free event.

"Crescendo" by Kyle Eli Ebersole and Ian Molitars, 8pm

Lytle Park, 311 Pike St., Cincinnati

Just as tree roots connect to the forest's ecosystem, music can compose connections within a community. The Crescendo piano light installation invites viewers to step up and perform as it transforms sound into light.

"Mystic Eye" Drone Show, 8 & 10pm

Ohio River at The Banks & Covington

This captivating show transforms the night sky into a canvas, drawing from the vibrant BLINK brand identity. As the drones take flight, they weave intricate patterns and dynamic displays that echo the essence of BLINK’s bold and innovative spirit.

“Suaveciclo” by VJ Suave 7:30, 8:30, 9:30pm

Dive into the colorful world of VJ Suave as we navigate the city with a specially equipped tricycle, illuminating the night with art and light. Live performances project animated characters onto urban landscapes, transforming parks and streets into vibrant canvases.

"Phases & Actions" by Brett Bolton, 9 & 10pm

Doerr Alley, Cincinnati

Brett will play two audiovisual performances, "Phases" and "Actions," during BLINK. Phases explores the phases of matter, transforming the screen into solid, liquid, gaseous, and plasma states with drums and an XY controller. Actions focuses on human interaction with a digital canvas. Distort, push, fracture each piece highlights a different way that drums and movement can manipulate music and visuals. Between performances, the venue becomes an interactive installation, allowing the audience to play the visual systems used for Brett's shows.