Traffic congestion was the order of the day downtown on Thursday night, as thousands flocked to the city for two major music events. The Cincinnati Music Festival kicked off on the riverfront, while the Foo Fighters drew a sell-out crowd at Great American Ball Park.
The Cincinnati Music Festival, recognized as the largest of its kind in the Midwest, is a cornerstone of the local economy. Known for its ability to attract substantial tourist traffic, the festival is the Queen City’s premier event of the year. This year’s lineup includes star performers such as Ne-Yo, Fantasia, and Coco Jones, drawing significant attention and attendance.
“It’s just a huge lineup, and that’s what’s drawing so many people in,” explained Joe Santangelo, the festival’s organizer.
Typically, the three-day event attracts over 90,000 visitors, but Santangelo anticipates this number will exceed 100,000 this year. The festival is known to generate more than $100 million in revenue over the weekend.
“The difference with this event from most others is that about 90% of our audience is out-of-town,” Santangelo noted. “That means 90% of the people you’re looking at in the stadium need hotel rooms, need to eat, and so on.”
Adding to the excitement, this year’s Cincinnati Music Festival coincides with the Foo Fighters’ sold-out concert, further intensifying the weekend’s atmosphere in downtown Cincinnati.
“Oh my gosh. We are so excited. We planned this in February,” said Kathy Sheldon, a Foo Fighters concert-goer. “We go to all the concerts together. Go to Bengals [games] together. This is what we do.”
The overlapping events have created a buzz that has even prompted Sheldon to consider bringing her grandchildren to future family-friendly events.
“Now, I’m like, why don’t we get the grandkids and bring them? We try to bring them to more family-friendly events. So, that would be amazing to bring them,” Sheldon added.
The Cincinnati Music Festival, a beloved tradition for over 60 years, continues to celebrate culture, unity, and community spirit. Sister Keli from Cincinnati Music Festival Connects emphasized the festival’s significance.
“It celebrates culture. It brings about unity. And for many, it brings about healing,” said Sister Keli. “So, any time you have all those things together, I think this festival is wonderful for the Cincinnati area.”
As of 4 p.m. on Thursday, only 50 tickets remained for that evening’s event at the Andrew J. Brady Music Center. The festival will continue through Friday and Saturday at Paycor Stadium, promising more vibrant performances and enthusiastic crowds.
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