Summerfair Cincinnati is rolling back into Coney Island from May 29–31 for its 59th edition, and it is not coming quietly. More than 340 juried artists are set to fill the riverfront grounds for a three day fine arts fair, with organizers adding a new Gourmet Arts area, live music and a limited edition Cincy Hat collaboration created with Bengals center Ted Karras.
Tickets, hours and where
Advance tickets are on sale, with one day passes priced at $10 and multi day passes at $15, while children 12 and under get in free. The fair's hours are Friday, May 29, noon to 7 p.m.; Saturday, May 30, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, May 31, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. These details are posted on the event's site, according to Summerfair.
What you'll find on the grounds
The fair has selected more than 340 artists across a dozen categories, including photography, painting, wood, metal and mixed media, and organizers have added a Gourmet Arts area so visitors can sample unique foods and drinks. The juried roster was announced in advance and will feature makers from across the country. As reported by FOX19, the event showcases artists in 12 categories and will be open over Memorial Day weekend.
Poster reveal and Cincy Hat collab
This spring, Summerfair unveiled its commemorative poster and used the poster event to debut a two hat collaboration with The Cincy Hat, the charity brand founded by Bengals center Ted Karras. The limited edition hats pair The Cincy Hat logo with Summerfair's poster artwork, and organizers say proceeds will support artists and arts programs, according to Cincinnati Enquirer. The Cincy Hat foundation's site also outlines the group's wider fundraising work for adults with developmental disabilities and related community scholarships, which is part of the collaboration's stated purpose (The Cincy Hat).
Music and family-friendly features
Local performers will play throughout the weekend, with a Saturday schedule that includes Wild Carrot Trio at noon and Cheryl Renee at 6 p.m., and a Sunday slate that runs from an 11 a.m. jazz duo through a 4 p.m. Troyer Duo set. The weekend lineup and published set times were listed in advance by FOX19. The fair traditionally programs youth art areas and other family activities alongside the main juried market.
Backstory: Coney Island's changing role
Coney Island closed to regular operations after its Dec. 31, 2023 sale to Music & Event Management Inc., a subsidiary of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, but Summerfair organizers reached an agreement to keep the fair on the park's grounds this year. MEMI has signaled plans to develop a music and performance campus at the site, and Summerfair leaders say holding the festival at Coney preserves a longtime local tradition. "With the money we make, we then support local arts organizations," Summerfair's managing director Jayne Utter told WCPO.
Summerfair's impact
Event listings and festival materials put annual attendance in the neighborhood of 20,000 people, making the weekend a major regional draw for collectors and casual visitors alike, according to an event listing on EntryThingy. That ticket and vendor revenue supports awards, scholarships and exhibitions that benefit Greater Cincinnati artists, which is why the return to Coney Island is closely watched by the local arts community.
Plan accordingly for crowds and limited parking during peak hours, as tickets and the full schedule are posted online ahead of the weekend. For schedules and to buy advance admission, see Summerfair.
