As a young woman living in Cincinnati, Ohio, Caroline Jones is not just surviving with type 1 diabetes (T1D), but she is living a full and happy life. Having recently gotten married and starting a new position at UC Health, Caroline lives life to the fullest. She faced a huge challenge, however, when she was first diagnosed with T1D three years ago at the age of twenty-five. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, meaning it can surface at any age and is not brought on or affected by diet or lifestyle choices. While T1D is commonly thought of as a child’s disease, over half of new diagnoses occur in the adult population.

Caroline is committed to helping her community as a volunteer at a local nonprofit, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. JDRF is dedicated to the mission to cure, treat, and prevent T1D. To raise money for diabetes research, JDRF each year hosts the hottest party in Cincinnati, the Bourbon and Bow Tie Bash. Caroline has been involved in this event since the beginning; “People love this event because it has something for everyone. From the food and bourbon tastings, to the silent auction, even to the entertainment, this is just a really fun evening.” Caroline is also passionate about helping plan this event because it raises money to help her live a better life. Because of advancements made possible due to JDRF funding, Caroline benefits from exciting new technology, including the artificial pancreas device.

Caroline will share her story at this year’s Bourbon and Bow Tie Bash on October 19 at the Duke Energy Convention Center. For more information, please visit www.jdrfbourbon.org.

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is one of Cincinnati’s longest and most iconic traditions. Oktoberfest is a Bavarian tradition that goes back to 1810 and is held every year in late September and early October. Celebrating its 43rd year, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati will run from 11 A.M. Friday, September 20 to 9 P.M. Sunday, September 22.

With over 650,000 expected attendees, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is the largest Oktoberfest celebration in the United States, due in part to Cincinnati’s rich German heritage and culture, as well as dedication from its sponsors, Sam Adams and Amazon. 

Rich Walburg with Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is proud of what the celebration has become and says its due to “the producers at the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, the sponsors, vendors and volunteers who respect the festival’s tradition, while keeping the event fresh, relevant and innovative.”

Located downtown on Second and Third streets between Walnut and Elm, the weekend is packed with fun, exciting events, great beer, and unique food. Kicking off the weekend is the annual Running of the Wieners, which pits 100 dachshunds dressed in hot dog costumes against one another. Also, over the course of the weekend, the Sam Adams Stein Hoist and the World’s largest Chicken Dance. 

Special for this year, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati is partnering with the Cincinnati Reds to offer a package which includes a “commemorative Oktoberfest Zinzinnati mug, a ticket for a Reds game during Oktoberfest weekend, one free drink at the Reds game and another at Oktoberfest, all for as little as $20.”

With new extended hours this year, the recent move to downtown, and the action-packed lineup of events throughout the weekend, be sure to come to Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, grab some sausages, schnitzel, and other great food, and check out the website, www.OktoberfestZinzinnati.com for more information.

 

An amazing lineup of music festivals is about to happen in Louisville over three weekends in September….and you’re totally going to want to attend! Three different music genres…ALL with Bourbon and more!

HOMETOWN RISING
Country Music & Bourbon Festival

Saturday, September 14 & Sunday,
September 15

At Highland Festival Grounds At KY Expo Center 

In Louisville, KY

Country music icon Trace Adkins, independent rising country music artist Dillon Carmichael, and country rock duo The Sisterhood Band have been added to the incredible music lineup for Hometown Rising, the first-ever Country Music & Bourbon Festival, which debuts Saturday, September 14 and Sunday, September 15 at Highland Festival Grounds at KY Expo Center in Louisville, KY.

Hometown Rising combines two of Louisville’s cultural cornerstones—great music and incredible  bourbon (Exclusive Bourbon Tastings & Workshops), and is the newest addition to the Louisville fall festival series from premier independent festival producer Danny Wimmer Presents.

Hometown Rising’s music lineup will be led by country heavyweights including Tim McGraw, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan and Keith Urban with additional appearances from Dwight Yoakam, Trace Adkins, Brett Young, Jake Owen, Bret Michaels, Frankie Ballard, and many more. In total, more than 30 artists will play on three stages, including two side-by-side main stages, over the course of the weekend.

Bourbon & Beyond

Friday, September 20 – Sunday, September 22

At Highland Festival Grounds At KY Expo Center 

In Louisville, KY

The World’s Largest Bourbon Festival, Bourbon & Beyond, will make its anticipated return to Louisville, KY expanded to three days full of incredible music, unique culinary events, and unmatched experiences from the region’s best distilleries at the new Highland Festival Grounds At KY Expo Center. In addition to an unforgettable lineup of bourbon and chefs, music performers include a unique mix of rock, roots, bluegrass and folk acts headlined by Foo Fighters, Robert Plant And The Sensational Space Shifters (returning after originally being scheduled to appear in 2018), the Zac Brown Band, John Fogerty, Daryl Hall & John Oates, and ZZ Top (celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2019). Additional acts include Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Trey Anastasio Band, Leon Bridges, The Flaming Lips, Alison Krauss, Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeroes, +LIVE+, Grace Potter, Little Steven & The Disciples Of Soul, and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, among many others. In total, more than 45 artists will play on three stages, including the side-by-side Oak and Barrel main stages and a bluegrass stage that will be curated by the genre’s leading authority, The Bluegrass Situation.

Held during Bourbon Heritage Month, Bourbon & Beyond also celebrates the craftsmanship behind award-winning spirits, master distillers and world-class chefs. Bourbon author, Amazon Prime host (Bourbon Up) and expert Fred Minnick has curated one-of-a-kind tastings and seminars celebrating Louisville’s world-renowned distilleries, while culinary curators Edward Lee (The Mind of A Chef) and Anthony Lamas (Seviche) will team up to arrange special food experiences that will be announced soon.

“If you could capture America in a bottle, it would be a bottle of bourbon. It’s a uniquely American creation, like jazz and baseball, and its beating heart is in Louisville,” says Bourbon & Beyond producer Danny Wimmer. “This connection to the past has transformed Louisville into a city of the future. One of the most vibrant and diverse food scenes in the country has grown around bourbon’s resurgence, and we tried to mirror that spirit with the great music lineup that we put together. I can’t wait for people to visit this city in September and experience something that goes far beyond their preconception of what Louisville is.”

LOUDER THAN LIFE

September 27, 28 & 29

At Festival’s New Home

Highland Festival Grounds At KY Expo Center

Touted as The World’s Largest Rock ‘N’ Roll Whiskey Festival……quintessential rock band Guns N’ Roses, notorious for their larger-than-life, bombastic shows that engulf every fan, are the first act for the return of Louder Than Life. This year the festival will be headed to its new home at the Highland Festival Grounds At KY Expo Center on Friday, September 27, Saturday, September 28 and Sunday, September 29.

This will mark the debut of the Guns N’ Roses lineup at the Louder Than Life festival and is the first appearance for the rock giants since performing in Hawaii in December 2018.

“There are only a handful of bands through the years whose music not only resonates with fans, but changes the entire face of rock ‘n’ roll. Guns N’ Roses is one of those true icons,” says festival producer Danny Wimmer.

Friday, September 27

Slipknot, Staind, A Day to Remember, Chevelle, I Prevail, Architects, Beartooth, Motionless In White, Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals, GWAR, The Crystal Method, Graveyard, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, New Years Day, All Them Witches, Crown Lands, Joyous Wolf, Dead Posey, Santa Cruz and more

Saturday, September 28:

Guns N’ Roses, Godsmack, Ice Cube, Halestorm, Dropkick Murphys, Stone Temple Pilots, Suicidal Tendencies, Melvins, Andrew W.K., Badflower, Knocked Loose, Anti-Flag, Redd Kross, Parlor Mob, Like A Storm, Jelly Roll, Dirty Honey, DED, JunkBunny and more

Sunday, September 29:

Disturbed, Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, Breaking Benjamin, Die Antwoord, Three Days Grace, Sum 41, [artist TBA], Deadland Ritual, White Reaper, Demon Hunter, Ho99o9, Angel Du$t, Sick Puppies, Amigo The Devil, Fire From The Gods, Broken Hands, Anemic Royalty and more

Danny Wimmer Presents is proud to announce a collaboration with Metallica’s Blackened Whiskey and Enter Night Pilsner. Blackened, a super-premium American whiskey blend crafted by the late Master Distiller Dave Pickerell and finished in the earth shattering music of Metallica, and Enter Night Pilsner, a collaboration with the rockstars of craft brewing Stone Brewing Company, will come together under one roof to offer guests a one-of-kind musical festival experience. The massive BoilerMaker pop-up will feature a Blackened & Enter Night Boilermaker, as well as craft cocktails and ice-cold Enter Night Pilsner.

The festival’s centerpiece, Kroger’s Big Bourbon Bar presented by Louisville Courier Journal, will feature more than two dozen hand-selected bourbons from top distilleries, and a unique opportunity to enjoy bourbons and exclusive one-time specialty cocktails.

Fred Minnick’s Mini Bar—hosted by the Louder Than Life bourbon curator, bourbon author/expert, and Amazon Prime host (Bourbon Up)—will showcase craft selections from Louisville’s world-renowned distilleries. Acclaimed Louisville whiskey bar The Silver Dollar will operate The Hunter’s Club, where attendees can find vintage bourbons dating as far back as the 1930s, as well as contemporary collectibles.

The list of participating bourbon brands at Louder Than Life includes 1792, Angel’s Envy, Barrell Bourbon, Coopers’ Craft, Elijah Craig, Evan Williams, Four Roses, Jeptha Creed Four Grain Bourbon, Jim Beam, Kentucky Peerless, Larceny, Maker’s Mark, Michter’s, Old Forester, Rebel Yell, StoneHammer, Wild Turkey, Willett, and Woodford Reserve.

Whiskey sponsors also include Jack Daniel’s, Southern Comfort and Uncle Nearest.

In addition, attendees can enjoy a variety of local and regional food and beverage offerings provided by DWP’s affiliate concessionaire, Southern Hospitality Concessions LLC. Festival attendees will be able to experience a taste of Louisville with selections from the following restaurants: Boss Hog BBQ, Couvillion, Doc Crow’s Southern Smokehouse & Raw Bar, Ehrler’s Ice Cream, Eli’s BBQ, Heine Brothers Coffee, Hull And Highwater, Joella’s Hot Chicken, Martin’s BBQ, Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen, River Road BBQ, Sarino, Seviche, and more.

An amazing lineup all three weekends…get your tickets today!

Del Gardo’s Cannoli has been in the making for over 30 years for owner Steve Del Gardo. It started while Steve was a Chef’s Apprentice at 18 years old in Columbus, Ohio.

Steve had a dream….and in 2018 it became a reality. He wanted to open an Italian café but be different than anyone else. He explored a coffee bar concept to a full eat in café but his main focus was his special recipes for cannoli. Steve has an art/design background and wanted to use those skills in creating wonderful looking artisan cannoli as well as being very tasty to one’s palette. After 12 months exploring and research on how to get his cannoli to the masses, Steve is living his dream.

Del Gardo’s Cannoli Bar offers Italian Fine Wines and Premium Craft Beers.

 

ish Festival, Cincinnati’s Jewish and Israeli arts and culture festival, is back for it’s second biennial event on Sunday, September 22nd from 10:30AM – 4PM in Washington Park, downtown. The event will feature 30+ Artist Vendors of all media, featuring Judaica & Non-Judaica, traditional & non-traditional works, from diverse, multicultural local and visiting artists. Music and dance performances by groups from across the region will entertain festival goers from the central Gazebo stage. Multicultural and ethnic food will be available for purchase.

ish Festival is free to attend, open to the public, with hands-on interactive experiences designed to appeal to all ages. Highlights include live glassblowing, art-making, music and food workshops, and a new historic Jewish walking tour designed in partnership with Cincinnati Skirball Museum and artist, J. Miles Wolf.

 

If you find yourself driving down I-75 a few miles South of Cincinnati, it is tough to not notice the beautiful Mercedes-Benz dealership that you pass by. Sitting on a large seven acre lot, the Mercedes-Benz of Fort Mitchell is a full service, state of the art dealership that has been proud to serve customers since its startup in late 2003, which also happens to be one of the largest Mercedes-Benz AMG dealerships – Mercedes high performance line – in the USA.

Be on the lookout for Don Paparella, who is proud to be the Managing Partner of Mercedes-Benz of Fort Mitchell, and has been since the dealership opened. With business going on an upward trajectory, Paparella is happy with how things have been going, “We had a record year in 2018, and the first half of 2019 has been great.” 

With one of the most recognizable brands among vehicles in Cincinnati, Mercedes-Benz prides itself in their cars and service to their customers. “We are the only dealership in the Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana area to receive, for each of the past five years, the coveted Mercedes-Benz “Best Of The Best” award, with a Silver Laurel award in 2018, given only to the select few dealerships that have delivered unparalleled excellence and customer experience,” as their website states.

They offer new vehicles from as low as $33,000, as well as Mercedes-Benz Certified used vehicles for as low as $19,800, and as Paparella says “Mercedes focuses on safety, security, and quality in all their cars, not just their high performance models.” Their popular new midsize SUV, the GLE 350 comes equipped with a tucked 3rd row, 255 Horsepower, and up to 26 MPG on the highway. 

Mercedes-Benz of Fort Mitchell is also heavily involved in the local community, and supports and donates to multiple charities, and the emphasis on community support is very important to Paparella, who said “It’s just the right thing to do.”