Reds Opening Day is an important holiday in Cincinnati. Adults skip work, kids skip school — and there’s a city-wide parade complete with a celebrity Grand Marshall or two! This year’s Opening Day is Thursday, March 28th, when the Cincinnati Reds take on the Washington Nationals at 4:10 pm at Great American Ball Park.
But you don’t need a ticket to Opening Day to celebrate — there are lots of family friendly (and FREE!) ways to cheer on the starts of Reds season! Here are 5 family friendly ways to celebrate Reds Opening Day:
1. Findlay Market Opening Day Parade
The Findlay Market Parade is a time-honored tradition in Cincinnati! The Parade Grand Marshalls are Dmitri Young and Pokey Reese from the 1999 team. This year’s Honorary Grand Marshall is Jim Scott.The parade steps off from Findlay Market at 12 pm and lasts about two hours. The parade travels south from the market on Race Street for about 10 blocks then heads east on Fifth Street for about 5 blocks and ends at Taft Theatre.
2. Reds Community Fund Charity Blok Party
The annual Reds Community Fund Charity Block Party happens on Joe Nuxhall Way, Freedom Way and Walnut Street on March 28. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
2. Opening Day Celebrations at Local Parks
Washington Park: Head to OTR at 10a for a free, fun-filled Opening Day Celebration in Washington Park! Join in Washington Park on March 30th for a party that’s sure to be a homerun, with face painting, balloon animals and hats, & live music. Stay all day: the 4:10 game will be shown on TVs located at the Washington Park Deck.
4. Museums
The Reds Hall of Fame Museum is a must for fans. The Museum features loads of kid-friendly activities and a rotating exhibit.
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis’ Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience is a must for little sports fans. This outdoor area just opened last year, and features kid-friendly spaces devoted to a variety of sports (including baseball).
Cincinnati Museum Center — a historic spot for the Reds. Cincinnati was home to the very first professional baseball team in the US: the 1869 Red Stockings! Read all about this ground-breaking team and their first exploits at Union Grounds (which is now the site of the CMC)! Afterwards, wander through the Public Landing and get a sense of the historical context of the 1940s Reds, who played at Crosley Field.
5. Kids’ Opening Day at GABP
Skip the hullabaloo of March 28 and instead get your tickets for Kids Opening Day on March 30. This special festivities happen at a family-friendly time of 11:15a and features a pregame red carpet parade with Reds players and mascots and more fun activities for kids. Plus — all attendees under 14 get a free Reds cap while supplies last!
