BB&T Summer Celebration

A giant Ferris wheel, food trucks, live music and activities for children will all be part of the more than sixty events and activities taking place July 9-14, 2015 along the banks of the Ohio River in Covington. 

COV200, the all-volunteer group behind the City of Covington's bicentennial celebration, have announced the much-anticipated details of the event, which will showcase Covington's history and family friendly appeal. The celebration, which is now being called BB&T Summer Celebration, will feature six days of activities and musical entertainment hosted on the Covington Landing and in the RiverCenter Blvd block area between Scott Blvd and Madison Ave. 

Highlights of BB&T Summer Celebration include:

Riverfront Festivities - A 50 ft. Ferris wheel located on the former Covington Landing. The Ferris wheel will give riders a one of a kind view of the Cincinnati skyline and Ohio River. Families can also take a ride on a giant 125-foot fun slide. 

Duke Energy Kids Activity Tent - Over 20 Covington organizations including Baker Hunt, The Carnegie, the Kenton County Public Library, Children's Inc., Home Depot, and more will be providing free games and activities for children of all ages along Riverside Boulevard. Circus Mojo will be performing daily and ORSANCO's Mobile "Life Below the Waterline" Aquarium will also be on site.

The Mercedes-Benz of Fort Mitchell Stage - Over 20 live music acts will take place throughout the Summer Celebration. Bands include Wilder, The Turkeys, School of Rock Mason, Rusty Griswolds, Ricky Nye, Leroy Ellington Band and The Dan Varner Band. A full list of performers and dates and times are available at www.cov200.com/summercelebration. Also stay tuned to CincyMusic.com for the full lineup.

Food - Attendees will enjoy a wide variety of food options including The Gruff, Red Sesame Food Truck, Kona Ice, Streetpops, and Mick Noll's Covington Haus.

Adding to the festivities, COV200 is partnering with community groups on a variety of special events that will take place over the course of the six-day celebration. Highlights include historic home tours hosted by the Historic Licking Riverside Civic Association (Saturday, July 11); RoeblingFest will host historical neighborhood tours and Roebling Mural tours (Saturday, July 11), neighborhood groups will host celebrations throughout the city, giving residents and residential groups the chance to meet their neighbors (Saturday, July 11); a family-friendly "Bike-Centennial" bike ride through Covington neighborhoods presented by Renaissance Covington (Sunday, July 12); and a Bark-centennial dog parade and contest hosted by the MainStrasse Village Association at George Rogers Clark Park (Sunday, July 12).

Covington Mayor Sherry Carran looks forward to welcoming the thousands of visitors who will attend this event, "BB&T Summer Celebration is a shining example of how those who love our great city have come together to provide such a wonderful family friendly event for our residents, businesses and those visiting the region this summer. It is the passion of the people in our great city who truly embody the spirit of its history and its future."

BB&T Summer Celebration hours are 6-10pm Thursday, July 9; 11am - 10pm Friday, July 10 - Tuesday, July 14. For additional information including event maps, schedules and more, visit www.cov200.com