Events crowd the weekend calendar for Over-the-Rhine

It is shaping up to be a busy weekend for Over-the-Rhine as multiple events are expected to draw big crowds to the neighborhood.  The regular Second Sunday on Main festivities will be complimented by a Tour of Living event led by Gateway Quarter Realtors, and a new "Tour de Fronts" event meant to showcase retail opportunities in the neighborhood.

Second Sunday takes place on September 13 from noon to 5pm on Main Street in Over-the-Rhine.  Now in its fifth year, the monthly street festival features live music, celebrity chef demonstrations, wine tastings, and a variety of vendors to check out.  The free event also includes the always popular Christian Moerlein Beer Garden.

During Second Sunday, Gateway Quarter Realtors will be leading tours through seven different loft condo developments in Over-the-Rhine which range from around $90,000 to $350,000.  The Over-the-Rhine Tour of Living is also a free event for anyone interested.

A new event will also be taking place on Sunday.  "Tour de Fronts" will start at 2pm at Mixx Ultralounge (map) on Main Street and will showcase Main Street's commercial real estate opportunities.  Event organizers say that real estate brokers, entreprenuers, and neighborhood activists will all be on hand for the tour of more than a dozen Main Street storefronts.

The Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce states that some building owners are offering creative leases that can help make opening or relocating a business work for new entreprenuers.  At the same time, the Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce is using their Business First Program to provide up to $20,000 in grant money for capital improvements for eligible businesses.

The Tour de Fronts is free, but event organizers say space is limited.  Those interested are asked to reserve their spot as soon as possible by e-mail at [email protected].

Writer: Randy A. Simes
Photography by Scott Beseler
Stay connected and follow Randy on Twitter @SoapboxRandy