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Blink is back! What you need to know when the festival lights up πŸ‘οΈ

Haadiza Ogwude
Cincinnati Enquirer

Ready, set, Blink!

One of the biggest events of the season, Blink Cincinnati 2022, returns Oct. 13-16.

The nation's largest art, light and projection mapping festival will feature over 100 installations spanning 30 Cincinnati andΒ Northern Kentucky blocksΒ this year, making it the largest iteration yet.

But before you head Downtown for the four-day event, you may want to do a little preparation.

Here's everything you should know ahead of Blink Cincinnati 2022.

Blink 2022 parade details:Torchbearers, a new route and road closures

How to make the most of Blink:A guide to the 2022 festival of lights and sounds

The Blink map:Get ready for Blink 2022 with this map of all the art installations

When is Blink Cincinnati? What time does it start?

  • Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 13-16, from 7-11 p.m.
  • Installations of light displays begin Oct. 9.

Do I need tickets?

No, Blink is free and open to the public. In 2019, Blink organizers offered attendees a $350 VIP package that included exclusive hospitality areas, drink tickets, dedicated viewing areas, Blink swag and more.

This year, organizers decided to do away with the VIP experience because they want the event to be enjoyable and accessible to all Cincinnatians regardless of financial restraints.

"We sort of made the philosophical decision to say that Blink is meant to be experienced by all on the streets equally," said Justin Brookhart, executive director of Blink.

A disco ball lights up the Rose Window in Music Hall for Blink Cincinnati in 2019.

Where to park for Blink Cincinnati 2022?

Public and private parking garages and surface lots will be open in areas surrounding the event location. However, commuters and visitors are still encouraged to carpool and use public transportation due to anticipated traffic and limited parking availability.

Metro and Tank will suspend fare collection on all routes during the event, from approximately 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. nightly. The Connector, Cincinnati's premier streetcar, will also be operating during the four-day festival and will be adding extra streetcars during the four-day event.

For safety reasons, the streetcar will not operate the Downtown loop during the parade. Service in OTR, however, will continue.

Will there be a Blink app?

There is no Blink app this year. Attendees may visit blinkcincinnati.com for more information.

Will there be guided tours?

No guided tours will be provided by Blink Cincinnati this year. ArtsWave, event co-sponsors, will host a virtual tour accessible by mobile devices. The virtual tour will feature exclusive content about the festival and the participating artists. The tour is $10 and free for ArtsWave donors that qualified for Team Cincinnati.

For more information, visit artswave.org.

Is there a Blink Cincinnati map?

Yep, see the FULL high-res map right here.

Pictured is the official map for Blink Cincinnati 2022, which returns to Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky on Oct. 13-16.

Can pedestrians cross the Roebling Bridge?

Attendees can cross back and forth from Cincinnati to Covington using the Roebling Suspension Bridge. However, this year's festival will not feature a 30-minute Roebling Bridge performance.

Are pets allowed at Blink Cincinnati 2022?

According to Bradley Mason, digital marketing manager for the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, it is not recommended to bring your furry friend due to the large crowd size and the time of the event.

Will there be food vendors at Blink?

For the first time, Blink Cincinnati will include a nightly food market produced by the local Asian food and cultural association, Asianati. The Asianati Night Market will be open daily from 6-11 p.m. at the Court Street Plaza.

Asianati Night Market Food Vendors:

  • Lalo
  • Neko Sushi
  • Tea n Bowl
  • Onolicious Hawaii
  • Qlicious Bubble Tea & Pastries
  • Mahope Cambodian Food Truck
  • Boba Cha
  • Thai Express
  • Blesame Global Cuisine
  • Chino Street Food

Which streets will be closed?

Pictured is the official street closure map for Blink Cincinnati 2022, which returns to Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky on Oct. 13-16.

The following streets will close to all vehicular traffic on Tuesday, Oct. 11, at 9 a.m. and remain closed throughout the week. These streets will reopen by 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18.

  • Court Street between Race and Walnut streets.
  • Vine Street between Ninth Street and Central Parkway.
  • Eighth Street westbound between Vine and Elm streets.
  • Jackson Street between Central Parkway and Twelfth Street.
  • Stark Street between Branch and Dunlap streets.
  • Eton Alley between Elm and Race streets.
  • Freedom Way between Rosa Parks Street and Marian Spencer Way.
  • Marian Spencer Way between Theodore M. Berry Way and Second Street (Garage access maintained from Second Street).
  • Elm Street between Fifth and Sixth streets (will close at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12).
Pictured is the official street closure map for the Blink parade on Oct. 13.

The following streets will close at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13, for parade staging.

  • Sentinel Street between Fifth Street and Eggleston Avenue.
  • New Street between Broadway and Culvert streets.
  • Seventh Street between Broadway and Culvert streets.
  • Reedy Street between Broadway Street and Eggleston Avenue.
  • Culvert Street between Fifth and Reedy streets.

More:Blink Cincinnati adding drone show to 2022 festival

These whimsical carts were featured in the 2017 Blink parade.

The following streets will close at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13, until 11 p.m. for the parade route.

  • Fifth Street between Central Avenue and Pike Street.
  • Broadway Street between Fourth and Sixth streets.
  • Sycamore Street between Sixth and Fourth streets (garage access maintained from Sixth Street).
  • Main Street between Fourth and Sixth streets.
  • Walnut Street between Fourth and Sixth streets (garage access maintained from Sixth Street).
  • Vine Street between Fourth and Sixth street (hotel access maintained from Fourth Street).
  • Race Street between Fourth and Sixth streets (garage access maintained from Fourth Street).
  • Elm Street between Fourth and Sixth streets.

The following streets will close nightly to private vehicular traffic from 6:30 p.m. until approximately 11 p.m. on Oct. 14-16.

  • Dunlap Street between McMicken and Findlay streets.
  • Elm Street between 12th and McMicken streets.
  • Race Street between McMicken and Twelfth streets.
  • Findlay Street between Central Parkway and Vine Street.
  • Elder Street between Central Parkway and Vine Street.
  • Green Street between Vine and Logan streets.
  • Pleasant Street between Liberty and 14th streets.
  • Wade Street between Central Parkway and Elm Street.
  • Odeon Street between Central Parkway and Elm Street.
  • 15th Street between Walnut Street and Central Parkway.
  • Magnolia Street between Central Parkway and Elm Street.
  • 14th Street between Central Parkway and Sycamore Street.
  • 13th Street restricted between Race and Sycamore streets (garage access maintained).
  • 12th Street between Vine and Main streets.
  • Jackson Street between Central Parkway and 12th Street.
  • Main Street between Second and Liberty streets.
  • Walnut Street between Liberty and Second streets.
  • Vine Street between Sixth Street and Central Parkway.
  • Eighth Street between Elm and Sycamore streets.
  • Seventh Street restricted between Race and Sycamore streets (may close depending on traffic volumes).
  • Fourth Street restricted between Sycamore and Vine streets (may close depending on traffic volume).

Additional streets may close as needed for traffic volumes.Β 

Visitors navigate Gano Street for Blink Cincinnati in 2019.

What's on the schedule for 2022? When is the parade?

Thursday, Oct. 13

  • Parade: 7:15 p.m. (approximately 90 minutes)
  • Drone show: 9 and 10 p.m.

Covington

  • Sundae Drives at 8 p.m.
  • On the One at 9 p.m.
  • Elijah Baston at 10 p.m.

The Banks

  • Cultivate Movement Studios at 7 p.m.
  • Bill Donaldson at 8 p.m.
  • Maria Carrelli at 9 p.m.
  • New Royals at 10 p.m.

Fountain Square

  • Culture Queer at 7 p.m.
  • Noah Wotherspoon at 8 p.m.
  • Cole Baker at 9 p.m.
  • K-Drama at 10 p.m.
Visitors interact with "Wave-Field Variation G" designed by Lateral Office and CS Design for Blink Cincinnati in 2019.

Court Street

  • DJ Wavy Moe from 7-9 p.m.
  • The Tillers Duo at 9 p.m.
  • Gracetet at 10 p.m.

Washington Park

  • Olivia Meade at 7 p.m.
  • Soul Criminal at 9 p.m.
  • The Golden Theory at 10 p.m.

Second Sunday on Main

  • Ria Matlib at 8 p.m.
  • Harp by Victoria at 9 p.m.
  • Aimee Jo at 10 p.m.

Hanna Park

  • Abiyah Rawers from 7-9 p.m.
  • Animal Crackers from 9-11 p.m.
Zach Robinson performs with the Know Theatre of Cincinnati for Blink Cincinnati in 2019.

Friday, Oct. 14

  • Drone show: 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Covington

  • Coast Off at 7 p.m.
  • Slow Glows at 8 p.m.
  • Sungaze at 9 p.m.
  • Moonbeau at 10 p.m.

The Banks

  • Shiny Old Soul at 7 p.m.
  • Moses at 8 p.m.
  • Devin Burgess at 9 p.m.
  • The Heavy Hours at 10 p.m.

Fountain Square

  • Renchler at 7 p.m.
  • Physco at 8 p.m.
  • Mandy Gaines at 9 p.m.
  • 3SideSayge at 10 p.m.

Court Street

  • Lemon Sky at 7 p.m.
  • Carriers at 8 p.m.
  • Coastal Club at 9 p.m.
  • Just Strange Brothers at 10 p.m.

Washington Park

  • Muse Cincinnati Women's Choir from 7-11 p.m.

Second Sunday on Main

  • New Earth Objects at 7 p.m.
  • The Electric Indigo at 8 p.m.
  • Heavy Hinges at 9 p.m.
  • Siri Imani at 10 p.m.

Hanna Park

  • Sons of Silverton at 10 p.m.
  • Matt FX from 7-11 p.m.

More:Blink Cincinnati unveils second wave of artists for 2022 festival. Here's a look

A Brave Berlin and Saya Woolfalk design is projected for Blink Cincinnati in 2019.

Saturday, Oct. 15

  • Drone show: 8 and 9 p.m.

Covington

  • Sign Language at 7 p.m.
  • Spooky Dreamland at 8 p.m.
  • Malibu Wild at 9 p.m.
  • Daniel Bennett & the Dirty Shirleys at 10 p.m.

The Banks

  • Dead Humor at 7 p.m.
  • El Ritmo del Manana at 8 p.m.
  • Hydrophonics at 9 p.m.
  • Romel Sims & the 21c Strings at 10 p.m.

Fountain Square

  • Deuces II at 7 p.m.
  • Keeps at 8 p.m.
  • Leggy at 9 p.m.
  • Mike Wade and the Nasty Nati Brass Band at 10 p.m.

Court Street

  • Brian Bacon at 7 p.m.
  • National Barks at 8 p.m.
  • Baily Miller at 9 p.m.
  • Us, Today at 10 p.m.

Washington Park

  • Freedom Nicole Moore at 7 p.m.
  • The Harlequins at 8 p.m.
  • Vacation at 9 p.m.
  • Black Signal at 10 p.m.

Second Sunday on Main

  • Abby Vice at 7 p.m.
  • Mynah Tones at 8 p.m.
  • Mol Sullivan at 9 p.m.
  • Kendall Parke at 10 p.m.

Hanna Park

  • Al Sigman from 7-11 p.m.
  • Ernie Johnson from Detroit at 10 p.m.
Christopher Wagner, of Oakley, takes a photo in front of the "Neon Flex" projection by Brave Berlin and Xylene for Blink Cincinnati on 12th Street in Over-the-Rhine Thursday, October 10, 2019.

Sunday, Oct. 16

  • Drone show: 8 and 9 p.m.

Covington

  • The Moon and the Stars at 7 p.m.
  • New Moons at 8 p.m.
  • Daniel in Stereo at 9 p.m.

The Banks

  • Queen City Silver Stars at 7 p.m.
  • Bershy at 8 p.m.
  • Multimagic at 9 p.m.

Fountain Square

  • All the Things at 7 p.m.
  • We Are the Walrus at 8 p.m.
  • Sound the Alarm at 9 p.m.

Court Street

  • Heist at 7 p.m.
  • Chris Chomer Trio at 8 p.m.
  • Go Go Buffalo at 9 p.m.

Washington Park

  • Highway to Health at 7 p.m.
  • Tasteful at 8 p.m.
  • DarkWave / Ready Player One Theme at 9 p.m.

Second Sunday on Main

  • Preston Bell Charles II at 8 p.m.
  • Jess Lamb and the Factory at 9 p.m.

Hanna Park

  • Soul Step Records DJ from 7-8:30 p.m.
  • Colemine Records DJ from 8:30-10 p.m.