The Great Picnic presented by America 250-Ohio

Presented by America 250-Ohio

The Great Picnic

Commemorate America’s 250th anniversary with a family-friendly community picnic and festival, in partnership with Ohio’s Homecoming & Picnic Month. Grab your favorite picnic basket and celebrate a once-in-a-generation national milestone with family, friends and neighbors. Lay out your blanket and enjoy live music from Blessid Union of Souls, local food and beverages, boating, fishing, contests, crafts and more as Great Parks honors 250 years of American history.

Portable grills are not permitted. 

Event Schedule

4 p.m. | Cornhole Tournament* 
4:30 p.m. | Bike Parade* 
4:45 p.m. | Vintage Baseball Game 
5:15 p.m. | Picnic Decorating Contest Judging*  
5:45 p.m. | Pie Eating Contest* 
6:15 p.m. | Live Music from the Ohio Military Band 
7 p.m. | B-25 Bomber Flyover 
7:15 p.m. | Welcome Remarks & Picnic Decorating Contest Results 
7:45 p.m. | Live Music from Blessid Union of Souls 

*Online registration required. See details below. 

The Great Picnic

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watch 4-9 p.m.

pin_drop Miami Whitewater Forest | Harbor

approval_delegationAll Ages

paid Free*

* Paid, online registration is required for the cornhole tournament. Motor Vehicle Permit requirements are waived at Miami Whitewater Forest during event hours. 

America 250 double logo lockup

  • B-25 Bomber Flyover - Part of the Tri-State Warbird Museum’s vintage aviation collection, the TB-25N Mitchell “Yankee Doodle” will perform a flyover.
  • Blessid Union of Souls - Since their 1995 debut release, ‘Home’, Blessid Union of Souls have sold millions of records worldwide and never stopped living their dream: creating and performing music that touches the hearts of countless people across the globe.
  • Boat rentals (canoes, kayaks, pedalboats, rowboats,SUPs and mini-pontoon boats)
  • Cincinnati METRO vintage 1960s bus
  • Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame & Museum’s 1869 Red Stockings–What did professional baseball look like in Cincinnati in 1869? See for yourself with a vintage exhibition game, where the history of America’s pastime comes to life.
  • Crafts
  • Face painting
  • Fishing
  • Mascot appearances from Gary the Lion (FC Cincinnati), Mr. Redlegs (Cincinnati Reds), Rosie Red (Cincinnati Reds) and the Share Bear (Furniture Fair)

  • Aberson’s Kitchen + Desserts - cheesecakes, cookies, cake pops, pies, bread pudding and other desserts
  • Benchmark Outfitters - outdoor apparel, footwear and gear for camping, climbing, skiing and other activities
  • Great Parks Shop - branded apparel, novelties, toys and more
  • Hearth Brewing - draft beer
  • HighGrain Brewing Co. - canned beer
  • Miami Whitewater Forest Snack Bar - nachos, pretzels, hot dogs, brats, popcorn, fries, soft serve ice cream and assorted non-alcoholic beverages 
  • Rhinegeist Brewery - draft beer

Great Parks welcomes inquiries to participate in or sponsor our programs and events.

For sponsorship opportunities, contact LeAnne Anklan, Director of Donor Engagement, at [email protected] or call 513-728-4517.

Businesses interested in selling products must complete the Vendor Application Form.

For organizations interested in hosting an information or activity booth, complete the Exhibitor Application Form.

Restaurants and food trucks interested in selling food, complete the Food Vendor Application Form.

Blessid Union of Souls band photo
a girl petting a dog
a hand holding a watermelon on a stick
two people standing next to a bag
a baseball glove and a ball
flags in the grass
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Cornhole Tournament Details & Rules

Sponsored by Brightz 

4 p.m. | $10 per player | Ages 16+ 

Limited to 16 participants (single players only) 

Prizes for top four finishers: 

  • First place: $250 VISA gift card + Brightz cornhole board lights package
  • Second place: $100 VISA gift card + Brightz cornhole board lights package
  • Third place: $50 VISA gift card + Brightz cornhole board lights package
  • Fourth place: Great Parks swag

Rules & guidelines: 

  • Four total rounds; single elimination
  • Coin toss determines first throw; players then alternate turns; the player with the most points at the end of each round starts the next round
  • First to 21+ wins each round (no penalty for scoring over 21)
  • Board distance: 27 feet between front edges (all throws must be from behind each board’s front edge)

Scoring: 

  • Three points if made into the hole
  • One point if a bag lands on the board
  • An equal number of bags on each board or in each hole cancels each other out
  • No points awarded for a bag that bounces onto a board

Register Now
Little girl with a cornhole board decorated like a flag

 

Bike Decorating Contest Details & Rules

Sponsored by Montgomery Cyclery 

Judging begins at 4:15 p.m., bike parade at 4:30 p.m. | Free entry | Ages 14 and under 

Waiver must be completed before participation 

Prizes for top three finishers: 

  • First place: $250 Montgomery Cyclery gift card
  • Second place: $100 Montgomery Cyclery gift card
  • Third place: $50 Montgomery Cyclery gift card

Rules and Guidelines: 

  • Participants are tasked with decorating their bicycles around one of two themes:
    • “250 Years of American History” – patriotic themes, favorite period of American history, and/or historical momentsor figures
    • “My Favorite WILD Animal” – your favorite wild animal(s) that you might see while visiting one of your favorite parks (bald eagle, goose, frog, turtle, snake, etc.)
  • Bikes will be judged on creativity and originality 
  • Family-friendly costumes may be worn, but must not impede the rider’s vision
  • All contestants are expected to ride in the bike parade; decorations must be completed and attached firmly before arrival at the parade
  • Bikes must be in a safe, operating condition; decorations must not impede the safe operation of the bike
  • Bikes may have two or three wheels (training wheels are permitted)
  • Motorized bikes/cars are not permitted in the contest or parade
  • Riders must wear a helmet; other safety equipment is optional; all equipment is to be provided by participants
  • Great Parks reserves the right to alter contest rules and guidelines at any point 

Register Now
a child riding a bike

 

Picnic Decorating Contest Details & Rules

Sponsored by Benchmark Outfitters 

Judging begins at 5:15 p.m. | Free entry | All ages 

Prizes for top three finishers: 

  • First place: $250 Benchmark Outfitters gift card
  • Second place: $100 Benchmark Outfitters gift card
  • Third place:  $50 Benchmark Outfitters gift card

Rules and guidelines: 

  • Participants are tasked with creating a picnic setting around one of two themes:
    • “250 Years of American History” – patriotic themes, favorite period of American history, and/or historical moments or figures
    • “The WILD Outdoors” –your love for nature and the outdoors; how you find your wild in your favorite park
  • Picnic settings will be judged on creativity and originality
  • Picnic settings must be family-friendly; inappropriate displays will be disqualified and asked to be removed
  • Picnic settings must be set up and ready for judging no later than 6 p.m.
  • Each setting MUST include a menu to complement the chosen theme 
  • All materials are to be supplied by the contestant(s), including, but not limited to: dishes, centerpieces, tablecloths, china, crystal, silver, decorations, picnic blankets,tables and/or chairs 
  • Great Parks reserves the right to alter contest rules and guidelines at any point

Register Now
Upscale picnic setting

 

Pie Eating Contest Details & Rules

Sponsored by Aberson’s Kitchen + Desserts  

5:45 p.m. | Free entry | Age groups: 6-12, 13-17, 18+ (max of three participants per group) 

Waiver must be completed before participation. Children under age 18 must have a permission form signed by a parent/guardian. 

Prizes for first place in each age group:

  • Ages 6-12: $50 Aberson’s giftcard + Great Parks swag
  • Ages 13-17: $50 Aberson’s gift card + Great Parks swag
  • Ages 18+: Private, catered four-course dinner for two from Chef James Trent (with wine pairings for 21+)

Rules and guidelines:  

  • The first contestant in each age group to eat an entire pie down to the tin (or the contestant who finishes the most within five minutes) will be declared the winner
  • Completion of the pie will be decided by the judges
  • In the event of a tie, the contestant with the best pie smile will be announced as the winner for their age group
  • The use of hands at any point is not permitted and will result in disqualification
  • Sickness or spitting out pie will result in disqualification 

Register Now
Pie with red and blueberries and american flag

Presenting Sponsors

America 250-Ohio
Cenovus Energy
The Worthington Companies Foundation
Marzetti

Furniture Fair
Headliner Performance Sponsor

Air Transport Services Group
Flyover Sponsor

Metro
Transportation Partner

Collaborating Sponsors

Cronin Ford, located in Harrison, Ohio
Automotive Partner

FC Cincinnati
Soccer Zones Annual Partner

Participating Sponsors


Great Picnic Sponsors Lockup v2

Cenovus Energy, The Worthington Companies Foundation and The Marzetti Company
America 250-Ohio Homecoming & Picnic Sponsors

Aberson's Kitchen and Desserts
Pie Eating Contest Sponsor

Benchmark Outdoor Outfitters
Best Picnic Display Sponsor

BrightPath Early Learning and Child Care

Brightz
Cornhole Tournament Sponsor
Hearth Brewing
HighGrain Brewing Co.

Jake Sweeney Automotive

Marathon Health
Face Painting Station Sponsor

Montgomery Cyclery
Youth Bike Parade Sponsor

Revel Urban Winery
Wine Partner

Rhinegeist Brewery

Rick Verst State Farm
Kids Crafts Station Sponsor