Summer. Yes, it’s almost here. Can you hear that pool water splashing and the heat index rising? One sure way to know it’s just around the corner is the arrival of Cincinnati’s beloved Summerfair. This year is the 45th year for this festival. Every year for many of those 45 years I’ve said I wanted to go but something has always gotten in the way. Perhaps this year will be the year. I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about this Cincinnati tradition and really do need to check this off of my list of things to do and see around town.

I think the first time I remember learning about this event was with my eyes when I spotted their cool posters hanging up around town and at my local library. Each year Summerfair rocks out the most amazing and coolest posters you’ll find just about anywhere and this year is no different.  You can actually purchase posters for $10 and them frame them and make yourself some unique art of your own.

This is definitely a family event and here’s the important stuff to know about Summerfair:

“Welcome to the 45th Annual Summerfair Fine Arts and Crafts Fair! This year we are thrilled to bring you 300 amazing artists from around the country, exhibiting and selling a variety of artwork ranging from ceramics and sculptures to paintings, jewelry and photography. 

In addition to all of our exhibiting artists, we’ve got plenty of music, dancing groups and strolling minstrels to entertain you. For those of you with children, you won’t want to miss our Youth Arts Rocks! area where your child can explore their own inner artist through a variety of arts and crafts activities.

Collect Summerfair posters or t-shirts? You’ll find those at booths near the West and East gates. Finally, should you get hungry, head to our Gourmet Arts Area where you’ll find plenty of tasty options sure to satisfy everyone in your group.”

If you need to see exactly what’s going on, just go the Summerfair website where you will find lots of information.

Summerfair runs Friday, June 1 through Sunday, June 3.  The amazing Little Black Dress Event takes place on Friday night. 

• Friday, June 1:           2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Friday, June 1:           7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. (Little Black Dress Event, tickets sold separately)
• Saturday, June 2:       10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Sunday, June 3:          10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

You can enter to win four ticket to this great event. The cool thing about winning four tickets is that if you didn’t catch the above paragraph, this means you can get in four adults and as many kids as you can rustle up. Invite your best friends and have a blast! To enter, write a comment below to me. Earn extra entries by subscribing to this blog and also by liking LWAA on Facebook – that’s a chance at three entries (be sure to leave additional comments letting me know about your other entries)! Contest ends at 3pm on Thursday, May 24. Winner will be chosen by “And the Winner Is” and will be notified by email. The winner will have 24 hours to claim their prize or someone else will be chosen.

As a thank you for helping to promote Summerfair, I’ve been given two tickets to attend. Thanks, Summerfair!

I’m fairly sure this is the third year that Warren County has held this promotion. I know I enter yearly hoping to win one of the most excellent prizes such as Great Wolf Lodge (oh why oh why can’t I win this one????) as well as tickets to  Ozone Zipline Adventures, Kings Island, LM&M Railroad, Morgan’s OutdoorAdventures, Valley Vineyards, Fort Ancient State Park, and much more.

How do you enter? First you have to enter EACH DAY! In order to enter to win, first “like”  the “Warren County – Ohio’s Largest Playground” Facebook page.  Click on the “31 in 31″ image on their Facebook page and enter your information. That’s it!

Good luck to all of you and remember to enter each day for the rest of the month.

As a favor for helping promote this WCVB has given me a small thank you gift. 

Here’s the Press Release from the Carnegie:

“(Covington, KY) Captain Hook, the Lost Boys, Peter Pan and Wendy first leapt from the storybook to the screen in 1924, with the actors portraying them chosen by creator J.M. Barrie himself. Misplaced for more than 70 years, that cinematic treasure and an accompanying contemporary harp score receive their first screening and performance in the Greater Cincinnati area next month.

Seattle area harpist Leslie McMichael unfurls her original film score with a screening of the 1924 silent film “Peter Pan” at the Otto M. Budig Theatre at The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center (The Carnegie) on Thursday, May 17 at 7:30pm. Magnificently restored after having been lost for generations, “Peter Pan” is a cinematic gem and a spellbinding musical adventure for all boys and girls and those who never grew up.”

I’m giving away a family four pack of tickets for you to take your family to see this movie on Thursday, May 17 at 7:30pm. In order to eligible to win, please leave a comment below.  Winner will be chosen on Friday, May 11 at 2pm and will be notified by email. You’ll have 24 hours to get back to me. Tickets will be at Will Call – a photo id will be needed to pick up the tickets.

If you’d like to purchase tickets, here’s the information on that:

Tickets for J. M. Barrie’s “Peter Pan” – A Silent Film with Live Music are $19; $16 for Carnegie Members, WVXU Perks and Enjoy the Arts Members and students. Tickets can be purchased through The Carnegie Box Office, open Tuesday through Friday noon – 5pm, in person or by phone at (859) 957-1940. Tickets are also available online at www.thecarnegie.com .

The 2011-2012 Carnegie in Concert Series is sponsored by the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation.