CincyWhimsy: washington park

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TUCKER'S RESTAURANT: GIFT CARD FUNDRAISER

Tucker’s Restaurant opened on September 19, 1946. This Saturday, the iconic eatery reaches its 69th anniversary, but the doors will remain closed as the kitchen was destroyed in a fire in July.

Tucker's Restaurant bustling during weekend brunch in Spring 2015.

Owners Carla and Joe Tucker are hoping to re-open the restaurant within the next few months. Neighbors have come together to assist with manual labor or raise money for reconstruction, including customer Chris Heckman, who created a GoFundMe.com campaign for Tucker's. Within the first 48 hours, over $10,000 in donations poured in from around the community. To date, the campaign has raised almost $15,000 of the $65,000 needed to repair damages and reopen the establishment. So far, the Tuckers have used the funds to hire an architect, contractor, and begin the construction process.

Jean-François Flechet, a long-time Tucker's customer and owner of nearby restaurant, Taste of Belgium, helped setup an online store to increase fundraising through the sales of Tucker's gift cards. Flechet thought of it as paying for his next meal in advance, helping the Tuckers' cash flow and speeding up the renovation process. "I bet others would be willing to do the same thing," says Flechet. "You get a few hundred people buy a few meals each; Joe and Carla will have the funds they need to reopen the restaurant." Flechet reached out to Heckman, a designer by trade, who created the artwork for the gift cards.

Join Carla and Joe Tucker in Washington Park this Saturday, September 19, as they celebrate Tucker's 69^th year during City Flea from 10:00am-4:00pm. Gift cards will be available for purchase at $25, $50 and $100.

MORE DOS & DON'TS OF LUMENOCITY

Recently, Lumenocity posted a cheeky Dos and Don'ts list with tips for attending the multi-day festivities. I have a few more to add:

DO remember that you're in a neighborhood. Conduct yourself as if you were on your home street, being considerate that residents may be asleep when you leave Lumenocity.

DON'T litter, pee in stairwells, walk through flowerbeds, or congregate in doorways when others are trying to enter/exit.

He's about to step on some plants...

DO use designated crosswalks as there will be extensive traffic and motorists unfamiliar with navigating city streets.

DO take the bus, as parking will be at capacity during the event. If attending Lumenocity on a weekday, Metro*Plus has a 30 minute journey from Nordstrom at Kenwood Mall to Downtown, dropping you off within walking distance of the event.

For both weekend and weekday, if you live near:
I-75 (between Downtown and Springdale): ride Route 78
Northside: ride Route 17 or 19
Westwood: ride Route 64 or 21
Mt. Lookout: ride Route 24
Each of the above also drop off/pick up within walking distance of Lumenocity. Roundtrip cost: $3.50 per person.

If you choose to drive, DO remember to use the pay-and-display machine if you don't see a parking meter. Street parking is enforced until 9:00pm.

If you park in a garage, DON'T take up multiple spaces. Check to make sure all four tires are inside the lines.

A crowd queues at a parking lot after Lumenocity.

DO visit a new or favorite local restaurant.

DON'T put your name on six restaurant waitlists, take the first available, and forget to cancel the rest.

DO wear practical walking shoes. Ladies, leave the stilettos at home.

DO keep track of your handbag. This is an urban area with an event attracting thousands of people. There will be pickpockets. I recommend a crossbody bag with zipper closure.

DON'T forget to pack some bug spray or lemongrass oil to ward off insect bites.

DO check out the historic Cincinnati LEGO displays at Music Hall.

DON'T bring your iPad to film Lumenocity. The people seated behind you bought tickets to watch the show, not to watch it through your glowing, 12" screen.

DO wear your salmon shorts, the OTR trend of the summer.

DO pick up after yourselves. Or you may become b-roll in an indie film:

LUMENOCITY

Over 35,000 people flocked to Washington Park during the weekend for a first-of-its-kind sensory experience. As part of One City, One Symphony, the community-wide LumenoCity combined a live orchestra concert with elaborate electronic visuals for a mind-blowing 40 minute performance.

Music Hall twinkles with delight for LumenoCity.

In honor of Louis Langrée, the new music director of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, all five of Cincinnati's fine arts groups took part in the event as well as the venue itself. Music Hall's facade served as the canvas for the light show. Visual elements were laid out on a grid and projected from two semi-trailers opposite Music Hall on Race Street. The aesthetics portrayed the building to be dancing along to the music by highlighting its curves and crevasses. A variety of vibrant patterns were also illuminated as well as a story about the seasons of life. Silhouetted dancers used the facade's balcony and horizontal peaks as a stage.

Louis Langrée conducts the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra at LumenoCity.
Photo by Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

VIDEO: Introducing LumenoCity

Saturday's turnout of over 15,000 people filled the event lawn to capacity over 2.5 hours before the show began. The enormous popularity led spectators for Sunday's show to begin staking out spots as early as nine hours before the show. Good thing too, as the final performance drew a crowd of 20,000, many of whom were repeat visitors from Saturday. To accommodate the masses, Cincinnati Police closed both Elm and 14th Street adjacent to Washington Park. Still, the overflow managed to exceed these boundaries, as the gathering pushed as far back to Republic Street on the east side of the park. Cincinnati is one of only 13 cities in the United States to offer all five fine arts including. Cincinnati Pops, Symphony, Opera, Ballet, and May Festival Chorus.

Spectators began arriving at noon to secure a spot for the 8:30pm LumenoCity show.
Photo by OTR Matters

By 6:30pm, not a blade of grass was seen on the Washington Park lawn.

One hour before showtime, the crowds overflow Washington Park as far back as Republic Street.
Photo by John Yung, UrbanCincy

Over 20,000 people in attendance at Washington Park for LumenoCity on Sunday.

Photo by Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Prior to the light show, John Morris Russell and the Cincinnati Pops warmed up the crowd with Broadway hits from Hairspray, Oklahoma, and selections from one of my favorites, Les Miserables.

VIDEO: "Do You Hear The People Sing?" - Les Miserables

VIDEO: "At The End Of The Day" - Les Miserables

LumenoCity's glistening finale included audience participation as gigantic glowing balls were volleyed across the crowd. After the performance, I met a little girl who caught one of the balls. "I'll sell it to you for $5.00," she smirked. Prosperity is alive and well in Over The Rhine.

VIDEO: LumenoCity Finale

The little girl with the glowing ball, amongst the exiting crowd on 14th and Elm.

WASHINGTON PARK MOVIE NIGHTS

Who wants to spend summertime stuck in an overpriced, stuffy movie theatre? An urban take on the classic drive-in, Washington Park opens up their event lawn for visitors to sprawl out on the grass with blankets and snacks as they watch a weekly movie on the park's big screen. Themes vary from weekend to weekend, including both modern and timeless films such as Back To The Future, Little Shop of Horrors, E.T., Julia and Julia, Field of Dreams, and more.


A Delorean was on-site for Back To The Future movie night.

When the sun goes down, the fun starts up. Washington Park Movie Nights are free and starts at 9:00pm on Saturday, lasting roughly 90 minutes. While you're there, grab some refreshments from the park's concession stand or a bite from the food truck of the day, such as Urban Grill. If you're feeling domestic, Washington Park allows you to bring in libations, so pack a picnic basket for you and your sweetie. And of course, don't forget to bring a blanket!

FARMERS' MARKET IN THE PARK

Every Monday from 4:00-8:00PM, during June 3 to August 26, a farmers' market sets up shop in Washington Park near the event lawn and Music Hall. The collection of local vendors offer ready-to-eat food and produce as alternative shopping to Findlay Market, which is closed on Mondays. You'll find several of your favorite Findlay vendors here, as well as many who are new to the scene.

Black bean salsa, bruchetta, and hummus, all garden fresh from the kitchen of Cara Bella Organic.

Chill Shaved Ice Bar uses all-natural fruits and sweeteners to create organic sno-cones for a no-guilt summer treat!

If you're a foodie, definitely stop by Hen of the Woods. These creative snackers cooked up some unique treats to munch on while you shop the market, such as root beer cotton candy, celery and rhubarb soda, or my evening indulgence: curry popcorn with white chocolate and coconut.

The curry popcorn from Hen of the Woods was so tasty,
my friends all paused to Instagram it after the first bite.

One of my favorite food trucks, C’est Cheese, will be grilling up gooey, delectable sandwiches at Washington Park every week through August. I know where I'll be getting my Monday night dinner!