Newport on the Levee Boat Festival

Last summer my dad was in the market for a boat, so we all met up at the Levee during the first annual Boat Festival for a night of fine dining (we ate at Mitchell’s Fish Market) and boat shopping.
Every marina in the Greater Cincinnati area came out to the boat show, most brought along boats from the previous year at sale prices to induce impulse buys (though how you could rationalize buying a boat on impulse, I’ll never know.). The vendors line their wares and stalls up at the base of the Levee, using the Ohio River and the Cincinnati skyline as a pretty backdrop.
We browsed the boats for a few hours while listening to live entertainment (a pretty decent cover band that played everything from «Walking on Sunshine» to Johnny Cash) and downing ice-​cold slushies.
My dad did not end up buying a boat that day but he did get valuable information about the vendors in the area and he was able to determine exactly the style of watercraft he was in the market for. Every vendor welcomed his questions despite knowing he wasn’t intending to purchase immediately.
Even if you aren’t willing or able to purchase a boat, this is a fun event to stroll through during a night at the Levee. Some vendors bring miniature yachts with insanely luxurious interiors and features; pretend you’re loaded and get yourself a tour!
The festival will take place on these dates and times this year at the Levee’s dock:
Fri, Aug 15 5 — 11 p.m.
Sat, Aug 16 11 a.m. — 11 p.m.
Sun, Aug 17 11 a.m. — 9 p.m.