Staff report
It’s the weekend to get outdoors, and Renaissance Covington has a whole slew of free interacive, outdoors activities planned — from bike rides to yoga, whiffle ball to obstacle courses. There’s something for everyone.
Sign up in advance for all events. Some have limited capacity.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 4TH
5-7 p.m.Bike Tune Up – Location: Devou Park: Bring your bike to the Devou Park Trail Head for a free basic tune-up on air, brakes, and chains by Reser Bicycle Outfitters. Please register in advance as spaces are limited.
6 p.m. Mountain Bike Training by CORA – Location: Devou Trail Head: Mountain bike professionals will host an introduction to mountain biking techniques at the Devou Park Trail Head.
6 p.m. All-levels Yoga – Location: Hands Pike Park: Rooted Yoga Instructors will host a 30-minute, all levels yoga in South Covington at Hands Pike park.
6:30 p.m. Fitness Walk with Dan Fardo – Location: Hands Pike: Join local fitness enthusiast, Dan Fardo for a 2 mile walk, moderately paced with hills, in South Covington. Meet at the corner of Tripoli and Hands Pike. This event pairs nicely with All-levels yoga.
8 p.m. Outdoor Movie – Location: Linden Grove Cemetery: Grab a picnic and a blanket, and join your neighbors for a showing of the LEGO MOVIE
SATURDAY, AUGUST 5TH
8-10 a.m. Covington Half-way Celebration for PaddleFest Time Come enjoy the PaddleFest Half-Way stop at Covington’s Mike Fink Landing (directly in front of George Rogers Clark park). There will be live music and local vendors and the opportunity to watch thousands of paddlers move down the Ohio.
9 a.m.-noon Pop Up Bike Tune Up – Roebling Point Books & Coffee: Bring your bike to Roebling Point Books and Coffee for a free basic tune-up on air, brakes, and chains by Reser Bicycle Outfitters. Please register in advance as spaces are limited.
9 a.m. #LovTheCov Ride presented by PhysiStarts – Location: Mike Fink Landing: Starts at Mike Finke Landing Distance: 7ish miles (few hills) Requirements: Bicycle (or check one out at the 3rd/Greenup Red Bike), helmets required if under 18. What you’ll see on the ride: Some of the historic sites and hear about the amazing history of Covington. Our ride will begin on the land on which Covington was founded. Click for route map.
10 a.m. Yoga – Location: Covington Farmers Market Join Rooted Yoga for a free session at the weekly Covington Farmers Market located at 3rd and Court Streets in Roebling Point. Stay for market, open until 1 p.m., to pick up local produce, meats, baked goods, and so much more!
10 a.m. Nature Hike with Rex McBride Location: Licking River Greenway.
Join Rex McBride, local naturalist, on a 1-mile walk along the nature trail at the Licking River Greenway for an informal look at local flora and ecosystems right along the boundary of Covington. Discussions along the trail will include native/non-native plant identification and information, invasive issues, human interactions, and any other topics that may cross our path. Participants should dress accordingly, and expect moderate terrain consisting of gravel trails. Parts of the trail are ADA accessible, but may be difficult for some abilities. Strollers and wagons are NOT encouraged. Site Location: The group will meet at the trail head of the Licking River Greenway and Trails at Levassor and Eastern Ave. Parking is located behind Holmes High School, directly across from the trail head.
4:30 p.m. Fairy Scavenger Hunt in the Forests – Location: Behringer-Crawford Museum This family activity includes a moderate 1/4 mile hike in the woods. No strollers on trail. Following the hike, Behringer-Crawford Museum (BCM) will open our Silent Art Auction Show at 5:30 that evening to start a month long exhibit and auction of local artists works leading up to our 25th Anniversary of BCM’s FreshArt Gala on September 16 & 17
5 p.m. Adult Wiffle Ball – Location: Bill Cappel 7pm Adult Kick Ball – Location: Bill Cappel The kick ball and wiffle ball games will be at the Bill Cappel sports complex at 4305 Decoursey Ave. We’ll be using field #2 and #3, come out and play ball!
7:30 p.m. Fit as a Fiddle – Beethoven 5K – Location: Devou Bandshell
8:30 p.m. Fit as a Fiddle – Sweatin’ to the Symphony – Location: Devou Bandshell . Join the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra for two great musical events that provide the opportunity to enjoy the performance while taking on physical challenges! First, race the musicians in a causal 5K through Devou Park as they perform Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, the goal is to finish the 5k before the symphony ends! And/Or follow local fitness instructor Bree Singer through a group workout during the second act of the Symphony as you sweat to the symphony!
See the NKyTribune’s story on Fit as a Fiddle here.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 6TH
8 a.m. Conquer Covington Obstacle Course – Location: Pete Rose Pier The course begins at Pete Rose Pier and continues towards River City Town Center along the River Front past Riverside Drive and winds through the Central Business District, then through Goebel Park, and the finish line is at the Clock tower in Mainstrasse. Description: This mid- to high-level intensity event is approximately 3.1 miles long. The course contains various physical challenges in the form of obstacles. Obstacles will include everything from crawling to carrying heavy objects, scaling walls, and flipping tires all while running along the most scenic route in Covington and through the heart of the Central Business District. Plus, we will have a few surprises! There will be several heats each containing a maximum number of 10 participants. The first heat will begin at 9 a.m. with subsequent heats every fifteen minutes thereafter. The sooner you register the earlier the start time you will be assigned! Once registered you will receive an email with your start time!
10 a.m. Family Yoga – Location: Devou Park Bandshell Jessica Starr of Rooted Yoga will host a large-scale open yoga for all ages at the Devou Park Bandshell.
12 p.m. Fitness Walk Holy Cross – Location: Ritte’s Corner The Latonia walk is 2.2 mile route, moderately paced with very slight elevation changes. Walkers meet at the corner of Winston Ave. and Decoursey at the Korean War memorial fountain. There is a city parking lot just over a block north at 36th and Decoursey
3 p.m.-Close Open 9-holes Golf Devou Golf Course – Location: Devou Park Golf Course is open for free 9-holes! Golf cart rental is not included.
6:30-8 p.m. Dog Days It’s the last day of the pools. Covington’s Parks and Rec Department is hosting an open swim for pups at Goebel Pool!
Sponsors of the Covington Outdoors Weekend include St. Elizabeth Healthcare, Gateway Community & Technical College, and the City of Covington.
