Top 5 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend: Oct. 8-10

1. Theater openings

Professional live theater is slowly returning after a year-long hiatus, and this weekend, we are spoiled for choice with three unique offerings.

The biggie is Cincinnati Shakespeare Company (1195 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine), which reopens its mainstage season Friday with "Romeo and Juliet," William Shakespeare's timeless tale of two star-crossed lovers and the feuding families who tear them apart. It stars Courtney Lucien as Juliet and Crystian Wiltshire as Romeo. The long-awaited reopening is being done with the utmost safety in mind, so come prepared with proof of full COVID-19 vaccination status or provide a negative test to enter the theater. Masks are also required. The play runs through Nov. 13. Tickets start at $14. cincyshakes.com.

More:Playhouse needs your help to reach new theater fundraising goal

Another long-awaited reopening happens Saturday at Playhouse in the Park's Marx Theatre (962 Mount Adams Circe, Mount Adams) with the world premiere play "The West End" by Keith Josef Adkins. The play, set in Cincinnati's West End in 1941, shines a light on a transformative chapter of local history as it follows Black Americans who've migrated from the Deep South to forge new lives in the city at a time when German residents were also facing growing hostility. As is the case with Cincy Shakes, guests at Playhouse in the Park must present either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 PCR test to attend, and masks are required at all times within the building, including while seated during the performance. Tickets start at $35. "The West End" runs through Nov. 7. cincyplay.com.

Another world premiere taking place in Cincinnati this weekend happens Friday at the Know Theatre (1120 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine) with Joseph Zettelmaier's "Shock! The Spine-tingling Tale of Miss Spidra." This comedic drama finds Joyce, a late-night B-movie horror television host, reflecting on 50 years of challenges, fun, schlock and living a dream she didn't even know she had. Perfectly timed for the Halloween season, the play is rated PG-13 and runs through Oct. 24. Tickets start at $15. Masks and proof of full vaccination are required. knowtheatre.com.

More:Things to do in Cincinnati this week: Oct. 4-10

2. Operation Pumpkin

Linus van Pelt need look no further because if the Great Pumpkin exists, this is where the supernatural figure is likely to be found. These aren't just any old pumpkins, either. These are giant pumpkins. Great pumpkins. Pumpkins that weigh over a thousand pounds – yes, you read that correctly. In fact, any pumpkin under one thousand pounds may just find itself in the skillful hands of William Wilson and Titus Arensberg, competitors in season two of the Food Network's "Outrageous Pumpkins." The pair will be turning pumpkins into works of art at Operation Pumpkin starting at 11 a.m. Saturday. 

While pumpkins are the star, Operation Pumpkin celebrates its 10th anniversary in style. You'll find plenty of local vendors and live musical entertainment, a Lucky Duck Regatta on the Great Miami River, and a pet parade costume contest with prizes for small, medium and large breeds, best owner-pet costumes and best-dressed pet group. Operation Pumpkin is free to attend. It takes over High Street in Hamilton from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. operation-pumpkin.org.

More:Concert announcements, cancellations this week

3. Made In Camp 2021

Camp Washington's community of more than 70 artists, galleries and makers collaborate on this neighborhood-wide open house, where you can meet with artists in their studios, access oft-hidden makers spaces, catch demonstrations, enjoy live music and take part in interactives throughout the event, which runs from 2-6 p.m. Saturday. 

Among the highlights is Mark de Jong's the Stair House. The artist and maker of the Swing House, de Jong's current project is in the first phase of a multi-year transformation. The space will be open to the public from 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, featuring lens-based works made in collaboration with Jesse Byerly, Steve Paszt and Jacqueline Wood. The Swing House and the Stair House are located at 1373 and 1375 Avon Place, Camp Washington. 

Special parking for Made In Camp 2021 has been arranged at the Rhinegeist Distribution Center (3209 Spring Grove Ave.), and golf carts will be circulating the art route throughout the event, so feel free to hop on and off wherever it strikes your fancy. Handy-dandy maps are available at host sites, including American Sign Museum (1330 Monmouth Ave.), Wave Pool Gallery (2940 Colerain Ave.) and Camp Washington Community Board (2951 Sidney Ave.).

More:Don't freak out, but it's time for pumpkin patches and Halloween events

4. Asian Food Fest

Celebrate Cincinnati's vibrant Asian community this weekend at the Asian Food Fest, highlighting the culture and cuisine of Cambodia, China, Hawaii, India, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Nepal, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. This year's festival takes place along the new Court Street Plaza between Vine and Walnut streets Downtown, with a wide array of food vendors, exhibits and entertainment. You can enjoy a variety of unique Asian cultural entertainment each day, including Filipino and Chinese dances and Japanese Taiko Drums, plus Korean American star Justin Park performs with Demie Cao at 7 p.m. Saturday, and Filipino American singer Jules Aurora and Satica at 3 p.m. Sunday.

Asian Food Fest takes place from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. A complete list of participating restaurants can be found at asianfoodfest.org.

5. Ohio Sauerkraut Festival

Now in its 51st year, this festival features more than seven tons of sauerkraut creations, from mainstays like cabbage soup, cabbage rolls and sauerkraut and pork combinations, to oddball items like sauerkraut fudge and pie. For those who aren't keen on the stuff, there are a number of food vendors offering non-kraut items. Also note that there are no alcoholic beverage sales at the festival.

While sauerkraut is the star of the show, the festival is also widely known for its excellent arts and crafts show, where more than 450 artisans sell their hand-crafted items. It's a juried show, so expect high-quality merchandise in a variety of mediums including floral, glass, wood, metal, leather and jewelry.

The Ohio Sauerkraut Festival runs from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday in downtown Waynesville. Parking with shuttle bus service to and from the festival is available at Wayne Local High School (735 Dayton Road). Masks are encouraged at the festival and are required on shuttle buses sauerkrautfestival.waynesvilleohio.com.

Honorable mention: Downtown Tour of Living 2021

See historic and new places to call home within Cincinnati's urban core this weekend during the Downtown Tour of Living. Experience the modern conveniences, historic sites, whimsical hidden gems and more while touring several luxury apartments and condominiums in Downtown and Over-the-Rhine. Tours start at On The Rhine Eatery (100 Court St.) above Kroger.

There are two tour options. VIP Tour Experience runs 5-9:30 p.m. Friday and includes light nibbles and drinks at each property and transportation between properties. A self-guided general admission tour runs from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $60 Friday, $20 Saturday. cincinnatimagazine.com/downtownliving.

Honorable mention: Maker's Mart at Brink

Enjoy a fun day of browsing and buying from skilled makers, crafters and vendors while sipping a perfectly poured pint and listening to live music. Musicians scheduled to play are Mr. the Kid, Calument, Kevin Muro and Half Mile South. The mart runs from noon-6 p.m. Saturday at Brink Brewing Company, 5905 Hamilton Ave., College Hill.