Over-the-Rhine (OTR)’s oldest street festival, Second Sunday on Main (SSOM), will return next month for its 19th year, bringing new themes and an exciting lineup of vendors. The free neighborhood street festival has garnered popularity over the years and become a Cincinnati tradition for celebrating community, creativity and culture. From June through September, SSOM will return monthly to historic Main Street with vibrant arts and music programming, a diverse vendor market, the Water Bark by Pet Wants, and the SSOM biergarten and lounge, made possible with the support of presenting sponsors Kroger and P&G.
“P&G is excited to return as the Presenting Sponsor of Second Sunday on Main and be a part of celebrating the iconic festival’s 19th season,” said Barbara Hauser, Community Relations Manager at P&G. “SSOM enhances Cincinnati’s culture by way of its diverse local vendors, music and programming bringing people down to experience OTR’s historic neighborhood.”
Presented by the Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce (OTRCC), the free monthly street festival started in 2004 as a way to drive more daytime traffic to what was then known as the Main St. Entertainment District. OTRCC and local property owners, businesses and residents came together and ultimately created what is now known as Second Sunday on Main. Today, the street festival not only drives traffic to local businesses, but it has grown to become an accelerator for aspiring entrepreneurs who utilize it as an opportunity to showcase their talents, sell their products and build a customer base.
When OTRCC recruits vendors for the street festival, they look specifically for entrepreneurs who hope to eventually open in brick-and-mortar spaces in OTR – especially those from underrepresented populations. The festival serves as a platform for these individuals to get a glimpse of the strong entrepreneurial support system and sense of community in OTR that make it an ideal location for up-and-coming businesses. Vendor fees are kept lower than competitive markets in the region to make participation accessible for all.
Da’Mon Butler of Nomad’s Icing is a prime example of a vendor who utilized SSOM’s platform to build his business from the ground up. He began vending at the festival in 2016 and recently leased a brick-and-mortar space to open Nomad’s first storefront. Brown Bear Bakery and The Bagelry, among others, are also examples of small businesses who utilized SSOM to expand their customer base and eventually put down roots in brick-and-mortar spaces. At each of the monthly festivals, representatives from Model Group, Urban Sites and Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC) will be present and available for questions from other prospective tenants who are interested in learning more about opening an OTR storefront. Recruitment of tenants will be heightened this year with the introduction of the Main Street Pop-up Program, a new initiative from the City of Cincinnati and 3CDC focused on filing the 26 currently vacant storefronts located on Main Street with tenants who can test out their concepts in the spaces with the hopes that many will remain long-term.
Joining the growing roster of unique vendors set to line Main Street, the Second Sunday biergarten, will be back for the 2023 season at the corner of Main and Woodward Streets, by the nearly-complete Ziegler Park expansion. The crowd favorite will feature returning sponsor, Revel OTR, and new beer sponsor, Sam Adams Brewing. Additionally, there will be a second bar at the corner of 13th and Main Streets.
“As a proud member of the OTR community, Revel OTR Urban Winery is thrilled to be involved with Second Sunday on Main again this year,” John Coleman said. “This event is a wonderful celebration of our vibrant neighborhood, and we are honored to be a part of it. Events like Second Sunday on Main are important for bringing the community together and showcasing all that our neighborhood has to offer.”
Patrons will be able to enjoy a variety of cold beverages from Sam Adams and three different handcrafted wines from Revel OTR. The bar will be fully staffed by volunteers and all tips will go directly to the organization they represent.
“We’re proud to help build vibrant communities through partnerships such as this one,” said Jennifer Glanville Love, Director of Brewery Programs. “Our Brewing the American Dream Program has helped several entrepreneurs get their start and we are excited to be a part of this event that promotes small businesses in Cincinnati.”
As always, the street festival’s monthly themes are a reflection of Cincinnati and OTR’s culture, creating the perfect opportunity for local artists and musicians to shine in a unique space, which includes the Cincinnati Music Accelerator and its Mobile Stage Trailer. Warmth Culture, a Black and Queer Femme-led music series based in Cincinnati, will program the 12th St. Stage provided by Cincinnati Music Accelerator. Anchored sonically in R&B, Hip Hop and House music genres, they share their platform with a goal of elevating BIPOC DJs and artists to perform in spaces curated for creatives and music lovers.
“We are honored to be part of Second Sunday on Main,” Alexander Stallings, from Warmth Culture said. “Warmth is going to bring nothing but good vibes that will make Main Street want to dance.”
The 2023 season kicks off during PRIDE Month on Sunday, June 11 with PRIDE on Main showing off the city’s pride for the LGBTQ+ community and pride for our OTR neighborhood. Interested vendors can register for the June festival on the SSOM website through Friday, June 10. Registration will remain open after the 10th for future dates.
Future SSOM dates and themes are as follows:
June 11th – PRIDE on Main
July 9th – Music City on Main
Aug 13th – Second Line Sunday on Main
Sept 10th – Sustain on Main
Location: Main Street OTR, Between 12th and Liberty Street
Time: 12:00pm – 5:00pm
