Blink Cincinnati, the 'nation's largest event of its kind,' will expand into NKY next year

Show Caption Hide Caption What Blink actually looks - and feels - like Blink Cincinnati is a four-day festival that offers large-scale architectural projections and interactive art pieces throughout a 20-block area from the banks of the river to Findlay Market. The festival is free and open to the public through Sunday.

Just one year ago, the Queen City answered to another name: Blink Cincinnati.

But when the art and light festival returns in 2019, it won't simply be Cincinnati's streets that shine.

Officials announced Wednesday evening that Blink will expand into Covington next year, with lights spanning the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, linking the two cities and symbolizing the regionalism linking the area.

"We are one community," said Jill Meyer, the CEO and president of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, "and it's just further proof that we are going to grow together. Our future city is connected as one."

Dan Reynolds, the owner of a company that helps produce Blink, broke the news to approximately 30 people atop a Downtown hotel, with the Roebling glowing behind him.

"We're going to cross this beautiful bridge ... and include Northern Kentucky to truly become a regional event," Reynolds said.

In October 2017, Blink transformed 20 blocks, from the banks of the river to Findlay Market, with around 70 pieces of light, color and video. There were sky-high spectacles on our buildings and sculptures on our sidewalks.

The festival is the "nation's largest event of its kind," according to a news release about the expansion.

It's estimated that one million visitors came through Downtown and Over-the-Rhine for the 2017 event. That's considered the largest gathering of people in that 20-block span.

"The fact that we have a million fans out there waiting to see what we're going to do is super, super exciting," Reynolds said.

Earlier this year, coordinators announced Blink will return next October, from the 10th through the 13th – and it will continue to be free.

Alecia Kintner, the president and CEO of ArtsWave, also announced at the event that her organization will take a larger role in sponsoring Blink next year.

"Blink embodies the things we think the arts do: create buzz and reputation, attract tourists, business and talent," Kintner said. "It brings us together on the street, discovering things together and inspiring kids."

Reynolds said Blink will expand into Covington to about 7th and Madison streets. It represents the fifth zone, adding to the four that stretched in 2017 from the banks of the river to Findlay Market.

Our neighbors across the pond predicted the changes that are coming:

Can't wait!!! Esp. since we hear that NKY locations will be included in 2019. 🤩 https://t.co/leec0Uns1F — meetNKY Northern Kentucky CVB (@meet_nky) October 17, 2018

Organizers also shared that Blink will again feature large-scale projection mapping, murals by international artists, interactive light sculptures and diverse entertainment.

Meyer said Blink didn't light up the area in 2018 to allow artists time to craft their pieces and to find sponsors, in an effort to "continue to make it a free and inclusive event."

The event is a production of Agar, Brave Berlin, Blink Cincinnati, ArtWorks, the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation and the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber.

Organizations wishing to support Blink can contact Cynthia Oxley, Blink director, at 513-579-3193 or at coxley@cincinnatichamber.com.

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