Details of a big event celebrating Greater Cincinnati’s river culture and heritage were announced at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Wednesday — and Cincinnatians who were around in the era of Tall Stacks may find them particularly exciting.
America’s River Roots will be a celebration of inland river culture to kick off the U.S.’s 250th birthday, bringing hundreds of thousands of visitors to the banks of the Ohio River in Cincinnati, Newport and Covington from Oct. 9-12, 2025. The Ohio River has played a vital role not just in Cincinnati’s history, but the history of the U.S. — from providing energy and industry to being a beacon of hope to those seeking freedom — and River Roots aims to showcase the multicultural art, history, music and cuisine that has come from the river connecting people to the region.
“America's River Roots will focus attention on the Ohio River Valley region and its impact on the nation's growth and shaping of our diverse cultures,” event co-chair Rick Greiwe said in a press release. “The event will deepen this awareness with roots music, river cuisine and cultural experiences along our world-class riverfront. Area residents will connect with our common roots and visitors will discover the heritage of America’s inland river culture.”
At the announcement Wednesday, Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval said the city is an ideal location to celebrate America’s river roots.
“We have a world-class riverfront parks system, second to none, designed for world-class national events. And with roots music on both sides of our river, riverboats going in and out and great, multicultural food throughout the venues, this could be something that everyone can enjoy and take pride in,” said Pureval. “River Roots has the potential to bring so many new eyes and dollars to our region’s beauty, our river heritage and the common roots that have made us so strong for so many generations.”
“When we talk about river roots, I think the word ‘roots’ is so important because there are roots. We’re not just coming up with this because we have a great birthday to celebrate, but because we’ve had a longstanding history here in bringing people together and celebrating on the Ohio River,” said Hamilton County Commission President Alicia Reece.
While more details will be announced in the future, organizers offered a preview of what will be hitting the Ohio River banks in 2025:
Music
Cincinnati native and Grammy Award-winner Bryce Dessner of The National will curate nationally known artists in all of the roots genres of music. These performers will be featured on multiple stages throughout the riverfront, and The National will perform a special tribute to roots music at the event.
Kathy Wade, a local jazz musician, regional Emmy Award-winner jazz performer and co-founder of Learning Through, is producing “Sounds of the River,” an interactive educational program that will trace the historical flow, cultural sounds and stories from along the Ohio River, from the first drumbeat in Africa to spirituals, gospel, blues and more.
Finally, a River Roots Gospel Revival, as well as educational programs, will spotlight the “Freedom Journey” and the Freedom Center. It will also help educate audiences about Ohio’s musical legacy, including King Records.
Food & drink
Cincinnati’s Paul Sturkey, the product and project development chef at Kroger, will lead the charge on food at River Roots. Organizers say he’s inviting celebrity chefs to craft cuisine of America’s river regions and recruiting small businesses, food trucks, restaurants and caterers to offer a variety of eats at the event.
On the beverage side, Amy Tobin & Company will be recruiting emerging distillers for bourbon tastings. Ohio brewmaster tastings and Cincinnati’s historic brewing tours in Over-the-Rhine will also be featured. And on the Purple People Bridge will be the Good & Rooted Local Market, featuring food and cultural artisans selling regionally made products.
Riverboats
And this is what Tall Stacks fans have been waiting for. For those who don’t remember or weren’t around for Tall Stacks, this was a special event held every three to four years in Cincinnati from 1988 to 2006 that celebrated the city’s riverboat history. It featured numerous riverboats that offered tours and cruises and even raced each other. There was also plenty of food and live music. And River Roots appears to be somewhat a revival of that special event, especially as Tall Stacks was also launched to celebrate a big birthday — Cincinnati's 200th, in fact.
[content-1]
River Roots will bring in 12 riverboats to the region from other inland river cities, with B&B Riverboats Capt. Alan Bernstein coordinating the logistics and working on the theme for the riverboats to showcase the food and music of our region. There will also be a River Cities Expo Pavilion showing off cultural tourism attractions.
River Roots has also been endorsed as an official event of the Ohio Commission for the U.S. Semiquincentennial or America 250-Ohio. Organizers are working with the U.S. America 250 Commission to secure designation as a national signature event.
America’s River Roots will be held Oct. 9-12, 2025. For more information and to stay updated on the details, visit americasriverroots.com .
Most Popular
Comments / 0