Your Destination Guide to Cincinnati

The 11th Annual Hyde Park Blast is Saturday, June 30th, 2012 to benefit The Cure Starts Now, Cancer Support Community of Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky and Shemenski Foundation – three charities dedicated to raising cancer awareness, creating a support system for those fighting the disease and most importantly, finding a cure. Co-founded in 2001 by Cheryl Koopman and Chad Sims, this unique event has grown into a Cincinnati summer staple that attracts thousands of people of all ages from throughout the Tri-State.

This year’s Blast is jam-packed with events for kids and adults of all ages. The entire day takes place on Hyde Park Square, starting with a 4-mile run/walk at 8 a.m., followed by kids’ races, cycling criterium races, starting at 4:15 p.m., and the elite run race. The Block Party celebration kicks off at 4:15 p.m. and goes until midnight, including food from Cincinnati favorites City BBQ and Dewey’s, drinks and live entertainment.

The Blast is again on the USA CRITS national tour and is stop number eight on the eleven city tour. Three cycling events will be held in Ohio in one weekend – starting with the Madeira Centennial Criterium in Madeira on Friday, June 29, the Blast races on Saturday, the 30th and the Tour de Grandview on Sunday, July 1st in Columbus.

The Gamut, a Cincinnati cover band, will get the Block Party started at 6:30 p.m. and will be followed by national act, Cowboy Mouth of New Orleans. The term 'Cowboy Mouth' has been used in the poetry of Shakespeare and Bob Dylan as well as a play by Patti Smith and Sam Shepard. Usually meaning “One with a loud and raucous voice,” it describes the band well. The band has performed over 2,500 concerts and received many reviews lauding their live show.

The Blast is the second leg of the Cincinnati Triple Crown presented by the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, a collaboration of three community races, including the Go OTR 5K on May 19 and Downtown Dash on August 3. The Triple Crown takes the best time of the runners who participate in all three events and crowns a male and female champion. Runners who complete all three races will receive a special gift.

For more information, visit: www.hpblast.org/