Press Release

Activations along the riverfront development featuring flavors from The B-Line^®, live music, and sweeping views as part of signature event to kick off America’s 250th

NEWPORT, Ky. (September 30, 2025) – America’s River Roots Festival, a five-day event from Oct. 8–12, celebrates the vibrant culture of America’s river cities through a unique fusion of music, cuisine and community.

As part of the OneNKY Zone in Northern Kentucky, festivalgoers can enjoy unique experiences throughout Ovation. The development’s location at the confluence of the Licking and Ohio rivers makes it one of the best locations to take in the riverboat parade and races. These will culminate in a series of authentic riverboat showdowns between iconic vessels such as the Belle of Louisville and Steamboat Natchez, and the Mary M. Miller and Three Rivers Queen.

“Ovation has become a gateway to Northern Kentucky, making it a natural centerpiece for America’s River Roots in Newport,” said Brett Blackwell, president of Corporex. “As we mark 60 years of growth, Corporex is honored to contribute to a festival that celebrates innovation, community and our nation’s 250th anniversary.”

Kentucky’s Boardwalk at Ovation will offer bourbon, beer, dining and entertainment, along the river’s edge, with panoramic views of the Cincinnati skyline.

Programming at Ovation includes:

• The B-Line® Restaurant on The Boardwalk — Open-air dining with rotating menus from restaurants along The B-Line, Northern Kentucky’s self-guided bourbon experience, that include Purple Poulet, Seasoned Dish and Smoke Justis. Food will be available for purchase from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9; from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, and Saturday, Oct. 11; and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12.
• The B-Line® Speakeasy Bar on The Boardwalk — Step into The B-Line Speakeasy, an exclusive pop-up bar tucked inside the event featuring bourbons and drinks for purchase from stops along the famous Northern Kentucky self-guided bourbon experience. Sample rare and regional selections, enjoy handcrafted cocktails and mingle with expert mixologists representing the best of NKY’s craft bourbon scene. This hidden gem within the event is a toast to the spirit of local tradition and will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9; from 11a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, and Saturday, Oct. 11; and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12.
• Braxton Beer Garden on The Boardwalk — Pints of our region’s famous brews offer a taste of Cincy heritage with incredible riverfront views of our beloved cities. Beers and drinks will be available for purchase from famed brewmasters during the festival from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9; from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, and Saturday, Oct. 11; and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12.
• Kentucky Bourbon Experience on The Boardwalk — This ticketed experience allows visitors to enjoy a curated tasting by seasoned bourbon stewards. Sample Kentucky’s finest pours from single barrels to bold, custom blends, while the rich heritage and craftsmanship behind every glass is discussed. Experiences start at 11 a.m. with final seating at 4 p.m. daily. Tickets can be purchased at getanchor.io/americasriverroots/bourbon-experience.html.
• Perfetti Van Melle Sweet Spot – Through the duration of the festival, Perfetti Van Melle, a Northern Kentucky-based innovative confectionery company, will bring an added taste of excitement to The Boardwalk with candy samples, giveaways, games, and a giant Airheads hot air balloon for photos.
• Corporex Corridor – Celebrate America’s 250th birthday in style by snapping a selfie with an 8 ft by 8 ft birthday cake, and be sure to sign the massive birthday card to our country and Corporex, celebrating 60 years of business.

 

Beyond the food and drink, those visiting Ovation can also enjoy live music at Ovation’s High Note Rooftop Bar and a 700 WLW River Roots Radio Takeover and live broadcast with Rocky and Eddie from the afternoon drive show from the newly opened Market Bar at Ovation Plaza. Nationally acclaimed artist, T-Pain, will also be performing at MegaCorp Pavilion on Saturday, Oct. 11.

“We are proud to be part of America’s River Roots Festival as we celebrate Corporex’s 60th anniversary,” said Suzanne Deatherage, Vice President of Marketing for Corporex. “Ovation represents a new chapter in the long history of America’s river cities, and the festival provides the perfect stage to create memorable experiences that honor that legacy. From our position between Covington and Newport on the Levee, we look forward to welcoming residents and visitors alike to enjoy the views, the culture and the spirit of innovation that define Northern Kentucky’s riverfront.”

A variety of paid, covered and lit parking garage options will also be available throughout the Ovation community for those looking to enjoy festival activities.

For more information regarding events taking place for America’s River Roots Festival at Ovation, visit ovationontheriver.com/river-roots. For tickets and a full list of events for America’s River Roots Festival, visit americasriverroots.com.

 

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About Corporex

Corporex Companies was founded in 1965 and is a national, privately held investment and development firm based in Covington, Kentucky. Corporex has a 60-year history of developing world-class hotels, Class A offices, luxury residential and mixed-use developments in over 22+ states across the U.S. The company has more than $1B in assets under management, has built over 33M square feet, and generously invested in communities with more than $3.2M in corporate and foundation giving in 2024. Today, the company remains one of the leading privately held, vertically integrated owner/operators of commercial real estate in the country, focused on changing skylines and changing lives. Learn more at Corporex.com.   

 

About Ovation

Ovation is a 25-acre, urban, mixed-use development that sits along the confluence of the Ohio and Licking Rivers in Northern Kentucky. The development offers accessibility, convenience, and connectivity to a world-class music venue, state-of-the-art office buildings, residential options, hotels, open green spaces, and unique restaurants, bars, and experiences. Once complete, Ovation will bridge cities in the region, connect residents and the community directly to the rivers, and offer incredible river views combined with a boardwalk that transcends time and activates all your senses. To learn more visit ovationontheriver.com.

 

About OneNKY Alliance & America’s River Roots

OneNKY Alliance member companies have sponsored the OneNKY Zone at America’s River Roots in Newport, Kentucky. Sponsors include: Corporex, Perfetti Van Melle, Fischer Homes, Verst Logistics, St. Elizabeth Healthcare, Paul Hemmer Company, CVG International Airport, KLH Engineers, Thomas More University, Northern Kentucky University, and Central Bank.

 

OneNKY Alliance, originated in 2017, mobilizes leaders around impactful initiatives, producing tangible and measurable results for the region. The organization’s focus on unity, health and education has served as the spring board for efforts including LINK Media (an independent news organization bringing voice and brand to NKY); Breathe Easy NKY (coalition for smokefree in NKY) and Educate NKY (education as a springboard for personal and community success). OneNKY Frankfort at 418 Capital Avenue and the OneNKY Center in Covington, are also key initiatives for the organization. For more information visit: onenkyalliance.com.