Press Release

Kentucky’s Boardwalk at Ovation to feature local flavors, live music, and sweeping riverfront views as part of the America’s River Roots Festival in Newport 

CINCINNATI (July 16, 2025) – From October 8 – 12, 2025, America’s River Roots Festival will bring a celebration of food, music and culture to both sides of the Ohio River in honor of the United States’ 250^th anniversary.

Two of the festival’s eight themed event zones will be hosted in Northern Kentucky, located in Covington and Newport, and collectively known as the OneNKY Zones. These zones are made possible by the support of OneNKY Alliance member organizations and will highlight the area’s unique character and contributions to the national celebration.

In Newport, a festival highlight will be Kentucky’s Boardwalk at Ovation, a vibrant riverfront activation hosted within the Ovation development. With the Cincinnati skyline as its backdrop, the zone will be set along the picturesque wooden Boardwalk at Ovation Thursday through Sunday and will feature:

• Locally crafted food and beverage offerings for purchase, including regional beers, Kentucky bourbons and themed culinary experiences highlighted along The Boardwalk:
  • B-Line restaurant features rotating daily on the Boardwalk
  • B-Line Speakeasy pop-up bar featuring bourbons and mixed-drinks
  • Premium ticketed Bourbon Experience
  • Beer Garden
• Fireworks viewing
• Riverfront activity and a first-class view of the iconic steamboats set to make their way down the river throughout the festival

With delicious bites, local sips, and unbeatable riverfront views, Kentucky’s Boardwalk at Ovation invites guests to savor the spirit of celebration. Corporex, a founding member of the OneNKY Alliance, is leading the development of the Ovation site and will serve as a key supporter of the Newport zone.

“Ovation already serves as a front door to Northern Kentucky, so it makes perfect sense that the development will be a major presence for America’s River Roots within the OneNKY Zones,” said Bill Butler, chairman of Corporex. “As Corporex celebrates 60 years with a history deeply rooted in Northern Kentucky along the banks of the Ohio River, we are proudly playing an active role in this a festival that honors the spirit of innovation and our nation’s 250th anniversary.”

The OneNKY Zones are made possible through the support of OneNKY Alliance members, including Corporex, Fischer Homes, Perfetti Van Melle, Verst Logistics, St. Elizabeth Healthcare, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), Paul Hemmer Co., Central Bank, KLH Engineers, Northern Kentucky University and Thomas More University.

“We are excited about the many adventures in Music, Culture and Cuisine featured as part of the OneNKY Zones at America’s River Roots,” said OneNKY Alliance President & CEO Karen Finan. “This regional celebration holds something for all, thanks to the generosity of the OneNKY Zones sponsors.”

The festival marks the start of the nation’s 250^th anniversary celebrations and will feature programming across both riverbanks, emphasizing local culture, history and regional pride.

Tickets and complimentary offerings for events at Kentucky’s Boardwalk at Ovation in the Newport OneNKY Zone are available at AmericasRiverRoots.com/Bourbon. Full festival details can be found at AmericasRiverRoots.com.

 

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About OneNKY Alliance

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: OneNKY Alliance.

 

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.