BLINK Bright Ride rolls through downtown Cincinnati ahead of art festival

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Downtown Cincinnati’s streets lit up Wednesday night as cyclists and other riders rolled through the city for the BLINK Bright Ride, an unofficial launch event ahead of the BLINK art festival. The ride, organized by Queen City Bike, invited people to decorate their bikes and join in a group trip through downtown. Organizers also welcomed others with wheels, including rollerbladers and skateboarders, to take part. Downtown Cincinnati’s streets lit up Wednesday night as cyclists and other riders rolled through the city for the BLINK Bright Ride, an unofficial launch event ahead of the BLINK art festival. (WKRC) The BLINK Bright Ride is held every two years when the BLINK Art Festival draws hundreds of thousands of people from around the world. One of the highlights for participants is the chance to preview some of the festival’s installations before the larger crowds arrive. Organizers provided about 800 string lights for people to decorate their bikes—and themselves—for a ride of about four and a half miles around the city. “Every year, it’s just a great way to get everybody lit up and kind of just become an art installation of itself as we roll through and check out BLINK,” said Queen City Bike President Charles Marxen. People of all ages and cycling levels joined the ride. Marxen said the event grows every year. About 250 people were pre-registered this year, but more than 300 decided to participate. “Everybody’s been really friendly and introducing themselves, and they helped me pump up my bike tires, and we’ve got plenty of light, and everybody’s great,” said Shari Frost of Harrison. “What’s unique about it tonight again, you see families, you see individuals, you see groups like us, but we’re all trying to represent and support our community and our city with really a phenomenal event,” said cyclist Angela King. Downtown Cincinnati’s streets lit up Wednesday night as cyclists and other riders rolled through the city for the BLINK Bright Ride, an unofficial launch event ahead of the BLINK art festival. (WKRC) Retired Cincinnati Police Officer Ralph Berry said it gets him ready for the holiday season. "We just like doing this because it’s just a great atmosphere. Then, I like decorating my bike up like for Christmas, because you know, Christmas is right around the corner," said Berry. Douglas Prather from Roselawn said it's fun and it brings people from different backgrounds together. "This is not an everyday thing. You don’t see it too much. It’s one of the few events across the country, because there are other cities that are doing some things somewhat similar, but not as big as this, I don’t think," said Prather. BLINK lists more than 90 attractions on its map this year, spanning 35 city blocks from Cincinnati to Northern Kentucky. BLINK officially begins Thursday at 4 p.m. on Central Parkway between Liberty and West 14th streets, where performances will bring the festival to life.