Unity Fest, Soul Fest, Buckeye Football and a Four-Day Holiday Weekend

Let me start here:

Welcome to the first edition of The Weekender.

I’ve been thinking a lot about what Kin should actually do for us.

Not just what stories we should publish. Not just what headlines we should chase. But how do we become more useful in your real life?

Because every week, the group chat eventually gets to the same question:

And Columbus usually has an answer. The problem is that the answer is scattered across Instagram flyers, Facebook events, ticket pages, somebody’s Story you forgot to screenshot, and that one friend who swears they told everybody three days ago.

So we built The Weekender.

Every week, we’re going to do the digging and give you the read on what’s actually worth knowing about across Central Ohio — the events, the culture, the neighborhood moves, what you need to know before you pull up, and the businesses worth spending with while you’re already outside.

And this first one feels right.

We’re kicking it off on Labor Day weekend with Unity Fest in Linden as our main event — an event Kin is proud to sponsor and one we’ll be on the ground covering. We’ve got CBUS Soul Fest. Buckeye football is back. The Crew is playing. Festivals are happening all across the region.

In other words:

Central Ohio is outside.

But I want The Weekender to become bigger than a calendar.

I want it to become a habit.

The thing you open Thursday before you start making plans. The thing you send to the group chat. The thing that helps you discover somewhere you didn’t know about. The thing that reminds us that when we show up, where we spend matters too.

Because Kin isn’t being built just to tell you what happened.

We’re building something that helps us move through this city with more information, more intention, and more connection to each other.

This is edition one.

We’re going to learn. We’re going to make it better every week. And eventually, I want you to feel like the weekend doesn’t really start until The Weekender hits.

For now?

Pick the move. Check the weather. Send this to somebody who is still asking what we’re doing Saturday.

Welcome home.

— DaVante’

Remembering Ray Miller Jr.

Before we get back to the weekend calendar, there is another place Black Columbus will be gathering.

The community tribute for former Ohio Sen. Ray Miller Jr. is Friday at Second Baptist Church, 186 N. 17th St. The family will receive guests beginning at 5 PM, with the tribute beginning at 6 PM.

His memorial service is Saturday at the same church. The family will receive guests beginning at 10 AM, followed by the service at 11 AM.

Ray Miller spent decades building public policy, leadership institutions and Black-owned media in Ohio. This weekend, the city gets a chance to honor the builder.

Columbus Greek Festival

Blue Jackets Night at Huntington Park

After dark: the Zoo lights up

Blue Spectrum goes home to Gahanna

Kip Moore at Zucchinifest

End the weekend with art

Need a different kind of stop?

As of Thursday morning, the National Weather Service has a Heat Advisory in effect through 8 PM Friday.

Friday: Chance of storms mainly before noon, then partly sunny. High near 91, with heat-index values potentially near 100.

Saturday: Showers likely with thunderstorms possible. High near 85.

Sunday: Sunny, high near 82.

Labor Day: Sunny, high near 84.

Translation: Friday is hot. Saturday needs a rain plan. Sunday and Monday are currently the outdoor winners.

• Saturday is stacked. Ohio State kicks at 12:30, Soul Fest starts at 4 and the Crew kick at 7:30.
• Friday is still under a Heat Advisory. Water is not optional.
• Saturday has the strongest rain/storm signal. Outdoor plans need a backup.
• Canal Winchester has Labor Day Festival street closures beginning Friday.
• Matsuricon is ticketed. Check badge availability before heading to the Convention Center.
• Greek Festival admission is a weekend pass, so one admission can cover a return trip.