It is 4:00 AM in downtown Cincinnati. While most of the world is dead asleep, a guy named "Big Lou" is already firing up a charcoal grill in a parking lot near the Banks. He isn't crazy. He’s just a Cincinnatian, and today is the Reds game Opening Day. For people here, this isn't just a baseball game. It’s the unofficial start of spring, a city-wide excuse to skip work, and a tradition that runs deeper than any other city in the Major Leagues.
Cincinnati gets to host the first home game of the season because, well, they were the first professional team. The 1869 Red Stockings started it all, and the league has basically paid its respects ever since. If you aren't from around here, you might think it's weird to have a parade for a sport where the players haven't even broken a sweat yet. But the Findlay Market Parade is a massive deal. It’s got floats, local politicians trying to look relatable, and retired players like Johnny Bench or Barry Larkin waving from convertibles. Honestly, the atmosphere is more like Mardi Gras than a typical Tuesday in the Midwest.
The Absolute Chaos of the Reds Game Opening Day Parade
If you want to see the parade, you have to earn it. You’ve gotta be on the curb by 10:00 AM at the latest. The route usually snakes from Findlay Market down Race Street, and it is packed. I’m talking shoulder-to-shoulder people wearing nothing but red and white.
Local businesses basically give up on productivity for the day. You’ll see law firms closed and construction sites silent because everyone is either at the parade or drinking a local Rhinegeist brew at a tailgate. It’s one of those rare moments where the whole city feels like it’s on the same team, regardless of whether the Reds are actually projected to be good that year or not. Sometimes the team is rebuilding (which feels like a constant state of existence lately), but on Opening Day, everyone is 0-0. Hope is a powerful drug.
The parade itself is a glorious mess. You have the Budweiser Clydesdales, high school marching bands that have been practicing since January, and local celebrities you forgot existed. It’s loud. It’s crowded. It smells like bratwurst and diesel exhaust. And somehow, it’s perfect.
Finding Tickets Without Losing Your Mortgage
Getting into the actual Reds game Opening Day at Great American Ball Park is a whole different beast. This is the hardest ticket in town. Period. If you didn't win the online ticket lottery that the Reds hold months in advance, you’re looking at the secondary market.
Prices on sites like SeatGeek or StubHub usually skyrocket. A "cheap" seat in the nosebleeds that might cost $15 in July will easily run you $150 or more for the opener. Is it worth it? For the die-hards, yeah. There’s something about being in the stands when the giant American flag is unfurled across the outfield and the flyover happens. The roar of the crowd when the starting lineup is introduced—especially if there’s a local favorite or a highly-touted rookie making his debut—is enough to give you chills.
If you can't get in, don't sweat it. The Banks, which is the entertainment district between the stadium and Paycor Stadium (where the Bengals play), becomes a massive block party. They set up giant screens, there’s live music, and every bar from Holy Grail to Tin Roof is at capacity. You can still feel the energy of the game without having to pay the premium for a stadium seat.
Why the "First Pitch" Tradition Matters
In Cincinnati, the first pitch is a sacred rite. Usually, they bring out someone who means something to the city. It could be a legendary former player, a local hero, or sometimes a celebrity with Cincy roots.
But it’s not just about the pitch. It’s about the fact that for over a century, the Reds were the only team to start at home. While that changed a bit with modern scheduling, the league still tries to honor the tradition. It's a nod to the 1869 team that went 57-0. We haven't seen a record like that in a while, but the pride is still there.
What to Actually Eat and Drink
Forget a standard hot dog. If you’re doing Reds game Opening Day right, you’re eating specific stuff.
- Skyline Chili: You either love it or you think it’s weird meat water. There is no middle ground. Getting a cheese coney (or three) at the stadium is mandatory.
- Frybox: These are those loaded fries that could probably stop a human heart if you eat them too fast.
- Montgomery Inn Ribs: Sometimes they have sandwiches or pulled pork options that are solid.
- Local Beer: Cincinnati is a huge beer city. Moerlein, MadTree, and Fifty West usually have a presence. Don’t settle for a generic light beer when you can have something brewed three miles away.
The food lines are going to be long. Like, "miss two innings" long. My advice? Eat at the parade or at a tailgate before you go in. Or, if you’re inside, wait until about the 4th inning when the initial rush dies down.
Survival Tips for the Great American Ball Park
Weather in Cincinnati in late March or early April is a total gamble. I’ve seen Opening Days where it’s 75 degrees and sunny. I’ve also seen it snow. Literally snow.
Layering is your best friend. Wear a red hoodie under a jacket. If the sun comes out, you can ditch the coat. If the wind whips off the Ohio River, you’ll be glad you have the extra fleece. Also, wear comfortable shoes. You’re going to be walking from whatever distant parking lot you found, through the parade, and around the stadium. Your feet will hate you by the 7th inning stretch if you wear flimsy flip-flops.
Parking is another nightmare. If you try to park right at the stadium, expect to pay $50 or more. A pro tip is to park across the river in Covington or Newport, Kentucky, and walk across the Roebling Suspension Bridge. It’s a great view, it’s cheaper, and the walk helps burn off the chili. Plus, there’s a certain vibe to walking across that bridge with a thousand other people in red.
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The Reality of the "Reds Opening Day" Experience
Let’s be honest: sometimes the Reds lose the game. Sometimes they get blown out. But funny enough, it barely dampens the mood. The win-loss column matters for the season, but Opening Day is more about the ritual. It’s the smell of the grass, the sound of the crack of the bat, and the collective sigh of relief that winter is finally over.
There's a sense of "maybe this is the year." Even if the experts say the team will win 70 games, on this day, everyone thinks about the 1990 wire-to-wire season or the Big Red Machine era. We talk about Joe Morgan and Pete Rose like they’re still in the dugout. We argue about the bullpen. We complain about the owners. It’s what we do.
How to Make the Most of Your Trip
If you’re coming from out of town for the Reds game Opening Day, don't just go to the game and leave. Stay for the weekend. Check out the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum right next to the park—it’s legitimately one of the best sports museums in the country. They have cool interactive stuff and enough memorabilia to keep a baseball nerd busy for hours.
Walk through Smale Riverfront Park. It’s right there by the stadium and it’s beautiful. They have giant swings where you can sit and watch the barges go by on the Ohio River. It’s a great way to decompress after the madness of the game.
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Actionable Steps for Your Opening Day Plans
- Enter the Ticket Lottery Early: Check the Reds' official website in January. If you wait until March, you're paying double on the resale market.
- Book Your Hotel in November: Downtown hotels fill up fast. Look at the Covington/Newport side of the river for better deals that are still walking distance.
- Download the MLB Ballpark App: Everything is digital now. Your tickets, your parking pass, and even some food ordering happens through the app. Don't be the person fumbling at the gate with a dead phone.
- Check the Parade Route: The route can change slightly based on construction. Follow local news like WLWT or the Cincinnati Enquirer the week of the game for the final map.
- Arrive Three Hours Early: If the game starts at 4:10 PM, you should be in the vicinity by 1:00 PM. Between traffic and security, time disappears.
Opening Day in Cincinnati is a bucket-list item for any real baseball fan. It's the one day where the "Queen City" truly feels like the center of the sports universe. Whether the Reds are contenders or basement-dwellers, the party doesn't stop. Just bring a jacket, bring your appetite for questionable chili, and get ready to yell "Gharred!" (Go Reds) at every stranger you see.