"String Theory for Dummies" by Dan Shields at BLINK 2022. Photo provided | BLINK

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BLINK will return to both sides of the river starting Oct. 8.

Covingtonians can expect 10 new murals for the event and three outdoor drinking areas where attendees can move around outside with alcoholic beverages. Let’s take a sneak peek at what to expect and how to prepare for the Covington-side of BLINK 2026.

This will be the event’s showcase since it started in 2017. BLINK’s own numbers tracked over 2 million attendees to the 2024 event, and organizers and city leaders are working to ensure that people will be able to access both the art installations themselves and the city’s other amenities.

“This an opportunity to introduce a large number of folks to Covington,” said Covington’s Economic Development Director John Sadosky. “And we want those folks to stay here to not only experience the installations but to grab dinner, have a drink, frequent our businesses, spend money here.”

There will be road and bridge closures during the multi-day event, so you’ll need to plan ahead to get access into the city. The Roebling will be closed to vehicle traffic every night of the event, but it will remain open to pedestrians. If you’re coming from Cincinnati, you’ll need to arrive using either the Brent Spence Bridge or the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge. If you’re coming from Newport, the city recommends using the 12th Street Bridge, also known as the Girl Scout Bridge, to traverse the Licking River into the city.

TANK’s regular routes, which you can learn about here, will be running normally throughout the event. TANK’s Licking River Link shuttle service, established in the wake of the 4th Street Bridge demolition, will also be running during the event. Pedestrians and bike riders will be able to access the Licking River Link for free. Finally, the bus service will provide a park and ride service from NKU’s campus on Friday and Saturday. Rideshare services and GEST carts will also be active throughout the event.

Several roads will be closed to allow attendees to move around safely. The following roads will be closed, according to a city announcement:

  • East Third Street from Scott Street to Greenup Street 
  • Park Place from Scott Street to Greenup Street 
  • Court Street 
  • East Fourth Street from Madison Avenue to Greenup Street 
  • Scott Street from East Third Street to East Fifth Street 
  • Madison Avenue from East Fourth Street to East Eighth Street 
  • Electric Alley from East Fourth Street to East Fifth Street 
  • Tobacco Alley from Madison Avenue to Scott Street 
  • West Pike Street from Washington Street to Madison Avenue 
  • West Seventh Street from Washington Street to Madison Avenue 

Finally, several areas, dubbed “entertainment destination centers” or EDCs, will be set off as public consumption areas. Attendees will be able to carry open containers of alcohol purchased from participating businesses in those areas in specially marked cups. More than a dozen Covington businesses have agreed to participate. You can find a full list of the participating businesses by reading the city’s announcement.

A map showing the locations of the EDCs for the Covington-side of BLINK 2026. These areas will be in effect from Oct. 8 to Oct. 11 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Click for larger image. Map provided | The City of Covington

Once you’ve arrived, one thing you’ll have to look forward to is a new set of murals throughout the city. Existing murals in both Cincinnati and Covington may also undergo projection mapping, wherein videos of other artworks are projected onto a solid surface.

“Sometimes we go back to those murals that have been painted as part of BLINK to project upon them to make them come to life,” said BLINK Executive Director Leslie Mooney.

One BLINK artist and Covington resident Chase Melendez will be contributing a new mural for the new Covington City Hall building. Melendez has painted murals throughout the country and is known for his vibrant, Euclidian style. This will be the first time displaying his work in Blink.

An example of Chase Melendez’s work, located in Wynwood, Florida. Photo provided

“I think most local artists want to be involved with BLINK, and the scale of BLINK is pretty impressive,” said Melendez.

The event will take place from Thursday, Oct. 8 to Sunday, Oct. 11 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Official maps of the event will be released next week, but you can keep up with everything related to Blink at blinkcincinnati.com.

And one other thing, said Mooney, “it is and will always remain 100% free.”