The Flying Pig Marathon and Christian Moerlein Brewing Company are kicking off their three-event Beer Series with the first-ever Bockfest 5K, and you're invited to be part of the party! The Bockfest 5K is at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, and headlines a day of celebration for the 21st annual Bockfest.

The run begins and ends at Bockfest Hall at the Christian Moerlein Brewery, 1619 Moore Street, just north of downtown Cincinnati. The 5K course takes you through the historic Over-the-Rhine Brewery District and you get a t-shirt, medal and a huge post-race party!

And remember, you can't be a part of the three-event Beer Series if you aren't registered for the Bockfest 5K! Officially called the Christian Moerlein Beer Series served up by the Flying Pig Marathon, it will include the Bockfest 5K, Little Kings Mile on Flying Pig weekend, and Hudepohl 14K & 7K Brewery Run on Oktoberfest weekend with all races supporting local charities.

Those who complete the Beer Series or all three races during the calendar year will receive a special commemorative gift from the Flying Pig Marathon, as well as discounts and events through the Christian Moerlein Lager House. (registration for the complete series will be limited to the first 3,000 participants)

Registration for the Bockfest 5K is $30 in advance and $40 on race day, and the event benefits the Brewery District Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation and the Cincinnati Brewery Heritage Trail. Sign up today!

What is Bockfest?

The 21st annual Bockfest Cincinnati is a celebration of Cincinnati's brewing heritage and the coming of spring. It's a weekend filled with parades, parties, food, and of course, beer, March 1-3 throughout downtown Cincinnati and the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood.

The celebration begins with a parade Friday evening that starts at Arnold's Bar and Grill, Cincinnati's oldest saloon, and ends at Bockfest Hall in Over-the-Rhine, where the ceremonial first keg is blessed. Saturday starts with the new Bockfest 5K, part of the Christian Moerlein Beer Series served up by the Flying Pig Marathon. Bockfest Hall is open throughout the weekend with live entertainment, food, brewery tours, and Saturday night is the finals of the Sausage Queen contest. Sunday is Continental Sunday, where Bockfest Hall will be the site for dancing, music, a German buffet and $1 off beer for anyone in traditional German dress.

Besides the activities in and around Bockfest Hall, several participating venues in Over-the-Rhine and the central business district will join in the Bockfest celebration, usually for no admission fee. In addition, a free shuttle bus runs a continuous loop among the Bockfest sites.

Bock beer traditionally is brewed for a limited time in late winter. The word "bock" means goat in German. Bock typically has a higher nutritional content and alcohol content than other beers and is brewed for celebrations and holidays. Because of the higher nutritional content, bock was used by German monks during Lenten fast - a liquid substitute for food. We celebrate Bockfest on the first weekend of March because of this historic association with Lent.

The Brewery District Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation, along with Hudepohl-Schoenling Brewing Company and the Christian Moerlein Brewing Company, are the organizers of Bockfest Cincinnati.