Happy Friday, Scoopers!

🍨 A Lebanon elementary school’s Facebook post about their Ice Cream day goes viral for all the wrong reasons.

Today’s email is a 3min 24sec read. Here’s the scoop:

• 🍆 Miami University’s safe sex event email raises eyebrows

• 🍏 Publix coming to NKY

• 🍕 Cincinnati Pizza Week

But first…

🐷 LOCAL

Kings Island parent company Cedar Fair to merge with Six Flags

There are few things more iconic to growing up in Cincy than summer break trips to Kings Island and going to Halloween Haunt with your crush.

But that could all change next year!

On Thursday Cedar Fair & Six Flags released a joint announcement that they have signed a deal to merge into a single entity within the first half of 2024.

The merger means that the new company will be worth over $8 billion, and own 27 amusement parks, 15 water parks, and 9 resort properties across the US, Canada, and Mexico for complete amusement park domination in North America.

On the surface the merger should mean positive things for our very own Kings Island…

Unlike other parts of the tourism industry, amusement parks have struggled to bounce back after COVID. The merger is expected to help stabilize earnings by diversifying revenues across more parks in different climates.

Kings Island will now also have access to the same IP as Six Flags which includes household names like Looney Tunes & DC Comics.

Batman ride in the Queen City anyone!?

However, mergers like this are rarely all good news and we should realistically be ready for some not-so-great changes.

All we can do now is just wait and see, but one thing is for sure, Kings Island won’t be the same for much longer so if you want to relive your childhood memories, buy that Gold Pass, and ride The Beast sooner rather than later!

Also… does that mean this guy is filming the next ad in Cincy?

Miami University apologized on social media Wednesday for an email promoting a safe sex program on campus.

The email encouraged recipients to attend an event in Emerson Hall's basement, stating there was “spooky sex” happening. The email said there was free pizza, contraceptives, and the chance to win free sex toys.

The university said the email wasn't referring to a sex party, but an event for a safe sex program on campus.

Notable quotes from some Miami students:

"It was just like a little weird, I didn't think it was some big deal or something, but it was just like odd in my eyes."

"I think it was the most crowded event so far."

"They played like sex trivia where they like asked people questions and that's how you won. My friend actually won one."

🍦 MINI SCOOPS

🛒 Dorothy Lane Market is getting ready to set up shop in Mason, marking its debut in the Greater Cincinnati area. The Mason store will be their biggest yet, complete with a cool Culinary Center. Stay tuned for more details on when it'll open as construction progresses.

🍏 In MORE grocery news, Publix is making its way to Northern Kentucky with its sixth store in the state. Located at Triple Crown Shopping Center, it'll be a spacious 55,701-square-foot supermarket with an adjacent Publix Liquors offering beer, wine, and spirits. Opening in 2025, Publix is expanding its footprint in Kentucky, focusing on customer service and community engagement. Get ready for those pub subs!

🍭Doscher's Candy Company in Newtown, Cincinnati, is a sweet spot with over 150 years of family tradition. They're famous for candy canes and French Chew, all made the old-fashioned way. It's a hands-on process, from mixing to forming, and they're the oldest candy cane company in the US, shipping thousands of treats this season.

🎄Northern Kentucky's beloved Christmas tradition, Light Up the Fair, is back and brighter than ever. With over a million lights on a 2-mile drive at Boone County Fair Grounds, it's a dazzling experience featuring a giant tree, a tunnel of lights, and more surprises. Open from Nov 10 to Dec 30, it's $7 per person or $25 per car (up to 7 people). First responders and active-duty military get in free every night, and kids under 3 are always free. Gates open at dusk daily, closing at 9 p.m. (Sun-Thu) and 10 p.m. (Fri-Sat and holidays).

📆 EVENTS THIS WEEKEND

🎄 FRI - SUN Cincinnati Holiday Market

🍕 FRI - SUN Cincinnati Pizza Week

📚 SAT, NOV 11 Boozy Book Fair

🎭 SUN, NOV 12 Art on Vine

🐕 CINCYDOG OF THE WEEK

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Thanks for being here with us. We’re looking forward to building a strong community of informed Cincinnatians who want to stay in the loop.

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