CINCINNATI — Tens of thousands of Taylor Swift fans plan to invade downtown Cincinnati this weekend to attend — or in some cases, just be in the vicinity of — her two sold-out concerts at Paycor Stadium.
For some, it’s the continuation of a years-long support for the beloved singer-songwriter. For others, it’s the first time to see songs such as “Lavender Haze” performed in person.
But for Cincinnati, it’s the opportunity to reap at least $48 million in benefits from Swift’s tour stop in the heart of downtown.
“It's a flood of emotion when she steps out on stage,” said Ashley Tharp, 28, who’s attending the Saturday night show with her twin sister, Tera. In honor of Friday’s performance, Mayor Aftab Pureval declared it Taylor Swift Day in Cincinnati.
Tharp has been a Swift fan since her eponymous debut album in 2006. She recalls being in gym class at school and hearing "Our Song" playing on a boombox in the weight room. She became a full-on "Swiftie" as a result of the “Fearless” album and developed an interest in fan theories after “Reputation.” She marked her love for the 33-year-old performing artist by getting a tattoo with what she calls “Taylor Swift undertones” on her left forearm.
Tharp made the two-hour trek from Bloomington, Ind., early Thursday morning to get near the front of the line for the opening of the tour’s merchandise trailer. She got in line at 5 a.m., even though it didn’t open until five hours later.
She brought a chair, cooler and a book to pass the time, but added the smog and humidity dampened her mood a bit.
Despite arriving hours early, it still took about 30 minutes to make her way through the line and pick up all the gear she couldn’t get her hands on during Swift’s show in Detroit a few weeks ago. Tharp and her husband spent more than $400 on merchandise at that show, including picking up the "coveted crewneck everyone is currently talking about,” she said.
Tharp drove back to Indiana around 11:30 a.m. with plans to return to Cincinnati on Friday.
“There won't be any merch left on Saturday,” she predicted.
Even though she’s only planning to attend Saturday’s show, Tharp and others plan to make a whole weekend of it.
On Friday, she plans to participate in the official “Taygate” at The Banks after dropping off three of her friends to the first show. On Sunday, they'll relax at their Airbnb near Hamilton, Ohio, and look for other activities before driving home.
There are several events taking place all over the region, ranging from karaoke contests to Swift-centric trivia nights.
“What I love most is that the fans make the show a one-of-a-kind experience,” said Tharp, referring to swapping Swift-themed friendship bracelets with other fans, taking countless photos and videos and screaming at the top of their lungs to songs they’ve grown up with.
The roughly four-hour concert features 44 tracks. Every show, Swift plays "secret songs,” Tharp said. She and a friend have been staying up on weekends to watch the live streams of other concerts on TikTok just to see the secret songs.
“It's fun to see everyone theorize what the songs will be for that night,” Tharp added.
About 130,000 fans are expected to attend Swift’s shows over the course of the two nights. Visit Cincy, the region’s tourism agency, estimated thousands of additional fans will take part in festivities at The Banks district.
The City of Cincinnati also coordinated with the U.S. Coast Guard based on assumptions that boaters will pack the Ohio River just outside the stadium during the concert.
Annie Winegardner is going to Saturday’s concert. The Cincinnati resident also plans to attend a show in Los Angeles in August, but said she wouldn’t miss a chance to see Swift perform in her hometown. She spent $550 for her lower-bowl seat and VIP access.
“Her level of production is unmatched,” she said of Swift. “She makes sure every single seat in the arena has an amazing experience and somehow makes a 70,000-person stadium show feel intimate.”
The 33-year-old previously saw Swift perform during her Reputation tour. The pop star didn’t perform in Cincinnati during that tour — and hasn’t in 13 years prior to this weekend — so Winegardner traveled to Indianapolis and Louisville. She considers them the best concerts she’s ever attended.
“As Taylor says, ‘it’s been a long time coming,’” she said.
Winegardner plans to head downtown around 1 p.m. on Saturday. Her goal is to have enough time to park, grab food somewhere in Over-the-Rhine and then head into the stadium with plenty of time to go to the bathroom before the show starts around 6:30 p.m.
Blair Whitney is still figuring out plans for the shuttle service she’ll provide for her daughter, Avery Barter, on Saturday. The Hyde Park resident knows there’s going to be a lot of traffic. The city plans to shut down streets along the riverfront and has set up special drop-off and pick-up zones for parents and ride-share companies.
As of Thursday, Whitney planned to park and spend the day downtown while her daughter and her friends get to have the “complete Taylor experience.” It also seemed easier than the alternative of navigating traffic caused by the concert as well as Cincinnati Reds and FC Cincinnati games.
Despite any logistical headaches, it’s worth it, Whitney said. After all, Avery and her sister missed out on getting tickets initially, despite spending hours online. They landed a pair of tickets only after Ticketmaster reopened the queue because of earlier technical issues.
It’s Barter’s first time seeing Swift in concert since they saw her perform in Columbus five years ago. She spent “way too much money” on gemstones and other decorations to create a one-of-a-kind outfit for the big day.
“It’s basically the highlight of the summer,” said Barter, 17.
“Just the build-up to everything has been so exciting,” she added. “I’ve seen people posting about it on social media but until I’m downtown, I’m not sure I’ll know what to expect. I just know I’m excited.”
Scott Allison and his fiancee are driving into the city from Traverse City, Mich. They both have Cincinnati roots, so the concert affords them the chance to hang out with old friends for the weekend, he said.
Prices for tickets on the resale market are going for more than $1,000. Allison said he briefly considered selling their tickets and avoiding the seven-hour trek, but the draw of friends, and Swift, proved too great, he said.
In all, Allison knows 30 other people planning on attending the concert. They will spend time before Saturday’s concert having dinner and drinks at The Banks.
He’d also like the chance to see the Reds take on the San Diego Padres who are in town for a three-game series.
“An energized Cincinnati and Taylor Swift: What could be better,” Allison asked.