6 kooky things that make I-75 Exit 29 worth the drive
By Amelia Robinson, Staff Writer
Those traveling Interstate 75 between Cincinnati and Dayton pass one of the nation’s most interesting exits — and it is very, very, very hard not to notice.
I am looking at you I-75 Exit 29.
The fiery demise of the controversial King of Kings statue (AKA Big Butter Jesus and Touchdown Jesus) during a lightening storm four years ago did not quench the exit’s appeal.
In fact, the gateway to Warren County’s Lebanon, Monroe and Turtlecreek Township has managed to become more and more exciting since June 2010.
There is excitement wherever you look on the exit that can lead you to Kings Island Amusement Park and The Beach Waterpark in Mason.
Here's why....
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Traders wanted
AMELIA ROBINSON/STAFFTraders World Flea Market is an “11-acre shopping extravaganza” and has been since it opened nearly 30 years ago.
You can find everything from drones (and a guy who installs their cameras) to a Pac-Man arcade game. Other finds include mysterious gels and lotions, a decorative battle-axe — and of course statues of giant giraffes and gorillas in the facility’s 16 buildings. There are also plenty of treasures to find outside of the mall, which is open 9.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays year-round.
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Down the Aisles
NICK GRAHAM/STAFFSpeaking of treasures, there are plenty of interesting things to hunt across the interstate at Treasure Aisles (formerly Turtlecreek Flea Market). It is an adventure around nearly every corner. Chances are you can find something that floats your boat in the scores of booths that make up the market (Confederate Flag bed sheets to drills to food.) There are more than 500 outdoor spaces to search in the warmer months as well. The market also is open rain or shine from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays and Saturdays.
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Hustler's Paradise
AMELIA ROBINSON/STAFFHustler Hollywood is there for the things naughty adults treasure. Everything from bachelorette party favors to unmentionables can be found in the store that Jimmy Flynt, the brother of Hustler magazine founder Larry Flynt, opened in December 2000.
“Relax, it’s just sex,” is the store’s slogan.
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Honeys Making Moneys
AMELIA ROBINSON/STAFFThose looking to get lucky should swing over to Miami Valley Gaming Racino (6000 Ohio 63, Lebanon). Since its opening, the racino has given away more than 40,000 Buckeyes.
Open 24 hours a day, it has taken many more bets.
It has harness horse races and 1,600 gaming machines on a 68,000-square-foot gaming floor.
Want somewhere to spend all that loot you win?
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Shop 'til you drop
GREG LYNCH / STAFFThe shops of Cincinnati Premium Outlets (400 Premium Outlets Drive, Monroe) could surely hook you up. The mall opened in August 2009 and now has a list of 100 outlet stores, including Coach, Cole Haan, Converse, Guess, J.Crew, Joe’s Jeans, Kenneth Cole, Michael Kors, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Samsonite and Tommy Hilfiger. Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.
Or you can give your money to church.
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52-foot-tall Jesus
JESSICA UTTINGER/CONTRIBUTEDSolid Rock Church has been going strong since it was founded in 1978 by Rev. Lawrence Bishop and his wife Darlene. The couple grew the church from 12 members to more than 3,000 today.
Rev. Bishop died of a massive heart attack on Sept. 30, 2011. His body was moved in 2013 from Woodside Cemetery to the Solid Rock Church Mausoleum, which now overlooks the statue called “Lux Mundi” (Latin for “Light of the World”). This statue replaced the King of Kings statue in 2013. The 52-foot statue depicts Jesus with arms wide open.
