What you need to know about parking, street closures and more for Red, White & Boom!
The Fourth of July is approaching and you've got no plans. What better way to observe the patriotic holiday than celebrating it a day early with hundreds of thousands of other people?
If your first thought was, "That sounds like a great time," then Red, White and Boom! is for you.
Columbus' annual summer extravaganza, now in its 42nd year, has everything you could want in a Fourth of July fiesta: lots of live music and food, a parade stretching as far as the eye can see and of course, fireworks.
Red, White and Boom! covers 2.5 square miles of Downtown, making it the city's biggest single-day event. Last year's attendance was between 350,000 and 450,000 people, according to co-executive director Shawn Verhoff, who said he hopes that this year's celebration on July 3 will outstrip 2023's event.
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"We weren't fully back to pre-COVID numbers last year, but based on how the summer festival season is shaping out this year, we're expecting 400,000 to 450,000 people," he said.
With such a huge crowd anticipated, Red, White & Boom! is diligent about safety and security, Verhoff noted.
"We have dozens of agencies assisting with everything from bomb-squad sweeps to parking restrictions," he said. "Red, White and Boom! is one of the safest environments coming into Downtown, with nearly a third of the Columbus Police Department working."
Before the Ford Oval of Honor Red, White and Boom! parade steps off at 5:30 p.m. and fireworks light up the night sky, there are other activities taking place throughout the day. Read on to learn more about these events and other information you need to know if you plan to go to Red, White & Boom!
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Is Red, White & Boom! a free event?
It sure is, unless you choose to buy a VIP ticket, which entitles you to picnic-style food, drinks, adult and nonalcoholic beverages and the best views. The prices are $150 for adults and $55 for children 4 and older at redwhiteandboom.org. Children 3 and younger are free. The VIP Village Presented by 614 Exteriors will be in West Bank Park.
What is the parade route and where are the best places to watch?
The parade will leave from the Main Street bridge, turn north on Front Street and end at the corner of Front and Spring streets. "Anywhere along Front Street is really good viewing, especially around Broad Street. Also, Town and Rich streets," Verhoff recommended.
When does the street festival take place?
The fest opens at 11 a.m. and the stages open at noon. There will be two stages of live entertainment, one in Dorrian Green, the other in Bicentennial Park.
Verhoff said festivalgoers should expect "any kind of food you could want" from more than 80 vendors. "They'll have everything from funnel cakes to elephant ears to French fries," he said, citing the last snack as his personal favorite.
"I always try about three or four different vendors' French fries. I'm a French fry fanatic!" he said.
Where are the fireworks shot from?
The fireworks launch site is in Genoa Park, 303 W. Broad St., on the east side of COSI. The fireworks will be fired over the river at 10 p.m.
Where are the best places to watch the fireworks?
The best viewing areas are Bicentennial Park, Dorrian Green, Belle Street, Marconi Boulevard, Washington Boulevard and Civic Center Drive. If you're looking for a spot a little farther from the crowds, try Berliner Park, southwest of downtown at 325 Greenlawn Ave. Viewing spots are on a first-come, first-served basis.
How early can I claim a viewing spot?
Spots can be claimed after 6 p.m. Tuesday; any items placed before then will be removed. Areas must be marked with items that are not dangerous to the public. Stakes and posts are not permitted, as they can damage irrigation systems.
What if Mother Nature doesn't cooperate?
If the weather prevents Red, White & Boom! from shooting fireworks at the designated time, efforts will be made to launch the show by midnight. If weather still does not permit, the fireworks show will be canceled.
"We really play it by ear on event day. We have the ability to delay the parade; we can run it as late as 7 p.m.," Verhoff said. "As long as it's not lightning, we can run the fireworks."
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What's the parking situation?
Parking will be limited, so it's best to reserve a spot in advance. To book parking near Battelle Riverfront Park, Bicentennial Park or McFerson Commons, go to redwhiteandboom.org/parking-directions. You can also find and reserve parking with Park Columbus through the ParkColumbus app or at parkcolumbus.parkmobile.io.
If you prefer to take your chances on event day, there are numerous garages and surface lots in the vicinity.
Accessible parking is available on Gay Street between High and Front streets, as well as on the north side of Second Street from Mound Street to Civic Center Drive.
Verhoff encourages attendees to skip the traffic jams and parking costs by using the round-trip "Zoom to Boom!" service offered by COTA. Meet at one of four designated Park & Ride locations — listed at cota.com/boom — to pay for your trip (credit or debit only) and receive a color-coded wristband that will direct you to a corresponding COTA loading zone after Red, White and Boom!
Service from COTA Park & Rides to Red, White & Boom! runs from 6-8 p.m. Return trips begin at 10:30 p.m. and continue until approximately midnight.
The cost is $4 for adults, $2 for children 5-12 and free for kids 4 and younger. Trips also can be paid for in advance using the Transit app at transitapp.com.
What's new or different this year?
Verhoff called the reopening of Bicentennial Park "a bonus" for Red, White & Boom! "That's really been such a traditional viewing spot for 42 years. A large number of people like to set up there and they can do it again. We're very excited to have it again," he said.
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What streets will be closed?
There will be many street closures, starting this weekend at 9 a.m. Saturday, when Washington Boulevard will be closed from West Broad Street to West Main Street, reopening July 4 at an unannounced time.
From 9 a.m. Monday until an undetermined time on July 4, Civic Center Drive will be closed from West Broad Street to West Main Street. (Civic Center Drive access to the Supreme Court of Ohio building garage and loading dock will be maintained until noon on Tuesday.)
On Tuesday at 9 a.m., Belle Street will close between Broad and Main streets, then at 5 p.m. Marconi Boulevard from Long Street to Broad Street will close, as will the north curb lane of West Broad Street from the Cumberland Trail marker to Belle Street. All of these closures will be in effect until 6 a.m. July 4.
Numerous streets will close July 3 before and during the parade, including:
From 2-7 p.m. (for parade formation):
Main Street between Second Street and the Scioto River
Rich Street between Scioto River and McDowell Street
Starling Street between Rich and Town streets
Belle Street between Rich and Town streets
Lucas Street between Rich and Town streets
Civic Center Boulevard between Mound and Main streets
Depending on the size of the parade, additional space may be requested.
From 5:15 until approximately 7:30 p.m. (for parade movement):
Lynn Street between Front and High streets
Main Street between the Scioto River and High Street
Gay Street between Front and High streets
Long Street between Marconi Boulevard and High Street
Spring Street between Marconi Boulevard and High Street
Lafayette Street between Front and High streets
Nationwide Boulevard between Ludlow Avenue and High Street
Spring Street between High Street and Neil Avenue
Hickory Street between Front Street and Marconi Boulevard
Rich Street between High Street and Civic Center Drive
Town Street between Belle and High streets
Front Street between Main and Spring streets
State Street between Front and High streets
Rich Street between the Scioto River and McDowell Street
Additionally, all streets south of Spring Street, north of Mound Street, east of McDowell Street and west of Third Street will be closed from 5:30 p.m. until midnight for fireworks.
Also on July 3, the Broad Street bridge will be closed to motorists at 5:30 p.m. and to foot traffic at 9 p.m. (Times are subject to change.) Viewing the fireworks from the Broad Street bridge is prohibited.
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Is there a Red, White and Boom! festival guide?
Yes, you can find a downloadable guide along with other information at redwhiteandboom.org.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Red, White & Boom!: What to know if you go
