Red White & BOOM!
Red, White & Boom is the Midwest's premiere fireworks display. Held on July 3 every year in downtown Columbus, the event attracts about 500,000 people. There are festivities all over the area that start around 11:00 am with the fireworks starting right at 10:00pm and concludes at 10:30 with the GRAND FINALE. The fireworks are usually simulcast on local television (NBC) and radio (WNCI-FM).
Parking is a premium, but there's almost no bad viewing areas, with the premium spots being along the river. Although most of the show is above the downtown buildings, watching from east of the downtown area will have a good portion blocked. Prime viewing areas are west, northwest and southwest. The fireworks are launched from the west side of the Scioto in the COSI area.
After the show expect traffic delays. There are 500,000 people trying to get home at the same time. So patience is required. The city makes a big effort to get things moving as quickly as possible, including providing COTA buses departing for many pre-designated parking areas outside the immediate downtown area. Be careful walking or driving after the show. Lot's of people will be moving about.
Red, White & Boom! is organized through contributions and promotional support of the event sponsors. It is not produced by the city.
NEW: 2008 Location Change
Due to construction along the Scioto River, the Red White & Boom Celebration will be lauching from a new location this year and might mean the need to find a better location for viewing. The fireworks will be fired from the Veteran's Memorial area instead of along the Scioto.
COTA Transport
Cota will be providing extended local route service for Red, White, & Boom on the following routes (CHECK THE CURRENT COTA SCHEDULE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION):
#1 Livingston Ave.
#1 Cleveland Ave.
#2 E. Main St.
#2 N. High St.
#3 W. Mound St.
#3 Northwest Blvd.
#4 Indianola Ave.
#4 Parsons Ave.
#5 W. Fifth Ave.
#6 Sullivant Ave.
#6 Mt. Vernon Ave.
#7 Whittier St.
#7 Neil Ave.
#8 Hamilton Ave.
#8 Frebis Ave.
#9 Leonard Ave./Brentnell Ave.
#10 E. Broad St.
#10 W. Broad St.
#11 Oak St./Bryden Rd.
#11 St. Clair Ave.
#15 Grove City
#16 Long St.
#16 S. High St.
#19 Arlington/Grandview
