Red, White & Boom 2023: What to know before you go
With the Fourth of July less than a week away, many people's thoughts are turning to a day off from work, backyard cookouts — and of course, fireworks.
And what's more synonymous with fireworks in Columbus than Red, White & Boom!?
Covering 2.5 square miles of Downtown, the city's biggest single-day event and the largest Independence Day celebration in the Midwest draws hundreds of thousands of attendees to participate in the free patriotic party each July.
Attendance numbers were down last year, a lingering effect of the coronavirus pandemic, which caused the event to be canceled in 2020 and 2021. But event organizers anticipate an upturn for the 41st annual Red, White and Boom! on Monday.
"Last year, coming out of COVID, we estimated approximately 250,000 people (attended)," co-executive director Shawn Verhoff said. "This year, we expect to be back to our normal number of 400,000."
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As always, the festivities will include a parade stretching at least a mile long, with local businesses, community organizations, officials and others participating. The procession will leave at 5:30 p.m. from the Main Street bridge, turn north on Front Street, and disband at the corner of Front and Spring streets.
After dark, crowds will gather in and around Genoa Park, 303 W. Broad St., for the pièce de résistance — the dazzling display of phenomenal fireworks presented by Franklin University at 10 p.m.
While the parade and pyrotechnics are the most-touted highlights of Red, White and Boom!, there's an assortment of other activities and attractions to keep you entertained earlier in the day. Below is a rundown of things to see and do, as well as some information you should know before you go.
What else is there to enjoy at Red, White & Boom?
There's plenty of fun to be had ahead of the parade and fireworks, kicking off at 11 a.m. with a street festival, where 100-plus local and national vendors will be selling food, Pepsi products, adult beverages, glow sticks and more. Live entertainment on two stages will begin at noon. Joey and Jessica, The Twylights and Radio Tramps will return from last year, along with several other musical acts.
Local radio and TV personalities also will report live from the festivities, as well as meet and greet attendees. WNCI 97.9 morning show hosts Dave and Jimmy will begin broadcasting at 2 p.m. Storm Team 4's Dave Mazza and McKenna King, and fellow NBC4 colleagues Kristine Varkony and Rachel Ramsey, will join the party at 4 p.m. with live coverage throughout Downtown.
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Has anything changed from last year?
"We have moved all of the concessionaires from Long Street to Belle Street," Verhoff said. "Concessions and vendors will be on Civic Center Drive from Long Street to Main Street, as well as Belle Street on the west side of the river."
In addition, the Main Stage will be in Dorian Green, the park west of COSI. Bicentennial Park will have limited areas due to the renovation of the fountains.
Where will I be able to park?
Parking is limited, so it's best to purchase parking in advance. There are numerous garages in the Arena District, Columbus Commons and the Greater Columbus Convention Center, or you can find, reserve and book parking with Park Columbus through the ParkColumbus app or at parkcolumbus.parkmobile.io.
Accessible parking is located at 2nd Street from Mound Street to Civic Center Drive, and at Gay Street between High and Front streets.
Here's where handicap parking is available:
Handicap parking will be available at the following locations:
W. Gay Street between N. Front and N. High Streets
W. Rich Street between S. Ludlow and S. High Streets
W. Mound Street between Civic Center Drive and S. Front Street
W. State Street between Starling and Belle Streets
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You can skip the hassle of traffic jams and parking by using COTA's "Zoom to Boom!" round-trip service, which costs $4 for adults, $2 for children 5-12, and is free for kids 4 and younger. Meet at one of four designated Park & Ride locations - listed at cota.com/boom - to pay for your trip and receive a color-coded wristband that will direct you to a corresponding COTA loading zone after Red, White and Boom! A detailed list of bus routes can be found on the COTA site or in the Festival Guide at redwhiteandboom.org/activities.
What streets will be closed?
Road closures will begin this weekend, starting at 9 a.m. Friday, when Washington Boulevard will be closed from W. Broad Street to W. Main Street, reopening on July 4 at an unannounced time.
From 9 a.m. Saturday until 6 a.m. July 4, Civic Center Drive will be closed from W. Broad Street to W. Main Street. Sunday's closures from 5 p.m. through 6 a.m. July 4 will be Marconi Boulevard from W. Long Street to W. Broad Street, and the north curb lane of W. Broad Street from the Cumberland Trail marker to Belle Street.
Numerous streets will close on Monday ahead of and during the parade, including:
From 2 p.m. until the parade ends
Main Street between 2nd Street and the Scioto River
Rich Street between the 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
From 3 p.m. until July 4
Long Street between Hocking Street and Marconi Boulevard
W. Spring Street between Hocking Street and Marconi Boulevard
John McConnell Boulevard at New Public Lane
Neil Avenue at W. Spring Street
West Street at Spring Street
From 5 p.m. until the parade ends
Lynn Street between Front and High streets
Lafayette Street between Front and High streets
Nationwide Boulevard between Ludlow and High streets
Hickory Street between Front Street and Marconi Boulevard
W. Spring Street between Hickory and High streets
W. Long Street between Marconi Boulevard and High Street
W. Broad Street between Belle Street and Washington Boulevard
W. Rich Street between Belle and High streets
N. Front Street between Main Street and Nationwide Boulevard
W. Main Street between Front and High streets
W. Town Street between Front and High streets
E. State St. between Front and High streets
E. Gay St. between Front and High streets
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.
The Discovery Bridge will be closed to car traffic starting at 5 p.m., and to foot traffic at 9 p.m. The Rich Street Bridge will be closed for vehicles at 2 p.m. The Main Street Bridge will be closed for cars and walkers at 2 p.m. until the parade ends, at which point it will be opened back up for pedestrians.
Where will restrooms be located?
Verhoff said restrooms will be available throughout the area, with large clusters at the intersections of Broad and Front streets, Town Street and Washington Boulevard, Broad and Belle streets, as well as Main Street and Civic Center Drive.
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Where's the best spot to view the fireworks?
Along the river, it's first-come, first-served, so get in where you fit in! Please note that prohibited viewing areas include the Broad Street Bridge and Coleman's Point.
For a fee, you can get optimal views of the fireworks, food, drinks, adult beverages and a live DJ in the VIP Village. But act fast — VIP tickets, which are $150 each, sell out each year! If you're going to Red, White and Boom! with a large party, make it a real party with a VIP tent. With a price tag of $3,000, VIP tents come with 25 VIP tickets.
For overnighters, there's the $550 Sheraton VIP package, which includes two VIP tickets, complimentary parking at the Sheraton, a hotel room Monday and complimentary breakfast on the Fourth of July.
VIP packages can be purchased at redwhiteandboom.org/boom-vip.
Nearby bars holding rooftop watch parties where you can scope out the skyrockets include:
Callahan's Columbus, 520 Park St. — The fun runs from 7-11:30 p.m. Space is limited, so RSVP and secure your spot ASAP by purchasing a $10 ticket that includes one drink ticket valid for any beer, wine or cocktail.
Brass Eye, 77 Belle St. — The gathering from 6-10 p.m. will feature a welcome cocktail, DJs and live music. Tickets are $45 general admission.
BrewDog Franklinton, 463 W. Town St. — For $50 per ticket, guests get two drink tickets for any BrewDog draft, buffet-style catering and live music from 7:30-11 p.m.
Tickets for all three events can be purchased at eventbrite.com.
Am I allowed to bring a cooler?
Coolers are permitted and should be labeled with your name and phone number. Because of security concerns, unattended coolers may be confiscated by Columbus police.
What if I want to enjoy adult beverages?
Attendees may not bring their own alcoholic beverages. Alcohol can be bought and consumed at the Beer Gardens on Long Street, Spring Stret, Civic Center Drive, Main Street and Washington Boulevard. Also on the do-not-bring list: portable gas or charcoal grills, temporary pools and generators.
Can I bring my four-legged friends?
Heat, large crowds and loud noises can add up to an unhealthy, stressful environment for dogs and other animal companions, so for their sake, please leave them at home.
Where can I find more information?
For additional details, a festival guide with map of restrooms, food truck locations and other information, visit redwhiteandboom.org.
Dispatch reporter Jack Nimesheim contributed to this story.
bpaschal@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Things to know to go to Red, White & Boom in Columbus on July 3
