COLUMBUS, Ohio — The annual display of fireworks in downtown Columbus is quickly approaching.
Each year, the free Independence Day celebration Red, White & BOOM! brings more than 400,000 visitors to the area. Fireworks will be fired from the east bank of Genoa Park at 10 p.m. on July 3 this year.
Here's what you need to know beforehand if you plan on attending this year's event...
Schedule
- 10 a.m. - Event opens to the public
- 11 a.m. - BOOM! street festival opens
- Noon - Live music begins
- 5:30 p.m. - Ford Oval of Honor Parade
- 10 p.m. - Fireworks begin (will last about 25 minutes)
Finding a spot
The best viewing areas for the fireworks are Bicentennial Park, Dorrian Green, Belle Street, Marconi and Washington boulevards and Civic Center. Spots are on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you want to claim a spot early on, event organizers say they can be claimed as early as July 2 after 6 p.m. Any items that are placed before that time will be removed. Areas should be marked with items that don't present a danger to the public.
Stakes and posts are prohibited.
Here's where you can park and ride to downtown Columbus on a COTA bus:
Crosswoods
7460 Huntington Park Dr., Columbus, OH 43234
At Crosswoods Center NE of 270/N. High St.
Served by Line 41 Crosswoods/Polaris; Local Line 102 Polaris Pkwy/N. High
Grove City
2321 Old Stringtown Rd., Grove City, OH 43123
Southwest corner of Stringtown & Parkmead Dr.
Served by Line 61 Grove City; Local Line 3 Northwest/Harrisburg
Reynoldsburg
2100 Birchview Dr., Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
Near Birchview Dr. & Eastgreen Blvd.
Served by Line 51 Reynoldsburg; Local Line 1 Kenny/Livingston
Westerville
312 W. Main St., Westerville, OH 43081
East of Cleveland at Collegeview Rd.
Served by Line 43 Westerville
Looking for COTA's end-of-line locations? Click here for more information.
Organizers say that affordable parking can be found using SpotHero. Reservations are open for parking spots at Battelle Riverfront Park, Bicentennial Park and McFerson Commons.
Visitors may also find spots in the Arena District, where there are several garages, Columbus Commons, the Greater Columbus Convention Center and around the streets using Park Columbus.
Saturday, June 29 from 9 a.m. through Thursday, July 4
- Washington Boulevard from Broad to Main streets
Monday, July 1 from 9 a.m. through Thursday, July 4
- Civic Center Drive from Broad to Main streets (Civic Center access to Supreme Court of Ohio must be maintained to garage and loading dock until noon on July 2)
Tuesday, July 2 from 9 a.m. through Thursday, July 4 at 6 a.m.
- Belle Street from Broad to Main streets
Tuesday, July 2 from 5 p.m. through Thursday, July 4 at 6 a.m.
- Marconi Boulevard from Long to Broad streets
- North curb lane of Broad Street from Cumberland Trail marker to Belle Street
Before the parade (July 3 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.):
- Main from 2nd to River
- Rich from River to McDowell
- Starling from Rich to Town
- Belle from Rich to Town
- Lucas from Rich to Town
- Civic Center from Mound to Main
During the parade (from 5:15 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. approximately):
- Lynn from Front to High
- Main from River to High
- Gay from Front to High
- Long from Marconi to High
- Spring from Marconi to High
- Lafayette from Front to High
- Nationwide from Ludlow to High
- Spring from High to Neil
- Hickory from Front to Marconi
- Rich from High to Civic Center
- Town from Belle to High
- Front from Main to Spring
- State from High to Front
- Rich from McDowell to River
During the fireworks (5:30 p.m. through midnight):
- All streets south of Spring Street, north of Mound Street, east of McDowell Street and west of Third Street.
- Joey & Jessica
- Elaina Arthur
- Wednesday Wine
- The Alley Boys
- CYNTsation
- Julia Neville
- Cobra Kai
- Shake Machine
- Chuck Starr
- All Star Jammerz
- School of Rock
- Distorted Silence
- The Twylights
- The Martini Affair
