Wait, summer just started, and yet here we are at Independence Day already? The good news is that it's already time for the 29th annual "Red, White and Boom," which is easily the largest event in Columbus each year.
From live music and fireworks to good and bad (but so good, wink-wink) food, this one-day festival has it all in its few-block setup in the west side of downtown along the riverfront area.
Metromix talked to Lindsey Weiker—the "Red, White and Boom" public relations manager—about this year's festival, which not only features a big recycling push and plenty of familiar experiences, but also includes a few changes from previous years.
So what does "Red, White and Boom" mean to you?
Oh wow, it's like concession stands, food, games, just an all assortment of things at the midway on Washington Boulevard. And on Nationwide Boulevard, that's where "Taste of Boom" is held. We have entertainment stages at Genoa Park, Long Street and Nationwide Boulevard. Also there's a children's park at Battelle Park. Plus we have a parade at 6 p.m. and the fireworks at 10 p.m.
Speaking of fireworks, any changes in store this year?
The only change came last year when we had to move the firing location of the fireworks. It used to be at COSI, and now it's across the street at Veterans Memorial. That's only because one of the main viewing sites, and a place where we had vendors on Civic Center Drive, there was a lot of construction going on. So we moved them across the street, which in turn moved the angle of the fireworks. That's why we utilized Washington Boulevard, Nationwide Boulevard and Long Street. Now there are different views, and we are doing water effects with the fireworks. It's still three-tiered like it was last year, shooting some off the ground and then on top of the roof of Veterans Memorial. So if you didn't see it last year because of the rain, you should come out this year because it'll be a different view. And Bicentennial Park and Berliner Park are not open this year because of their viewing (angles).
Considering more than 250,000 people will visit "Red White and Boom," it seems like recycling would be a no-brainer.
This is the second year we offered recycling. We recycled last year with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. We were the pilot event in Ohio to do this. We hope to do a lot more this year. Last year it went fairly well, but we still feel like people didn't know at the time that they could throw their trash in a different bin. So hopefully this year will be better.
What exactly does "Red, White and Boom" mean to the Columbus community?
I think especially right now, because we have people who aren't going to be leaving town, that it's a very big deal. "Red, White and Boom" has always been a big fireworks celebration downtown. A lot of people come, but I feel like there will be more people this year because so many people won't be leaving. Plus it's a Friday, so it's kind of like a kickoff to the weekend, and a lot of people won't have to work. It's a family event, but it's really for everyone because there's the children's park and then the Arena District, which I feel is like the 20- to 30-year-old crowd. It's really just a mix of people.
