Boom! Wants You To Stay Later

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Later this week, nearly half a million people will descend on downtown Columbus for Red, White & Boom!

That’s more than the population of Cleveland and about the same as the populations of Toledo and Akron combined, according to the U.S. Census, all packed along the Riverfront to see one of the most spectacular fireworks displays in the country.

That’s a lot of people and a lot of cars. 

Organizers who want you to get in and out without too much hassle created a master plan to keep things moving.

BOOM! CENTRAL: Click here for NBC 4’s Red, White & Boom! special section that features maps, street closures, event schedule, parking and directions, FAQ, COTA information and more.

First and foremost, attendees should be patient. Moving that many people and vehicles through the small area will prove to be a slow process. Plus, the construction on state Route 315 limits the traffic flow and may slow down the process further.

“It’ll account for every bit of 15 minutes slower than it used to be. That’s our estimation,“ said Michael Collins, the president of Promotions One, the company that organizes Red, White & Boom!

The organizers said COTA is the best way to get to and from Red, White & Boom! 

“It’s always been COTA’s biggest day,“ Collins said. “We anticipate it could be the biggest day they’ve ever had.“

COTA plans to expand its service to and from downtown Columbus. 

There will be 25 local and express lines just for Red, White & Boom!

And COTA will have more frequent service on at least 15 local routes until 9 p.m. Friday. 

After the fireworks, 20 lines will head out of Downtown from predesignated boarding zones.

COTA will provide express service to and from seven park-and-ride locations and has added 175 buses to the regular weeknight services.

Local fares for adults are $1.50 each way. Adult express fares are $4 roundtrip.

For festivalgoers not taking the bus, dozens of parking areas will be available.

Central Parking has 24 lots and garages in the Downtown area. 

The Arena District has 13 lots and garages for parking. 

The Nationwide Garage will be open all day, except during the parade.

If you plan to park in the Arena District, you can reserve a parking spot by buying a pass online. Advanced purchase will ensure you have a space in a specific lot whenever you get there. 

The parking lot at COSI on Broad Street will be open. 

The garages at the LeVeque Tower and City Center also will be open and available.
The Mount Carmel West parking garage will be closed this year.

Boom organizers said they expect parking lots and garages will be charging event rates.

Drivers should expect less help from traffic police. The number of officers assigned to traffic duty will be down about 20 percent.

Organizers said the number of security officers will remain at the same levels as in the past.

“There is a reduction in police as it relates to traffic. There are no reductions as it relates to security,“ Collins said.

Without the traffic officers, additional direction signage will help direct drivers to the proper routes.

To alleviate some the post-fireworks traffic congestion, organizers are encouraging festivalgoers to stay Downtown for a while.

All four entertainment stages will reopen after the fireworks with family friendly acts.

Planners hope people will stay for the entertainment and stagger the timing of the outgoing traffic.

“I know it’s difficult for families with small children,“ Collins said, “but it’s our attempt to give you things to do and real pleasant family entertainment while you’re waiting.“

For additional information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com—Where Accuracy Matters.
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