Red, White & Boom! Lights Up The Skies
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Red, White & Boom! 2009
Watch the 2009 celebration again and again!
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UPDATE: Find out when NBC 4 will rebroadcast Red, White & Boom! Watch the finale, and upload your photos and videos.
COLUMBUS—Red, White & Boom! drew sizable crowds to Downtown Friday night for the 29th presentation of the largest fireworks display in the Midwest.
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Groups of people were along the Riverfront early Friday morning, getting the first viewing spots for the fireworks.
Events started at 10 a.m. and crowds were gathering in Downtown streets as the afternoon moved along.
Storm Team 4 meteorologists Jym Ganahl and Ben Gelber said it was some of the best Boom! weather they could remember.
The Red, White & Boom! Independence Day Parade drew thousands of people along the route that started on Broad Street at COSI, headed east and north on Front Street.
Several Columbus suburbs and communities took part in the parade and offered their own Independence Day salutes.
The 24-minute-long fireworks, which began at 10 p.m., featured patriotic music and a tribute to Central Ohio’s military heroes.
NBC 4 will rebroadcast the biggest Independence fireworks display in the Midwest, Red, White & Boom! at 3 p.m. Saturday.
This ½-hour show will feature Boom’s spectacular fireworks in its entirety from the National Anthem through the Grand Finale.
Next year’s Red, White & Boom! is scheduled for Friday, July 2, 2010.
Red, White & Boom! is presented by NBC 4, WNCI 97.9, Pepsi and Meijer, and sponsored by more than 30 additional local, regional, and national businesses.
LOST PETS
An already full Franklin County Dog Shelter has been making space for the expected influx of dogs that may bolt during Fourth of July celebrations.
Extra employees were scheduled, and the dog shelter was set be open Saturday, July 4, to handle any found dogs. The county dog wardens were scheduled to be out at 3 a.m. Saturday.
If your family loses a dog, chances are, it will be at the shelter. Go to http://www.co.franklin.oh.us/commissioners/ancl/ for more shelter information, including an address and phone numbers.
Director of Community Relations Susan Smith said to check with the shelter to see if your dog has been found. She said nine times out of 10, dogs and families are reunited this way.
Smith said owners should plan to keep their dogs inside a quiet room, but if they will be outside, owners should stay with their dogs to keep them safe.
Check the dog’s collars now to make sure the contact info is correct, and keep the collar on the dog.
Search your neighborhood first, tell your neighbors to be on the lookout and then file a lost-dog report in person with the shelter.
The shelter does not take lost-dog reports over the phone.
You also can post a lost report at http://www.petfbi.org.
You also can post messages to Central Ohio pet owners about lost or found pets on nbc4i.com. Click here to post a message.
Watch NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com for complete coverage of Red, White & Boom!
For additional information, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com—Where Accuracy Matters.
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Reader Reactions
Whoever sang the National Anthem sounded like a cat getting spayed. We also had to listen to the jokers all night paying tribute to Michael Jackson? Hello, 4th of July?
Also, The cops along Souder Ave. By Confluence Park need to get a grip. We have parked out there for years with no issues until you messed it up on this night. Was still home in Hilliard by 11 though since I ignored the ignorant cop.
I have to say I enjoyed it. I was able to park for free (well not neccesarily free considering I pay for a monthly pass) in the LaVeque garage.
We enjoyed the parade (especially my daughter), even though I think that adults need to be a little more considerate and realize that these types events are more enjoyed by children (especially younger ones having thier fisrt experience). So have the courtesy to either sit down (realizing your hieght) or allow for them to get up front.
I also had the privledge of having access to the Huntington Bank Building, therefore we were able to pass on using the port-a-potty facilities.
We than decided (with an unanymous vote) to go to Goodale Park and watch the fireworks with other family members.
I feel that Columbus and WNCI did a wonderful job with the collaboration of the show.
Long Rant alert.
I had never been and my daughter wanted to go so I decided to take the trek knowing I would probably be miserable.
Get there around 5pm or so since my fiance had school (dumba$$ school should have closed).
We parked in a garage on Front Street and Gay St (huhuhhuh) for $10. I expected that. It was better then parking in Tyrone’s driveway for $10 on the other side of COSI.
Walked to Broad. Not so bad. I can tolerate this. I figure the kid stuff is behind COSI so we walked down that road that goes along the back of COSI. Nope just a bunch or food, vendors etc. Free Turkey Hill ice cream cups mmmmm. On the way back potty break for the Mrs.
The parade was about to start so we stood at the curb. Not too many people around. It was at the beginning of the parade route. Could this parade be any more “politically correct”? 614 Riders with kids in the front seat of lowered vehicles with their stereos with bass full blast, Miss Black Columbus, dance squads with big ol bootys (and fat chicks bellys jiggling), oh and don’t forget the asians with their inner peace, harmony, etc positions. The Columbus Crew cheerleaders had the shortest skirts ever with their a$$es hanging out (sure I’d love to watch that but I don’t need my daughter watching it) How do you have a major parade without The Best Dam Band In The Land? Hooray for Slater as the Grand Marshall (I had to scream SLLLAAAATTTTTEEEEEEEERRRRRRR just to be “that guy”.) So as the parade started kids kept getting closer and closer to the middle of the street. The people in cars kept throwing out candy in the street. Now all the kids would run uncontrollably and get the candy. My daughter was getting upset because she didn’t get as much candy because I wouldn’t let her run wildly into the street like the other kids. Also anyone in need of propagating literature? So many handouts about Jesus, Proposition 1, and advertisements for the ethnic athletic groups. Oh and I forgot to mention I saw Jesus on a float! What Would Jesus Do? He would ride a float in the ghetto parade that’s what. The Army band was good, the POW and Veterans were cool.
Parade over. Now onto Marconi where I found out the kids activities were. However the kids rides were closing at 8pm. It was now about 7:30p. My daughter was able to jump in 1 bouncy house. Tantrum number 1 as she wanted to go on more and there were other people in lines.
Had to stop for Dippin Dots a personal favorite of the family’s. After walking around for a bit we found a spot behind a tree across from veterans to sit and watch the fireworks. Not the best idea to sit behind a tree but by this time it was pretty packed and we just wanted to sit down. Tantrum number 2 as she didn’t want to sit behind the tree.
Now my daughter decided she had to go potty (of course she didn’t have to go the 3 times we passed the portapottys) So I tried to find a portapotty in this crowd. finally found some in this gated area. Nope can’t go in without a wristband.(I now laugh at the irony of me at the BC door.) Asked Mr police officers and mr fireman where bathrooms were. They didn’t know. Finally someone knew. We walked a bit to where they were. Had to stand in a line. 1 hour later my daughter finally got in the portopotty (after crying she couldn’t hold it. I kept her mind busy with pop its, people watching, and anything else I could think of) while in line I had to listen to this horrible hip hop/rap group that had no idea what melody was.
Walking back to where the Mrs was they had some o the sidewalks now blocked off. It was now a maze. People were sitting in the walk ways. I “accidentally” stepped on some people. People would stop right in the middle o the walkway and not move. Hey smokers how about f!!king waiting to smoke your cancer dick rather then right in the middle of hundreds of thousands of people. Finally got back to the Mrs and she wants to know why I was gone an hour. I wasn’t happy to say the least as I was already beyond frustrated.
We watched the fireworks. The nice people next to us let us sit on their tarp so we weren’t behind the tree as much. I thought the fireworks were pretty cool (there seemed to be at least 1 technical difficulty). Walking back to the car wasn’t “that bad” after we found Broad. Getting out of the parking garage was ok because there was a cop controlling traffic. I made a right turn and someone cut me off. I honked and then the person behind them yelled at me saying I went into their lane. Then there was a stalled car in my lane. A cop got to them and pushed them out of the way. I finally got home around midnight.
I think this will be the last time I attend Red White and Boom.
I have been reading some of the responses that people have left and I have to say that in all honesty, with the economy being as bad as it is, you should really be happy with what you were able to get. From what I saw, I didn’t see nothing wrong with the fireworks and unless this is the first one you have attended, you have to know that they are always 20-27 minutes in length. The fireworks were great and I thank the people who brought them all the way from NEW CASTLE, PA just so we can see them. Do you realize they came 300 miles to entertain you? Get real people show some appreciation. Happy 4th and thanks to the people who gained our freedom and for continuing to keep us that way.
the hole thing is not worth the time. it was taken from the day intended “the 4th”, and next year it on the 2nd. the people in charge of this are showing they don’t care about what the day mean’s. they are unamerican. our grandparents fought and died for us to be free, and now we are in worst shape then when we had king george. our leaders don’t care about the 4th, they let us have a party just to shut us up. but they don’t beleave in what it’s for. come monday they will be right back at finding new ways to take our money, more taxes more fines, and unfunded mandates. think in kidding just wait until the new health bill gets passed. $1000.00 fine for not haveing med insurance. it’s all about power and money. the forth is just away to let us fill good for one day about being free, and they don’t let us do it on that day, they take away as much as they can, and we let them. we get what we deserve.
I am very disappointed in the music for the fire works last night. This was a salute to the military? If so why were only 3 out of the 5 branches music played during the show. To me it says that Columbus only supports the Marines, Army, and Navy. What about the Air Force and Coast Guard? Do they not put their lives on the line like the rest of us? If I were part of the Air Force or Coast Guard I would be really upset with the city of Columbus. As a retired Army member thank you for the support of the army but I am very sad about the support for all the branches.
red,white and boom was fantastic! I don’t see how it will be beat next year. WE had a great time. Only complaints - not enough rest rooms or trash bins. If you didn’t have a good time, that’s your fault. Fran
its official 3 out of 5 say the music was no good!
I was really disapointed by this years fireworks. Less than 20 minutes long. We spent a lot of time having to readjust our seating because they were not where we thought they would be. It might be nice if about a half hour before show time they set off a few just so you know. Would really like to have more patriotic music. Probably will watch on TV next year. Witnessed an altercation in the street on the way out, I tried to call the police- but the message said they were CLOSED!
Loved the fireworks! National Athem was deplorable! Then there was the music very upsetting most of the songs had nothing to do with the reason for 4th of July. I tried to watch the fireworks but was confused about the music. You have your normal Proud to be and American and Coming to America which at the rate of the rest of the music it confused me that the songs was actually in it. Here is a thought next year just do the fireworks and leave the music out of it so most of Americans can enjoy it if that is the music you plan on playing.
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