COLUMBUS, Ohio -- When it comes to Red, White and BOOM!, you always have those die-hard fans; the ones who stay overnight or go downtown in the early morning hours to claim the perfect spot.
For Melissa Clary, Red, White and BOOM! isn't just a spectacular fireworks show, it's more; much more. This is the 18th time she's gone to the event. To make sure she got one of the best seats in the city, she did what she's always done; get there before the sun came up Friday morning. "If you don't get down here early, you're kind of in a pickle where you just can't get a good spot and then you're fighting the crowds," she says. "So we get a good spot and we head to the parade, watch the parade then come back and watch fireworks."
With a half a million people expected to attend the show, many had the same idea. In fact, the riverfront was littered with tents, tarps and tape marking off areas claimed by Red, White and Boomers.
"Gotta come here early, get the spots," says Columbus resident, Josh Fraser.
"Everyone's staking out their prime real estate so we gotta get ours," adds Karen Ising.
Columbus resident Adam Jenyk and his friends spent the night at the site. "Too many people stammering around in here and you can hardly ever find anywhere to sit when you get down here at six," he says.
If you've ever been to Red, White and Boom, you know fireworks are only part of the fun. "Who doesn't like fair food?" asks Ising.
So how do these die hard fans plan on passing the time? "Playing cards, and hopefully there's games here," says Columbus resident Sary Srorn. Clary says, "I love to people watch. Everybody's so different. I think if we were all the same we'd have nothing to talk about so love to people watch and this is the best place to do it."
Before long, every head will turn skyward to see the best fireworks display in the country.
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