Red, White and Boom Entertainment Showcases Local, National Talent

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Red, White and Boom's entertainment is more than just the most spectacular fireworks display in the Midwest. There is a wealth of entertainment for the entire family, all day long.

Dave Kaelin and Jimmy Jam from WNCI's Morning Zoo have thrown down the entertainment gauntlet. "We promise, at Red, White and Boom! 2009, the greatest line up of entertainment since -- Live Aid," Kaelin says.

This year's Boom has four main stages plus a smaller stage in the Children's Park at Battelle Park on Marconi Blvd. The Boom stages are a showcase for dozens of local and regional bands.

The Taste of Boom Stage on Nationwide Boulevard at the southwest corner of Nationwide arena features the Ft. Hayes Band, Buzzcrush, Love & Theft and Winslow. "Love and Theft" is a new, soon-to-be-nationally-known act from Nashville. They are working on their debut album now.

The Genoa Park Stage, behind COSI, will have entertainment from the Rubix Cubes, City Folk and The Divide, among others.

Crowds at the Long Street Stage, near North Bank Park, will hear bands like Oblivion Fire, Reeco, Kim Joyce and Groovment.

Entertainment at the Frog Bear Plaza Stage at the corner of Nationwide and Front Street opens at 3 p.m. with DJ Matt Sexton, a hot-dog-eating contest at 7 p.m., breaks for the fireworks at 10 p.m. then returns at 10:30 p.m. with Fat Dog.

All the stages will go dark just before the fireworks. But, for the first time, they will come back to life after the pyrotechnics. Boom organizers are encouraging people to stick around and "chill out" after the fireworks display so traffic has a chance to filter out of downtown.

"After the fireworks, go back to the stages," WNCI's Kaelin says. "They're going to continue to perform. In years past, it was like, 'That's the end. Run to your car.' This year, they'll be playing music
to run to your car by."

The Red, White and Boom Parade steps off at 6pm and travels from Veterans Memorial, east on Broad Street and up to Front Street. The parade is expected to have nearly a hundred entries including several marching bands from Central Ohio. It will be emceed by NBC 4's Mindy Drayer and Marshall McPeek and will feature special guest Mario Lopez from TV's "Extra" entertainment news magazine.

At the top of every hour, Civil War re-enactors will rock the downtown skyline, firing vintage cannons borrowed from the Ohio Statehouse lawn.

And there will be two Boom Centrals this year. WNCI's Boom Central will be at North Bank Park at Long Street and Neil Avenue. It will feature the antics of the WNCI Morning Zoo, including a stunt or two by sidekicks Chachi and Patrick.

"[Chachi's] going to jump him on a big ramp, a bicycle ramp, over Patrick and he's going to thrill the masses," says Jimmy Jam.

NBC 4's Boom Central will be at the corner of Washington Blvd. and Broad Street. The live broadcast of this year's fireworks will originate from there hosted by NBC 4's Cabot Rea and Colleen Marshall.

The Taste of Boom, on Nationwide Blvd., provides a chance for festival goers to sample the fare of dozens of local restaurants.

Thursday morning, immediately after the morning rush, Long Street will close from Hocking Street to Marconi Blvd. to make way for dozens of concessioners to set up their booths.

For additional information, stay with nbc4i.com and NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com -- Where Accuracy Matters.
To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail us at stories@nbc4i.com.
NBC 4 POLITICS: Headlines, Interactives & Video
MORE: NBC 4 Local News | Local Crime News
NBC 4 SPORTS: Sports News, Video