Community Spotlight: Red, White & BOOM Celebrates 40 Years

Red White and Boom fireworks.

All of Central Ohio is gearing up for the return of the largest Independence Day celebration in the Midwest, when Red, White, & BOOM! returns on July 1, 2022. And not only is BOOM! celebrating its return after a two-year pause due to the COVID pandemic, it also is celebrating its 40th presentation of the fireworks. The first Red, White & BOOM! was held July 4, 1981.

The largest single-day event in Columbus, BOOM! is an experience and a tradition for over 400,000 visitors who come together each Independence Day to celebrate our country, and our community and honor our military and veterans. BOOM! is a safe and FREE event that features a parade, street festival, and two stages of live music entertainment.

Red, White & BOOM crowd.

This year, the festivities will officially kick off at 10 AM on July 1 with WNCI 97.9 broadcasting live from the intersection of Broad Street and Civic Center Drive, all day long. Over 100 food & street vendors will line the riverfront for the early bird crowds that arrive ahead of the 5:30 PM parade and 10 PM fireworks show.

During the Ford Oval of Honor and Red, White & BOOM! Parade it is expected that over 100,000 spectators will line the one-mile parade route saluting America. The parade will step off at 5:30 p.m. from the Main Street Bridge, turn north on Front Street, and disband at the corner of Front Street and Spring Street. 

And, finally, the BOOM! Fireworks will be fired from the east bank of Genoa Park at 10 PM. The Grand Finale promises to be another showstopper that you will not want to miss!

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