Riverfest to Stage Largest-Ever WEBN Fireworks for 50th Anniversary
Expanded launch points, imported Japanese shells, drone choreography plus extensive closures raise public-safety and traffic demands.
Overview
- Organizers say Riverfest gates open at 3 p.m. and the two drone shows and the 40-minute fireworks display will launch from the Ohio River at 9 p.m. on Sept. 6.
- Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks has built an approximately 1,500-foot site with six barges in two tows and added rooftop and bridge-crown effects to create a 360-degree presentation.
- Specialty shells imported from Akita, Japan will be used for the first time in about 40 years alongside U.S. shells, and Rozzi describes the choreography as substantially larger than past shows.
- City, county and federal agencies will enforce extensive bridge, road and boating closures, checkpoints and a list of banned items to manage crowds that organizers project could top 500,000.
- Organizers project roughly $25 million in local economic activity and advise arriving early and picking a viewing side because post-show exits will be tightly controlled for safety.