Enjoy good food, music—and Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks
Get ready, Greater Cincinnati—the skies will light up Sunday night as the Western & Southern/WEBN Riverfest Fireworks show returns to Downtown’s riverfront. Here’s what to expect as the area celebrates Labor Day weekend.
About Riverfest
After a year off because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Riverfest—the traditional end-of-summer event for the area—begins at noon Sunday at Sawyer Point Park & Yeatman’s Cove, featuring music, food and fun. The Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks show will begin just after 9 p.m. and typically lasts about a half-hour or so.
WEBN-FM (102.7) sponsored the first fireworks in 1977 in recognition of its 10th anniversary, making this year the 45th presentation. The radio station created a musical soundtrack that can be heard on the station, as well as on television partner WKRC Local 12, in a simulcast timed with the fireworks show.
Last year, Riverfest was canceled because of the pandemic, but the fireworks were moved to the Kentucky Speedway and broadcast on TV. With an estimated half-million people gathering on both sides of the Ohio River annually for Riverfest, officials thought that the pandemic presented too big of a risk in 2020.
Reserving spots on the Serpentine Wall
Looking for a good spot on the Serpentine Wall? Tarps or blankets can be set up beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday. Do not secure tarps with duct tape, rocks, bricks or sand. Use painter’s tape, gaffer tape or masking tape. Be considerate of others by reserving a reasonable amount of space.
Event rules
(from W&S/ WEBN Fireworks F.A.Q.)
People entering the park are subject to a visual inspection and a bag inspection to search for prohibited items. Oversized bags, luggage and backpacks will not be permitted. Purses, diaper bags and other small personal bags are allowed after a thorough inspection.
What’s not tolerated and can lead to removal from the property: unruly conduct, use of illegal substances or drugs, disruptive behavior, use of profane, obscene or abusive language of any type, possession of illegal or unauthorized items, participating in a fight and any action that, in the opinion of organizers/management, places other guests in danger or reduces their enjoyment of the event.
Prohibited items: large bags, backpacks and luggage; weapons including, but not limited to, knives, explosives, stun guns, handcuffs, brass knuckles, sticks, clubs, batons, martial arts instruments, pepper spray, tear gas, etc.—guests found in possession of such items will be asked to remove the items from park property or dispose of them; outside food and beverage (empty plastic reusable bottles are permitted); alcohol; illegal drugs; cans, glass or metal containers; animals/pets (except service animals); aerosol cans; balloons, beach balls or other inflatable items; fireworks or incendiary devices of any kind; musical instruments; noise-making devices—e.g. whistles, air horns, etc.; skateboards, rollerblades, bikes, etc.; tools; pamphlets, flyers, handbills, etc. (unless approved by management); any other items deemed inappropriate or unacceptable by management.
Viewing from Kentucky
Covington has issued a list of rules for those planning to gather in downtown or Devou Park.
Newport also has posted a list of rules for those planning to view the fireworks from there.
Bellevue has posted a list of traffic and parking changes, street closings and some Riverfest-related tips.
Several vendors are offering specials at Newport on the Levee.
A fireworks kickoff party is scheduled for Saturday at PromoWest Pavilion at Ovation in Newport. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the concert, featuring Atreyu, with Nonpoint, Tetrarch and Another Day Dawns.
In addition to Riverfest, the Cincinnati USA Regional Tourism Network has put together a list of “Things to Do on Labor Day Weekend”.
