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The 29th presentation of Red, White and Boom takes place on Friday, July 3rd at 10pm. And if you’re like most people, you’re probably going back and forth this week trying to decide whether or not you want to actually attend the event and deal with the traffic caused by over half a million people descending upon Downtown to witness the largest fireworks show in the Midwest.
Fear not, pyrotechnic aficionados, for we’ve got your solution right here. Below you’ll find our top five tips and tricks that can help you deal with the congestion this year.
#5: Watch From Afar – The fireworks can actually be seen from quite a distance if you have an unobstructed view. Rhodes Park in the Hilltop area offers a slightly less crowded spot with an excellent view. There are spots in Goodale Park that offer decent views as well.
#4 Don’t be Afraid to Walk – Put on a comfy pair of sneakers and grab a backpack for your necessities, and get ready to do a little bit of urban hiking on Friday. Many free parking spots can be found within a two-mile radius of Vets Memorial, and the further away you park, the fewer cars you have to deal with heading home.
#3 Bring a Bike – The ride home at 11pm might be a little dark for some folks, but if you feel comfortable as a night rider, then you might as well give it a shot. It looks like the weather is going to be perfect on Friday night too.
#2 Ride the Bus – COTA runs a special bus service schedule before and after Red White and Boom that is aimed at getting people in and out of Downtown as efficiently as possible. It’s cheap, it’s easy, and you don’t have to worry at all about traffic. For a more info about the RW&B bus schedule and routes, click here.
#1 Wait it Out – That’s right. What’s the rush to get home? Red White and Boom is on a Friday this year, which means that many people will be out to party after the last firework pops. Why not dodge some of the traffic and swing by Spice, Tip Top, Barrio, The James Club 88, or any other nearby Downtown nightlife spots for a drink or a snack? Let the crowds thin out while you relax with friends.
No matter which option you choose, be safe, and have a happy Independence Day Weekend!
Also… Avoid the traffic afterwards by seeing a movie. Arena Grand has a “Red, White, and POPcorn” thing going on after the fireworks. Movie prices are 5 bucks and all the traffic mayhem outside will be over by the time the movie ends.
http://www.arenagrand.com/special-events.php?event=red-white-and-popcorn
I did this 2 years ago and it seems like no one knows about it. It wasn’t packed at all. Awesome way to beat the heat.
And motorcycles/scooters work well too! Let’s lump them in with the bicycles.
I’ll be at M. Arrive anytime after five, stay for the fireworks, valet parking–seemed like a good way to experience our first Red, White and Boom (we didn’t attend last year).
If you take a bike, make sure it’s properly equipped for night riding with lights and reflectors. You are technically allowed to ride a bike on the sidewalk but be extra careful because motorists will not be looking for you if/when you cross a driveway or roll through a crosswalk AND you may be trying to navigate a sea of pedestrians, at least until you get out a few blocks.
Why would scooters or motorcycles work any better than a car? They’re smaller, but you can’t take them onto the sidewalk like you can a bicycle so you’d still be stuck in traffic.
I get around much faster and easier on a motorcycle than a car. it is also easier to find parking.
lifeliberty I think what Rol meant was for parking, which I agree.
Turboninja said “You are technically allowed to ride a bike on the sidewalk”
actually it is illegal in the city of Columbus! check the city code. I’m sure someone can reference it for you. I don’t have it at my fingertips.
Also very good idea about the movies Roland! I’ll have to check out what’s playing.
You’re right, kessler – I was looking at the Ohio Code and apparently the Columbus code is stricter. Plus you’d have to yield right of way to pedestrians anyways.
So that’s another knock against using a bike for faster transportation, considering you’re supposed to obey all the same rules as any other vehicle.
Not really, not as much looking for a parking space! No fuel use, exhaust etc….. a bike/moped. yes even by following the rules can still get you from point a to b quicker. (yes by staying legal)
You forgot, ride a Scooter!
http://www.capitalcityscooters.com
no I don’t work there, but it’s a great shop.
My wife and I rode our scooters to Comfest in no time, parked within a stones throw from the park, between two cars. We were out of there easy as pie. Same thing works for RWB.
having my party again this year despite my injury. hopefully the wind will not create a smoke screen again. this will be my fourth year and have always had great views.
in fact that photo looks familiar walker…… lol
As far as the bike, just weasel your way over to the Sciotio/Olentangy Bike Trail trail heads @ Broad and High. If you’re headed north, this might be a good way to go. You can exit off the path @ 3rd, I think 5th, King, by the Towers on Campus, Lane and other points further north.
Columbus Outdoor Pursuits has a group that canoes from the boat ramp near the old power station to downtown.
The trouble is that you are still near downtown stuck in the arena district after the fireworks.
CDS sherman Says: in fact that photo looks familiar walker…… lol
Yep. That’s a Franklinton-view photograph. ;)
Maptacular:
http://www.dispatch.com/wwwexportcontent/sites/dispatch/weekender/stories/2009/07/02/rewb03.jpg
If you can canoe…maybe you can inner tube as well.
Just for the record Red(neck), White(trash) and Boom(box) -(my one politically incorrect statement for the year). I avoid this event as if it was swine flu, SARS and syphilis combined.
#6 Live downtown
RoJoNo, you beat me to it. With all the proponents of downtown living here, this was going to be the first of my two obvious answers.
The other is don’t go. I did this last year (well, I live downtown, so I could see them anyway, does that count?) and I am no less American for it.
Heh. Well, of course living Downtown is a good option, but it’s not really a quick solution that most people can implement.
And yes, staying home is also an option… but if that’s what you’re planning then this topic wasn’t really intended for you to begin with. It’s for the folks on the fence about going, but complaining about traffic. Which is roughly half of the people in the metro area. ;)