Red, White & Boom
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2008) |
Red, White & Boom is the name of a number of annual fireworks shows in the United States, held on or near July 4 to celebrate the nation's Independence Day. The title is a pun on "red, white, and blue," the colors of the American flag.
[edit] Overview
The largest is in downtown Columbus, Ohio.[citation needed] Attendance typically averages 500,000 people.[citation needed] Red, White & Boom was started in 1981 by WNCI and WCMH-TV and is paid for by corporate sponsors. A few hundred of the attendees begin gathering over 24 hours before the fireworks, and Bicentennial Park is typically full of people with tents by mid-morning the day of the fireworks. Entertainment typically starts at 11 a.m. or noon with stages both at Bicentennial Park and Battelle Park. The Franklin County Veterans Memorial Auditorium also has people gathering early as that is the official spot for RV's.
In early years, the fireworks were launched from the Town Street bridge. Eventually the site was moved to Washington Boulevard between the Scioto River and COSI Columbus, until 2008, when the launch location was moved to behind the Veterans' Memorial.
2004 began a new era in Red, White & Boom as Pennsylvania-based Pyrotecnico took over production of the show. Previously, production was handled by Missouri-based Sunset Fireworks.
Red, White & Boom takes place the last weekday before July 4, to allow nearby suburbs and smaller cities the chance to have fireworks on the 4th without any competition.
It is also the name of an annual Concert held in Kansas City, Kansas.
A similar show in the Orlando-area suburb of Altamonte Springs, Florida is entitled "Red, Hot & Boom."
It is also a Concert held annually in Omaha, Nebraska to celebrate the 4th of July.
[edit] Yearly Finale
(To be updated each year) 2008's finale followed the 1812 Overture, as opposed to being the usual finale song. The true finale was accompanied by "O Fortuna".
