Wednesday, August 25, 1999
Road work an obstacle to Riverfest
But planners promise more, bigger, better
BY ANNE MICHAUD
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Riverfest marks the end to summer.
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Fans of Riverfest, the all-day end-of-summer celebration along the Ohio River, will have to plan ahead this year more than usual.
Streets south of Seventh Street in downtown Cincinnatiwill close on the Ohio side at 3 p.m. instead of 5 p.m. on Sept. 5 because of highway construction.
Organizers are trying to sweeten the news with:
• Live music starting at 1 p.m.
• Park-and-ride locations on both sides of the river.
• Dropping the $1 charge for fireworks watchers in Newport.
• High-tech fireworks that will use a computer chip for more precise timing.
The fireworks will synchronize better with the music broadcast by WEBN-FM (102.7) beginning at 9:05 p.m., said Joe Rozzi of Rozzi's Famous Fireworks, which will stage the show.
“It will be bigger, and it will definitely be better,” Mr. Rozzi said at a news conference Tuesday.
He promised new colors and special effects for the fireworks show, which is the spectacular cap on the day's events.
The Riverfest tradition began 27 years ago as WEBN's birthday party for itself, said the station's promotions manager, Michael “Dolphin” Walter. More than 500,000 people are expected to attend.
Riverfest has grown into a unique local celebration. Cincinnati Mayor Roxanne Qualls quoted a new North American guidebook, The Fun Also Rises, which included Cincinnati because it hosts Riverfest.
“I can think of no other place in the country that celebrates the way we do,” Ms. Qualls said.
Covington holds a 4-mile road race on the Saturday morning before Riverfest. The Riverfest Run begins and ends at George Rogers Clark Park. People who pre-register by phone (292-2151) pay $8; race-day registration is $15.
Toyota officials announced they will give away a $25,000 Toyota Tundra pickup truck to the winner of the Rubber Duck Regatta, a FreeStore/FoodBank fund-raiser. People adopt rubber ducks for $5 each, then watch them get dumped in the Ohio River for a lazy race between bridges.
No glass containers, cans or beverages will be allowed along the river during Riverfest.
IF YOU GO
• Where: The banks of the Ohio River in Cincinnati, Newport and Covington.
• When: Sept. 5. Live music begins at 1 p.m., Rubber Duck Regatta at 3 p.m., fireworks at 9:05 p.m.
• Park-and-Ride: In Ohio at Western Hills Plaza, General Electric on Route 59, Raymond Walters College and Anderson Township on Route 61 near Beechmont Mall. In Kentucky at Bigg's Hypermarket in Florence, Northern Kentucky University and Buttermilk Parkway at Buttermilk Crossing.
• Cost: Most events free. $3 for Metro bus, round-trip.
• Prohibited: Alcoholic beverages, glass containers, cans, bottled water, generators. Coolers are OK for food.
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