Going to the WEBN Fireworks? How to properly kiss summer goodbye at Riverfest 2024

Labor Day is almost here, which marks the return of a Cincinnati tradition: Riverfest and the Western & Southern WEBN Fireworks.

As always, Riverfest, an all-day affair with music, food, entertainment and other family fun, concludes with the 30-minute Rozzi Fireworks show on both sides of the Ohio River, along with the accompanying soundtrack from WEBN. The show will broadcast on Local 12 (WKRC-TV).

Whether you're planning to venture to the riverbanks for the end-of-summer bash or are watching the show from the comfort of your home, here's everything you need to know about Riverfest and the Western & Southern WEBN Fireworks.

When is Riverfest 2024?

The annual celebration occurs from noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1, at Sawyer Point and Yeatman's Cove.

When will the Western & Southern WEBN Fireworks start?

The Rozzi Fireworks show, hosted by the cities of Cincinnati, Covington, Newport and Bellevue, kicks off at 9 p.m. Sunday and lasts for approximately 30 minutes.

Tarp setup begins at noon Sunday. Anything placed before that time will be removed and destroyed, according to WEBN's FAQ page. Tarps and blankets can only be placed with painter's, gaffer or masking tapes. They cannot be secured with duct tape, rocks, bricks, sand or gallon jugs of water.

WEBN asks attendees to be considerate of others and only reserve a "reasonable amount of space."

The choreographed show, with accompanying music, will also broadcast live on WEBN and WKRC.

Are boats allowed to tie up this year?

Yes, boats are allowed to watch the fireworks from three anchorage areas on the Ohio River: miles 470.3-470.5 (300 feet from the Kentucky shoreline), 469.2-469.5 (300 feet from the Ohio shoreline), and 469.2-469.5 (300 feet from the Kentucky shoreline).

The safety zone for the fireworks show will take effect from 7-10 p.m. Sep. 1 and will span Ohio River mile 469.2-470.5 and Licking River mile 0.0-0.3. Vessels must be anchored in the spectator zones before 7 p.m. as traffic in and out of this zone will be prohibited during this period.

The no-wake zone, which runs from Ohio River mile marker 463-477 and Licking River mile marker 0.0-0.3, will be in effect from noon Sept. 1 until 3 a.m. Sept. 2. Cross traffic will resume through downtown approximately 15 minutes after the fireworks show ends.

The U.S. Coast Guard, as well as multiple law enforcement, fire fighting and water rescue agencies, will facilitate vessels entering and exiting the Ohio River.

As of Wednesday, Aug. 28, the Ohio River level at Cincinnati was recorded at 26.31 feet, well below the flood stage of 52 feet. It is expected to remain around the 26-foot level over the next few days, according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration's records.

Do you need tickets for Riverfest?

No, Riverfest is free and open to the public.

What you can and cannot bring inside Riverfest/Western & Southern WEBN Fireworks

No large bags, luggage or framed backpacks are permitted inside the event. Only purses, diaper bags and other small personal bags and backpacks are allowed after an inspection.

The following items are prohibited:

• Weapons including but not limited to: knives, explosives, stun guns, handcuffs, brass knuckles, sticks, clubs, batons, martial arts instruments, pepper spray, tear gas, etc. People in possession of those items will be asked to remove the items from the park or dispose of them.

• Outside food and beverage, but empty plastic reusable bottles are permitted.

• Alcohol.

• Illegal drugs and paraphernalia.

• Cans, glass or metal containers.

• Coolers unless medically required. If required, an individual-sized soft-sided cooler will be permitted but will be searched and tagged at the gate.

• Animals/pets, except for service animals.

• Aerosol cans.

• Balloons, beach balls or other inflatable items.

• Fireworks or incendiary devices of any kind.

• Musical instruments.

• Noise-making devices, including whistles and air horns.

• Hula-Hoops of any size.

• Skateboards, roller blades, roller skates, scooters, hoverboards, bicycles, segways and personal motorized vehicles.

• Tools.

• Pamphlets, flyers and handbills unless approved by management.

• Large "golf" umbrellas are prohibited. Personal, folding and collapsible umbrellas will be permitted.

• Any other items deemed inappropriate or unacceptable by management.

Road closures and parking information for Riverfest

Several roads and bridges in Cincinnati, Covington and Newport will close for the festivities and fireworks. Traffic will also be rerouted in various places.

Here's what to know.

Cincinnati traffic for Riverfest

The city of Cincinnati is closing several roads near and around the Ohio River to accommodate the crowds expected to watch the fireworks from the waterfront.

Access to the Cincinnati riverfront will be limited to pedestrians only. Third Street and all streets north of Third Street will be open so people can access points throughout Downtown.

Here's what will close:

• The Purple People Bridge will close.

• The Roebling Suspension Bridge and Taylor Southgate Bridge will close to vehicles and pedestrians at 6 p.m. However, pedestrians may cross on the west side of the Taylor Southgate Bridge until 7:30 p.m.

• The Clay Wade Bailey Bridge will close to vehicles at 6 p.m. and pedestrians at 8 p.m.

• Local access to I-471 (the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge) from Ohio will close at 7 p.m.

• The Third Street exit from westbound Columbia Parkway will close at 9 p.m.

• The Third Street exit from southbound I-71 will close at 9 p.m.

The actual timing of these closures may change based on traffic volume. Drivers are encouraged to reduce their speed, be cautious and use alternate routes when traveling around the event area.

Newport traffic for Riverfest on Sunday

Here's what to expect with road closures and other rules in Newport on Sunday:

• Riverboat Row, west of port entry to Dave Cowens Drive: closes at 8 a.m.

• Columbia Street, north of Fourth Street: closes at 8 a.m.

• Purple People Bridge: closes at 8 a.m. and will reopen at 2 a.m. on Monday.

• Taylor Southgate Bridge: closes to vehicles at 6 p.m. and pedestrians at 7:30 p.m.

• Monmouth Street (Third to 11th streets): Closes at 7:30 p.m. No parking on Monmouth Street after 6:30 p.m.

• Dave Cowens Drive: closes at 7:30 p.m.

• I-471 ramps to Route 8 (Exit 5) both north and south: close at 7:30 p.m.

• 10th Street, between Saratoga and York streets: closes at 7:30 p.m.

• Fourth Street Bridge: closes at 8:30 p.m.

• All other I-471 ramps: close at 8:30 p.m.

• Licking Pike (Route 9), north of Aspen Drive: closes at 9 p.m.

• I-471 North will remain open during the event unless the safety of the motorist determines it needs to be closed.

Here's what to know if you're leaving Newport after Riverfest:

• All traffic leaving the event will be routed to I-471 or I-275. If you're directed to a route you are not wanting to take, continue to the route as instructed. Once you're on the interstate, just take any exit to be turned around. The street closures and large traffic may mean you can't take the direct route to your destination.

• At approximately 9 p.m., Monmouth Street will reopen and change to a one-way street going south, to send all traffic to I-471.

• All traffic west of York Street will be directed south to 12th Street, which will become a one-way street going west to send all traffic to I-275.

• After the event, all traffic near Dave Cowens Drive (Route 8) will be sent to I-471 North or South.

• All traffic leaving the event area going south on Columbia Street must make a right on West Third Street. A right turn will take you around the Fourth Street roundabout, where you will be directed toward Wilder.

• Once Covington Police opens its side of the Fourth Street Bridge, traffic will be allowed to travel west through Covington.

Covington traffic for Riverfest on Sunday

Here's what to expect with road closures and other rules in Covington on Sunday:

• North of East Fourth Street, from Madison Avenue to the Licking River: All streets close at 6 p.m.

• Roebling Suspension Bridge: closes at 6 p.m.

• Clay Wade Bailey Bridge: closes to vehicles at 6 p.m., then pedestrians at 8 p.m.

• Fourth Street Bridge to Newport: closes at 8 p.m.

• Madison Avenue: Open for parking lots and parking garages until they are full or until 6 p.m. It then closes to through traffic north of Fourth Street, except for TANK buses, Metropolitan Club invitation holders and hotel guests.

• Devou Park, Kenton Hills and The Bluffs: Starting at 2 p.m., access to those areas will be restricted to residents and their guests.

• Impact Area: Streets inside the area will not reopen and vehicles cannot exit the Impact Area until pedestrians are safely cleared out and the Covington Police determine it is safe to reopen. This may take up to an hour after the conclusion of the fireworks.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: When are the 2024 WEBN Fireworks? Time, channel, road closures, more