Everything you need to know about WEBN Fireworks, Riverfest (2024)

By Brenda Ordonez and FOX19 Digital Staff

Traffic and street closures

NEWPORT

Riverboat Row - west of Port of Entry to Dave Cowens: Closes at 8 a.m.
Columbia Street - north of Third Street: Closes at 8 a.m.
Purple People Bridge: Closes at 8 a.m. Will reopen Monday at 2 a.m.
Taylor Southgate Bridge (vehicles): Closes at 6 p.m.
Taylor Southgate Bridge (pedestrians): Closes 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.
North and South Interstate 471 ramps to Route 8 (exit 5): Closes at 7:30 p.m.
All other I-471 ramps: Closes at 8:30 p.m.
10th Street between Saratoga and York Street: Closes at 7:30 p.m.
Fourth Street Bridge: Closes at 8:30 p.m.
Licking Pike (Route 9) North at Aspen Drive: Closes at 9 p.m.
I-471 will remain open during the event unless told otherwise.

COVINGTON

All streets north of East Fourth Street from Madison Avenue to the Licking River will be closed to vehicular traffic at 6 p.m.
The Roebling Suspension Bridge will close at 6 p.m. to both vehicles and pedestrians. The Clay Wade Bailey Bridge will close to vehicles at 6 p.m. and pedestrians at 8 p.m.
The Fourth Street Bridge to Newport will close at 8 p.m.
Madison Avenue will remain open to allow access to public parking lots and garages until they are full or 6 p.m., whichever occurs first. Once the parking lots and garages are full, Madison will be closed to through traffic north of Fourth Street. Exceptions will be made for TANK buses, invitation holders to the Metropolitan Club, and hotel guests with room keys and parking passes.
Access to Devou Park, Kenton Hills, and The Bluffs will be restricted beginning at 2 p.m. to residents and their guests only.
Streets inside of the Impact Area will not reopen and residents and guests will not be permitted to exit the Impact Area in a vehicle until pedestrians have safely cleared out and Covington Police determine that it is safe to do so. This may take up to an hour after the fireworks are completed. (The fireworks begin just after 9 p.m. and last for about 30 minutes.)

Parking

The City of Covington says the following streets will be closed for parking and will have signs that say “No Parking, Tow Away Zones” posted in the “Impact Area.”

Vehicles parked in these areas will be towed starting at 7 a.m. on Sunday, including those next to parking meters. Do not park in the following places:

Riverside Drive
Rivercenter Boulevard
Garrard Street between East Second Street and Riverside Drive
Kennedy Street between East Second Street and Riverside Drive
Shelby Street
Scott Boulevard north of East Fourth Street
Greenup Street north of East Fourth Street
East Third Street east of Madison Avenue
Park Place
Court Street
Surface lots along the floodwall on Rivercenter Boulevard between Madison Avenue and Johnson Street and below the Roebling Suspension Bridge
Grass areas in Devou Park

Vehicles parked in garages and parking lots within the Impact Area will not be allowed to leave until pedestrian traffic is cleared and police have determined it is safe for vehicular traffic, the city says.

Tips from police

Newport, Covington and Cincinnati police are a few of the law enforcement agencies that will assist in public safety of the all-day events on Sunday.

The Newport Police Department offered a few tips on how to make this year’s celebration a successful one for you and your party.

Pick which side of the river you want to see the fireworks on, and show up no later than 6 p.m.
Give yourself plenty of time to find parking.
Plan for long delays when leaving the event.
Dress appropriately for the weather. Stay up to date for this weekend’s forecast with FOX19 NOW’s Weather Team.
Small children are encouraged to wear hearing protection.

Prohibited items: Bags, outside food/drink and more

Large bags, framed backpacks and luggage. Bags will be searched.
Weapons and aerosol cans
Outside food and beverage
Cans, glass or metal containers
Coolers, unless they are medically required. If required, an individual soft-sided cooler is permitted and will be searched and tagged at the gate.
Alcohol and illegal substances, including drug paraphernalia.
Animals/Pets unless they are service animals.
Balloons, beach balls and other inflatable objects.
Hula hoops
Musical instruments
Noise-making devices
Skateboards, roller skates, roller blades, bikes, carts, scooters, hoverboards, Segways, and personal motorized vehicles unless ADA certified.
Large “golf” umbrellas
Pamphlets, flyers, handbills and more
Tools
Drones or laser pointers
Swimming is prohibited in the Ohio River and Licking River.
Mooring along the Covington shoreline is prohibited.
Anyone wishing to bring alcohol to a private event must have it in the Impact Area in Covington before 6 p.m. After 6 p.m., police officers will not allow anyone – including residents – with alcohol to enter the Impact Area.

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