When we say “our town” this week, we’re talking about the Cincinnati, OH region, not just Crestview Hills, KY. Labor Day, which was first celebrated September 5th 1882 in New York City, didn’t become a federal holiday until 1894. In our area summer has been ushered out with a bang for the past 39 years by the WEBN Fireworks. This year, the 40th, proves to be no let down at all.
Originally the fireworks were a way for Frank “Bo” Woods, owner of WEBN, to celebrate the 10th “birthday” of the station. They had no expectation of the crowd they would draw Tuesday, Aug. 30, 1977 for that event, but tens of thousands flooded the riverbanks on both sides of the Ohio River. The annual event now draws approximately 250,000 people to river fronts of Cincinnati, OH and Covington, Newport and Bellevue, KY. We were a completely different region then as well. We had only Riverfront Stadium (the Reds had just won back to back World Series), there was no Smaile Park, Newport on the Levee or The Banks.
Now 40 years later it’s still a favorite of everyone in the area. According to WVXU.org there are going to be some GREAT activities to celebrate the 40th anniversary:
The Kroger Activity Zone schedule: WLW-AM’s Bill “Seg” Dennison (noon-2 p.m.), Xavier cheerleaders (2-3 p.m.), Jim Scott (2-4 p.m.), UC Bearcats mascot (3-4 p.m.), Cincinnati Bengals Who Dey mascot (3:30-4:30 p.m.), FC Cincinnati players and marketing team (4-5 p.m.), Cooking with Caitlin (4-6 p.m.), Cincinnati Reds Rosie and Mr. Red Legs mascots (4:30-6:30 p.m.), FC Cincinnati coaches (6:30-8 p.m.), free face painting and kids coloring contest.
Hubert’s Lemonade Pavilion Stage at Sawyer Point with Kiss 107/102.3 The Beat/The Project 100.7/106.3: Matt Thomas (1-1:30 p.m.); Daniel in Stereo (1:45-2:30 p.m.); Amazing Urban Adventures (2:45-3 p.m.); Systems Go Air Force Band of Flight (4-5:10 p.m.); Alex Angelo (5:45-6:15 p.m.); Jordan Fisher (6:30-6:50 p.m.); Daya (7-7:20 p.m.); Jacob Whitesides (7:30-8 p.m.); 102.7 WEBN (8-9:35 p.m.).
Regardless of your plans to watch from the Ohio or Kentucky side of the river, make your way down to watch one of the best fireworks displays in the world this Sunday at 9:05 PM. We’ll see you there!