Festival of Fireworks

The Cincinnati Bell/WEBN Fireworks at Procter & Gamble Riverfest has been a part of many of Greater Cincinnatian’s end of summer celebration for more than 30 years. Countless people gather on either side of the Ohio River to enjoy all-day entertainment with music, food, and family fun before the largest firework display in the Midwest. 

For those who want to avoid the crowds, the Dan Beard Council/Boy Scouts of America’s annual Festival of Fireworks event in Mount Adams is the perfect way to enjoy the fireworks with your family and clients. Boy Scout Troop 502 in Indian Hill originally started the family-friendly event. Today the event benefits the ScoutREACH program that sends underprivileged children to summer camp for two weeks, as well as funding other program initiatives. This year they hope to raise $140,000. 

“Everyone goes to the fireworks for Labor Day. As a young person it was great you go down there (Riverfest). You hang out all day, but after a while you get tired of the crowd and getting in and out,” says Billy Cyr, president and CEO at Sunny Delight Beverages Co. “Then you have kids and it isn’t worth it because you’re stuck down there for so long. The Boy Scouts have had this Festival of Fireworks for years. The first time I came to this I thought, ‘OK this is the way to do the fireworks.’ ” 

The Festival of Fireworks hosts special events for both children and adults. Guests arrive around 5 p.m. to kick off the event. Free parking is available at the Cincinnati Art Museum and a shuttle takes guests to and from their cars. The event has a sit-down dinner for the adults while the children enjoy cheese coneys provided by the Gold Star Chili Mobile. As dinner comes to an end, the adults can participate in a silent auction or simply enjoy the band without having to worry about keeping their children entertained. 

The Sunny Delight Beverage Co. sponsors a children’s area complete with games and activities to keep the little ones entertained for hours. The Cincinnati Zoo brings a selection of animals for the children to enjoy. Parents don’t have to worry about their children’s safety as the Boy Scouts chaperone the children’s area. 

“I’ve gone to the event for 10 years and I’ve been a part of the committee for four years. What I love about the event is ... I have two young daughters ... it’s a very family-friendly event and at the same time I feel good knowing that it meets the scouts values,” says Ed Klene, associate marketing director at Sunny Delight Beverages Co. “One of the examples I love is last year we installed a new area in the kids area where the Boy Scouts teach the younger kids how to make different knots. They used licorice to make the knots and once the kids are done making their knots they eat them. I think all of the different activities set up really provide a great atmosphere for the whole family.” 

The Festival of Fireworks wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of the community. This year’s high level sponsors are Sun- ny Delight Beverages Co., CH Robinson, General Cable, Performance Lexus, AAA, Abstract Displays, The Rippe Family, Relevant Works, Macy’s, Hauck Holdings and Gold Star Chili. 

When 9 o’clock rolls around everyone heads to the bleachers to enjoy the fireworks display overlooking downtown Cincinnati and the Ohio River. Once the show comes to an end everyone gathers their things and head to the shuttle. 

"These are the best fireworks in Cincinnati. We have great food, wonderful activities and it’s family-friendly,” says Susan Whitman, vice president commercial relationship manager at U.S. Bank. “It’s a wonderful event without any hassle. Then you think of the other side of this, it sends boys who could not afford to go to camp or could not afford to be a part of scouting – this is the value.”