Known restrictions on fireworks concern safety, traffic and parking
COVINGTON, Ky. – Large crowds will once again flock to the waterfront and viewpoints around Covington to watch the 48th The annual Labor Day weekend fireworks display will take place on Sunday, September 1, so the city and its police department are implementing the familiar restrictions to ensure safety and orderly traffic flow.
The rules cover topics such as road closures, parking, alcohol, skateboards, scooters and glass containers and are similar to those of previous years.
The rules apply in Devou Park and in the so-called Riverfest Impact Area downtown – the area north of East Fourth Street between the Licking River and Madison Avenue and a contiguous section from Madison to Johnson Street along West Rivercenter Boulevard (see map above).
Police Chief Brian Valenti emphasized the enormous significance of the event.
“Riverfest brings thousands of people to the riverfront and other locations with river views,” Valenti said. “We ask everyone to be patient as they navigate the pedestrian-filled streets. Our goal is to host a fun and safe event so visitors will return for years to come.”
The Covington Police Command Center for the Western & Southern/WEBN Fireworks will again be located at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center at the corner of Madison Avenue and Rivercenter Boulevard.
To facilitate access to the impact area for people with disabilities, police will have a chauffeured van on site. Individuals requiring this service should contact the Command Center at (859) 760-7018 upon arrival on Sunday.
The fireworks display begins at 9 p.m. For information about fireworks and related events in Cincinnati, visit Western & Southern/WEBN Fireworks.
- All streets north of East Fourth Street from Madison Avenue to the Licking River will be closed to traffic starting at 6 p.m.
- The Roebling Suspension Bridge will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians at 6 p.m. The Clay Wade Bailey Bridge will be closed to vehicles at 6 p.m. and to pedestrians at 8 p.m.
- The Fourth Street Bridge to Newport will be closed at 8 p.m.
- Madison Avenue will remain open to allow access to public parking lots and garages until they are full or until 6:00 p.m., whichever comes first. Once the lots and garages are full, Madison north of Fourth Street will be closed to through traffic. Exceptions will be made for TANK buses, Metropolitan Club invitation holders, and hotel guests with room keys and parking passes.
- Access to Devou Park, Kenton Hills and The Bluffs is restricted to residents and their guests after 2:00 p.m.
- Roads within the impact area will not be reopened and residents and guests will not be allowed to leave the impact area by vehicle until pedestrians are safely away and Covington Police determine it is safe to do so. This may take up to one hour after the fireworks display concludes. (The fireworks display begins shortly after 9 p.m. and lasts approximately 30 minutes.)
The following areas within the affected area will be designated as “No Parking, Tow Zones.” Vehicles parked in these areas will be towed starting at 7:00 a.m. Sunday, including next to parking meters:
- Riverside drive.
- River Center 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.
- Parking.
- Court Street.
- Parking along the flood barrier on Rivercenter Boulevard between Madison Avenue and Johnson Street and below the Roebling Suspension Bridge.
- Grassy areas in Devou Park.
All vehicles parked in garages and parking lots in the impact area will not be permitted to leave the area until pedestrian traffic is reopened and the Covington Police Department has determined it is safe for vehicle traffic to resume.
- Alcohol is prohibited at all times on municipal property and in public places. All coolers and beverage containers are subject to inspection and will be checked at designated checkpoints.
- Anyone wishing to bring alcohol to a private event must leave it in the Impact Area before 6:00 p.m. After 6:00 p.m., police officers will not allow anyone – including residents – to enter the Impact Area with alcohol.
- Glass containers, bicycles, skateboards, pets, rollerblades, roller skates, fireworks, and motorized scooters (such as Lime, Bird, etc.) are prohibited in the Impact Area.
- Motorized vehicles or scooters are also not permitted on flood protection walls.
- Swimming in the Ohio River and the Licking River is prohibited during Riverfest.
- Docking along the Covington shoreline is prohibited.
- Only vendors with special event permits from the city are allowed to enter the Impact Area. (Applications for these special event permits must be received 45 days prior to the event day.)
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