COLUMBUS – Millions of Americans will celebrate the nation’s founding with cookouts, fireworks displays, parades and other activities over the long Fourth of July weekend.
A record number are expected to leave home to take advantage of the four-day break. The AAA predicts that 50.7 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home, marking a new high for Independence Day weekend travel volume, and breaking the previous record of 49 million set in 2019.
“Ohioans, we’ll see a record there, there will be a 4% increase over 2022,” said Bill Purpura, director of corporate communications for the auto club.
Roads are expected to be especially congested on Friday, as 43.2 million people are projected to drive with average travel times about 30 percent higher than normal. Those were unable to hit the road early in the morning should wait until after 6:00 p.m. to avoid peak traffic.
One reason for the popularity of road trips is the price of gas, down by approximately $1.50 from what they were a year ago, according to the AAA.
“Even though $3.60 is a bit uncomfortable for most motorists, it’s a heck of a lot better than $4.80, that’s for sure,” Purpura said.
Ohio’s statewide average price of $3.33 a gallon is 21 cents below the national average and $1.48 cheaper than a year ago, according to the AAA.
Fourth of July gas prices (current as of Fri., June 30)
Ohio……………………..$3.33
Clevelan………….…..$3.36
Cincinnati…….$3.41
Dayton………..$3.20
Toledo….….….$3.27
Michigan………..…………….$3.56
Pennsylvania…………………..$3.64
W. Virginia……………………..$3.97
Kentucky………………….…..$3.28
Indiana…………………..…..$3.38
Source: AAA
Red, White & BOOM!
The annual Red, White & Boom! downtown fireworks display is scheduled for Monday, July 3. Approximately 500,000 usually turn out for the fireworks show that’s billed as the best in the Midwest.
COTA’s ZOOM to BOOM service begins at 5:30 p.m. and includes roundtrip express service from four Park & Ride locations to downtown Columbus and extended service hours to at least midnight on all 14 downtown transit lines.
About 1,000 COTA employees will work throughout the day to bring revelers to downtown.
The Columbus Division of Police will once again be providing help for missing children.
Detectives from the Special Investigations Bureau will staff five missing person booths starting at 4:00 pm on Monday.
The locations booths are located on W. Long Street at the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks; on West Street south of Marconi Boulevard; on the lawn in front of City Hall at W. Broad Street and N. Front Street; in front of 200 Civic Center Drive, and on the north side of COSI at Washington Boulevard and W. Broad Street.
Parents of young children are encouraged to visit a booth to get an identification bracelet and complete a quick registration form, which police say will help them quickly reconnect lost child with parents.
Police also recommend parents are take a digital photograph of their child in the clothing they are wearing to the event and store the image on their cellphone. Detectives can share the photo with other officers quickly to help locate the child.
Click here to find fireworks displays in your community
Take care of pets
Household pets, especially dogs, can be upset by the noise of fireworks, so experts recommend putting the pet in an interior room they are used to and making sure their bed, toys and water are within easy reach.
A wide assortment of calming supplements and chews, pheromone diffusers, and anxiety vests like Thundershirts can help soothe a stressed-out pet.
They say this is the perfect time to ensure your pet is microchipped and the chip is registered in case your pet goes missing. Many pet frightened by fireworks run away and are often turned in to shelters.
Fireworks do’s and don’t’s
There are some relatively new laws in Ohio governing the use of backyard fireworks, but the safety rules have not changed.
Under a law enacted last year, Ohioans can legally discharge 1.4G consumer fireworks only if they are purchased from a licensed dealer in the state and only on certain days during the year unless their municipality, township or county has banned their use.
This July, those days are July 3, 4, and 5, and the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday immediately before and after July 4th from 4:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m., according to the state Department of Commerce.
Safety recommendations for fireworks amateurs
- Never allow young children to handle fireworks.
- Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear.
- Never hold lit fireworks in your hands.
- Never light fireworks indoors.
- Only use fireworks away from people, houses, and flammable material.
- Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.
- Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding.
- Keep water or a fire extinguisher nearby to fully douse fireworks that don’t discharge or in case of fire.
Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission/Ohio Fire Marshal
Green Fourth
Officials at the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio say the Fourth of July is a good time to celebrate in an Earth-friendly fashion.
Instead of single-use decorations, they suggest fresh wildflowers or fruit displays.
While plastic plates and cutlery are not accepted for recycling in Franklin County. SWACO recommends reusable dinnerware.
They say hosts can make recycling and composting easy by making sure there are recycling and composting bins right beside the trash can.