LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

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Since 2004

Tag: 4th of July fireworks

  • Cassie Mattia will broadcast “live” from the 4th of July Parade

    Cassie Mattia will broadcast “live” from the 4th of July Parade

    David and Cassie will be heading to the Historic District to bring you the Parade “Live” on our FaceBook channel.

    Loveland, Ohio – On Thursday, July 4, starting at 7 PM Cassie Mattia will begin her FaceBook Live broadcast from the heart of Historic Downtown during the 4th of July Parade. Cassie will talk about the fun floats, the participants in the parade, and tell you who they are as they pass by.

    Cassie Mattia is the President and Publisher of Loveland Magazine.

    “I am beyond excited to back for another year to commentate the annual Loveland 4th of July Parade,” Cassie said. “I was told by the Assistant City Manager, Misty Clark, that the parade this year is going to be the largest parade yet, which is really exciting for the city and its local businesses. For those of you that can’t make it to the celebration this year I hope that I can make you feel as though you have front seats at the parade and are a part of all the patriotic action!”

    Be sure to tune into our FaceBook page before 7 PM to catch all the action!

    Below are all of the fantastic activities happening through the afternoon into the late evening, ending with the famous Loveland fireworks show around 10 PM. Bookmark this page on your smartphone so you will have the activity schedule and this handy map with you throughout the day.

    [pdf-embedder url=”https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/4th-Map-2024-2.pdf” title=”4th Map-2024-2″]

    Activity Schedule

    Family Fun Zone — 4 to 6:30 p.m. — Nisbet Park
    Festivities kick off in the afternoon at Nisbet Park. Free fun is planned for all ages:

    • Crown & Cape Events – Glitter tattoos, face painting & photo ops
    • Loveland High School Robotics Team – Demonstrations
    • Mathnasium of Loveland – Giant Connect Four
    • NEST Community Learning Center – Lawn games including sack races, egg toss, etc.
    • Premier Martial Arts – Demonstrations
    • Premier Tumbling & Dance – Demonstrations

    Buddy Badges — 4 to 9 p.m. — Nisbet Park Gazebo
    New this year! The city is selling buddy badges for $1 each during the event. Each badge is numbered. Search the crowd to find the person who has your matching number. When you find your buddy, go as a pair to the gazebo in Nisbet Park to collect a matching set of prizes, while supplies last. Prizes will be given in the order of proof of match; highest value prizes first, lowest value last. People can purchase multiple badges. Proceeds will help offset the cost of producing the event. CASH SALES ONLY & MUST BE AGE 18+ TO PARTICIPATE.

    From concert tickets to Yeti-style coolers to private wine tastings, there is something fun for everyone (if you’re lucky enough to find your buddy). Prizes are valued at more than $12,000! Win prizes from our partners:

    Alley Boutique Hops & Berry Taproom Plaid Room Records
    At Home Kauffman Chiropractic Playa Bowls
    Ben Morrison Memorial Foundation LaRosa’s Raising Cane’s
    Berri Eyecare LCNB National Bank Ramsey’s Trailside
    Better Blend Montgomery Cyclery Cincy Shirts
    Blooms & Berries Lemons and Limes Rosé Boutique & Wine Bar
    Cappy’s Taproom & Bottle Shop Let’s Glow Crazy RP Diamond
    Castle Skateland Love Our Land Servatti’s
    Cincinnati Reds Loveland Farmers Market Simply Zero
    Cincinnati Zoo Loveland Police Dept. Soaring Soul Wellness
    City of Loveland Loveland-Symmes Fire Dept. Trailside Provisions
    DoitforJack Jack Quehl Foundation Loveland Stage Co. Paxton’s Grill
    Fleet Feet Loveland Sustainability Council Pet Wants
    Game Show Battle Rooms Matt Haverkamp Foundation HOMEARAMA®
    Grunder Landscaping Co. MegaCorp Pavillion Montgomery Cyclery
    Hilltop Farms Mike’s Carwash Loveland Shorts Film Festival
    Cincinnati Nature Center Dayton Dragons Baseball

    Split the Pot — 4 to 9 p.m. — Near Jackson Street Market/Fleet Feet
    New this year! The city is selling split-the-pot tickets during the event. Tickets will be $5 each or five tickets for $20. Proceeds will help offset the cost of producing the event. CASH SALES ONLY & MUST BE AGE 21+ TO PARTICIPATE.

    Food Trucks — 4 to 10 p.m.
    Food truck vendors will be available throughout the downtown area. Try out Bagel & Deli Truck, Fabulous Funnel Cakes & More, Granny’s Goodies on the Go, Indigenous Chef, J’s Fish Tacos, SEA Cuisine, Schmidt’s Sausage Truck, Smokin Bark BBQ, Steak It Eazy, Rapid Fired Pizza, and Street Fried.

    Meet George Foster — 4 to 5:30 p.m. — City Hall
    Meet the parade’s Grand Marshal! Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer George Foster will be available to sign autographs at City Hall. Bobbleheads will be available for purchase ($40). If you would like to bring memorabilia, he will sign it ($40). CASH SALES ONLY.

    Bingo — Two sessions: 4 & 5 p.m. — City Hall
    Take a break from the heat to play a few rounds of bingo! Prizes for game winners. Monetary donations will be accepted with all proceeds going toward the Ben Morrison Memorial Fund, which provides scholarships to Loveland High School seniors.

    Game Show Battle Rooms — Two sessions: 5 & 8:30 p.m. — Fountain Green at Fleet Feet
    New this year! Game Show Battle Rooms is the #1 new game show experience for everyone to enjoy. This will be an immersive mix of your favorite gameshows presented by a host. Step up to the challenge and play, or enjoy watching from the crowd!

    Kids’ Bike Decorating Contest — 6:15 p.m. — Loveland Elementary School
    Decorate your bike/scooter/tricycle for the holiday, and meet at Loveland Elementary School (600 Loveland-Madeira Road) to take part in this annual tradition. Kids will gather and then take part in the parade at 7 p.m. Prizes sponsored by Trailside Provisions.

    Parade — 7 p.m.
    The parade will leave from Loveland Elementary School (600 Loveland-Madeira Road), turn on West Loveland Avenue, and travel through the downtown district, ending at the intersection of State Route 48/Second Street and East Loveland Avenue. George Foster — a Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer, a member of the Big Red Machine World Series Champions, and 1977 MLB MVP — will be the Grand Marshal!

    Concert — 8 p.m.
    Don’t miss a free concert by the Trailer Park Floosies! They are known for being one of Cincinnati’s most fun party bands, playing hits from the 80s, 90s, and today. Jam to Top 40, rock, and dance favorites.

    Pie Eating Contest — 8:30 p.m. — City Hall Front Lawn
    Serving up a slice of Americana! Get ready for some old-fashioned fun when the city hosts its 2nd annual pie eating contest. No hands allowed. Must be age 18 or older. Contestants, please pre-register online to ensure you have a spot! Limited sign-ups/waitlist may be available the day of event.

    Fireworks — 10 p.m.
    Downtown Loveland will be the best place to view the show, as the fireworks will be staged from Kiwanis Park.  The Matt Haverkamp Foundation Dog Park (located at Kiwanis Park) will close at noon on July 4 to allow for event prep.

    Shuttle Transportation

    FREE parking shuttles will be running continuously from 4-11 p.m.

    • Shuttle pick-up locations will be at Loveland High School (1 Tiger Trail) and the Loveland Early Childhood Center (6740 Loveland-Miamiville Road).
    • Drop-off locations will be at Riverside Drive (near Veterans’ Memorial) and Third Street (near fire station).
    • Please note eventgoers will need to walk to the festivities from the drop-off locations.

    Road & Parking Closures

    This large event requires temporary road closures and parking restrictions.

    Temporary Road Closures: July 4

    • Railroad Avenue at West Loveland Avenue (near Paxton’s Grill) from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
    • Railroad Avenue at Harrison Avenue/First Street intersection (near Nisbet Park) from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
    • Beginning at 4 p.m., West Loveland Avenue will be closed between Karl Brown Way and State Route 48/Second Street. Police will open the road for the parade to travel through downtown and then close it again until after the fireworks at approx. 10:30 p.m.
    • From 6:30-8:30 p.m., there will be temporary road closures for the parade route. The parade route is as follows:
      • Starts at Loveland-Madeira Road from Loveland Elementary School
      • North on Loveland-Madeira Road to West Loveland Avenue
      • West Loveland Avenue to the State Route 48/Second Street intersection

    Parking Restrictions: July 3-4

    Due to parade and shuttle routes, some or all parking spaces will be affected in the following locations:

    • Harrison Avenue
    • Kiwanis Park
    • Park Avenue
    • Railroad Avenue near Paxton’s Grill
    • Railroad Avenue near Nisbet Park
    • Railroad Depot Lot (Public lot near Fleet Feet)
    • Riverside Drive
    • Third Street
    • West Loveland Avenue in Historic Downtown
  • [VIDEO] Bob Kessler gets intimate with 6″ shells on the 4th of July!

    [VIDEO] Bob Kessler gets intimate with 6″ shells on the 4th of July!

    Cassie Mattia is the Associate Editor of Loveland Magazine and lives in Historic Downtown.

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – Loveland videographer Bob Kessler wanted to get a unique perspective of this year’s 4th of July fireworks by getting up close and personal with the launch zone! Kessler was able to not only show the launch of the fireworks but the explosions as well in one wide-angle shot. Loveland Magazine and Kessler teamed up this year for the 4th so that he could receive credentials to be on the actual launch site. By doing this, Kessler was able to witness the firework preparations and be there when the fuses were lit.

    Loveland’s and Symmes Township’s annual Independence Day celebrations were canceled this year, however, the City and Township were able to hold two simultaneous, “park and watch” firework shows on Saturday, July 4th.

    Kessler positioned himself at Loveland’s launch site inside Philips Park which was closed to the public for the day. Symmes Park, which was also closed to the public for the day, acted as the launchpad for the Township.

    Kessler explained that previously he shot video from various street views in Downtown Loveland and on the bridge of the Little Miami River. Typically, Loveland launches its annual show from inside Kiwanis Park on Wall Street but, this year, because of COVID 19 the City was concerned about having thousands of people crowd into Historic Downtown, which is known as the best viewing spot for the fireworks. City Hall ended up deciding to move the launch to a higher location in order to take advantage of the area’s church and school parking lots. Spectators were either encouraged to watch the shows, drive-in movie style and practice social distancing, or residents who lived near the parks were asked to stay at home to enjoy the show. Those that decided to watch the fireworks from their cars went to Loveland High School, Home of the Brave Park, church parking lots, and surrounding subdivisions while of course remaining socially distant.

    Kessler told us that the launch locations were chosen to accommodate the use of larger shells, which go higher into the air and allow spectators to watch from a much wider area.

    Here is Kessler’s favorite still shot from his vantage point at the launch pad inside Phillips Park. “This is my favorite picture from the batch I shot last night. I was about 250′ from the launch site, behind the exhibitors running the show. Nikon D850, 14mm, ISO 400, f/10, 8 seconds,” said Bob Kessler.

    Kessler said he was excited about the addition of a second launch site at Symmes Park this year.

    “The second launch site promised to make for a unique experience. That’s why I settled on Phillips Park as the best location for me to photograph both stills and video images.”

    Dave Miller, Loveland Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, covered the wide shots from the top of the stands at LHS’s stadium where he was able to view both Loveland’s and Symmes’ fireworks. He used two cameras, one acted as a live feed so LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV could have a live broadcast of the shows.

    Kessler and Miller were in constant communication in the days leading up to the show as times and locations rapidly changed with not much notice to the public. Luckily Loveland Magazine had a firework “inside man,” which allowed us to communicate quick and accurate firework updates to the public.

    A few minutes before launch time Kessler sent a message to Miller saying, “I passed the cop-test. The patrol came through and the Rozzi guy said, ‘He’s with us!”

    Some of the camera equipment Bob Kessler used at the launch site of the Loveland Fireworks show.

    Loveland was the first to set off their rockets, then Symmes followed shortly after. Each firework show lasted about fifteen minutes. After the two shows finished both launch pads put on a simultaneous Grand Finale.

    “I first contacted the Loveland Symmes Fire Department about getting permission to be close, as they previously ran the show and knew me and my work with Loveland Magazine,” Kessler explained, “I then approached Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks and got the permission of the exhibitor running the show to shoot within the normally closed firing zone.”

    Kessler positioned himself in a ditch behind the show operator. Using a wide-angle lens and shooting 4K, he was able to capture a high definition video that allowed him to digitally “zoom-in” on the image without compromising quality. “I concurrently shot digital images with my still camera, the equivalent to an 8K image,” Kessler said.

    Kessler experimented with various settings on his camera as the show progressed, mostly shooting still frames at various time exposures of 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 seconds. “All this fussing had to be done quickly, as I knew the show would only last 15-20 minutes. I managed to get about 75 images and several videos,” Kessler said, “Out of that, I ended up with 11 shots that I liked enough to post on Facebook.”

    Kessler learned from the Rozzi folks that the firework shells are able to go up to 100′ in the air for each inch of shell diameter. For example, a 4′ shell would go 400′ feet into the air while a 6′ shell would go about 600 feet into the air.

    “I always look forward to working with Bob Kessler on video projects because I learn so much,” David Miller said, “My only regret is there wasn’t enough of him to go around that night so he couldn’t be in the stadium with me to adjust my camera. If he could have been there then all I would have had to do was hit the record button. My video would have been so much better!”

    Some of the video equipment David Miller used to shoot video and live-stream the fireworks show from the high vantage point of the stands at Tiger Stadium

    Miller also said that when Kessler offered to shoot the show he knew that he would expend countless hours readying his equipment and making adjustments. “Doing something like shooting fireworks is seat-of-pants. There are so many variables such as the rapidly setting sun. Will it be completely dark, well it will be if it’s a cloudy day. If the sun is out and going over the horizon which way will it be heading in relation to where the camera is? Fifteen minutes can make a huge difference in the ambient light that time of day,” Miller explained, “Bob sees all these variables in the days before and has the brainpower to take most of the guesswork out of the equation.”

    Miller said he really enjoyed watching the evening unfold from the highest elevation in town. “When I got to the stadium there were already about 20 teens playing frisbee football and before the show, someone new showed up with a cooler of water balloons to cool them off with.”

    At showtime, many of the teens and some adults joined Miller at the top of LHS’s bleachers to enjoy the vantage point of seeing both shows. “The pre-show of all the neighborhood fireworks displays going off from the high vantage point I had was pretty cool as well,” Miller added.

    Did you miss the 4th of July firework shows this year? Well, we have you covered! Click below to relive Bob Kessler’s 4th of July Fireworks video production!

    Kessler also produced a short clip of Loveland’s Finale which Loveland Magazine ended up using as an experiment of a “Video Cover Photo”.

    Loveland Magazine sends out a special thanks to Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks for giving us access to the launch site and showing us such wonderful hospitality!

    Check out these previous firework shows that Bob Kessler produced for Loveland Magazine TV. In this first video from 2015, Bob showed close-ups as the fuses were lit by a crew of Loveland Firefighters in full protective gear. Deputy Fire Chief Don Books talks about the show and how safe it was for the crew.

    VIDEO: Setting off your 4th of July fireworks was no job for the timid

    VIDEO: Loveland’s Firecracker Festival