NEWPORT, Ky. — Anyone still looking for something fun to do this holiday weekend might consider heading up to northern Kentucky for Riverfest. Preparations are underway for food, music and fireworks along the Ohio Riverfront as Newport, Covington and Cincinnati get set to put on the event on Sunday. 

What You Need To Know

  • Riverfest 2022 will take place on Sunday, Sept. 4, just ahead of Labor Day

  • Newport, Covington and Cincinnati officials are coming together for the large celebration

  • Several boaters have begun parking their boats to get the best views possible

  • One boater who’s been coming to the event for 25 years says the best part is the camaraderie

Many people have already started showing up early, parking their boats to get the best view available.

It was about a three-hour boat ride between Catalina Harbour in Addyston, Ohio, and a dock on Newport’s riverfront for Pete and Becky Berling.

The couple could’ve made the trip a lot sooner than that, but for them, this weekend is all about taking their time, having fun and enjoying what’s left of summer.

“This is one of our vacations,” Pete said. “And it’s nice because the kids are old enough to bring their kids down. We’re expecting about 20 people to come down and watch the fireworks off our boat. So it’s a good time,” said Becky.

They’ve been coming to Riverfest and watching the fireworks show for 25 years. Their spot on the dock is about as close to a front row view as it gets.

“It’s the people. Even more than the fireworks, it’s the people. Everybody gets along so well down here,” Pete said.

Several other boaters were parked at the dock early, making sure their spot was secure, as Mary Frazer explained.

“Once things get started, they have the parameters set to where you can and cannot go,” Frazer said. “This place will just get filled with boats. I mean, it’ll just be wall to wall boats out here, as long as the weather holds out.”

Frazer, who lives in Cincinnati’s Sayler Park neighborhood, pulled up to the dock on her jetski to join her friends who had already parked their boat.

She, too, has been watching the fireworks show for about 25 years.

“We’ve had some really good times with the fireworks. Wouldn’t miss it for anything. Hanging out with all of our fellow boaters. And I think the best part for us is just the camaraderie of it all,” she said. “For us, the fireworks are almost secondary. And then we’re kind of disappointed when it’s over, because it’s like summer’s over for us.”

All good things must come to an end, as the saying goes.

But at least summer is going out with a bang at Riverfest.

Bridges and roads will be closing down for the event, so organizers recommend planning out where they want to be and when. 

Related Stories